Michelle & Jassy: Turista in Cebububu

A promo fare and free hotel accomodation, what could possibly go wrong? Sa totoo lang, wala. To date, my trip to Cebu with Michelle is my favorite among all the out of towns I had with friends. It was such a "relaxing" trip that we've been planning on where to go next while on our trip, it was really worth while.

I was planning a trip to Cebu with my food buddies Gleng and Koks but I ended up going with Michelle because of the rigidity of our schedule. Deeply regretful for them missing out on the trip but I am really thankful that I went there with Michelle.

We left for Manila at around 6PM. Our flight was supposed to be around 4:30 but it's CebuPac, and I'm just glad we left before the day ended. *hahahaha, cheap flight fare promo so I ain't really complaining for the delay.

We stayed at Crown Regency Mactan. Michelle's Ate Grace got us this hotel accomodation for free. Look at how spacious it is! You can fit more than 4 people here. Really wished our other Binondo Group Friends were there with us.

We've been going to places with the help of cabs. But we also rode the bus on our way to Simala and Carcar. Wala lang, we were hopeful of experiencing a taste of their local transportation but our time was so limited that we can't really afford to get lost (in translation).

Our real intention was to eat out. But other than that, walso attended mass at the Basilica de Sto Nino and went to Simala Shrine. So you can say that we were truly bodily and spiritually full from our short trip.

Luckily, we were able to attend the 8AM English mass at the basilica. We weren't expecting that there will be a heavy traffic around the city. Truly, the downside to commercialization is the traffic it brought about (haha, what a downer. But as True Blue Manileña, the traffic didn't bother us really. We just learned how to adjust our time accordingly). We also passed by THE Magellan's Cross near the church.

After having our breakfast at a fastfood resto (we broke the "we will never eat at a fastfood resto for this trip" pledge since we were in a hurry), we then went to the South Bus Terminal Station and headed to Simala. The pictures we took cannot give justice on how magnificent the place is. I guess, it was really the experience that made us really awed at the place. If given a chance, despite the long distance, I will definitely come back.

A quick stop to Carcar is also a must to buy our chicharon pasalubongs. It is unfortunate, however, that we were unable to taste Carcar's lechon. As per the kind manong taxi driver told us, Carcar's lechon is the best. I guess, that's also one reason why I need to go back to this place.

Despite the amoy araw and pawis feels from that bus ride, our day did not end there. We had our super late lunch (mirienda time na pa-dinner time na) at Larsians. Friends have been raving about Larsians for the barbecue. Bilang newly self confessed isaw frequent craver, it was a definite must for me to go there. Kuddos sa "Eliza's grill" and we really enjoyed everything. Also got to try "puso" instead of rice. Teka, ano bang difference nila? Or sa sobrang gutom, we didn't realized.

Akala niyo pagod na kami after at matutulog na lang kami sa hotel? Nope, we went to La Vie Parisenne after. The pastries are okay. The sparkling wine's price is definitely okay. The place? Ayan, it was really beautiful. Pang instagram and pinterest siya talaga. Other than the cold treatment we had from the staff, the whole experience was fun.

On our last day, we brought our pasalubongs and was able to go to SM Seaside City Cebu. Yup, daming time. Plano ko talaga ang pilgrimage on every SM mall around the country. Hahahaha

At sa Cebu ko pa talaga napanuod yung "Me Before You." Movie review? I think, that deserves to be on another post or kahit hindi na. Boo! I was able to enjoy Sam Claflin though, kaya keri and Emilia Clarke's very adorable. Love "Lou's" shoes. Very happy to see Clara Oswald in another timeline, living happily. Other than that, the utter lack of some important scenes and facts from the movie is a complete disgrace to the "beauty" of the book. Pero sabi nga, the movie is different from the book. I may have realized that to enjoy a movie, I must first watch it then read the book after. Honestly, I was unable to fully enjoy it since I was looking for some scenes I was hoping to see.

This trip with Michelle is totally one for the books. I can and will travel with her again if given a chance, unless sinusuka na niya ko for my randomness and innate kadaldalan (but I might successfully induce her in taking me pa rin naman. Wala e, naturally makulit. Talent ko ata yun).

We had our dinners at:

• AA BBQ, Mactan for our first night 
• Zubucon, Mactan International Airport for our last night. 

We had our late lunches at:

• Larsians, Cebu City
• CNT Lechon, SM Seaside City Cebu

We had fancy pastries and wine at:

• La Vie Parisienne, Lahug 

Daghang salamat Cebu, you've been very kind. ☀️