2GO Travel: A Diary

Before low-cost airline carriers came about, sea travel was the budgetarian way to go. Travelling by ship in the Philippines is basic stuff. It's very efficient in getting you from point A to B in this 7000-strong archipelago.

Open deck

Odd as it may sound, spending a night aboard a passenger ship is something that's only recently ticked off my bucket list, so excuse the amateur ship lingo from here on.

Cebu - Dumaguete Ferry Crossing Guide

Arrival in Dumaguete (Sibulan port)

If you check a map, you'll find that the southern tip of Cebu Island is almost connected to the town of Dumaguete. A narrow channel splits the two, so a ferry crossing is necessary. Here is a quick guide on how to travel from Cebu to Dumaguete (and vice versa) via ferry boat.

1st Cebu City Mayor's River-Mountain Trail Run

Here's a fact: Cebu island is made up of 80% mountainous terrain. It's hard to imagine when you're in the urban area or hitting one of its famous beach coasts - the mountain backdrop simply rests there quietly. So, in an effort to push the province's hilly backyard into the spotlight, the provincial government, through the help of its different agencies, has cooked up a lovely treat for its running community.

Announcing The First Cebu City Mayor's River-Mountain Trail Run (Discovering the City's Natural Treasures) - happening on December 6, 2014!

*UPDATE: EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO TYPHOON RUBY/HAGUPIT. 
NEW SCHEDULE IS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2014*

Kayaking in Mactan, Cebu

Learning to kayak

Estrera Beach House, Marigondon

Just across Plantation Bay is a family vacation house-turned-dive center - Stella Maris Dive Experts, one of the only two dive centers in Mactan Island that offers instructional diving course. Kayaking activities were introduced there last year by Isla Adventures. These include Basic Kayak Clinic for beginners, Kayak Clinic Plus, Moonlight Paddling (night kayak) tours and most notably, the Cebu-Bohol (Mactan-Getafe) kayak expedition. Chico Estrera, together with his partner Randy Salazar, facilitates the kayak clinics and trips.

Review: Bellavistamare Resort, Camotes, Cebu

Resort Review | Bellavistamare Beach Resort
Santiago Bay, San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu

There's probably nobody happier about a cancelled room reservation than us. The day before our family Camotes trip, we received word that our booking in Bellavistamare Resort had been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

B&B style accommodation

Not wasting any time, we quickly moved on to the challenge of finding accommodation on-the-spot. Little did we know that the former cancellation would open a new opportunity for us.

Camotes Islands Tour Itinerary - 2 days

al fresco afternoon nap

Backpacking, Beach | Camotes Islands Tour
San Francisco (Pacijan) Island and Poro Island, Camotes, Cebu
Specs: Town tour, tourist spots, Santiago bay white sand beach, Danao lake, cave, bird watching, skim boarding, seafood.
Duration: 2 days, 1 night

Review: Danasan Eco Adventure Park - Danao, Cebu

Not to be mistaken by its namesake in Bohol, Danao in Cebu also has something for adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. Featuring the province's first cable wake park, this 130-ish hectare property is poised to be the region's ultimate adventure destination. A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to visit the place with some friends.

Although only a fraction of the property has been developed at present, there's no such thing as idle time for Danao Eco Adventure Park's visitors.

Bike Trails: Olango? Let's Go! - Part 2

Read Part 1 here.

Back at the sanctuary headquarters, the resident Rufous Night Heron engages its arthropod prey in a vicious fight. The poor bird loses by a literal split-decision (the caretaker had to un-clip the crab from its beak).

We thank Toni (OIWS guide) for sharing is avian expertise with us before saddling up for the next leg of our day trip. Our new-found cycling buddies lead the way this time.

Bike Trails: Olango? Let's Go! - Part 1

While the rest of the city remain under the spell of Zzz's, I was up and about, making final adjustments to Larry's hard-tailer. Finally, our bike trip to Olango is happening.

Overcast Mandaue

At 6-ish in the morning, Larry and I scoot out of Cebu City and head to Lapu-lapu City in Mactan Island.

Camping With Kids: Osmena Peak, Cebu

Camping with kids is not so common in the Philippines, but it isn't so rare either. So far, I've only encountered seasoned climbers bring their kids hiking. Some tag their dogs along.

But we think we're seasoned enough, so...

Happy little campers

Suroy-Suroy Sa Sugbo (Cebu City Walking Tour Itinerary)

It was Sinulog week and my sister is visiting Cebu for the first time. She had just graduated from college and by coincidence there was an airline seat sale. As a graduation present, I booked her a ticket so she can join me and my kid on our visit to Cebu.

I'm no Cebuano but I've been there quite a lot in recent years, so I pretty much know where to bring first-time visitors. For her first day, we did a Cebu City Heritage Walking Tour!

This walking tour was memorable to me because I got to play the tour guide and we did it with my then 2-year old kid in tow!

First off, here's a quick map of our route:


View Cebu City Walking Tour in a larger map

The entire walking tour covers less than 2 kilometers of road, so this should be a piece of cake; no need to be fit or anything like that.

So let's go!

Osmena Peak, Cebu Itinerary - 1 day

Stunning view at Osmena Peak!

Hiking, Mountain Climbing | Mt. Osmeña Peak Itinerary
Osmeña Peak via Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu
1044 MASL (taken from waypoints.ph)
Hours from Cebu City: around 3.5 hours by bus
Specs: Highest point in Cebu, vegetable market, leisurely trekking, camping, coastal view of Dalaguete on the East and Badian on the West, optional side trip to South Cebu.
Trek time: About 45 minutes to campsite

Oslob, Cebu (Whale-Shark Encounter) Itinerary - 1 day

Get caught in awe by these distinctly spotted creatures

Beach, Wildlife | Oslob Cebu (whale-shark) Itinerary
Oslob, South Cebu, Philippines
Hours: Whole Day Tour
Specs: Beach, snorkeling, swimming with sharks (butanding/whale-shark), diving, waterfalls, old churches, old stone fort, optional side trip to Dumaguete

Review: Marriott Hotel - Cebu

Hotel Review | Marriott Hotel
Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Ayala Business Park, Cebu City, Philippines

Last holiday, we decided to level up our Christmas eve by checking-in to Marriott Hotel. Marriott Rewards Points on hand, booking was a breeze. We didn't even stumble upon blocked dates, like what usually happens on airline reward systems when booking peak season dates.

It was my second time to stay in this hotel, but I was still excited, for I read that all the rooms have been refurbished. I was eager to see what things have changed.

Columbia Eco Trail Run 5 - Cebu

The Columbia Eco Trail Run series in Cebu kicks off 2012 with its toughest race course yet.

5 Must-Visit Churches In Cebu City + Itinerary

Cebu is home to some of the oldest and ornate churches in the Philippines. At least five of them can be found within city limits, so these can easily be added, into your standard Cebu City itinerary.

1. Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City
Contact numbers: 2556699/2556697/2554498/2556698

Possibly the most-visited church in Cebu; tourists arrive to the Basilica in busloads, also hitting the Magellan's Cross monument and City Hall in just one stop. Being one of the oldest, this 16th century church is admirable both for its resilience and its connection to the people.

Rock Climbing in Cantabaco, Cebu Itinerary: 1 day

Vertical crawl

Rock Climbing | Cantabaco, Cebu Rock Climbing Itinerary
Sitio Silangan, Cantabaco, Cebu
Hours from Cebu City: around 1 hour
Specs: Rock climbing on bolted limestone wall, 5.6 to 5.14 difficulty walls, rappelling, freshwater river, possibility of caving

Cebu Mactan and Olango Island Tour Itinerary

Watch migratory birds in Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Backpacking | Cebu City Tour Itinerary – Day 2
Mactan Island, Olango Island, Cebu Province, Philippines
Hours: Whole Day Tour
Specs: Mactan Island, Lapu lapu City, Plantation Bay, Lapu-lapu monument, Olango Island Bird Sanctuary, souvenir shopping

Review: Crown Regency Hotel & Towers - Cebu

Hotel Review | Crown Regency Hotel & Towers
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, Philippines

Sky high in Crown Regency Hotel

Currently the tallest building outside Metro Manila, the Fuente Tower 1 of Crown Regency Hotel is an eye catching landmark easily spotted even after sundown thanks to its LED lit exterior.

When you think you've seen all of Cebu City, it's time to go beyond your eye level. 

Cebu Airlines Guide

Cebu Airlines Guide

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is probably the busiest airport in the Philippines outside of Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Cebu is a preferred destination by local and international tourists for business and leisure activities. It's refreshing shift of location if one is tired of Manila's bustling streets. That's why domestic and international airlines grace Cebu every day.

Cebu Airlines is commonly entered in search engines but there really isn't any airline with that name. If you're looking into booking a flight to Cebu, here is a list of passenger carriers that take-off and land there: