Part 1: Cebu-Bohol Escapade (Day 1) – To Cebu!!

On the weekend celebration of Filipino's independence, we head to explore the provinces of Cebu and Bohol. I am very pleased with the trip as we managed to experience different things here, though with a limited time, maybe we could just visit it again.

How to get there in Cebu?

Cebu can be reached through plane via Mactan International Airport.  If you're on a tight budget and you don't mind few days of journey, try going to Cebu via ferry. Meanwhile, in Cebu, taxis are everywhere. You may also like to take a jeepney, that is, if you know where your destination is.

On our very first day, we head ourselves to Pier 1. We're planning to go to Bohol via ferry, and as from other blogs, it's just an hour or two away from Cebu. There are different Pier locations of different shipping lines, I suggest, make sure you know the company shipping line where you would like to buy your ferry tickets, and of course you should be aware of their schedule.

For your convenience, I'll be posting <soon> the list of shipping lines and schedules available from Cebu to Tagbilaran (and vice versa).

We bought our tickets from MV Ocean Jet costing us Php500.00 one-way Tagbilaran to Cebu route. They have discounts for round trip tickets for Php800.00. Why didn't I buy roundtrip? It's because I'm planning to take the Cebu-Tubigon route via MV Starcraft.  Tubigon is also in Bohol and just an hour away in Cebu. Tubigon port is much closer to Danao, where we would take our adventurous feet first. Hehehe.

Anyway, we're done in buying our tickets to Ocean Jet in Pier 1. Where's MV StarCraft? I've asked passengers' helpdesk assistance and no one could tell me where it is  (how helpful). I'm thinking it's supposed to be like other shipping line where they have their own booth for passengers to buy ticket. But I see none! Pier 1 ticket booth is just small for me not to see it, right?

And then, I saw two guys wearing MV Starcraft shirt. You're our savior! I asked them, "Manong, san po ung MV Starcraft?" (Do you know where's MV Starcraft?) And then the guy spoke in Bisaya (Cebuano language) which I didn't understand. While he's uttering it, he's pointing out a maroon van. All i can understand is "maroon!" Aaah, to maroon van! Okay, now I understand. Looks like MV Starcraft doesn't have their own booth.

Upon reaching MV Starcraft's van, we've been told that they do not book in advance. We're planning to go to Bohol via Tubigon on our 3rd day, very early morning. I already saw from the net that MV Starcraft has a 5:45 am schedule and we would like to have more time on our itenerary. They just told us to be in the port very early, at least an hour ahead of schedule. The van wouldn't be available that early so just stick around the Pier and you'll see it somewhere close. Challenging eh?!

TIP: If you'll be taking the MV Starcraft, just always ask the guys roaming around Pier 1, where to buy tickets.

After buying tickets, we take a cab again to check hotel accomodations available. We don't have bookings as we're thinking there are lot of hotels around. We asked taxi driver to bring us to Sampagutia Suites Hotel in Plaza Garcia. Maybe he overheard the Plaza Garcia, to our dismay, he brought us to Sampaguita Suites in Fuente Osmeña Circle, we found it out when we were already inside the hotel.  And to our disappointment, there's no available room on both branches.

TIP: It's a holiday/long weekend! Book your hotels in advance! Hehehe!

Walking along Osmeña Circle and exhausted, we found the Elegant Circle Hotel. Much expensive than Sampaguita, the only consolation is we can check in early and its already available.

Elegant Circle Hotel

Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City

Economy Room Php 995 for 2 pax

Php 350/additional pax

With aircon, cable tv, cr, two single beds.

They also have standard rooms, deluxe rooms, etc.

We were hungry and we then proceed to Joven's Grill and Seafood (just walking distance from our hotel). Buffet style/eat-all-you can for only Php 120.00 for four dishes, and Php 170.00 for everything including drinks and desserts. 

My friend focused on eating their mixed seafoods, and sadly she got an extreme allergy afterwards. Nothing happened to the three of us, I guess, just be careful on their seafoods. But the food is great though, for me.