Cebu trips elsewhere! :)

We've conquered a few places in the South and went exploring the wonderful places in the North, but we've also visited a few enchanting and beautiful places in other parts of the province of Cebu...

Day-as, Cordova

We read in istorya.net that there's this place in cordova that's nice for dating. especially during sunset. So we checked on google earth to know its exact location and decided to go to the place..spent an hour and a half going thru traffic and actually locating the place but the distance was worth it! we missed the sunset but it was still lovely!! stayed for around 4 hours. it was a date to remember...a date overlooking the city from the sea.

after the sunset

the view of the city from the sea

Balamban

Transcentral Highway

When we go to Toledo, we usually pass by Transcentral highway where the mountains are steep, the air clean and the view spectacular. We sometimes stop over the place where they sell super sweet corn and have pix taken.

the transcentral highway view

Island in the Sky

In Balamban, along the Transcentral Highway, there are several mountain resorts, one of which is Island in the Sky. It has a hanging bridge and a nice view of the sea and the Toledo side of Cebu. Unfortunately the pool was under maintenance, good thing we brought some drinks with us :)

island in the sky

the hanging bridge

Binghay Marine Park

Another place in balamban that we have been to was Binghay Marine Park. I was expecting a nice beach but there were mangroves all around, so it was not that enticing. They had a pool with a little slide, so we made do with that. And even if it was chilling because the wind was cold and the skies were cast, the great company of friends made the whole trip worthwhile!

great company!

the small pool near the slide

Camotes!!!

Camotes is definitely enchanting!!! We went there with a friend who helped with a medical mission, and we explored the lovely places of Camotes! We had a boat ride from Danao, Cebu and when we got to Camotes, we rented motorcycles for P400 and drove our way around the island. We stayed in Santiago Bay and you'd marvel in the wide stretch of sand!The public beach allows you to rent tents. 

santiago bay

 We also visited Timubo Cave, where there is an image of the Virgin Mary. After driving around the island under the scorching heat of the sun, the super cool and super clear water was very refreshing.

Timubo Cave

Another must go place in Camotes for the strong hearted ones is Buho Rock where you can jump from a cliff! There are 2 areas where you can jump, and we gathered all our guts to jump from the highest cliff, the height of maybe a 2-3 story house! It was crazy, super fun, (and painful for Angge- she was unable to jump well so she landed on her thigh and she had a super bruised leg for 2 weeks!!!)

Buho Rock: not for the faint hearted

We also drove to Lake Danao. It was a place nice for a picnic.The serene water and the perfect weather made it beautiful to take loads of photographs!

lake danao

On our way back to Santiago Bay, we also jumped over a small port with super clear and blue waters. A port unlike those we find in the city.

We also headed to Bukilat Cave and had lunch in SAntiago Bay Resort. Indeed the 2 day trip was unexpected and super fun! One worth doing again...longer next time!

There are many more places in Cebu and we're excited to explore them together!! :)

Trips down South of Cebu :)

It's always better when we're together, yeah, we'll look at them stars when we're together...

yeah it's always better when we're together...<3

Trips made together are always fun, sweet, romantic and memorable. We've had our trips up North and the  places up Northern Cebu were great but we also had our fair share of the places in the South...

Here are a few of the places we've visited...

San Fernando & Carcar

One time, we had a spontaneous decision to go on a road trip down South and headed over to Carcar just for the fun of it. We of course know that Carcar is the Little Marikina of Cebu and we checked out the shoes and bought quite a few! We then stayed in Acacia Grill, an open air restaurant to have drinks. The place is nice, the ambiance is great. And after finishing a few bottles of beer we headed to San Fernando and stayed to have a few more drinks and a little videoke in this small place just by the road. (don't know the name). It was a great trip since it was a spur of the moment trip and we had fun! 

acacia grill, carcar

videoke place by the road, San Fernando

Mantayupan Falls, Barili

Since Wati is a football player, he and some Don Bosco pipz were invited to a football tournament in Barili. Thanks to that invitation we learned of Mantayupan falls! The falls is a must go in the South, the water's really cool and clean (if you're unlucky and it rains, the water becomes quite muddy) and the ambiance is really relaxing. It's best to bring in some tequila for the water is really cool and a shot of tequila always brings the temperature back up :)

Mantayupan Falls 2006

Moalboal

Moalboal boasts of a wide stretch of fine white sand and clear blue waters that you can't wait to jump into. We have been to this place several times already, and even if we've been there a lot of times, may it be for pure pleasure, just to get away from the busy life of the city or for super fun fun fun beach soccer competitions, each time there is a new experience. Moalboal, till we meet again, maybe go to Pescador Island or go diving soon (again if money permits :D)

moalboal's sand

the clear blue waters of Moalboal

Alcoy

One holy week some years back, Angge's family went to Alcoy for the weekend, and of course Wati has to be there to make the trip even more fun. We stayed in Bodo's Bamboo Bar, a resort up the hill with a spectacular view of the sea. We were so lucky that the moon was full that evening for it was reflected in the sea, and it was so romantic. :) The resort has a nice pool, a spacious land area, and some recreational games you can play. We had our game of foozball, and pingpong. And of course the trip to Alcoy would not be complete without heading to the beach. Alcoy is known for it's public beach, Tingko Beach. 

chillin' in Bodo's Bamboo Bar

Tingko Beach, Alcoy

Sumilon

Sumilon is a honeymoon paradise! It is a secluded island, a few minutes away from Oslob by boat and it is one of the most heavenly places we've visited. We went with the Guava Republic (Angge's berks from college) for a day tour of the island worth P1500 and the sand bar was spectacular and the snorkeling was fun. We just swam most part of the day even if we were dead drunk from attending a fiesta in Mandaue the night before. Sumilon Island is a must go again for me!!

Sumilon's pristine water & its fine white sand

We have also visited Argao, and just recently explored Badian. There are still a whole lot of places to check out in Cebu South, and once we do get to check them out, we'll tell you all about it. 

Till the next Southern trip! Excited! :)

Trips up North of Cebu :)

The nice thing about having each other is going to places together. :)

Deciding to make a travel blog made me look through all the pictures of the places we've been together. And it made me think, there has been quite a few vacations, side trips, road trips here and there, it's such a shame to only think of talking about each trip just now. So let us show you the places we've visited and the details we remember of those memorable trips and maybe someday we'd get to see these places again and talk more about it. 

We had our  taste of the Northern beaches of Cebu:

Tabuelan!

When Wati's sister celebrated her birthday a few years back, we headed to Durhan Beach in Tabuelan and it was a great place to stay with family and friends. It had powdery white sand and since it was low tide when we got there, we just chilled, and drank beer on the beach. A nice place worth going back to! :)

Durhan's White Beach

chillin with a bottle of beer

Daanbantayan!

When Angge's mom's charismatic community headed to the northern tip of  Cebu, we decided to hop along! We stayed in Bitoon, Daanbantayan (if we remember it correctly) and stayed at the beach house of one of Angge's mom's friends. The beach was not bad, it was a white sand beach with a perfect view of the romantic sunset. We spent the night over some Boracay, some horror stories, and some chilly experiences (the dog's creepy howling) and spent the day swimming and playing ball.

the white sand beach of daanbantayan

the beautiful sunset in daanbantayan


San Remigio

We also got the chance to go to San Remigio. The 1st one was with a good friend, Marck B., who came all the way from the States and treated us to Warren's Beach Resort. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate that much for it was cloudy and the wind was too strong, but it was still nice and the great company made the whole trip worthwhile. And the 2nd time we went to San Remigio was during the 3rd beach soccer competition. 

Bantayan Island

Island paradise! We never get tired of going to this island where the water's so blue and the sand so fine and white. We first went to Bantayan together in August of 2006 and spent 3 days there and ended up with no food after. Hahaha. And since then we've been coming back to this beautiful island over and over again. And we always end up so dark and sunburned after...to our mom's dismay! Lol! Bantayan we will see you again! and again! and again! :D

the crystal clear blue water and the powdery white sand of Bantayan Island

There are a whole of other places up North where we haven't been there yet...together, that is. There's Medellin, Malapascua, and so many other places up North that we still have to explore when the money and time permits. :) And on those times, we would be able to write more details about them.

Till the next northern cebu trip! Excited! :)

Exploring Badian

Wati and I have gone to quite a lot of places since we have been together. We’ve been to Moalboal, Alcoy, Ormoc, Argao, Sumilon, Bohol, Island in the Sky, Mantayupan Falls, Balamban, San Remigio, Carcar, Bantayan Island, Daanbantayan, Tabuelan, Palawan and a few small trips here and there and we only thought of making a blog about our trips together just now!

The talk to make a travel blog sprang forth because we were eagerly aching for a trip, and couldn’t get that much information about the place we wanted to go. When a good friend told us just last Friday that he and his friend are planning to go Moalboal, we immediately decided to tag ourselves a long, and persuaded them to explore Badian instead. So with the date set, Wati & I desperately checked on places to visit and a place where we could spend the night, but there were too little information. So we thought, why not write about our trip, and maybe just maybe, somebody might find the blog useful someday. 

So with our research, we learned that aside from the famous Kawasan Falls, Badian also has a beautiful white sand beach. After going through numerous forums and blogs, I learned that the public beach is in Lambug, but the popular resort where you could stay overnight is already closed, and there were very little details about accomodation. So we decided to head to Kawasan Falls first, spend the night there, and look for the beach the day after.

We headed to Badian at 6AM, riding a Librando Bus (near the Caltex Station in front of E-Mall & fare to Badian is P116) and got to the place at around 8:30. The bus was super fast, imagine getting to the place in a little over 2 hours, whew! the speed made my heart jump! When we got to the town proper, we rode a multicab (P10) to Matutinao where Kawasan Falls is located and paid P10 for the entrance.  The waterfalls is 1.5 kilometers from the highway. To get there, one needs to walk for 15 to 30 minutes on a clear trail. But despite the trek, the crystal clear water, the soft sound of the water,  beautiful landscape, made the walk worthwhile, you might even be tempted to dip on the clear water even before your reach the main site!

the tempting water along the trail to Kawasan

the view while walking to Kawasan

If you have several things to carry though, there are some guys who are willing to carry them for a certain fee. When we reached the site, we opted to stay in the 2nd falls, where it is less crowded, more tranquil and safer for me. We even got a spot where we had the falls exclusively for ourselves!

our private lagoon

 Since we would be staying overnight, we rented a room at P800. (If you are scared of staying there for the night though, there is a nearby resort, La Playa Beach Resort)We bought tuba (jungle wine) for P60 and we just ordered lunch and dinner from the store. And for the alcohol lovers like us (LOL), they have ice cold beer too at P80! After lunch, we decided to trek to the source, it’s a 10 to 15 minute trek, but once you get to the site, the tiredness just goes away, and you can’t wait to just jump in! We went up to the source and had our very own jacuzzi experience.

Kawasan's source

our very own jacuzzi

After a night of bottles of beer, and a peaceful slumber to the sound of the gushing falls, we had our last dip of the cool waters and set out for our quest to find the white sand beaches of Badian. Since we only know of the name, Lambug, we asked around, and was unfortunately told to go to the corner of Badian Island Resort and wait for a tricycle to take us to the place. We waited for sometime in the area and contemplating on whether to go on with the beach escapade or not, a tricyle arrived and took us to the place. We paid P100 for the tricycle since there were only the 2 of us and we waited in the wrong place. We had to go back to another corner so we could go to the beach. If you are planning to go to Lambug Badian Beach, just go down the corner of Cebu International Golf Club, and ride a tricycle or a haba-habal (P25/each) there. So glad we pushed thru with going to the beach because it was heavenly! And I mean really heavenly! There’s a long stretch of fine white sand, and blue crystal clear water. Their beach is a must go for all the beach lovers out there!! If you fell in love with Moalboal, you’d fall in love, maybe even more inlove with Badian’s virgin white sand beach, perfect place to relax, enjoy and get that tan!

Angge in Lambug Beach, Badian

Watiwats in Lambug Beach, badian

the long stretch of white sand in Lambug Beach

We just stayed under the shade of a tree and had lunch before dipping into the clear blue waters. If you’re on a budget like us, it’s best to bring a few canned goods, some bread or crackers. For we had that for lunch! LOL!

LUNCH under the tree! Magic Flakes, Corned Beek, 1 Banana and Minute Maid Pulp!

We asked around for places where we can stay overnight in case we’d want to get back with our families and friends. There are cottages you can rent for around P1000-2500, or you can just pitch a tent. There are also several stores, videokes, and a comfort room where you can change or wash up for a fee.

resort where you can stay overnight 

After an hour of savoring the white powdery beach, we headed home, stopped over the golf course to have a few pictures taken and went home from paradise. The trip was heavenly, romantic, and simply a must try with family and friends, and maybe just the two of us again.

All in all, we spent around P2500 for the 2 day Badian escapade. And Wati said, that if not for the beer, we would have saved more. Imagine P530 for the beer and the Tuba! wahahah! But as I told him, we love beer, so I guess we just couldn’t save as much as we wanted to save! LOL!

Till our next trip!  Excited!

PS. Wati and I have planned to have at least one new place, somwhere we’ve never been to in a year. Excited for that too!

michaelangeli

Wati and I talked about making a travel blog of the places we’ve been to. But I figured, I could talk about US too, and not just the places we’ve visited, the sights we’ve seen, but the things we went through too, our normal days, our simple surprises, anything under the sun, we experienced…together. Char! 

So let me start off this blog by saying that in 9 days, Wati & I would be celebrating our 91st month together! wootwoot! some kind of achievement huh? even before i joined the relationship bandwagon, people have been doubting if I’d ever get to stay in a relationship even for a month! And when i actually got into one (FYI: I am a late bloomer! I had my first boyfriend at 20 years old coz i really found it hard to actually commit), people close to me became really worried! Seriously, i was doubting myself as well! Knowing how fickle and scared i am, i was in for some big trouble…

But things change, and people change…and i changed! The fact that i did allow myself to fall, and allowed myself the chance to get hurt, which is something i’m so damned scared about, is a proof that i have actually changed…And finding myself adding months and months, and now years and years to the relationship, is nothing short of a marvel! heheh!char!

i have always been cautious to put my heart on my sleeve eversince my adolescent years, and i’ve always found myself hurting those who tried to get close…yes, i did, and i’ve hurt those people pretty badly, just to protect myself from being hurt…but i realized that i’d be missing out on one of the most beautiful thing in life if i continue to be like that…so i tried to put down my defenses…and yes, i did find out how even more beautiful life can get if you allow yourself to love…i did still try to be cautious, trying not to give so much, but how could i truly be happy when i limit myself on how i should love a person and how i should let that person love me…it’s been almost 91 months since i shied away from my practicality and allowed myself to love, and though it’s not easy, you’d feel a lot of hurt and sometimes you just would want to hit that person you’re with, and just shout out all your anger, but i don’t regret that day almost 91 months ago, when i finally allowed myself to feel the joy of love…and you all should too..

 i’m glad i took the leap, or i would not have been this happy now!

-angge-