A Needed Break With my boat ticket still usable until June 16, and with the completion of the Kids Yoga and the Adult Yoga projects, it seemed like a good idea to visit Cebu for a much-needed break.
Life Hacking Workshop This was an afterthought. Since I was already in Cebu, and since I've talked to Thomas(owner of Re:Fit Wellness) about doing a Life-Hacking Workshop at Re:Fit, I've made the necessary arrangements. Besides, I could use the money. It felt rushed and ultimately, I had to cancel it.
Lounge Chairs at Decathlon The one thing I wanted to get in Cebu was the portable (camping-style) lounge chair. When back in Bohol, I can bring it with me on my motorbike and stop by any beach or seafront and just chill for the sunrise or sunset.
Decathlon was simply Choc-Ful-of-adventure/fitness equipment
The place I wanted to get it from was Decathlon - I've always been a great fan of this amazing store. Once inside, and seeing all the outdoor adventure equipment on display, old feelings from a 'previous life' when I was climbing mountains, hammering on a mountain bike or freediving, flooded into my memory. It felt exciting and kinetic. Misplaced thoughts of, "I can go back to that life again" persisted, but I knew better.
I got 2 folding chairs and a table from Decathlon. Now that I'm back in Bohol, it's perfect for Tubig Daku sunrise
The lounge chair area had a wide range of selections from P1000 to P4000. Based on cost, weight, comfort, and bulk, I chose the P990 - I even got 2, just in case I have company. I was happy with it. To complement them, I added a portable table. Now, I can just imagine myself, comfy by the beach, with my thermal pot and cup on the table beside me, watching the sunrise (or sunset).
Mad Monkey I always default to Hostel 7 Cebu, but they couldn't book me until the 28th. Luckily, Mad Monkey was charging roughly P350/night - I stayed for 3 nights. While backpacking Southeast Asia, Mad Monkey was part of the landscape - it was relatively cheap ($7) and always a party place. I'm glad to see Mad Monkey in the Philippines - 3 locations (Panglao, El Nido and Cebu).
Mad Monkey hostel
Party Place
Even though it's a party hostel, I didn't really feel like it. I guess I was thinking too much about the workshop and the added preparation I needed. Or perhaps, I simply got tired of the party scene.
A Different Business Model
Their business practice has morphed into something crassly commercial though. They made their rooms cheap, but once you're in, they snag you with their hooks. They eliminated the common area where guests can hang out freely and eat their food from wherever they bought them. Now, the recreational area (billiards, bar, restaurant and pool) is under one roof - no outside food or drinks. Food ranges from P200 to P350/meal - that hurts if you're a budget backpacker. Before, they would post information on how to get tours outside, and you DIY. Now, they organize and host the tours - they even have their proprietary a/c vans. It wasn't cheap.
Hostel 7 Cebu Finally, I moved into Hostel 7 Cebu on my 4th day in Cebu. Many changes from my last stay. DJ Kobe is now spinning in Mikko's newly opened Honeycomb Hostel at TOPS. Finally, it opened...after taking forever! Ivan wasn't around anymore - apparently, he misused the hotel funds...sigh! I would spend my day at the resto/bar area on my laptop, reading...unrushed, collected and loving the tranquility.
Unrushed and productive at my home away from home, Hostel 7 Cebu
Yoga and Workout I brought my yoga mat with me, but it never got used. To the extent I worked out or did yoga, it was through my intense short-spurt. I might do leg raises/bicycle/push-up on my bed upon waking up, followed by the Wim Hof breathing and then meditation. By the time I come out of the dorm room, I'm done. Additionally, I would do a deadweight free hanging on the roofing beam as a break from my laptop work. It was all good.
Deadweight Free Hang
Bringing my Motorbike A highlight for this visit was bringing my motorbike with me on the Lite Ferries roro (as its passage also has been previously paid for, ~P1,200). This was my first time to drive in a stop-and-go traffic-congested city where I had to weave through standing traffic, going over sidewalks and gutters. I also realized that even for a motorbike, looking for parking is difficult and expensive (P30 at SM). After this experience, maybe the next level is driving a motorbike in Vietnam - it's surreal out there!
my Honda Wave 110 had a comfortable parking at Hostel 7 Cebu
Indulgence
Shopping It's almost embarrassing to admit, but I actually did the unthinkable - shopping! Why? I was thinking, I could die that instance and whatever money I was keeping safe for the rough times would just go to waste. I've done my austerity longer than anyone I know. I have nothing to prove, and more importantly, nothing to fear - my universe has always been there, and will always be.
So, what exactly did I shop with? Not as much as most people do. I got the camping chairs/table from Decathlon, a pair of Merrell shoes on sale, and a pack of Jockey briefs.
Merrell used to be my go-to for hiking shoes. Now, I'm just chilling on their slip ons
Resto Eating I'm a carinderia eater, but this time, I actually ate in what I would consider 'pricey' places - Max Fried Chicken, Calda Pizza (yes, Calda! I'm not even talking about Yellow Cab), Benjie's Burgers. Mind you, I have friends who would consider these, budget meals for the down-and-out, but again, for me, it's splurging. Were they any better? Not really, nothing satisfies like carinderia food.
Movies
I would have watched more movies, but the choices were few. I watched Day One, which felt stupid - practically no speaking parts, no character development, no storytelling, it was just horror soundtrack after horror soundtrack with dark eerie places creating unease, tension building, jump scares, isolation, etc. Another movie was My Boo, a popular Thai movie that's really a love story more than a horror flick. For a Thai movie getting international release, I expected more.
Day One and My Boo movie posters
Ending Thoughts Cebu this time was really about having my own space for the unrushed passage of time where I did only what I wanted to do, or not do. I had my indulgence too. I'm glad I have just enough to appreciate the mundane offerings of life that most people take for granted. This is perhaps an optimized level of existence - when you don't have to work to make a living, when you have just enough to make everything count, when you have a little extra to appreciate some pedestrian indulgence, and have people around you to add animation to life.
I would be going back to Tagbilaran refreshed, rebooted and ready for the next project.
(June 2024) Living alone, you have to create your own excitement. I found it a long time ago - playing in the kitchen. That's why it's important for me to have a functioning kitchen if I decide to stay long in any place....more »»
More on Cebu City:
About Cebu City
Cebu City is the 2nd biggest city in the Philippine (next to Manila) - and it continues to build and expand. Traffic is getting bad. Decentralization is being developed with the SM Super Mall in the SRP south and the suburban towns in the north.
Boat from the airport to the city center - even without traffic, it takes about 4 rides to reach the city. But with Cebu's increasing traffic congestion, it has become a nightmare. Instead of taking the land route, take the water route - no traffic, fresher air and cheaper. From the airport, take the yellow multi-cab straight to the river port and take the ferry (there's only one destination) to the city. Take the 02B jeep and get off at UC near Jones - you're now on the city's main artery.
given its size and increasing congestion, Cebu really needs a mass railway system - something that is conspicuously lacking, but no one seems to complain about
Cebu is bursting at the seams on the yoga scene. There are about 20 yoga centers in the city - from yoga studios to gyms offering yoga and hotels jumping on the bandwagon
a trendy and safe place in Cebu where you can chillout for coffee and enjoy good eats would be at the Ayala Mall
there are other pocket-areas for trendy hangouts - Banila Town Center, Crossroads, Escario Plaza, La Vie, etc.
the tourist area where most of the budget hotels and restaurants are, are located within the Mango area, although it has a seedy belly feel. Kids may swarm on you pretending to be begging, but they could be picking your pocket or your backpack pockets - be careful
many pick-pockets in the Colon area - be careful
Cebu City Google Map
Cebu City, Philippines
tourist attractions
Tops - hilltop offering panoramic view of the city
Taoist Temple - temple on a hillslope in Lahug with panoramic view of the city
hotel
Hostel Seven Cebu - newly opened, resto/bar, central location, solo/group travellers
Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City
S Hotel & Residences - new hotel, luxury rooms, central location
827 M. Velez corner Andres Abellana St.
resto / cafe / bar
Fujinoya - new and refreshing twists to Western style desserts using Japanese techniques
Wilson St., Lahug, Cebu City - tel. 888.6075
Bad Boys Wingz - Buffalo Wings, unique versions of sauces! Great service, accommodating staff, bad boys vibe
Kasambagan, Cebu City | (032) 415 4811
yoga
Love Yoga World - yoga studio
11/fl, Skyrise 2 Tower, IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
Yoga Now - first Yoga and Wellness studio in Mactan offering daily Yoga Classes
at The Yacht Club Mactan
mountain biking
Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure - MTB tours, bike sales and repairs. Bed and Breakfast + Resto Cafe + wifi
1298-b V.Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City | 0942.959.7451
Cebu City to Bantayan Island
The best and fastest way is by Ceres Bus at the North Bus Terminal, adjacent to SM City. The bus takes 4.5 hours going north until it reaches Hagnaya Port. From there, you pay the ferry company separately. The bus boards the ferry until it reaches Sante Fe Port (1.5 hours) in Bantayan Island. From Santa Fe, the bus goes to Bantayan Poblacion and then to Madridejos.
Ceres Bus - PHP 260 (to Santa Fe), 4.5 hours to Hagnaya Port + 1.5 hours by ferry.
Schedule: according to the dispatcher, trips begin at 6 pm (this arrives Hagnaya around 10:30 pm but the first ferry leaves at 1 am...that's a 2.5-hour wait at the port), leaving every hour until 1 pm the following day (I speculate that 1 pm is the last trip to avoid rush hour traffic along Consolacion). This doesn't match the ferry schedule so the bus simply waits until a ferry departs. e.g. the 6 pm trip arrives 10:30 pm and waits for the 1 am ferry. The last trip, 1 pm, arrives 5:30 pm, in time for the ferry's last trip.
Bus arrives at terminal 30 mins before departure. Luggages are P150/pc if no passenger.
Alternatively, you can get off the bus at Hagnaya Port and take the ferry independently. There are 2 ferry companies:
Island Shipping PHP 350 + 25 Terminal fee, 1.5 hours
Cebu City to Dumaguete
Cebu City to Dumaguete by Boat
George and Peter Lines - Mon/Thur/Sat/Sun 10pm, (035)225.4337, 0922.557.1023
Oceanjet - via Tagbilaran, daily 6am, dumticketing@oceanjet.net, 0918.898.2188
Cokaliong - Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 12pm, 6 hours, (035)225.3599
Cebu City to Dumaguete via Liloan (bus, boat, jeep, tricycle)
Cebu City South Terminal - take the southbound Ceres bus to Liloan, P200, 5 hours
Liloan - the bus drops you off at the Liloan Port where you board the Fastcraft to Sibulan, Negros Oriental, P62, 30 mins
Sibulan - at the Sibulan Port, the jeeps wait for Fastcraft passengers to take them to the public market in Dumaguete, P12, 30 mins.
Public Market - at the market, you can take any tricycle to your hotel, P8 for short trips
Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol
Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol
Weesam Express - Pier 4, departs 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 2 hours
one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs 6-7-8-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-4:20-6:35PM, 2 hours
Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300
Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs daily 12:30pm, 10:00pm and 1:00pm (Mon, Wed, Sat) Standard (Lying) Php 150, Tourist (Lying Aircon) Php 340
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com.ph / www.liteferry.com
Cebu City to Siquijor by Boat, via Tagbilaran
Cebu City to Siquijor, via Tagbilaran
Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs M/W/SAT at 1:00pm, 10 hours, economy Php 649 (through barkota.com), layover in Tagbilaran 5:45pm-8:00pm, arrives Larena Port, Siquijor at 11:00pm
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com / www.liteferry.com
Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs daily at 1pm, 5 hours
Open Air P1600
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300
Cebu City to Siquijor by Bus, via Liloan (Santander)(as of Jan 2023)
Sugbo Urban
There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Leaves Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) at 8 pm (Sundays 1 am), heads south to Liloan (Santander), takes the ferry to Larena Port, Siquijor, docks around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City 10 pm.
Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because when it reaches Larena Port (Siquijor), it continues its trip around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena. It spares you the cost of hiring a tricycle or habal-habal which charges exhorbitant fares. Besides, it's a long trip to the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.
This is also the slowest. The bus arrives Liloan Port around 12:30 am but the ferry leaves 2:30 am (2 hours of waiting time). The ferry trip is a slow 4 hours (this should only take 1.5 hours with Montenegro or Alesson), arriving Larena around 6:30 am. This 4 hour voyage offers no comfortable sleeping - you stay upright on your seat or sleep on the floor on a cardboard. The boat waiting/voyage takes 6 hours. Altogether, the entire trip takes 11.5 hours until the bus reaches Lazi.
Cebu City to Camotes Island
Cebu City to Camotes Islands
via Poro - from Pier One in Cebu City, take the Ocean Jet for Poro, 2 hours, daily trip - 6am and 3pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).
via Consuelo - from Cebu City, take the northbound bus passing through Danao and get off at the Danao Port. At the Port, take a Jomalia Shipping boat for Consuelo (San Francisco, Camotes), P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).
Camotes Islands to Cebu City
Poro - Cebu City (fastest and most direct) - go to Poro and take the 8am or 5pm Ocean Jet to Pier One in Cebu City, P380/pax/aircon, 2 hours
Consuelo - Danao - Cebu City - go to Consuelo (San Francisco) and take the Jomalia Shipping boat to Danao, P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only). From Danao, take the Ceres Bus to Cebu City