Cebu Westown Lagoon

 

Cebu Westown Lagoon is a breath of paradise in the otherwise busy and cosmopolitan city. The tropical ambience promises the ultimate staycation place in Cebu and gives the locals a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life. They got Playland for kids, adult and kiddie pools, two medium-sized heated Jacuzzis, and 2 slides that are 20ft. and 30ft. long. They also have a restaurant that is quite affordable for those who don't want to be burdened with bringing their own foods. You can choose to get the small cottages that have one table each or the big cottages that have two tables but you  can also opt out and get the free tables on the common areas at the sides though this is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also various tents and lounge chairs for you to choose from. One doesn’t have to go far to enjoy day and night attractions of Cebu since a Live Entertainment  Bar, Restaurant, KTV Bar, pool table and a disco are within the hotel vicinity. Two large shopping malls are within easy walking distance as well. One major perk for this place is that they have no corkage fee on outside food and drinks except for Alcoholic beverages and I heard that Lechon is also one at Php500 each item.

Aztec statue at the entrance

Adult pool

Kiddie pool

Playland

Its convenient location made us decide to have our Team Socials/Outing at Westown Lagoon. We paid 200 pesos/person for the entrance fee as they currently are on promo rate. Regular price is 400 pesos for entrance. We went there after work. The place is still nice even at night as the pools are illuminated with colorful lights though they only allow swimming activity until 11PM.

They are located:

FF Cruz Moonlight St., Subangdaku NRA

Mandaue 6014, Philippines

Contact information:

GLOBE: 09772158529

SMART: 09393453129

SUN: 09325672461

e-Mail: cebuwestownlagoon@yahoo.com

You can also visit their website at http://www.cebuwestownlagoon.com/

A Look Back: Boracay

Boracay, the famous beach destination in the Philippines which is a go-to place for tourists who loves to party and chill. Most people go there during summer and that this location usually held beach events where local artists gather and do beach sports sponsored by certain companies in the Philippines. Now, what is an introvert like me doing in a place like this? A place flocked with people both foreign and local?

Well, there is a story to that one. I wanted to visit Boracay and see for myself why people talk about this "paradise". But within my bucket lists, it is not top priority. I didn't even planned on going there that time. I went there on the summer of 2013 and yes that was 3 years ago so apologies if I can't remember how much I spent there or how I went there.

The beach front full of tourists

My workmates wanted to go to Boracay and as they say the more the merrier so they convinced me in joining. I was really declining on joining but they convinced me otherwise. I just thought to take advantage of the opportunity as I may not be able to go there for the next years or maybe not at all. I am comfortable with my two workmates so I told myself that I am okay in going there with them.

How I got there:

We went to Boracay via Iloilo City.  What I remember is that, we were unable to go there via Kalibo or Caticlan as there were no more flights available because it was March and it was summer. Yes, it was Peak Season that time. I've researched the latest information on how to get there so that it will be much more accurate. Here are the ways you could get to paradise:

The ferry port

Iloilo to Caticlan

Take a bus from Tagbac Bus Terminal in Iloilo to Caticlan and then take the ferry across as described below. Both AC and non-AC buses run the route and cost (as of July 2016) ₱350. All buses pass through Kalibo and may only have a sign on the front for Kalibo, be sure to confirm the same bus goes through to Caticlan or you may have to change buses. The bus route takes approximately 6 hours. Private vans may also be hired to run the route. Vans that can fit up to 12 passengers may try to get passenger's at the port, near the airport, and from near the Tagbac Bus Terminal. Jeepneys can take you from the port or airport to the Tagbac Bus Terminal. You may have to change between Jeepney routes, but drivers should be able to direct you.

Caticlan to Boracay

Whether you go by plane or by boat, you will pass through the small town of Malay on the "mainland" of Panay island. Outrigger boats or "bancas" leave every few minutes from Caticlan's jetty port. After exiting the Caticlan Airport, find the tricycle stand to the right, past the various resort offerings. A tricycle and boat for two people from Caticlan Airport to the Boracay jetty is ₱150. Just the boat from the Caticlan Jetty to the Boracay Jetter will cost you ₱25 in addition to the following Environmental and Terminal fees. Tourists also have to pay a terminal fee of ₱100 and an environmental fee of ₱75.

By plane

There are two airports located near to the island of Boracay.

• Caticlan or Godofredo P. Ramos Airport
• Only relatively small aircraft can land at this airport. Airlines with flights to and from Caticlan are: Cebu Pacific Air from Manila and Cebu, Philippine Airlines and SkyJet from Manila only. From Caticlan airport you can either take a tricycle (₱50 fixed price for airport tricycle, or ₱10 per passenger if you walk out to the main road and catch the shared ride on a tricycle passing by) or walk (10 minutes) to Caticlan Jetty Port. If you are not comfortable on small planes (or with rough landings), you should consider flying into and out of the larger Kalibo Airport.
• Kalibo International Airport
•  Compared to Caticlan's airport, the Kalibo Airport runway is able to land larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. However, it is further from Caticlan's jetty port which is 80 minutes away.

There are minivans, vans, coasters and buses that serve travelers between Kalibo International Airport and Caticlan Jetty Port.

By road and ferry (RoRo)

The "Nautical Highway" is a combination of overland highways and roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels that allows you to bring your vehicle to Panay Island and visit key cities like Kalibo. Taking your car all the way to Boracay, though, isn't possible.

Public transport also operates on this same route and is the most cost-effective way of traveling between Manila and Boracay. Assuming good connections, the total journey time is around 12 hours.

The easiest way of arranging this is to book a van in Manila by contacting private operators. This will enable you to book a straight trip from Manila to Caticlan at the cost of ₱1200, more or less. Their group operates several passenger vans which can load 10-14 or 15-18 persons. You book the trip exclusively or share with fellow travellers.

There are one or two ferries per day direct from Batangas Port to Caticlan Port, which eliminates the long sea and road journey from Batangas to Roxas.

he more challenging (but slightly cheaper) do-it-yourself version goes as follows:

The easiest way would be to book a straight trip that allows you to purchase just one ticket from Cubao terminal to Caticlan Port. The cost is between ₱1000-1200.

But if you really want to save money, you can also commute from Cubao bus terminal station (near Alimall). There is really no difference except for the fact that you need to purchase ticket/s in every stop.

Cubao-Batangas Best leave 07:00-08:00 so you arrive in Batangas Port before 22:00.

Batangas-Calapan the trip takes 2 hours via cargo ship or an hour to one hour and a half via Supercat. Do not purchase tickets for the Calapan to Roxas Van as this can either be a scam or you end up squeezed in one van along with several other passengers with tickets.

Disclaimer: The information above is from Wiki Travel. To know more details, please click here to be redirected to the website.

Inside the ferry terminal

Where I stayed:

I remember very well where we stayed. It was budget friendly and is located within Station 2 where restaurants and parties took places. It was Bonzai Beach Resort. They have 2 types of rooms. The bamboo veranda and main building rooms where the rooms are concrete. We stayed at the concrete room and we are satisfied with the place. For more info, check out their website here. 

Just at the back is where Bonzai Beach is

Boracay Regency Hotel sign

7 Stones Hotel - located on the other side of the island

Still part of the Boracay Regency Hotel

The things I did and the places I went to:

Unfortunately, I didn't get to do the activities that Boracay is famous for - snorkling, scuba diving, island hopping/boat tours, kite boarding, skim boarding, ATV, parasailing, etc. Well, so happens that my travel buddies are more on the party side. So we just partied at Club Paraw and did some videoke and beers for those nights we were there. As for me, I had fun but I may have preferred staying by the beach and just relax (introvert problems). We did get to stroll along White Beach but I appreciated the sand when we went to Station 1. There are less establishments there and fewer hotels and people. It really is milk-ish white and unbelievably soft. We also visited the Virgin Mary's Grotto.  

The grotto

The fire dancer

Beachhut Bar Menu (2013)

Overall, it was still an experience I can't forget. I'm glad I went there. There could be a lot that have changed after all, it was 3 years ago. I would still recommend you going to Boracay. It has a beautiful beach front and has the parties that you could only hope for.

Dumaguete - Apo Island for 2 Days and 1 Night (Part 2)

APO ISLAND

How long have I wanted to swim with the sea turtles! Finally, I was able to experience it!

Chasin' turtles be like

Apo Island is located south eastern tip of Negros Island and 30 kilometers south of the Negros Oriental capital of Dumaguete in the Philippines. I wouldn't want to miss my chance. The best thing about group travel is to share cost of the pump boat that can take you to island which is PHP2,500 good for four and of course it is not pratical if you go on solo for that amount. Good thing that the place I stayed at has a joiner offer of PHP1,000 per individual. It is kind of pricey than group sharing but that amount already covers the transportation to and from Dauin, breakfast, lunch, boat, snorkel gear and the guide. You need to be at the hostel at 6:45AM and because I stayed there, it was convenient for me. You will be asked to sign a waiver and also just next to the hostel is the dive shop where the equipments are handed out.

Swimming away

It was past 7AM when we headed off to Dauin. Most of the people I went the trip with were Chinese and Koreans, there were Filipinos and I wanted to talk to them but I just didn't have the voice - I actually don't know what to talk about after the initial greetings. It was a good thing there was also another person in solo travel and I took the chance to talk to him and become his companion that day. That made me very happy! I got to meet someone new and I was able to meet two more when we were grouped together for the dive.

One side of the Island

The package includes three dive spots because we have divers with us. One thing to note though is that you will not be taken TO the island but the boat will just be navigating around it as there is an additional fee. If you want to have your feet touch the sand and be on the island as well as check out the lighthouse, this package is not for you. Also, most of the sea turtles are feeding in the shallow waters near the beach so the dives/snorkels  you will be having with the package does not assure a turtle encounter but it has 80% chance you will have one as what I have experienced. None the less, you will have a great time! It was on the third dive that we encountered turtles and our group was lucky to be the only ones there. We had the turtle all for ourselves! Even if the first two dives were turtle-less (is that even a word?), the island is a marine sanctuary and the corals and sea is full of life! The water is also clear, even if it is deep, you can see the sea bed. You are scheduled 1 hour snorkel for each dive spot, two are done before lunch and last one after as you need to be back on shore by 3PM as the waves gets high that time.  The overall experience was fun and I highly recommend joining the tour!

Here is the breakdown of my expenses:

Note: It could have been lesser if I have booked in advanced as well as I am a foodie so I do spend on food. (peace)

What I want you to know:

1. If you only have the weekends to visit Dumaguete and go to Apo Island, I would recommend you catching the 1AM schedule to Lilo-an Port from Cebu's South Bus Terminal. You will arrive at 4 or 4:30AM which is the first scheduled trip for the ferry. It only takes 30-45 minutes to Sibulan. You have time to catch up with the Apo Island tour (provided that they are not fully booked which is less likely).
2. The lunch including in the package is kinda like a "snack". We were just only served pancit though I was expecting a full meal. You may need to bring your own lunch if it is not enough. There is unlimited coffee/milk, bread and bananas though (at least that's what I have observed).
3. I really do advice to have Apo Island be your first day activity because it will be a three hour swimming under the blazing sun and it will exhaust you. Of course, it will be entirely up to you.
4. As you need to get wet in boarding the boat, be in clothes that you don't mind getting wet in.

That about sums it up with my first solo travel adventure! I can't wait to explore again! Hit me up if you plan to visit my place. I would love to suggest places and things to do for you :)

Dumaguete - Apo Island for 2 Days and 1 Night (Part 1)

DUMAGUETE

I had long been wanting to visit Dumaguete, it's just a bus (and ferry) away from Cebu. One thing that kept me from going is I have no one to go with there. I haven't been there and there is also the introvert part of me of facing foreigners and also that having the look of being lost. I was happy when my housemates wanted to come so I applied for leave right away. But as you know, never plan your vacation way early as they ought to go as planned. We had talks about our trip a month before. Eight planned the trip and then by the time the day came, I was the only one left still wanting the plan to push through.

Rizal Boulevard

No worries though, I think this is the sign that I go solo. Yes, this is my first solo travel and guess what.. No Regrets! I had an awesome time and I got to meet new friends! I thought that I will be alone the entire time I will be there. I was able to muster the courage to take my first steps to travel solo!

How I got there:

There are several ways to get to Dumaguete. By air, by sea or by land (via RoRo) or a combination. There is the option to fly or voyage directly to Dumaguete,  I selected the cheapest way which is by land-sea-land though it is not the fastest route. I wasn't in a hurry so I didn't mind. I took a bus from the South Bus Terminal to Lilo-an. The bus signboard had Bato via Lilo-an on it. If not sure just ask which bus goes to the port for Sibulan. It takes about 3-3.5 hours to arrive there and the fare is PHP185 (as of this writing). The bus will stop just outside (bus conductors will shout "Lilo-an!") and you know you have arrived. You need to take a number as there are limited seats on the ferry or else you will have to wait for the next trip. The fare is around PHP65 pesos and takes around 30-40 minutes to get to Sibulan which is a town 20 minutes away from Dumaguete.  It was early in the morning (nearly 5AM) that I arrived in Sibulan. There will be a lot of tricycles waiting and a few jeepneys. The drivers will charge you PHP170 to take you to your hotel (you will split the cost if there are two or 3 people) but because I was alone I opt for the jeepney where I just spent PHP20.

Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Where I stayed:

I have not booked in advance for the reason that I didn't think there were be a lot of people in Dumaguete for the weekend because there is no festival or any celebration the city is having. How wrong I was! I first arrived at Harold's Mansion which is a popular backpacker's hostel. I wanted to stay at their air-conditioned dorms for a night but their dorms are fully booked and only available rooms are the double fan rooms.  I decided to try another place which is the Vintage Inn however before even asking for a room, I knew it was fully booked because of the sign they have on their frontdesk. I asked the tricycle driver where he can recommend and he informed of the Gateway Hotel and they were fully booked too. I decided to go back to Harold's Mansion and paid for the fan room good for two which is PHP500.

The things I did and the places I went to:

Sans Rival Bistro

I wandered around Dumaguete on the second day because I went to Apo Island on the first day which you will know more about in my next entry.  But I had dinner at Jo's Chicken Inato that night and got my dessert at Sans Rival Bistro. The bistro is facing Rizal Boulevard so I was able to do a quick stroll together with my new found friends (Yep! I was lucky!). They have some street foods there but I was too full to even try some.

Tempura stands in Rizal Boulevard at night

Real life rooster at Jo's

 After chasing turtles on my first day, I was exhausted and my skin was hurting so my plan to go to Manjuyod Sandbar got cancelled and because I had a back up plan I didn't fret much. My back up plan is the city tour and was pretty interested in going to the museums of Siliman University, however, it was on a Sunday and I had asked multiple trike drivers if they are still open only to be answered no.  The museums are not option so I decided to go to Sans Rival Bakery which is just next to their bistro. I had a quick stomach filler there which is their lasagna and got one box  of their famous Silvanas. I was able to stop by the Sisters of St Paul of Chartres Monument which is just across the bistro and took a quick photo or two. After that I went to the Campanario De Dumaguete (Dumaguete belfry) which is the oldest in the Visayas and it is just next to Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria which I just admired from the outside as there was an on-going mass because it was Sunday. 

Dumaguete belfry

Rizal Park just happens to be across the church too. It was noon so the heat was scorching and what better way to cool down than by sitting under a shade of the tree. The breeze was so nice so I stayed at the park for around a quarter of an hour. I then decided to just walk to the Public Market after taking a rest at the park. I had a handy maps app on my phone to let me know where I was so I was able to make out that it is just two blocks from the park. I may have regretted it slightly as it was 11AM and the sun was really scorching hot not counting that I still was sunburned. My purpose there was to buy pasalubong and the public market had the budbod kabog which is made from bird seeds.

Rizal Park

After my purchase, I wanted to have a keychain as I make it a point to get one when I travel as souvenir for the  places I went to but none can be found there. I have to go to Robinson's Mall to buy one thanks to the locals I asked about where to get those. It was nearly 12NN and I have to get back to the hostel to check out and started my journey back to Cebu. There is still the option to do the bus from Cebu-Dumaguete but still went to the land-sea-land option.

Check my next entry for my Apo Island Adventure!