Thomas, creator of Paveway Explorer Holidays, is an avid traveler and is always on the hunt for undiscovered destinations. Here he shares his latest trip to Cebu and Bohol.
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Here I am looking forward to Cebu and Bohol only to be told at the airline check in counter at Changi Airport that I won’t be able to board the flight without a return ticket as the Cebu immigration requires confirmation of your return flight. Problem was, as a travel planner, I’m always changing my itinerary so I planned to book a budget one way ticket home when the time was right. So, to cut a long story short, I bought an expensive one way airline ticket to return to Singapore one week later because all other flights earlier were full. Well that was not in my plans but what to do.
What cheered me up was mangoes, Cebu has lots of it, everywhere, dried, fresh, in ice creams in cakes, in drinks , its like in your system before long. But that’s not all about Cebu, it’s the festival capital of the Phillipines, it’s a historic town, second oldest in the Philliipines, with the second oldest church. Drive through town and you will see and feel a city steeped in history, with monuments, old but beautiful houses, a historic fort and narrow streets. But modernity is creeping in, with shopping malls and enclaves of watering holes and restaurants. Don’t expect a long street of shops, pubs, restaurants, not yet anyway but that’s why you have to go before they proliferate a city growing in importance and a favored tourist destination.
What did I eat? Lots of” Lechon”, Cebu’s version of Singapore’s roast suckling pig and boy was it good. Its grilled, roasted , fried, whatever but it all tastes good. In fact there must be something about the pork in Cebu, even the bacon tastes like crispy German pork knuckle. For dinner, go up into the hills where there is a “chateau” that serves Pinoy and western fare. But it’s not the food that will enthrall you, it’s the view of cebu city at night, twinkling lights, clear night skies and cool mountain air.
(To Be Continued..)
