There were no cheaper flights yet direct to Bali when we booked last year. Our option was to transit to Singapore, then Singapore to Manila. So on our way back home, we had the chance to revisit SG. Here's what we did.

After our arrival, we hurriedly went to a baggage storage and left our bags. We paid SGD 5 each. All terminals in Changi has that facility. 

Then off we went to visit specific areas. Our first stop, Orchard. Of course! We went to Apple stores since my friend was hunting the Gosh bumper case for her 4S. Then we went window shopping to H&M. Yes, just window shopping. It's a weekend and almost all shopaholics were there. We didn't dare to try out and buy something since were we didn't have enough time. You know how girls shop right? Hours. And we only got minutes. Next time H&M, see you in Hongkong this July!

See the long queue over there?

I think we only burned an hour in Orchard (with the travel time from Changi). Second stop, Marina Bay Sands. 

Well, not the hotel and casino, we just passed by to do photo sessions. What I really wanted to see is the Helix Bridge. Lols. 

Well, also pass by and do photo sessions. Because our end and ultimate destination is, you know what?! It's Makansutra Gluttons Bay. Food baby! Haha

We just walked from Bayfront MRT, exit at The Shoppes Marina Bay Sands passing Helix Bridge going to Esplanade for Makansutra. And that's how we ended it, filling our tummy. Great itinerary right?

Here's the route we took from Changi Airport

Changi Airport - Somerset Station - Bayfront MRT Circle Line - Esplanade - Changi Airport

I just love how convenient and fast it is to travel in Singapore. How I wish we could have something like that in Manila.

We did some shopping at the airport as well since our flight was moved from 12:45AM to 1:30AM. I kind of enjoyed transiting, it's tiring but you get to hit 2 birds in one stone. Short Singapore stop but I have lots to say about that 9 hours layover.

We pre-order our in-flight meal to save up and since our flight is at 6AM, we had not eaten breakfast yet. The food is okay. We were just surprised that the free water that comes with it is extra small. 

When I went to Malapascua last October 2012, the owner of the place we stayed sent me a very comprehensive guide how to get there. I am sharing it with you today. ^_^

How to go to Malapascua

Pickup Airport or Cebu City, Transfer via SPECIAL RIDE

Transfer with VAN (max 6 pers) Airport-Maya = php 3,000.00

Transfer with CAR (max 2 pers) Airport-Maya =  php 2,500.00

Transfer with boat Maya-Malapascua php 1500.00

(Rates may vary - just an estimate)

Cheaper but more time consuming and not so comfortable is to use Public Bus and Boats: 

Public BUS Transfer

  

Mactan International Airport is about 15 km from Cebu City, approximately 20 minutes by taxi. 

From Mactan Airport a taxi to the North Bus Terminal takes approximately 25minutes, traffic depending. If you would rather take a metered taxi, which are more economical than the private ones waiting at the arrival gate, simply walk up the ramp to the departures area and hail a white street taxi, make sure they put the meter on. On reaching the bus terminal we recommend the bright yellow Ceres Bus Liner, non Aircon,php 163 per person. This company has fairly direct buses that leave for Maya, the jump off point for Malapascua Island, approximately every 30 minutes. Ceres Bus Liner does have air conditioned buses, price is php 170 per persons.

CERES Aircon Bus

CERES Aircon Bus
CEBU – MAYA via KAWIT:				MAYA via KAWIT – CEBU
Departure     Arrival				Departure     Arrival
5:00 AM            8:30 AM				6:00 AM            9:30 AM
7:00 AM            10:30 AM				7:00 AM            10:30 AM
9:00 AM            12:30 AM				9:20 AM            12:50 AM
11:00 AM          2:30 PM				11:00 AM          2:30 AM
3:00 PM            6:30 PM				1:00 PM             4:30 PM
5:00 PM            8:30 PM				3:00 PM             6:30 PM

all other CERES Busses (Maya via BAGAY) leave about every 30 minutes.

. Last Bus North Bus Terminal CEBU - MAYA: 11: 40 pm (23:40)

2. First Bus North Bus Terminal CEBU - MAYA:   1: 00 am (01:00)   

3. Last Bus Pantalan MAYA-CEBU:                      5:00 pm  (17:00)

4. First Bus Pantalan MAYA-CEBU:                      1:00 am  (01:00)

The journey itself takes between 3 – 4 hours and costs Php 163 (Aircon 170) per person. The best time to travel is early in the morning as it tends to be cooler and there is less traffic on the roads. Be sure you always take the bus with the signboard “Maya Bagay”. The bus stops once, after about 1hour, outside of the city for a brief toilet and snack break and sometimes a second brief stop at Bogo City the largest town between Cebu and Maya.

Public BOAT Transfer

Once you arrive at Maya the bus will stop at the ‘pier’(Pantalan), where once again there will be some very friendly ‘porters’ awaiting to assist you with your bags. There is a small white ticket booth, where you can buy a ticket for the next Banka (outrigger boat) to Malapascua; the tickets cost Php 80per person. If it is a low tide the larger Banka’s cannot reach the pier so you will have to ride a “tunda” (small paddle boat) to the larger boat, this costs approximately Php 20 per person/bag. Expect for at least your feet to get wet – possibly more.

The boats leave about every 30 minutes although you can sometimes have a long wait while they wait to fill up with passengers. If there are not at least 10 passengers, no boat will go to Malapascua, so you have to order a SPECIAL RIDE for a price of 1200 php (night time 1500 php). The first boat is at 8:30AM and the last is at 5:00PM, although the schedule is set till 4:00PM. The boat trip takes around 45 minutes and drops you off at Logon, the barrio proper or ‘town’. 

ARRIVAL
Because Malapascua has no really PORT or HARBOUR, the landing of Passenger boats are always on some beach. The Point of landing depends on the weather situation. Usually Arrival Malapascua is Bario LOGON, but if it is bad weather and strong waves and winds coming from westside, the Arrival will be changed to the South of Malapascua near COCOBANA Resort or even EASTSIDE PASIL village.

When you arrive in Malapascua then possible some CANVASSER will talk to you and want you to change your accommodation/reservation and bring you to other places than our place, cause they want to earn some COMMISSION from those canvassing Resorts. Don't let them bother you and just tell them you already have a place.

We stayed at Mike & Diose Beachcottage, AABANA Beach- and Watersport Resort" . Watch out for my blog entry about it. Thanks a lot for reading and stumbling on to my page. Happy travels!

Malapascua Island, Northern Cebu - October 2012