Cebu is never listed as one of the places I must visit. Why? Because I really have nothing to see there other than century-old churches and malls. If it wasn't for those free hotel vouchers my parents got from [insert name of company here], then I wouldn't bother going there.


Prior going to Cebu, one of my friends already told me that Cebu is a lot more like Manila. And he is correct! From the Mactan airport to Crown Regency Towers, we passed more than 5 malls.

Ayala Center Cebu dad: parang greenhills mom: hindi, trinoma me: atc!

We were supposed to do mall hopping on day one, but after visiting Ayala Center, we just decided to do some palengke hopping instead. We went to see the famous Magellan's Cross, then bought souvenirs near the venue. Btw, I was really disappointed with Magellan's Cross. All this time I thought the place was really good, the (what do you call it?) mini church is surrounded by grass, or the place would be near the sea, but, no. It is just like the plaza in Sta. Rosa then the mini church is just build on one corner. That's it! I didn't bother taking pictures, coz I was really, well, disappointed.

The concierge at the Ayala Center offers tourist assistance and they gave us the best places where to buy such and such. It was really a big help! We were supposed to get like a city tour but it costs about Php 3000 so, nvm... After the Magellan's Cross and buying souvenirs, we went to Carbon market to buy mangoes. Ang mura ng mangga nila dun! We were able to find a store selling mangoes for Php 20 a kilo! Sobrang mura and the mangoes that we bought are so sweet. The quality of the mangoes there is also good for export. The mango is big and bright yellow compared to the ones that we see here which is small and has a lot of black spots. If only we can pakyaw and bring all those home!

After shopping,  we headed back to the hotel then spent the night swimming. (Actually yun lang talaga habol namin ng kapatid ko, ang mag swimming.) Gladly the swimming pool is free for all hotel guests. Most of the city tours always include a stop at Crown Regency Towers because of the extreme activities they offer. I was supposed to try the skywalk thing (yung naka-harness ka lang as you walk along the tower's mezzanine.. Of course, outside the building), however it was a bit expensive so I didn't try it.

On the second day, mum and dad went to two other markets to buy daing and otap. They went back to the hotel carrying a box full of daing and chicharon. The chicharon is Cebu is yummier than the ones here (yummier than Lapid's, I swear!). The chicharon isn't like the ones I see here that is full of air. Cebu chicharon isn't just pork skin, but also include pork fats and meat. (You know yung taba and balat sa porkchop? Parang ganun! Na ginawang chicharon!) They also brought home lechon Cebu and it is also satisfying. We tried their local take out rice, (which is quite similar with the Japanese rice balls, it's also wrapped in leaf but the rice is in square and doesn't have any ulam in it).

no utensils? no worries! we can always eat with our hands! boodle fight!!!!!!!!

All in all, it was a nice trip, even though we spent most of our time in the hotel.
If only we can extend for two more days, we would have went to Bohol next.

Some pics!!!!

This trip is brought to us by Air Asia

meeeeee ^_^

Wonder where we are headin' next???