Bantayan Escapades

It has been raining for almost an entire week here in Cebu, which makes me think of all the sunshine-y memories of a go-to summer destination in the region: Bantayan Island.

From Cebu City, the most common way to commute would be to ride a Ceres bus from the North terminal to Hagnaya port. The trip would take approximately 1.5-2 hours. From the port, you would have to ride the Barge which would take approximately 2 hours as well. Upon docking at Santa Fe port, you may take a tricycle to go to your resort or have the resort service car/van fetch you. The availability and cost of this service depends on the resort. For the trip, you may have to set aside around Php600 for the round-trip travel expenses.

I have been in Bantayan twice. First was on April 2008 where we stayed at Yooneek resort, and the next was late 2009 where we stayed at Placid Beach. I have posted photos to show you how wonderful the island is. Though, I recommend that you go there rather than taking my word for it.

Placid Beach

the "marketing" team!

Last 2008 at Yooneek Resort

Yooneek Resort

relaxing

 

strolling at the beach taking advantage of the low tide

pa-luto at a nearby fish market..yum!

Bar at Yooneek Resort

Alcoy Weekend Getaway: Bodo's Bamboo Bar and Tingko Beach

Finally, after a lot of wishful thinking moments, we finally went to Alcoy last May.

Alcoy is at the southern part of Cebu with a distance of approximately 93 km from the provincial capital. We just commuted and after a 2-hour trip via Ceres bus, we arrived at this municipality.

We stayed at Bodo's Bamboo Bar, located at an elevated portion of the town, that has a spectacular view of the sea. Then, the following day, we headed to the public beach, Tingko. The beach would have been so beautiful with its fine white sand, if not for some trash littered by the people at the shore. (When will we ever learn?)

Anyway, here are some of the pictures of our Alcoy weekend getaway,

our cottage

Bodo's landscape

overlooking the ocean seen...

...at the back porch

the resto

some afternoon coffee to wake us up

then its time to hit the pool!

Dinner time! Family size pizza... I'm telling you, its HUGE!

what's a pizza without beer?

a few rounds of pool

The next day, we headed to Tingko Beach which was a few minutes away via tricycle,

my Tingko beach essentials

Alcoy Mission, accomplished!

I heart Ayala Triangle Gardens

It used to be just a place of thick foliage where Makati yuppies would merely pass by, never giving it a second glance. When it gets dark, it can be a perfect place for people to avoid, or hide in. For the entire three years that I stayed and worked at the Ayala Triangle area, this is just another shortcut to the restaurants at the Paseo Center.

However, after two years, they finally thought of making over that part of lush greenery. And now here it is, The Ayala Triangle Gardens.

Spending more than two hours doing nothing but just sit on a cafe (read: tambay), made me realize how much of a good idea it is that they did this. I have seen and heard, through television and the internet, how they made this spot a spectacular sight last Christmas with beautiful LED lights hanging on the trees. Now that I am finally here, I have to say it is really beautiful. A stark contrast to everything around it. The place, despite being at the heart of the business district, is relaxing, peaceful, and a perfect place for a brief respite from the urban jungle. A bit ironic based on its location, but it worked. 

 

 

Parents can bring their kids and spend the time running and lounging on the grass. Joggers can do their morning or late afternoon or evening runs. And, people like me can enjoy hanging out in a cafe and observe and pass the time (while waiting for a friend to finish his appointment).

joggers

 

a playground for kids

restaurants and cafe

PSE, and at the left, my good ol' building, MSE

P.S. The pictures I took were only from the camera on my phone since I forgot to bring with me my digital camera.

Still, hope you enjoyed this.