An adventure in Cebu wouldn't be EXTREME without Crown Regency Cebu's Skywalk Adventure. At Php 1,000 package price, we enjoyed three thrilling rides:

• Skywalk
• Edge Coaster
• Urban Zipline

Photography is not allowed while up in the sky so we bought separate package for this. It's a must for a city adventure such as this!

SKYWALK- it might look like an ordinary walk in the park, but no-no. It still requires a great deal of strength! I don't even have the courage to peek on the edge. I was able to peek only in areas where the flooring's clear. Thirty-six stories? With only the harness and the flooring keeping us afloat? Whoah!

Aside from the 'walk', another plus was also the 360-degree view of the Queen City of the South. So breathtaking! 

The guides added the fun in the walk, too. 

EDGE COASTER- just sitting pretty? Oh, no. This was scarier for me. Imagine, at the first few seconds, the coaster was titled! And it's only the lock that's keeping us. Though we had the option to tilt it in a sitting position so as not to see what's under us, the chance was too rare. Might as well enjoy the ride!

Look at my fez in the first photo, below. HAHAHA. 

URBAN ZIPLINE- the first of its kind. An exhilarating 8 seconds going down! Going back to Crown tower was much slower. Perfect view of the city lights.

 Had sooo much fun! Obviously, right? 

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Friday, February 27, 2015

Sumilon in Oslob, Cebu was once listed as a must-see sandbar in the Philippines. Was so lucky to have enjoyed this famous papaparaside, recently.

But before that, let me first applaud search engines. For without it, I never would have known that hitting two adventures with one stone's possible. The beauty of DIY!

It's hard to miss, really. I mean the island. Even when excited or engrossed swimming with the gentle giants, the private island of Sumilon can be easily spotted.

The whaleshark encounter won't take too long. So usually, a sidetrip elsewhere's arranged. Mostly, the cheapest and nearest is Tumalog Falls. A few minutes ride up the mountain via habal-habal.

Well Sumilon's a road (or sea?) less traveled. 

Though just a short 10-15 minute ride via a relatively large outrigger boat, price haggling was cruel. Even when raining, Php 2,000 was still the last price given (entrance per head they already included).

Expensive. I was hoping to bring it down to Php 1,000 based on the blogs I've read. But since they won't budge, might as well grab whatever. For that moment in Sumilon.

Happily, the trip was worth it. And hope these pictures would help paint that thousand words.

Almost there!

Oh sandbaaar!

Ooops, we're only allowed up to this point

Bad weather, but not the sight!

I can stay here loooong

:)

Clear waters despite the weather; fine creamy sand; the stillness of nature; the melody of the waves; amazing rock formations; not too salty water and little creatures living. It was a sight to behold. I wish I could fill in my lungs all the positivity and fresh air of that moment.

I wish too, to have stayed longer. If only I'm richer by a few thousands, I'll pay for a day trip in Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort-- an exclusive island were day tours range from Php 1,500- 2,000 per pax.

Bucketlist, prepare. 

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Saturday, February 21, 2015

Another tick in my bucket list: swimming with the whale sharks or butanding! One surreal and unforgettable experience!

Oslob, for their whaleshark encounter, only made a buzz a few years back. It rose to fame within the traveling community fast because the chance of seeing them in flesh was fat.

We had to be sure it's fat. The ride from Cebu City to Brgy. Tan-Awan, Oslob was about three (3) hours long.

That entailed waking up before dawn. Caught the earliest bus ride from South Bus Terminal to Brgy. Tan-Awan at 3am sharp.

It might sound like only the bravest can do, but really it's easy. Bus conductors already know where to drop travelers looking for this kind of adventure. 

We stopped at MB's Sunrise View Resort. After paying fees (Php 300 for whale shark watching/ Php 500 for swimming plus Php 100 resort fees), they took us by boat to the Briefing Center where do's and don'ts were discussed. Of the few that I could remember were:

• Each group's allowed 30 mins of watching or swimming 
• Distance from the whale shark should be 4 meters 
• No flash photography as they're sensitive to light
• No to sunscreens

Road sign so as not to get lost.

After the reminders, we went back again to the boat to wear our life vest and hola! All aboard to swim with the whale sharks! The interaction area was pretty near the shore. 

Not that far, right?

Once within, it didn't take long for us to meet the gentle giants. The moment I saw baby butanding (because I was still on the boat), I wanted to jump at once. Thirty minutes was just too short and I had to relish every moment. Seeing them on the boat was different from sharing the same water-space with them. Like, whoah!

Hello there, baby!

Submerged in water, it was kind of scary at first. I wanted to verify and recall my science lesson. Really, they don't eat humans? Once I'm sane, every time it's near, I'm awestruck though they smell fishy! I can't get over its breathing gills, too. And, my symbiotic relationship lesson was coming all over again. What do we call those freeloaders, again?

Up close and personal!

Of course, we cannot let this moment pass without pictures. The boatman and his assistant took us one by one for the photo-opp. The harsh process goes like this: they'd push us underwater (with or without life vest), then we'd strike a pose. I was afraid of trying it without my life vest on in my first few shots. But for precious moment's sake, I mustered everything for that, as kuya said, "perfect profile pic."

So here were my attempts for a selfie with baby butanding:

Look at my stunt with kuya! hahaha

Now for a groufie!

Better without the lifevest on. Hahaha

I keep on saying 'what an experience!' I hope that by enjoying them in the flesh no serious harm's done. It would be great if future generations will still be able to marvel at this wonder. 

P.S. Whale shark watching is until 1pm only. The usual side trip after that is in Tumalog Falls, but we took a different course, in Sumilon. Enjoy reading!

Here's our travel itinerary to Oslob, Cebu.

TIME	ITINERARY	PRICE
2:30-3:00 AM	Hotel to South Bus Terminal (Ceres)	Php150.00
3:00-6:00 AM	South Bus Terminal to Brgy. Tan-Awan via Ceres Bus (Non-aircon)	Php150.00
6:01 onwards	Sunview Hotel Registrtation	Php100.00
	(use of facilities such as shower and 'locker' included
	Whale Shark Watching	Php500.00
	Add-ons: Underwater cam rental	Php550.00
1:00-2:00PM	Side-Trip:
	Sumilon: (Free area only)/ Boat rental	Php2,000.00
2:01-4:30PM	Ceres bus to Cebu City (aircon)	Php155.00
	TOTAL:	Php3,605.00
	*Plus food and tip

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

"I want to make tusok-tusok the isaw!"

A tusok-tusok ihaw haven, for the sosyal, it was! The concept's very Pinoy minus the free germs and the kanto-style. Bravo to the brainchild of Charaptor! 

Barbecue all you can

At Php 390 (dinner weekdays), selection of meats and veggies on stick were available for grilling. Each table has its own grilling set-- with charcoals! It's not smoke-less, by the way. Thus, in Charaptor it's dine al fresco. 

Charaptor menu

Cooks meat fast!

Compared to regular buffets, they had lesser food options. But of course manong bbq cannot compete with their food selection. That time, they had chicken, ribs, pork, ham, hotdogs, squid fish, quail or tofu wrapped in bacon, shrimps, butayaki (looks like kebab), squid balls, salmon balls, gizzard intestines of both chicken and pork. Plus veggies to grill such as corn, potatoes and others.

For the grills

Look at the bacon wraps!

1st batch

Too bad, though, they didn't have fish balls. 

To appease that sad face, table of sauces and dips were available to complement every dish available. I didn't dip much in the sauces as the meat themselves were already flavorful. Too bad they don't have peanut sauce! 

Sauces in every way!

For the stomach who can't wait, there were french fries, kimchi, chicharon, siomai, mashed potatoes and etc. Their mashed potato was good! Perfect for the hungry. 

Cheese sticks, french fries and mashed potato :)

Surprisingly, desserts were served such as crinkles and meringue. Not to expect too much from the desserts though, as the crinkles were tough I would've sworn it was bought in the nearest bakery. Haha. 

This meringue looks familiar ;)

Drinks were refillable, too. No soft drinks, only powdered juices. 

Yes put ice on the fats

Good price. Good service. Food selection was fine. The only thing I didn't enjoy was my inability to tell if my meat was cooked already which resulted in a few minor and major burns. 

For the new concept, minus the carcinogen intake, my verdict:

Rating: 3.5


Charaptor is located at:


9752 Kamagong St. cor Aranga St., 
San Antonio Village,
Makati City 

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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

During our recent trip in the Queen City of the South, we accidentally found Cafe Noriter's Cebu version: SODA Cafe.

It was called SODA, I just can deduce because they offer various concoctions of drinks with this. But that's not the only thing interesting about this place. Just like in Cafe Noriter, their seats were interestingly cute and stuffed toys were everywhere. In fact, a humongous pink bear was at the entrance to welcome. 

My sissy with the humongous bear I was talking about :)

My friend, Cha, with some of the toys

Tried their Oreo Pizza at about Php 100. On the crust were bits of Oreo with drizzle of syrup. Sweet!

Sweet pizza

For drinks, tried their Mixed Berries Soda at Php 140. It's amusingly refreshing, too! Though I can only recognize strawberries. Good choice for us, anyhow.

In Mason Jar

So for those just exploring Cebu, pass by Soda Cafe and enjoy the playground feel. 


<a href="https://www.zomato.com/cebu/soda-cafe-jones" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Soda Cafe, Jones and other Restaurants in Cebu" target="_blank"><img alt="Soda Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17809458/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 4


SODA Cafe is located at:


Raintree Mall,
Gen. Maxilom Ave.,
Cebu City,Cebu

Cebu food trip Cebu's Cafe Noriter version food blog food review original cafe SODA Cafe Where to eat in Cebu?

Sunday, February 08, 2015

"Where to eat in Cebu?"

Unanimously, Larsian BBQ's always mentioned. It was a cheap find. Perfect for us who just splurged money in Crown Regency's Skywalk Extreme Adventure. And hawker style, we found what ihaw-ihaw we desired.

Inside the big square, there were stalls to choose from. It was confusing at first where to as sellers shout to sell.

In the end, we went at the sides with not so loud tinderas. Though the selection in the store we chose weren't that many (I mean there weren't hotdogs), the ihaw process was  pretty quick.

In the middle of Larsian were rows of grillers. Luckily, our store of choice had their own and they cooked ours inside. So it didn't take long for our food to be served. 

Puso rice

Rice came in weaved in banana leaves called puso. They just put it in the middle and count afterwards, per plate, how many were eaten. Pros of this lovely rice: it was fragrant from the leaves but it's not steaming hot anymore.

My sissy choosing among :)

Saan aabot ang Php 20 mo? Here's a guide:

• Isaw- Php 5.00 per stick
• Small BBQ (without fats)- Php 5.00
• BBQ Regular- Php 20.00
• Cebu Chorizo- Php 20.00
• Longanisa- Php 20.00
• 1/4 Chicken- Php 60.00
• Inihaw na Pusit- Php 90.00
• Inihaw na Bangus- Php 90.00

I forgot how much the Liempo was as we didn't considered pork anymore. Talk about lechon-hiatus.

Puso was Php 4.00 a piece.

Overall, my pocket and and my tastebuds had fun in Larsian!

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/cebu/larsian-barbeque-capitol-site" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Larsian Barbeque, Capitol Site and other Restaurants in Cebu" target="_blank"><img alt="Larsian Barbeque Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17815778/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 3.5

Larsian BBQ is located at:

Don Pedro Rodriguez

Don Mariano Cui St.

Cebu City, Cebu

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Thursday, February 05, 2015

In Manila, a staple during 'handaan' is lechon manok. It's everywhere competition is left and right.

In Cebu chicken is just 'chicken'. The local food scene is screaming lechon (roasted pig)!

And when you say lechon Cebu, one of those names that will pop-up is the famous Zubuchon.

During my recent trip in the Queen City of the South, I learned why all the fuss.

A backgrounder: in General Santos, lechon is also ordinary. My relatives would ship after birthdays, weddings or fiestas for our fair share of this yumminess. Frequency: at least twice a year. But I'm not quite a fan of Lechon, per se. I find it too salty. I prefer it as cooked with lechon sauce, laurel leaves and onions for a perfect lechon paksiw.

I agree with Anthony Bourdain :)

To my surprise, Zubuchon's lechon is not at all salty. It's amusingly flavorful. I can even see some seasoned spices whenever I bite. Munching it is such a delight!

The skin or 'balat' part is crunchy, too. They also demonstrated how to concoct irresistible dipping using local vinegar plus onions and tomatoes. 

Speaking of sourness, as a drink it's good to try Kamias Shake at Php 95. It will somehow balance the oozing fatness of the lechon.

One (1) kilo at Php 570 can feed 5-8 hungry stomachs.

Fatness overload!

Their Lechon Sinigang at Php 280 is also yummy. Serving of veggies is generous. Soup is frothy. Much thicker than the usual. And, there's something strongly distinct in their Sinigang. Thanks to the lechon for the meat? Wow.

Sinigang Lechon

Did I fly the pig to Manila as per their place mat? No, let's leave the lingering taste and memory in Cebu.

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/cebu/zubuchon-jones" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Zubuchon, Jones and other Restaurants in Cebu" target="_blank"><img alt="Zubuchon Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17809471/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 4.5

Zubuchon has a branch in:

One Mango Mall,

Gen. Maxilom Ave.,

Cebu City, Cebu

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Sunday, February 01, 2015