The
currency exchange rate as of 5th August, 2018.
1 MYR = 12.8111 PHP
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We’ve
been looking for flight tickets to Cebu since last year, main reason is to
attend the wedding of our dear friend-colleague, Merlyn. She’s married her
>8-year lover, Rey, which is also our colleague.
Wikipedia source: Cebu is a province of the
Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region, comprising Cebu Island
and more than 150 smaller surrounding islands and islets.
There are many beautiful
and well-known tourist attractions in Cebu province. The beaches, islands and
waterfalls. So, we’re looking forward to go around the big island and make the
wedding as the side trip. Hehe.
Initially,
only 3 of us but then ended-up with additional 3. Trip will be for 7 days but
we have only 4 days to explore the land and do all the activities.
Here to share the
itinerary that I worked with my friend, Ron.
*Time zone +8 GMT, same
as in Malaysia.
Day 1
1300: Depart to KLIA2
Airport
1755: Flight to Cebu
(4-hour journey)
2200: Arrival at
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
2300: Check-in to Tsai
Hotel and Residences
After
that, we went out to have a dinner. The target place is Jollibee!
Yes,
Jollibee, the pinoy’s proud and brag. For the first timer, sorry to say, it’s
not as delicious as I thought. Sorry, I still vote for KFC! *but after trying the KFC there, it tastes a bit saltier than usual.
But
but, the beef steak at Jollibee deserves a thumbs up. With the gravy, it’s
yummeh~
Cost:
Grab
from Airport to Hotel - P300 for 6 pax
Jollibee
- P120
 |
| My first Jollibee with Mocha float. Nyummm~ |
Day 2
0900: The Big Wedding
The
church is just a walking distance from hotel. After the church, we went to the
Beverly View Events at Beverly Hills subdivision for the wedding reception by a
shuttle van.
The
ceremony ended about 4pm.
 |
| The magical wedding that I witnessed 💖 |
1600: Quick visit to Taoist
Temple
Just
for photography purposes.
Went
back to hotel, freshen up and meet the newly-weds for dinner. We had dinner
together at I.T Park. I had Jollibee again. Cos u know, it’s hard to find a
halal food there.
I
also had the can’t-wait-to-try-again desert, Halo Halo. Nyummm. But I think,
the one that I ate in Mang Inasal is much tastier.
Cost:
Jollibee
– P170
Day 3
0300: Wake-up Call from
hotel
0400: Going to South Bus Terminal
0730: Arrive in Brgy. Tan-awan,
Oslob
When
we arrived, the place was already crowded with people. We bought a package to
swim with Whale Sharks included a trip to Sumilon Island at Aaron’s dive centre.
And
you know what, we had to wait more than 2 hours until our turn and finally been
called at about 1050am!!
But
the exhaustions are gone after seeing that gentle giants, big beautiful
creatures! They worth the wait for sure. Although we only had about 15-20 mins
to see them.
Do
you think swimming with Whale Sharks is bad? Read here:
There
are rules that we must follow, such as – do not touch them, no camera flash, do
not apply a sun screen and only swim in distance of 4m.
Marine biologists stationed at the area always look after the
Whale Sharks and while swimming, you can see many divers at the bottom to
record and monitor the process.
1100: Swim with Whale
Sharks
 |
| Photobomber! |
Then
we took a lunch at the stall nearby. I had an instant noodle and breads with
tuna. Bought more to bring to Sumilon Island. Picnic by the beach!
1245: Sumilon Island
Swim
and relax at the white sand beach. Clear blue water with nothing on the floor. Luckily
the weather was not very hot and we really enjoyed the 3ft waves.
Went
back to Aaron’s at about 330pm.
 |
| White beach at Sumilon Island |
After
checking a few options of transports to go to Moalboal, we finally decided to
hire a car as it’s quite cheap and more convenience. Before going to Moalboal,
the driver helped to take us to Tumalog Falls.
From
the parking spot, we walked down and uphill about 15mins to reach the falls.
The high bedrocks but small waterfalls with a shower drops, shallow green-milk pool
and fortunately, only few couples there. Yeah, we had the whole place for
ourselves.
1600: Quick visit to
Tumalog Falls
 |
| Having shower at Tumalog Falls |
1730: Going to Moalboal
1930: Arrive in Moalboal
and check-in at Moalboal T Breeze Coastal Resort
The journey took about 2 hours from the coast to coast. When we reached
there, it’s already dark and the road to our hidden resort has no lights and
narrow, we can only see bushes at left and right which seemed to be a perfect
scene for a horror movie.
After checking in, we had dinner at the resort. We were sitting in front
of reception area where it’s just next to the beach, but we can’t see anything
because it was pitch dark. We just listened to the music of waves crashing the
resort walls.
About the food, I was expecting a nice seafood but unfortunately, they
only have fish and prawns. So I ordered a prawn pasta. But too bad, the prawns
were small and looked like a frozen food. Not worth for the expensive price.
 |
| That prawn pasta |
Cost:
Bus
from Cebu to Oslob – P192
Swim
with Whale Sharks + Sumilon Island – P1440
Sumilan
entrance fee – P50
Tumalog
Falls entrance fee – P20
Car
to Moalboal – P2400 for 6 pax
Dinner
– P335
Room
– P10,500 for 4 pax for 3 nights
Day 4
Woke
up early and walked towards the reception where I can finally see the open
ocean. OMG it’s amazingly beautiful! I’m happy I chose this place.
 |
| The amazing scenery in front of Moalboal T Breeze Coastal Resort. |
0715: Going to Kawasan
Falls
We
hired the same kuya to drive us for a day. He picked us in the morning and
directly went to Badian where the Kawasan Falls located. It took about 30 mins
and before that, we stopped at Mc Donalds for breakfast.
0740: Reached the shop
where we registered for the canyoneering activity. There are few packages but
apparently the others not interested to go for extreme. So we just took the
easy peasy which completed in only 2 hours.
What
is Canyoneering?
Canyoning
or canyoneering (in US) is a popular outdoor trek that involves traveling down
creeks or streams within a canyon through variety of means including walking,
jumping, swimming, climbing, abseiling.
The
activity started after a short briefing and we rode a habal-habal for 15 mins
to reach the starting point. From there, we trekked about 20 mins to reach the
1st jumping spot. It was so relieved when I saw the stunning
turquoise water.
Overall,
we did about 5-6 jumps and slided over small falls. The highest jump I did was
about 25 ft! It’s terrifying but we had so much fun! Even though the amount I
paid was quite pricey but the experience I had was priceless. I glad I did it!
The 25ft jump!
 |
| The adrenaline junkies! |
1100: Back to the shop and
had a free lunch
1200: Going to Kawasan
Falls
Tremendous
place! I don’t know how many times I asked this but why the water color is
turquoise? Like, why our waterfalls (in Malaysia) have no such color? *unless
it’s hidden somewhere*
This
waterfall is already well-known. Hence, it attracted a big crowd. Hence, many
photobombers. Hence, I feel annoyed. 😒
Before
this, the bamboo raft can be rented and floated in the middle, but now no
longer allowed. And, we MUST wear a life jacket to pass through the falls area.
Because I was told that someone drowned a month before. Ewyuhh creepy~
 |
| One of the falls on the way to the main pool |
 |
| The turquoise water |
1600: Left Kawasan Falls
Get
changed and stopped at shopping mall, Graisano Grand. We were looking for a
birthday cake because IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!!! I wanted a chocolate slice cake or
cupcake but there’s only choc muffin. But it’s ok. Ron bought for 4 of us. His
treat. Oh ya btw, the other friend 2 just took a bus to Cebu city cos they were
going to Bohol tour tomorrow. While the 4 of us decided to stay in Moalboal and
planned for an island hopping + snorkeling trip.
And
before going back to our resort, we bought a roasted chicken and a few stuffed
rice that looks like ketupat for our dinner. As u know, it’s dark to go out at
night and the food at the resort is expensive and not delicious.
We
went back by tricycle because the Kuya driver just dropped us at the mall. It
was a fun ride. Hehe.
1800: Reached our room and
get prepared for dinner.
We
had a small party for my birthday with choc muffins and chicken cake! Soo
yummehh~ Thanks dear friends for celebrating. Hugss!
 |
| My choc muffin and chicken cake |
Cost:
Breakfast
McD – P200
Canyoneering
– P1500
Transport
– P1800 for 6 pax
Kawasan
falls entrance – P45
Dinner
– P241
Day 5
0700: Wake up time
Yesterday,
we bought some instant noodles, bread, tuna and peanut butter to have a
breakfast in front of the resort where we can see the picturesque ocean and
enjoyed the sea breeze.
 |
| The kind of place I wanna be every morning |
1030: White sand beach
We decided not to proceed with the island
hopping plan and just chilled at the beach instead. The trip costs P3500 for 6
people but because it’s only 4 of us, it’s gonna be quite overpriced.
The
beach is only 10 mins walk from our resort. It has a sand bar, shallow clean
water and rolling waves. We just spent a day from high tide to low tide,
sitting under the hut, swam, relaxed, took photos, ate noodles and swam again.
I was hoping to see turtles but they were nowhere to be seen.
 |
| Chillin' at White Sand beach |
1400: Walked back to
resort.
I
thought to rent a floater but it’s already low tide and it’s no way to be used.
Sad.
This
was the time when we received a call from our friend, who were in Bohol for
their day tour, informed us that an unfortunate incident happened, somehow the
other friend injured her elbow. He said an ATV flipped over her and she had to
be rushed to hospital. It was chaotic and tensioned situation, calls back to
back, caused some disagreement but then, they finally got into a ferry to go
back to Cebu city at 5pm. It’s confirmed that her bone is fractured *OMG that’s
damn painful*, however the doctor said she can have a surgery when she’s back
in KL.
1730: Ready for dinner
We ordered shrimp sinigang and chicken green
curry at the resort. Gonna give them a final trial. I tasted the chicken curry
on the 1st day we arrived and I knew it tasted good although I
actually like it spicy. But it’s still not bad. And that was the 1st
time I tried sinigang. Sinigang is a famous Filipino cuisine, kind of
soup or stew. Its sour and savory taste most often associated with tamarind. It
tastes alike with our Malay dish, singgang without turmeric powder. But you
see, sinigang and singgang, sound similar right?
I
rated the food 3 out of 5, cos it’s quite appetizing and additional 1 more star
for the pleasant mango milkshake. That’s yummehhh!
 |
| Chicken Green Curry, Sinigang and the delicious Mango Milkshake 😋 |
Enjoyed
the rest of the day at resort, watching sunset, packed up and slept early cos
we had to catch a bus back to Cebu city on tomorrow morning.
Cost:
White beach entrance fee – P10
Hut – P300
Lunch – P100
Dinner – P285
Day 6
0600: Tricycle arrived to
fetch us to Bus stop
0630: Ride a bus to Cebu
city
0930: Went to Taboan
This
place is famous with dried fish. All of them purchased a lot, for their family
and friends, while I just there sitting on a chair, waiting cos I bought
nothing. Hehe.
Sorry,
just not interested.
1100: Met up with the other
2 at Airbnb, San Marino Residences.
The friend who was injured, unable to move properly
so we had to cancel the plan for City tour.
When I thought I was gonna die of boredom,
they bought me a cake, KFC, Halo-Halo from Mang Inasal, gave me a balloon and
celebrated my birthday again. What a surprise. More hugs and kisses for them.
Hehe~
 |
| Yeay, I got a choc cake and balloon! 🙌 |
1830: Me and other 2 friends decided to go for a quick
visit at 10,000 roses cafe.
This place which
consist 10,000 artificial white roses that glow with LED
lights and located at a sea-side, has become an Instagram worthy and made us very were eager to see
it by ourselves.
When checking in Google
maps, the place is only 17km away, but it takes about an hour drive. *well it actually took about 30min* After
asking around, we rode a van that will drop us at the area and from there, we
took a tricycart (a cart carried by a bicycle) which in total,
the transportation cost is very cheap, compared to go by Grab.
If you want cheaper, you
can take a habal-habal or jeepney.
It’s actually best to go there at dusk until night, but
when we arrived at 730pm, it’s already dark. And damn so many people! And as u
know, it’s annoying when it comes to – photoshoot session.
Well,
it’s fine. We were happy that we went there, it’s a very lovely (yes, it makes
u feel romantic 😍) place although some LED lights are already off. They
should maintain the place, ensure the roses are still white, not faded and
dirty, or else this place will turn to be overrated.
2100: Back to Cebu city and slept
early to catch a flight at 755am.
It’s a bit disappointed
that I can’t go to Temple of Leah and Tops Lookout. But overall, I was very
happy and satisfied with this full-of-activities holiday.
Cost:
Tricycle to bus
station – P200 for 4 pax
Bus from Moalboal to
Cebu – P140
Jollibee – P120
Van to Cordova – P35
per pax
Tricycart to 10,000
roses café – P25 per pax
Room - 300 per pax
Day 7
1830: Left to Airport by Grab
Oh ya, for foreigners,
in case if you don’t know, we have to pay a Terminal fee at the airport. When I
went to Boracay, the terminal fee was P700 so I already put-aside that amount,
but when I reached at the counter, I was informed the amount to pay is P850. So yeah, you have no choice. 😔
Cost:
Grab to Airport – P255
for 3 pax
Terminal Fee – P850
Goodbye Cebu city! Your
people and your places are very awesome!
Salamat po!
