A WHOLE DAY TRIP TO CEBU: FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE

Hey loves!

So, 3 days ago I went to Cebu City for a day trip. As you guys may know from my introduction that I was recently moved here in Dumaguete, which Manila was the place I lived in for 28 years.

I am a person who really loves travelling and exploring not just a place but an experience, and Cebu is one of the places that is in my bucket list last year to visit. Who would have thought that I'll get to see this beautiful city even for a short period of time.

Although this wasn't thoroughly planned for me to visit, as I just need to process some papers, everything was in a rush. As a low-key traveler, I really like knowing different options to get to certain places, such as commute. I mean would it nice that we get to know the public options, in which you'll get to experience the local life or culture?

There's always something to learn from places that we all get to visit. Oh well, Cebu is like Manila. I told my mom that this is like Cebu 2.0 haha!! I don't know if I put a name on it accordingly, but I do missed the city life as well. I mean, I like how quiet and simple my life is right now, but when it comes to options, I guess Dumaguete doesn't have much of that. So being able to be in Cebu for a whole day is really memorable for me.

Let me share the different ways I did to get there, and I hope this is going to be helpful for those who are here in Dumaguete to learn how fun it would be to commute as well.

I woke up at 4am to prepare and left home at 5 am in the morning, to catch the "Fast Cat" or sometimes they also call it "Fast Craft", this is a boat that is smaller than a ferry or ship and it's faster than it. I got in 15 minutes before 6 am, which the time of our boat to leave. Then it only took less than 20 minutes to arrive the south part of Cebu, which was Liloan. After getting off to the port, I then had to ride another transport which was Ceres Bus that took me 4 hours to get to the City.

Yes! This was a day trip only, meaning to say I had to travel back for another more than 5 hours after my appointment in Cebu.

I have never been to this place, and it feels so good to be reminded how I used to live in a City. You know being in a province like Dumaguete, which is very laid back type of life is good, but one of the things I had to make an adjustment here was how and what are the options I will have.

Don't get me wrong, Dumaguete is an expensive place to live in as well, I actually realized that when I was in Manila, there was a bad inflation, but I felt worse when I started living here. Dumaguete is a nice place to live in for the people who would love to retire, and this is why the market is for foreigners as well, as this is known to be a place where foreigners retire, and it was recorded in the Guinness World Book of Record. And so being in Cebu gives me an exciting feeling, not just because it feels like Manila, it gives me a lot of plans to think in the future for another travel with my daughter and mom. I am really excited that day, although quite anxious because I did everything by commuting, but no regrets I love the experience and I felt like it was magical.

Cebu is very establish now, the people can speak tagalog than most people here in Dumaguete. I felt like, I am literally in Manila, it's weird to miss the city life hahaha!! Although, I didn't miss the traffic guys! lol On this part, I love Dumaguete. Hahaha

But you know what, you would always find different cities and amusing. I do not have much expectations to places when I go to it, I may have heard a lot, but I am very open minded to what experience it could give me. I had a very smooth travel, there was no hassle between going to Cebu and coming back home, except that it was tiring physically.

At some points Cebu made me feel so inspired to come back in writing and to keep exploring places in the Philippines. The pandemic has really made us all miss a lot about the country we are in. My favorite part would probably being in Ayala Mall. (Please do not laugh, haha, or okay, just laugh) I am a very simple person who appreciate things quickly, I get giggles, I get excited and I am always in awe. My heart feels giddy being back in a huge mall that are so familiar to me, again, the OPTIONS! Haha

I started seeing the places I love visiting, shops, foooooooodss!!! OMG! I may be lame, but come on! BREAD TALK? My mom and I love to eat bread, and we have a lot of options in Manila to it, and being able to travel in Cebu and see those is amazing. Who doesn't get excited with foods that they love? We all do!

Honestly, I processed a paper for a visa that took me 15 minutes to finished when it was my turn. Imagine me travelling for 5 hours just to do something for 15 minutes. I am so grateful to the experience and I keep loving the things I get to discover.

The terminal buses are so intact as well, I met people on the road like drivers, lady guards, and those who are also was on an appointment that day. If there's one thing Cebu made me happy is not just about the smooth ride experience, nor being able to see the city life again, but the people.

I realized along the way that there are still many and amazing souls that God will put in your life along the way, and it doesn't matter how long or short the period of time I'll get to hang around those people, but the experience of feeling at ease and making me feel like I get the help when I didn't even ask for it is amazing. It's not always like this with all of my travels in Philippines and outside the country, and this is why I cannot forget this whole day trip.

It is indeed true that "it doesn't cost a penny to show kindness to people", and I am so sure that one day they will reap what they sow.

I am so excited to share with you this year or next year my upcoming out of the country trip.

Much love guys!
-Cham-