My first time

[marine6357]

I will do that for future images.

[marine6357]

 So for the last few days of my trip to the Philippines we headed back to Cebu and Mactan Island. We ended up back at the Crown Regency but found a condo in one of their towers that was cheaper than Hotel rates. Nice 2 level condo with everything we wanted plus more space. Found it through was very happy with the response from the owner and still had access to all the amenities of the hotel.

 Our time here was to give us time to relax and slow down before I had to leave but we did get in some activities around the city. we visited there casino here and had a pleasant surprise when We hit a jackpot of over $600 usd Better then I have done in the states hahahaha). We spent one day just walking around Osmena Blvd and Osmena circle. The city was pretty vibrant and I enjoyed the hustle and bustle. I was able to experience my first time in a Ukay Ukay to say the least it was interesting seeing how inexpensive things were (but nothing to fit a foreigner). Also at night I had my first experience seeing all the street food vendors hawking all there different offerings. From chicken pork and other exotic things. The girl who I was with tried to  me to try Balut but just wasn't enough alcohol for me to be that adventurous. lol. We did find a nice place in Robinson's Cybergate to eat called PHAT Pho a Vietnamese Restaurant We ended up eating here 2 times and food and service were excellent.

 One night we did the Sky Experience right there in Tower 3 of Crown Regency. It was a pretty awesome experience taking a ride around the outside of the building in a car on rails tipped forward over the edge. Also did a walk around the outside of the building harnessed to a cable the views at night were spectacular and breathtaking.

 The next day we did the touristy thing and ventured out to Magellan's Cross and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. It was quite the experience for me being in this Beautiful and old church. My late wife was a devote catholic and I could feel her presence with me here. Kind of gave me a little more closure and peace when I lit a candle for her here.

 We then took a taxi to SM Seaside for a little shopping and dinner. This place was HUGE I couldn't believe the size and the amount of stores here. Did find it to be more expensive in there prices even more then what I found at Robinson's Cybercafe. We ended up eating at a place in the mall called Raphael's Sports Cafe in SM Seaside. What a disappointment. Slow service and the food was not up to par. Dry overcooked burger and wings very dry.

 The next day we again just walked around Cebu and ended up at Maya Mexican Restaurant near The Crossroads, Cebu. Food here was not bad but expected better from the reviews. Might have been just our experience because of a Friday night and the place was pretty crowded. Did enjoy my gin and tonic with an actual lime instead of calamansi. Also the Camarones fajita was not bad.
 On my last full day and night in the Philippines with moved to a nice small place over on Mactan closer to the airport. We found a nice condo thru Booking.com called A Clockwork Orange. This was a nice spacious condo that someone put a lot of effort into clean newly decorated and nicely furnished. Would definitely re-book here. During the day we made a trip out to Lapu Lapu Shrine and Magellan's landing. Almost bought a guitar there. But didn't have room to bring back with me, Maybe next time I will do it. Did end up buying some souvenirs to bring home for my daughter tho. We found a nice small rest along the road that we able to get some very good food grilled prawns a crab some chopped suey and rice all for under P1200 including a couple of sodas and beer.

 Later that night we went to Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan to see one of her friends who was staying there to meet her husband who was returning from Australia. This place was pretty Modern with a large Lobby that you can sit and have a drink or snacks in. Got my second Gin and tonic here served with Lime again. I will have to check it out for my next trip and see about staying overnight here as it being right next to the airport. Actually can walk from the hotel to the Domestic terminal using a bridge so very convenient if flying domestic flight.

Sunday October 7th departure day up early to get to the airport and start my 32 hour journey home. Again flew EVA air from Cebu to Taipei to LAX then Jet-blue from LAX to Buffalo. My flight on EVA was nice but Jet-blue was packed again. Need to find a different carrier for my flights inside the US and stay away from Jet-blue.

So my first trip was a huge success for me and I had an experience of my life. I will definitely be returning to these beautiful islands soon. Only thing I didn't enjoy was anytime we tried to eat at somewhere that was American cuisine. Ended up really liking all the different foods we ate from Pancit Canton, Adobo, Lechon, all the fresh seafood prepared Filipino style. Even tho I usually don't eat rice while at home I did find it to be something I enjoyed there with vinegar, soy sauce and hot chili peppers.

Again as General MacArthur proclaimed "I came through and I shall return". I know this trip was just a vacation type trip and not one to see if I would like to settle down here. But from my prospective it is leading the way in my future home.

Sorry for such a long post but wanted to document my travels on here and really could have even made this longer from all that I saw and experienced.

I will attach some more pics from this trip in the proper place.

Thank you for reading this and indulging me. As they say "It's more fun in the Philippines".

Magandang gabi

Mark

[Jollygoodfellow]

2 hours ago, marine6357 said:

Sorry for such a long post but wanted to document my travels on here

Wish you had of given an in depth post about your experience. Just joking. Great you seemed to have a good time and when the next time comes come over to the IT Park for a beer or gin. 

[marine6357]

2 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Wish you had of given an in depth post about your experience. Just joking. Great you seemed to have a good time and when the next time comes come over to the IT Park for a beer or gin. 

I definitely will do that. I am already planning my next trip for this January but not sure if it will be back to Cebu or not. Was thinking of starting in the north and explore up there. But as we all know it will be entirely up to the GF on what she wants. lol 

[redfeather]

Mark,

Thanks for your AAR after action report on your trip to the Philz.  I wrote down some of your condo and hotel names and I will look them up and try to stay there.  I am flying to Cebu on my next trip, so I will try to visit some of these same spots.  Your trip report helps mentor some of us on our upcoming trips, so keep those detailed trip reports posted because we can all use the mentoring.