When I came back to Cebu, what I had first in mind was where to find good dining with my mama dearest. I've already tried Larsian, Casa Verde and Zubuchon when I first visited last year. I searched through Open Rice and found Abuhan Tres.

I chose this because it's located in IT Park and a short walk to Waterfront Cebu, where the Travel Expo last July 25-27 was held. 

Abuhan Tres is very much raved by Cebuanos as one of the must go to restos so I gave it a try. It was around 4pm when we arrived so the place was not full of customers. We had the place to ourselves. 

I asked for their bestseller sizzling pochero. 

Pochero for me is pork with soup with cabbage, with potatoes and all. So I was surprised that Pochero for Cebuano is Bulalo in Manila. Haha. I didn't research enough. And the meal is too huge for me and just my mom. I am such a light eater and loves veggies, though not vegetarian. Me and my mom loved the taste but it was just too much for us so I ordered Ensaladang Talong to balance our meal. 

And we wiped the talong in a flash. 

For meat lovers, this resto is for you. Probably we could have enjoyed eating more if we were in a big group. We didn't finish the Pochero, we had it take out hoping we could find someone to give it to.

The bill came to a total of Php 700 for just 2 viands and 2 drinks. Made me wish I could have taken her at Casa Verde instead. Though at that time, we were both looking for good Filipino food. So I guess eating Sizzling Pochero was still a good idea. First time experience we both shared. 

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I was given a chance to stay at the prestigious Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu last week. It was part hotel ocular and part staycation. I came to Cebu (with my mom) to widen my travel network and look for tour partners in Central Visayas - thanks to the Cebu International Travel Expo (C.I.T.E) which was held at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino Cebu.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by their personnel in yellow uniform, later ushered to our service car that would bring us to the hotel. Both employees look young and both with welcoming smile on their faces.

Inside the car, I was shockingly coughing out loud as I have a flu. Yup and having the #MarcoPoloWay, they have 2 bottled water in the car which really gave me a sudden relief. Along with it, a morning newspaper and the young driver handed me a pocket wi-fi should I need to be connected. They must have known I'm a business traveler or it's just the way they show awesome service to their guests.

The hotel is 45 minutes to an hour away from The Mactan International Airport and the driver carefully maneuvered his way to get us safe in the hotel. The ride was smooth I could sleep.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is a 5 star hotel situated 600 feet above sea level at Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu. The hotel is surrounded by 7.5 hectares of lush greenery. 

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by their cheerful front desk officers. I'm not sure if the front desk lady who assisted us is Chinese or from Hong Kong. The other front desk girl handed us a sales kit from their Sales Manager. 

We arrived too early for check in as it was only around 11 in the morning. So while we wait for our room to be ready, I did check their facilities with their Sales Manager Chino Quintana who showed me around. I left my mom at The Lobby Lounge having coffee and enjoying the free wifi as she checks her flooding emails.

Guest Facilities

The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu offers a wide range of five-star services and facilities for any occassion and stay to meet your every need.

Services and Facilities

•   Business Center
•   Mobile Phone on Loan
•   Transportation Desk
•   Medical Clinic
•   Tour & Travel Desk
•   24 hour Room Service
•   Broadband Internet Access in all Guest Rooms
•   Wi-Fi
•   ATM
•   Swimming Pool
•   Jacuzzi
•   Children's Pool
•   Health Club
•  Laptop and DVD Player on Loan
•   Jogging Route
•   Fitness Center with Sauna

We also have a shuttle bus which can take you to the following routes on these schedules:

   Business trip to the Asia Town I.T. Park 

          7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 AM

   Shopping trip to SM City and Ayala Center

          10:00 AM

          12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 and 7:00 PM

Too bad, I was there for just 2 nights, I could have enjoyed all the facilities they offer. I could've brought my rubber shoes as I am already months absent from working out :(

The shuttle service is very convenient and we availed of it once and asked to be dropped at the IT Park where we had our first lunch. The IT Park is also conveniently located near Waterfront Hotel & Casino where the travel expo was held. It was a smooth and cozy short walk from the business district.

Widely known to be Cebu's finest buffet restaurant. Cafe Marco didn't let us down. My mom happily gorged on the wide buffet spread while I was trying hard to eat some more. I am such a light eater.

And the happiest I am about with the #MarcoPoloWay superb service is the free upgrade we got to Continental Club Mountain View Room.

Continental Club Mountain View Room

The Continental Club Mountain View Rooms at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu are situated on the two topmost floors of the hotel building and provide a breathtaking view of the hills and mountains. They come with Club benefits such as private check-in and check-out, access to the Club Lounge along with luxury amenities.

Located on the 22nd and 23rd floors and measuring 32 square meter / 344 square foot each, with a capacity to accommodate 3 adults, or 2 adults with 2 kids, each club room with its picturesque view of the mountain offers the following features:

Continental Club Room Features

•   32" LCD TV
•   Cable Television
•   Voicemail and IDD Phones
•   Free Broadband Internet Access
•   Coffee and Tea-making Facilities
•   Mini-Bar
•   In-room Safe
•   Electronic Guestroom Locks

Facilities include personalized check-in and check-out services, free daily breakfast, complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day, complimentary cocktails, complimentary pressing and laundry services, shoe shine service, mini business center, complimentary use of the boardroom and conference room, packing and unpacking services, secretarial services, and a complimentary fruit plate. 

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu comprises 329 guest rooms and suites, where each room is an epitome of comfort and space enhanced by decor that showcase a beautiful blend of the local culture.

Guests can choose the comfortable deluxe rooms which come with a choice of mountain or sea view or they can stay in the Continental Club Floors where exclusivity and special privileges await them. The crème-de-la-crème can choose to stay in one of our exclusive Suites.

Our room has the most comfortable bed and the most fluffiest pillows. I could sleep all day - which my mom literally did. I'm the happiest daughter on earth as I watch my mom relax and be away from all the stress she too face at home in Manila.

The complimentary refreshments and cocktails at the Club lounge is enough for us to skip lunch. Well, for dinner we ordered from room service.

See, we only went out on our first day and morning of second day for the travel expo. After which, it was staycation at its best. Thanks for the awesome and relaxing stay Marco Polo. You awesomely did the #MarcoPoloWay. Hoping to come back to Cebu for another well deserved staycation.

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When I first visited Bohol, my tarsier encounter was one of my trip highlights. It was a close encounter, so close that I even touched it amidst the big sign telling tourist not to. I was so ecstatic to see the cute nocturnal furry little creature with a big spaced out eyes. They also look like little gremlins to me.



But because of the threat of stress to these creatures (touching and camera flashing), the government moved them to what is called a Tarsier Conservation Area. It's a 6 hectare woodland area where all private tarsier display owners share this space to showcase tarsiers in a more protective and adaptive environment to tourists. 



Aren't they cute?



Kazie enjoyed the whole tarsier tour even she can't really see them upclose. I think there were 15 or more tarsiers in the new sanctuary. Most of them are all asleep though, since they are nocturnal. So no big spaced out eyes the second time.

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I think it was a 20 minute ride from the Python sanctuary going to Loay Bridge, where the river cruise will start. 

We were ushered by our driver to Riverwatch. They said Riverwatch Floating Resto has the best food, though only serves 1 round drink.

For Php400, you have a buffet of local delicacies from grilled fish, meat, seafood, fruits and desserts with a singer serenading guests throughout the cruise. 

The "cruise" is up the river, then down again after it reaches the Busay Falls, with a stop on a local choir group which does a song & dance number. 

I must say it was a pleasant experience. Though, I would appreciate more smiles from the rondalla group. They seemed so tired and bored already entertaining the tourists when we were there. 

Good thing, there was tatay who danced so gracefully that my disappointment  went away. He really entertained us all. Good job tatay!

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After much appreciating architectural history, we proceeded to our next destination. I wasn't really planning on meeting Prony the Python face to face but can't help to scare my lil niece so off we went.

Just a little background, according to what I read in the internet, Prony is a female python caught in 1996. She was approximately 5 meters and 5 kilograms then but has grown to about 23 feet (7 meters) long and 300 kilograms with 30 inches body circumference and still growing. 

Prony captured the media's attention when it was known that the owner fed her stray cats and dogs and only done during full moon. GMA 7 was able to document and film the feeding. It was a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act. After such media hiatus, the caretakers stopped feeding cats and dogs. Prony is now being fed with pigs and goats once every month.

We missed Marimar's (Tour Guide at Prony's) introduction about Prony but we did catch her doing a little extravagant performance.

Fake smiles. Lols.

We're a little surprised that my niece was more scared of the eagle than the giant snake. Good thing, she enjoyed seeing other creatures like monkeys and owls in the area. 

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Last Nov 29-Dec 1, 2012, I set my foot again in Bohol. It was a business mixed with leisure trip (or the other way around). My goal is to check the service of my tour operator and find budget hotel & resorts in the area.





















Kudos to Zest Air for an on time flight. It didn't ruin our first day itinerary.


After arrival, we head out to start our 8 hour - 7 stops - bohol countryside tour. Our first stop was the Blood Compact Shrine. It is a main landmark of Bohol, aside from the Chocolate Hills. This is where the first treaty of friendship between Spaniards and Filipinos took place. It was a political event.



We didn't stay long. After 4-5 pictures, we head out to our next destination. The Baclayon Church.



I am not a catholic but I do appreciate old churches. So we went inside to take a peek. Good thing, there was no ongoing mass. So we had the church to ourselves that day. My niece carried a puzzled look when we came inside. Catholicism is unknown to her.



Proper dress code is expected when going inside the church. My sister and I had to wear sarongs to cover our arms and legs. No worries, cover ups are being provided at the church.

 

The old church was an interesting sight to see. I was imagining scenes from Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. 



We also explored the church grounds. Kazie was so thrilled to pose for the camera. I appreciate how the surroundings are so clean.



I would recommend a worthwhile visit to this old church. I am not a history buff, but visiting the Baclayon is like taking a road back in time.



Maya birds and their nests



Goodbye Church! Off to see other interesting attractions in Bohol.

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I was born in Bacolod but could not remember watching Masskara events. My uncle and my dad used to dance and perform for Lopue's. So when the longing to see grandma couldn't get out of my head, I booked a flight - not to Bacolod but to Iloilo.

As it was just 2 weeks prior to Masskara's highlight, airfare to Bacolod were either sold out or the price skyrocketed already. Good thing Bacolod is a mere 2 hours away from Iloilo Airport. Or so I thought. Gathering up all the delays and wait time, it took me roughly 8 hours to finally get there. I left home 3:30AM, I arrived at my gram's house around 11:30AM. Serious.

1 hour flight plus 1 hour fastcraft

Met up with Couchsurfing friends from Cebu during lunch and we had batchoy at 21. Service was terrible. It took them an hour to bring our orders.

21 Restaurant

I opted to just watch the competition at home via live telecast as it was raining hard. I was also booking flights and packages while on vacation. Business as usual! 

Thankfully the rain finally stopped, so off I went to Lacson St. for the Electric Masskara parade around 8PM. 

Electric Masskara Parade 2012

Electric Masskara Parade 2012

CS Cebu Friends

And partied at L'Fisher's roof deck party until 2AM. Yeah, i went home early. Dead tired super!

L'Fisher Roof Deck Party

L'Fisher Roof Deck Party
Can you spot where I am? Clue - silhouette

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