Selamat Datang: Kota Kinabalu Day 01

November 11, 2011

My 2nd travel outside the country and one of my most budgeted travel for 2011 (I think I spent much more peso in Coron than here). This trip actually tested me and my travel buddies' budgeting skills. This trip was also a DIY (Do-It-Yourself), we didn't booked with any agency and I only searched for the hotel to stay in thru Agoda. I personally contacted the hotel of our choice and had a reservation deal thru e-mail. And fortunately, we didn't pay any deposit and we only paid on the day of our arrival! :)

Booking for this trip was rather unplanned as I was only browsing though Cebu Pacific site when I saw that they have a seat sale. Still on the height of my travel hunger, I asked my office friends to have a DIY trip with me in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. July 14, 2011, the sale price that time was Php 488.00 base fare one-way. All in all, we paid only Php 2444.10 per head and this is already a trip going outside the country!

Originally, we were a group of 8 travelers but due to uncontrollable circumstances we were down to 6. Anyway, we continue and go on with our then discovered adventure with only a ticket, backpack and some Peso and Ringgit on our pockets.

We were already at NAIA 3 by 01:00pm as our scheduled flight was 03:50pm and we had plenty of time to just seat and wait for our flight. Basically, this day was our "relax" day. As when we reached Kota Kinabalu, we don't have anything to do but stay and have a good look at the hotel or stroll around the vicinity close to hotel, making ourselves familiar with the place.

My friend Irish won a merchandise from CP, yay! :)

We arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at around 05:00pm and it was starting to get dark. Note: Taking pictures of the airport is not allowed. I was approached by an airport personnel when I was about to take some pictures. I managed to get some shots on the immigration but I won't be posting it, I hope you know why. Actually, our flight was delayed. Because of this, we weren't able to catch our hotel transfer courtesy of the hotel. We weren't able to advise them that the flight was delayed, so we took a cab. :(We paid RM 35.00 for the taxi ride but we actually enjoyed it as the taxi is well decorated)

On our way to the hotel and just like other countries, they are right-handed drivers

Decorative chandelier ng taxi

In less than 15 minutes, we're at the hotel, Megah D' Aru Hotel. We went to the reception area and paid for our hotel rooms. We paid RM 948.00 for two triple rooms (inclusive of breakfast) but before heading straight to our rooms and rest our tired bodies we opted to have some few shots of the hotel interior (Ground Floor).

Hotel Entrance

Hotel Reception

Our rooms are at the 3rd floor but our room numbers started at 2 which made us realize that the numbering of floors started at GF, 1st, 2nd and so on. All in all the hotel has 5 floors. We decided to have dinner outside and stroll around the place before knocking off but we settled our things first and have some shots of our room and most of the hotel interior.

We searched outside for a place to eat. There's a restaurant nearby our hotel but it was selling pure Malaysian food and as of that moment we're not yet ready to try it out. Fortunately, on our way to the hotel, we saw KFC nearby. I ordered 2-piece chicken with rice and drinks and paid around RM 08.00 for it. The taste of KFC chicken there is super different and they don't have free gravy like what we have here in the Philippines, as in NO gravy. But all in all its not that bad.

I was actually surprised to know that their crew members are actually deaf and mute. Its inspiring to see that even though they have disabilities, they were given an equal chance to work just like normal people do. I wish that we have the same mindset here in our country and that will make this world a better place. :)

After eating, we planned to stroll around some more but we realized that it is already getting late so we decided to go back to the hotel and rest.

As for Megah D' Aru Hotel, they have provided us good service except for the hotel transfer as we weren't able to catch it on our arrival. Near the airport and Tanjung Aru beach but not that far from places of interest. The hotel is nice, cozy, well-maintained and huge. The rooms are clean and nice and everyday they provide soap, shampoo and coffee, all are brand new. Wifi is free and connection is good but you can only access it completely at the hallway. You can choose your breakfast from their menu and all are delicious. All in all, we had a great time staying at the hotel and if ever I am going back to Kota Kinabalu, I'll consider booking in this hotel again.

That ends Day 01 and will continue for our Day 02!

Experiencing Life in Cebu: Last Trip for 2011

December 03-05, 2011

Still sleepy and groggy from the graveyard shift, I got home and picked up all my belongings and headed straight to NAIA 3 for my trip to Cebu. This trip was for my college best friend's birthday and we are going to celebrate it on the historical Queen City of the South.

This trip was booked ahead of time, about four months ago prior to the date above, when there was a ongoing seat sale by Cebu Pacific. We got the round-trip air ticket to Cebu for Php 1820.00/each. My friends want a hassle-free trip so I decided to book a guided tour in Cebu, including hotel reservation. Originally, we were 5 who planned this vacation but due to unfortunate "circumstances" we were down to 4 people and when the actual travel date came we were down to 3 people (as my other friend weren't able to catch the plane ): ). Since we cannot do anything about these mishaps, off we go to Cebu!

Here is the actual quotation of our 3d2n Hotel Reservation with 1-Day Guided Tour:

Reservation Details	Amount
Hotel: Cebu R Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe R Quad (3days)	Php3,900.00
Tour Type: Seat-in Coach Tour	Php3,600.00
Transfer: Airport Pick-up One-Way (4pax)	Php1,200.00
Total:	Php8,700.00

This was only divided into 3 persons, as I said earlier a friend wasn't able to come on time. I know, I know, its kinda expensive considering that we only had 1 day tour. We don't have any other choice as we have already booked it beforehand. We opted to use the quad-sharing room since we have already booked for it, the guided tour was just good enough and I managed to ask the receptionist to change the booking of the tour. What really shocked me was the Airport pick-up, freaking Php 1200.00 for just a one-way transfer. Oh, what the h**l! No more explanations! So back to the trip. :)

Day 01:
I've been awake for almost 24 hours now and I came rushing to the airport as our scheduled flight was past 10:00 am. Good thing, I have already packed my things the day before. We had a smooth sailing flight but we were a bit sad as my friend wasn't able to catch the plane on time and we don't have a choice but to go on. We arrived in Cebu after one hour or so and reached the Cebu R Hotel by noon.

Aerial view of Cebu

Mactan International Airport

My bed for 3 days.. :P

By this time, what we did was to search somewhere to eat. Then after eating, gone buying some snacks and water at Mercury Drug. The total lack of sleep was already taking its toll on me, so I immediately took a bath and retired early so that I'll have all the energy I need for tomorrow's tour to history.

Day 02:
We woke up and prepared for breakfast at around 08:00am as we were also scheduled on a Day Trip today.

Our yummy breakfast! Yum! :)

After breakfast, we immediately headed to Ayala Center Cebu to meet up with our kind and bubbly tour guide (I forgot the name - Sorry Ate! (: ). We weren't able to immediately start our tour as we were still waiting for another tourist to come (we were in a Seat-In Coach Tour btw). Ate told us that we were expecting only one guest and to our surprise, it was a Japanese! I think being in a Seat-In Coach Tour has its nice side, aside from enjoying the scenery and history, you'll be able to gain additional friend/s, may it be Filipino or a foreigner! So at last, Mr. Japanese is here (forgot the name again!), so let's start with the tour! :)

First Stop: Lapu-Lapu Monument (Mactan Shrine)
It was kind of cloudy when we reached the place where the first historical battle took place, the battle between Lapu-Lapu and his men (Philippines) and Ferdinand Magellan and his army (Spain). Upon reaching the place, we first saw the shrine that was erected in memory of Ferdinand Magellan. Close to it is another marker wherein a little Cebu's history is engraved. Next is Lapu-Lapu Shrine, a big and I think bronze monument of Lapu-Lapu, standing high and proud. It is really nostalgic that the place that was once seen on books and thought by my teachers were now actually right in front of me. A little bit different from the stories though, the place was once a shoreline but now it is a well kept vicinity. There are also souvenir shops within the place.

Mactan Shrine (Magellan's)

Me, my friend Dhez, Ate and Mr. Japanese

Lapu-Lapu Monument

Souvenir Shops

2nd Stop: Alegre Guitars
Next inline to visit is the Alegre Guitar Factory. It was amazing to see how the guitars are being made and most of it were made out of expensive woods. Every detail should be considered so that the desired sound of the guitar can be achieved. I never thought that making guitars would be that meticulous. The guitars in this factory are really well-made, but kinda expensive. :P All in all we had fun having a tour on this factory and I even bought a guitar refrigerator magnet as a souvenir. :)

Its noon time so its time for our lunch. The tour includes a buffet lunch at a restaurant in Fuente Osmena, as far as I can remember its what they call the business center in Cebu. We had our buffet lunch at Joven's Grill and Restaurant. After our sumptuous lunch, off to our next destination.

3rd Stop: Philippine Taoist Temple
Situated at a higher peak they call Beverly Hills, an exclusive subdivision in Cebu City. Philippine Taoist Temple was built by the Chinese Community in Cebu inline with the preserving of Taoism. By the way, the subdivision is mainly populated with Chinese and Filipino-Chinese residents. I must say this was my favorite part of the trip as I can see the whole city of Cebu in a different perspective. It also break you from the hustle and bustle of down town Cebu as the place is so quite and peaceful. As they say, you can also have your fortune be read here. Weren't able to do the fortune telling part as we're wearing shorts, not allowed to enter the shrine. :)

Its started to rain when we left Taoist Temple and on the way to our next stop, we passed by this monument near Colon Street (the oldest street in the Philippines).

Parian Monument

4th Stop: Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
Hailed as one of the oldest residential houses in the Philippines, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is a must place to visit. Its nice to know and see the rich history this house owns and by the looks of it the house is taken well of. You can see the family heritage that is passed on from one generation to another. Want to see something old yet historical? Visit this house and you'll never be disappointed.

5th and Last Stop: Magellan's Cross and Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino
And before ending our day tour, we visited the ever famous Magellan's Cross. Beside it is the Basilica Del Santo Nino. First, I hurried up to get to Magellan's Cross as it was starting to rain a little. The cross was erected to commemorate the start of Christianity in the Philippines. All along I thought the cross was big based on what I saw on school books, but apparently it wasn't but its still nice to see it. There were several old ladies offering some candles at Php 10.00 each. They will also offer to pray for you, any prayer that you want. After the Magellan's Cross, we had a brief visit at the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino. As what our tour guide told us, you should wave to the Sto. Nino once you arrived and before you leave.

When we got outside the church and went our way to the van, suddenly it started to rain so hard. Good thing our tour was finished and our tour guide will unload us at Ayala Center Cebu. Thanks to Ate and Kuya Driver for the fun and amazing tour they have given us. And also to Mr Japanese for being friendly and accommodating. He has also given us a glimpse of how amazing and beautiful Japan is. Someday, if time and money permits, we will be visiting your country and will definitely contact you! Arigato Gozaimasu! :)

Since its still early (time: around 05:00pm), we decided to stroll around Ayala Center Cebu. After an hour or so, we decided to watch a movie - Happy Feet 2!

After watching the movie, we decided to relax and have frappucino at SB before heading back to the hotel.

Day 03 and Last Day:
We woke up a little early as this is our last day here in Cebu. And since we don't have any thing to do, we decided to Taboan Market wherein we bought some pasalubong. After some shopping at Taboan, we headed to SM City Cebu for our lunch and have a peek of what I looks like (I think this has been a must for me, visit SM Mall on every city I visit if there is any (: ). Since its Christmas, they have set up a Christmas Village.

Pasalubong!

Photo credit to the owner

We got back to the hotel at around 02:00pm. We had our long rest before our flight back to Manila. We left the hotel at around 06:30pm, early as we were expecting to experience the traffic in Cebu,  as flight was scheduled around 09:00pm.

Me and my friend Cindy (the Birthday Girl)

As usual, our Cebu Pacific flight back to Manila was delayed for 1 hour! As expected from this airline. Anyway, I was kinda tired already so the delayed time was almost forgotten. My vacation ended and now going back to reality. Argh!

So end of this long post...

Ciao!