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. 

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.

The second thing in my "to do list in Hong Kong is a visit to Lung Shing Dispensary in Granville Road.

I've read a lot of good reviews of this store. When we visited, there were a lot of locals shopping. I think we were the only foreigners at that time. 

Lung Shing Dispensary has only one store outlet. It is considered as one of the must go to shops in Tsim Sha Tsui. 

I happen to know about this place by reading forums at Pinoy Exchange. Filipinos in HKG recommended Lung Shing as it is best known for selling the cheapest cosmetic, skin care products, perfumes and so on. Like SaSa and Bonjour, they sell all kinds of international beauty products, from Channel, Dior, Estee Lauder to Japanese or Korean brands like Skin Food and SK-II at the cheapest price over Hong Kong. 

I managed to buy a 50ml Burberry Weekend for only around Php 1,200 when converted (forgot how much it is exactly in HKD).  Lanvin Rumeur 4.5ml for HKD 35 and Flower by Kenzo at HKD 47. 

Next time you happen to be in HKG and crazy about scents, drop by Lung Shing. They only accept cash though. 

Well, that's a good thing. If not, I would have drowned myself to credit card

debt lols. 

1. Stayed in a decent 2 star hotel away from the hustle and bustle 

2. Eat in a Cha Chaan Teng. Hung Moon Tea Restaurant. 

3. Buy cheaply priced perfumes at Lung Shing Dispensary. 

4. Visit to 3 H&M stores with their 50-70% off sale. (TST, Mongkok & Central)

5. Goof around Kowloon Walled City Park with their comic stars. 

6. Afternoon Walk at Hong Kong Museum, Clock Tower and Avenue of Stars. 

7. Watched and listened to a young singer perform in the street. 

8. Watched Symphony of Lights

9. Star Ferry ride going to Central. 

10. Rode the Peak tram

11. Went up to Sky Terrace for an almost midnight view of Hong Kong skyline from the peak. 

12. Late dinner at Tsui Wah The Peak

13. Day Tour in Disneyland

14. Dinner and pasalubong shopping at Temple Street. 

15. Side trip to Shenzhen

16. Evening walk in Mongkok

17. Street art photo op in Central / Lan Kwai Fong

18. Tour the city via Ding Ding Tram

19. Come out alive from Ikea's maze like store 

20. Filled my stomach with good food before leaving Hong Kong.

It was both fun and another tiring experience to come back in Hong Kong. When I first went last 2010, it was winter time and Chinese New Year. Coming back last July was a different one. It was Summer, so humid that we didn't get to enjoy our day in Disneyland. I think we enjoyed window shopping more because of the great mark down sale most of the shops offer.

I had the chance to come back to Hong Kong for a 4 days stay last July 11. Of course, we again booked our flights many months ahead. Because of that, we got our roundtrip ticket more or less Php 3,500 only. Thanks to Cebu Pacific deals. 

We were blessed with clear skies, and it was 32-35 degrees hot summer in HKG. Yikes! 

Since I have my own travel agency, I just decided to get a package rather than my usual DIY trips. We were picked up and dropped to our hotel. And we had the whole bus for the 4 of us only. 

Checking in at our hotel, the Bridal Tea house in Kai Tak was a breeze. 

When I first went to HKG, I was so hesitant to try their local food. On my second visit, I promised myself to really push an experience at one Cha chaan teng. A trip to Hong Kong is not complete without eating at Cha Chaan Teng. I checked openrice.com and found one. So upon arriving and settling our things in the hotel, we immediately looked for the restaurant. After going back and forth at Pak Tai Street and checking if the chinese characters are similar, we found what I'm looking for - Hung Moon Tea Restaurant.

Still, much to our surprise, nobody is able to converse in English. And to make it harder, the menu is all pure Chinese with not one picture in it. Good thing, teen Hongkongers were there and offered their translating services. 

3 teens helped us in ordering. We got milk teas, spicy chicken and a noodle dish we immediately liked. It was a superb experience. 

The 2 dish is already ample for us 4 and we only paid a total of HKD 78. Cheap!

Cha Chaan Teng means a tea canteen and is a place to have a quick bite at an affordable price. It's like a hawkers in Singapore.

So next time you visit Hong Kong - do what the locals do. Be a traveler not a tourist. It's one of a kind experience. Especially, when we were all dumbfounded when none of the staffs are able to speak in English and when we were rescued by those teenagers. It's something I would always cherish and it makes a good storytelling whenever you share your travel experiences.