What to do: 24 hours in Cebu

We initially planned to stay longer in Cebu City during this visit. But some things happened, so we were left with only 24 hours to explore this vibrant city of the south.

Our ferry from Bohol arrived at Cebu port just a little over 12noon. After leaving our things in the hotel, we immediately checked out what the city has to offer.

And here's what we did with our 24hours:

1. Lunch at CnT , and eat the famous Cebu lechon!

This is one of those days I'm so thankful that I'm not a vegetarian. I mean, one cannot go to Cebu and not eat its famous lechon! And CnT serves the best tasting lechon I've ever ate in my whole life! 

2. Buy pasalubongs at Tabo-An Public Market.

Warning: this place smells like dried fish. Literally it smells like daing, tuyo,  and danggit. So if you're going there, make sure this the last stop of you itinerary for the day. Don't go there and plan to roam around the city. Unless you're okay to walk with people looking at you, covering their nose.

3. Dinner at Larsians.

This is Cebu's famous barbecue strip food area. You go around, pick what you eat, and have it cook there!

4. Walk around Fort San Pedro.

After breakfast at the hotel the next day, we headed out to explore Fort San Pedro. This used to be a military area during Spanish era. It's not that big, but if you're into history, this place is good to spend your time on.

5. Go to Santo Nino Church and Magellan's cross.

Just a short distance from Fort San Pedro is the Santo Nino Church and Magellan's cross. Being a Catholic country, I'd say this is a must visit when it's your first time in Cebu City. We were lucky because it was Sunday when we came here. The area was so vibrant, and there were a lot of people on the streets! Now  I wonder how it really is during Sinolog! :)

6. Go to Cebu IT Park

We went to Zubuchon for lunch, which was located in Cebu IT Park. This is the Business District of the city.

7. Chill at Ayala Center

We got tired from walking around Fort San Pedro and Santo Nino church, so we felt to just rest and chill while we wait for our evening flight. We went to Ayala Center where we just sat in Starbucks and do some people-watching. :)

Manners Matter. A few basic airport and airplane etiquette some tend to forget.

These are the unwritten rules. Nobody wants to ride a dirty plane. Everybody want their plane ride to be very comfortable as much as possible. It's disappointing that few still needs to be reminded of these, but I'm hoping we can spread this to the traveling community.


1. Please avoid taking phone calls inside the restroom cubicle, especially if you see a long line inside the restroom.

Not only it causes delay for the next person using the cubicle, the people around can hear your conversation, and believe me, it's not fun.

2.That "bag" at the back of the seat in front of you is not a garbage bag!

You see where they put the airline magazine? Yup, it's NOT A GARBAGE BAG! That's where you can put some of your travel documents, your own reading materials, and where flight attendants often leave the menu when they see you don't want to be bothered while you're asleep. So please, keep it neat.

3.Those who sit in the middle-seat have the rights to both armrests.

A lot has been written about this, so I'm hoping this would become a common knowledge among constant flyers. Those who's on the window seat got to have the view, and could rest their head on the, yup, window. Those on the aisle seat has the advantage of extending their legs on the aisle, as long as it's clear, and has the option to turn their heads to that  "free" area and not have to endure leaning towards their seatmates. The one who sits in the middle doesn't get to enjoy these perks. Let them have both armrests.

4. Be considerate when reclining your seat. Looking behind you to check if it's ok won't cost you anything.

And politely asking if it's okay to recline a little will actually make the traveling world a better place.

5. Be honest with your luggage

Last Christmas season, I witnessed a family hid a little bicycle (one that would fit a 2 ft doll) from the checked in counter and walked through the immigration thinking they will be able to bring it to plane as a carry on... I guess you can imagine the hassle they went through when we are at the last part of security check.

6. Bring sanitizer/alcohol in your carry on bag. ALWAYS.

Going back to #2, you'll never know what was inside that bag before you boarded.

7. Take advantage of online check-in. Sometimes, you will be given option to choose a seat for free.

8. Airport seats are for human beings, not your luggage.

People get tired. People get sleepy. And people get grumpy. Your 1000-dollars-worth-carry-on-bag won't get uncomfortable sitting on the floor.

9. Interior seat sitters should be mindful of good and bad times to get up.

If you see your seatmate on the aisle seat still eating their meal, try to hold off that pee. Please wait for them to finish their meals before rushing to the toilet.

10. Debark the plane in an orderly manner and don’t push your way into the aisle when no one is even moving yet.

Unless you don't have a checked-in luggage, rushing out of the plane 2 minutes ahead of everyone won't make you get out of the airport ahead of everyone as well. As the old saying goes, patience is a virtue.

Your guide to Asian Cities. Because I am Asian

Caution: Please exercise having an open mind while reading. :) 

Singapore City, Singapore

Famous for: The Merlion, Marina Bay and the Gardens of the Bay

Population/Demographics: Around 40% locals who look like Chinese (but speaks better English), and  60%  Foreign workers called Ex-pats (if they're white) or  Pinoys, Indians and Malaysians.

Unforgettable experience: Maria Sharapova, and Red Bull Energy Drink (definitely not related to each other).

Batam, Indonesia

Famous for: the Indonesia near Singapore port

Population/Demographics: Mostly locals, and the rest, "tourists" from Singapore.

Unforgettable experience: "Wait, are we in Mindanao?"

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Famous for: Petronas

Population/Demographics: Mostly locals

Unforgettable experience: Buying a ticket from an illegal bus company because the man who sold the ticket was just oh-so-good-looking! We ended up transferring to another bus in the middle of nowhere, during the dark hours of the morning. Wooops!

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Famous for: The travel destination for first time Pinoy travelers

Population/Demographics: 80% locals, 20% Overseas Filipino Workers

Unforgettable experience: Missing out an opportunity to have a picture with Mickey Mouse!

Bangkok, Thailand

Famous for: Leonardo diCaprio's first destination in South East Asia (remember The Beach?)

Population/Demographics: 30% male, 50% female, 20% gorgeous "females"

Unforgettable experience:  Green Mango as an everyday snack. 

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Famous for: Angkor Wat

Population/Demographics: 80% local, 10% backpackers, 10% Lexus cars

Unforgettable experience: Bus ride from Vietnam. 

Saigon, Vietnam

Famous for: Surviving the World War

Population/Demographics: 50% local, 50% motorbikes

Unforgettable experience: Best Coffee ever. And offending a waiter for not ordering a Lipton Iced Tea. :(

Osaka, Japan

Famous for: Ramen, Sushi, Sashimi, Takoyaki

Population/Demographics: Mostly locals, and the rest, cartoon and Anime characters

Unforgettable Experience: First big bang snow experience! 

Taipei, Taiwan

Famous for: Meteor Garden

Population/Demographics: Mostly locals, more cultured than Chinese

Unforgettable Experience: Being mistaken by another tourist as a local

Beijing, China

Famous for: Great Wall and Forbidden City

Population/Demographics: Mostly locals who spit wherever, whenever they feel like it. 

Unforgettable Experience: First public toilet experience. 

Peking Made

I'm writing this post here at Beijing Airport, while waiting for my flight back home.

I've always had my reservations when it comes to traveling to China. I've heard stories from friends of their not-so-good experience when they went here, plus the fact that the relationship between my country and China is something we cannot call amicable.

But when I saw a seat sale last December, plus my hunger to experience a different culture and see another new country, me and my friends booked that Beijing flight.

Fast forward to March, 2015. Touchdown Beijing International Airport!

First impression of the City - their roads are so big! Big and wide! It was past midnight when our plane arrived so there wasn't really that much to see.

When we woke up in the morning, we can see how imminent the smog is.  Picture the pollution in Manila every New Year's morning.  That's how it looks like EVERYDAY. Literally we didn't see any clouds in the City during our six day stay. None at all.  There were even days when the sky isn't blue at all, more of whitish grey, or grayish white! Ouch!

Next observation - people spit whenever they feel like it, wherever they feel like it. If you're lucky (or observant with a quick reflex), you'll notice some warning signs before they fire it. I won't tell you what the warning signs are, I will let you discover it for yourself. :)

I also noticed that they have this habit of cutting other people in line. During our first train ride, we were supposed to be the first in line. When the train arrived, people just started going in ahead of us. Yes, I'm used to this kind of behavior in my country, maybe I was just expecting something like that in Singapore or Japan. But no. People would not even give their seats to the ladies nor to the elderly.

They also have this great tendency to up sell their products, often to the point that it becomes so annoying. Once you decide to buy something, expect that the sales lady will ask if you're getting 2 of it. Or if you're getting the larger piece. So remember, if they're good at selling, you have to be better at haggling. Yes, that price tag, isn't the final price. And caution, always, always count your change before leaving a store. Always.

All in all I'd say it was a pleasant trip. Their culture is something really different and the sights here are really worth the travel.  And that's me being polite.

During our last night, my friends and I asked ourselves this question: "will we come back here?" We all agreed that the experience we had during the last 6 days is enough to make memories of Beijing in our lifetime. Maybe we got overwhelmed with the big cultural differences, or perhaps it's the dry cold weather, or the pollution... Whatever it could be, one thing is clear to all of us, we won't be to keen booking that next Piso fare to this destination in the near future.

Where to go in Beijing

Beijing is huge!!! You need to have a detailed plan of attack when you arrive in this big city, or else you will lose a lot of time figuring out where to go, and how to go.

On a positive side though, most of attractions in the City can be traveled by train, but mind you, these are long train rides. So if you are short of time during your visit, do a lot of research.

Here is a map grabbed online showing how big Beijing is. The area inside the yellow box is the City center. The green arrow on top is the way to the Great Wall, while on the upper right corner is where the Airport is at.

The hotel we stayed in was located in the outskirts of the City, a good 30-45 minutes train ride which costs 10 RMB back and forth. Follow the red line on the map.

Most of Beijing's major attractions are within the city center. Tianamen Sqaure, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Wangfujing and Temple of Heaven are in neighboring streets. But be warned though, when I say the next destination in a couple of blocks away, be prepared to walk for 10-15 minutes. That's how big and long their streets are.

Temple of  Heaven

I'm glad we decided to visit this place (as it's not included in the travel package we availed). Of all the major attractions we went to, this is where I think I saw a lot of local cultural action. There's a choir practicing their songs, old folks playing card games, some doing tai chi, and a lot of wedding pictorials going on.

Nearest Subway: Tiantondongmen
Entrance fee: 30RMB

Summer Palace

According to our guide, this is where Emperors usually spend their summer as weather is a lot cooler compared to The Forbidden City. Our visit was early spring, so weather was near freezing when we came here.

Nearest Subway: Beigonmen
Entrance Fee: 20RMB

Tianamen Square and The Forbidden City

Seat of political powers in Beijing.

Forbidden City being called as it is because commoners are forbidden to enter this city.

South gate of Forbidden City is linked to Tianamen square

Tip: If your hotel is near, bring only the necessary. Security is very strict here and lines to the entrance are very long if you are carrying bags. There's a separate entrance to those without luggage, which is a way lot shorter and quicker!

Nearest Subway: Tianamen East and West
Entrance Fee: FREE

Wangfujing Street

The shopping and street food district.

Be prepared to haggle, haggle and haggle! And if you're brave enough, there are tons of interesting food stalls along the streets! ;)

Nearest Subway: Wangfujing
Entrance fee: FREE

Olympic Park

Where athletes who played in 2008 Summer Olympics game used to stay.

Tip: It's better to go here at night, when the lights are on.

Nearest Subway: Beitucheng
Entrance Fee: 50RMB

The Great Wall

I'd say the most famous of all attractions in Beijing, perhaps in all of China. Bring water as the climb could be long and tiresome.

It is more or less 500 kilometers long, so it is understandable that there are a lot of different sections to enter this place.

We entered through the Juyongguan Wall. It's one of the easiest way to get into (nearest from the city), but could be crowded at some point.

Nearest Subway: As it is too far from the city, there is no subway that goes as far to the Great Wall. I read somewhere that you can take bus from Longze subway station, and take it from there.
Entrance Fee: 45RMB

Singapore : my first time in recent time.

Singapore, one of the most modern cities in the world, and I would say, the most advanced in terms of science, technology and modern architecture over the South East Asia region.

I have been here many times before. In fact, this is where my first out of country trip happened! I was very young then, and was more concerned and busy comparing my Manila to this brilliant city, that I failed to truly appreciate its beauty. Other trips had different agenda so I can say that this recent trip was when I felt that I am really a tourist. (And please, let's stop that tourist vs traveler debate!) 

Let me share with you some of my "firsts" experienced in Singapore recently:

1. Took photos inside Changi Airport 

Shame on me. But it was my first time to take pictures inside the magnificent Changi Airport. Really the best airport I've been to all my life! On our flight back home, we were at the airport 5 hours before our boarding time, and never, never did we ever get bored!

2. Walked around Little India like a tourist.

I remember going to this area because of  Mustafa. Being a 24 hour shopping center, my friend and I went here to buy last minute "pasalubongs" for a flight just hours away.

During this recent trip though, I got the chance to walked around the area a little longer. And I was not disappointed! The little colorful houses/shops are such a beauty to look at!

It was the day after Diwali when we went there so the place looked even more festive.

3. See the much talked about Gardens by the Bay 

I am not a big fan of things artificial, but this amazing place is truly an exceptional example of mankind's brilliance at its finest.

4. Visited 2 of Singapore's world class museums: National Museum of Singapore and Singapore Art Museum.

Not as spectacular as Louvre nor the Academia, but definitely worth your time. They're not as crowded as the 2 mentioned museums too, so really, why not do it?

 I particularly enjoyed our visit to Singapore Art Museum (SAM). We stayed there for almost 3 hours and loved every minute inside.

Inside National Museum of Singapore

And my new favorite SAM

Even these benches outside SAM are beautiful!

5. Just roam around and appreciate these marvelous things done by mankind during 'our era.'

A little bit of a story. As I mentioned above, many times I've come here with different agenda. First and second time - I walked around the streets with long envelope, in corporate dress, crossing from one building to another with hopes that I can land a job here. Third, and the rest - I've come here to spend time with friends, to catch up with each other and party. And when I say party, we really partied hard which makes us asleep until early afternoon, with no time to explore the city anymore.

During this recent trip, not that I deliberately planned it (I have another agenda too), I was just glad to really pause and look around. To see and experience. My friend and I were seldom in a hurry to go from one place to another. We even spent a couple of hours each sitting in Merlion area, Marina bay and Orchard to just watch the people walk around. To observe and live the moment.

And this experience made me feel that this is the first time I'm visiting Singapore again. And because of that, I would love to come back for more.

Under the Bridge near the Merlion

 View of Chinatown from the footbridge above MRT

Subway entrance along Orchard Rd

PS: 

You might be wondering why I came back. :)

My agenda for coming here this time: