Perlas nang Silanganan: Cebu

What was supposed to be just a re-union for one of the Antonio branch family ended as an opportunity for us to explore this Island. We will now travel to the past and explore where Philippine Church and Christianity began!

Cebu is just a boat ride away from San Carlos so just hope that weather will favor your journey. We took off from San Carlos Port around 5am and arrived at Toledo Port after an hour and a half.

Lite Ferry boat to Toledo with warm sunshine

Toledo Port

We manage to early arrange a Van with Guide to pick us from Toledo and bring us to Cebu proper with itinerary included. Everyone was so hungry and I was craving for dried squid. We told our driver/guide to bring us to a nice restaurant to have breakfast and we were introduce to "Kandigan sa SRP". Although I wasn't able to satisfy my craving the food here was definitely good!

Kandigan sa SRP resto

On our way to our first stop our guide told us that we are in the reclaimed area of Cebu and it was really huge (just like in MOA complex located in Pasay City). While looking on the road ahead I saw a nice looking construction going and it was another SM Mall which based on our guide will be much larger than Mall of Asia.

SM Sea side City Mall

First stop, Pedro Calunsod Chapel.

Pedro Calunsod Chapel

Next were Magellan's Cross and Sto. Niño Church

Magellan's Cross

Sto Nino Church

Student event outside the Church

We had lunch at Diamond Tongs restaurant and if you love oysters then this is the place for you my friend!

Diamond Tongs Resto

Talaba UNLIMITED!!!

Next on our list were Taoist Temple, Tabo-an Public Market and Fort San Pedro

Taoist Temple

Tabo-an Public Market

Fort San Pedro

atop the fort

Restoration on-going

and that was the end our Cebu tour... I guess?

Since everyone was really tired we decided that we should take a break and head to our hotel in Mactan. Welcome to the hip & funky BE Resort! Love the color schemes and trendy furniture here.

BE Resort

We spent the late afternoon enjoying the beach and pool and had a sumptuous dinner.

BE Resort at night

view outside our room

The next day we had buffet breakfast and spent the whole morning enjoying the amenities with the kids.

Since we have to head back to San Carlos for the reunion, we bid farewell to this wonderful place and hoping that we will have another chance to dig deep into history (and the beaches!).

Bye bye BE Resort

We drop by Lapu Lapu's shrine before we went to Toledo Port to catch our boat ride to San Carlos. Unfortunately the weather wouldn't allow us and all trips were cancelled. So we stayed in Toledo for the night and had "suto kill" dining experience.