Cebu in January
I stayed for a week in Cebu City visiting friends, and getting some things cleared up with my visa at the immigration office in Mandaue. It was an uneventful week.
Preparations for the Sinulog festival were in full swing. It is the biggest holiday of the year in Cebu and signals the end of the Christmas season.
I took advantage of the Red King internet cafe in the ground flood of the Mercedes Hotel and did a little shopping at the malls and in the nearby Colon district. It is a madhouse in Colon but you can get most anything there, at a good price.
Sanciangko – youtube video
I got a few spare motorbike keys made, a new tire, a rubber stamp made, a new cell phone, oranges from China – (ponkan) for 4 to 5 pesos and a few other things that are hard to get in Samar.
Our Place Bar – youtube video
The streets are packed with food vendors now because of Sinulog and you can get anything from shellfish to corn on the cob.
A bbq fish runs around 70 pesos.
Walking around Cebu City at Night – youtube video
Small hard mango are around 5 pesos and the price goes up the bigger they get. (up to 15 peso)
Salt is usually sprinkled on the slices so they aren’t so tart.
Be advised that hotel reservations are a very good idea at this time. Prices soar and you will be lucky to find a room if you just show up.
Crown Regency Tower changing color – youtube video
The puppy vendors were kicked off the overpass, where they usually are set up. Vagrants, beggars, and street vendors are being run off this weekend.
A few of the pups!
Bamboo scaffolding is used extensively on construction projects in the Philippines.
Here it looks like staging for a painting operation.
Pelaz Street, across from the Mercedes Hotel.
Roble Shipping ferry Catbalogan to Cebu City – youtube video
Delivery men at the corner of Del Rosario and Osmena.
Goofy display at the Osmena Circle.
The boyz from Metro Bank.
I got a new rear tire for my bike. The old one wasn’t that bad but I like to keep things in top shape!
This guy in Talisay, was a first rate mechanic, and replaced it for 40 pesos. The new tire was around 600+ pesos and I gave my old tire to him to sell. He should fetch at least 100 pesos for it.
little tugboats in Cebu – youtube video
I took the Friday 11 am Lite Shipping ferry to Ormoc, Leyte. 350 pesos economy, 850 peso for the bike
I usually take the Roble ferry all the way to Catbalogan Samar but it had been canceled for two weeks. Lite Shipping usually does not make a Friday run, but scheduled one in because there had been cancellations earlier in the week due to a signal one typhoon.
Lite Shipping – youtube video
It required an extra 6 hours of driving my bike from Ormoc to Catbalogan, in a stinging rain, but at least I didn’t have any passengers to worry about.
I just had to keep my laptop dry and keep from crushing the box of Dunkin Donuts that I was bringing home for my girl.
Cebu
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Dear dutchpickle,
Your website is very enlightening for people like me who will be going to Cebu for the first time soon. Great tips, great pictures, and great time you’ve spent to update here.
Thank you and keep it up !
Good Day.
Malfie
Hello Genalfie!
Thanks for your comments! Are you planning to stay in Cebu City of travel the countryside?
Either way, have a nice trip!
cheers
dp
Dear dutchpickle,
During my visit in May 2009, I stayed in Cebu City. I think the place look more like Batam to me. (Batam is an island of Indonesia).
I stayed for couple of days, then went to Cagayan De Oro on a domestic flight. Visited the province at Tagloan Misamis Oriental. I might briefly write my unfogettable experience and the opposite story of what I’ve heard about people in the province, in the page entitled ‘Filipina Girlfriend’… soon. Sort of follow-up.. heehee.
Warmest regards,
Malfie
Hi Genalfie,
I really like Cebu City and often take the ferry there from my place in Ormoc, Leyte when I need a break!
cheers
dp
Dear Dutchpickle..
I really like your website,,it’s really helpful for me who will be going to Philippines for first time,,
Actually, me and my 4 friends have a plan to visit Philippines for 1 week in January.
Luckily, there are direct planes from Jakarta to Manila, or Cebu-Dumaguete-Bohol (via Manila)..
Could you give me advices what should we do in Philippines in that day..
Our plan is; fly from Jakarta to Dumaguete and stay 2-3 nights there, n take a bus to Cebu and stay there for 2 nights, then take a ferry to Tagbilaran,Bohol to see Chocolate Hills and stay just for 1 night, n take a plane to Manila.
When will The Sinulog Ceremony held in Jan 2010?? And What are the interesting places in Cebu that we must be visit..
I’m sorry if I asked you much,I hope you could help me and my friends.
Regards from Jakarta.
Hi Feliks,
If you are just going to be in Manila for one night – I suggest staying in the Malate area and checking out the clubs and cafes on Adriatico Ave near Remidios Circle.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/manila/ermita-manila.html
One wacky club is the Hobbit House across the street from the Duck Inn on M H DelPilar. (Freddy Aguilar often plays guitar there and the place is staffed by “little people”).
Sinulog is usually in February in Cebu.
In Dunaguete the casaroro falls is a nice day trip. Apo Island is a good day trip from Dumaguete if you dive or snorkle. (There can be stiff currents – especially around Coconut Point).
Bohol is interesting. If you like funky places the “Nuts Huts” might work out for you.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/bohol/nuts-huts-bohol.html
Pity that you only have a week! Have fun.
dp