The Getaway (Part 1): Cebu Stopover

Lucky we were to have been blessed with a commissioned work: to go to Boracay and post about it. I love the challenge, and the free trip. Why? It was free, and the whole family included! We brought along with us the 2 kids, and my Mother-in-Law (MIL). It was a favor I and hubby was very blessed with, although for some weird reason, I never really liked Boracay, even though I have never been there yet.

The trip was from Gensan-Cebu, we had to stay for a night, then Cebu-Caticlan to proceed to Boracay.

Biboy running towards the plane, all kids, adults included, jittery to board

When we were in Cebu, our flight arrived late after lunch, so we had to bring the kids and MIL to Jollibee, because that's what they really like to eat, the kids love Jollibee's Chickenjoy and so to pacify their hunger and tired bodies, the chicken was what they got in order for us to drag them again to nowhere.

This was actually hubby and I's second time to Cebu, so we had a little knowledge of where we were supposed to bring the kids for a tour. No problem with the transpo: taxi is the answer.
We first went to Magellan's Cross, it was a coincidence that the lesson my grade 2 Biboy had a week before that was the tourist spots of the Philippines and in their book was featured the Magellan's Cross. There and then, when my boy saw it, questions flooded. I had to answer them historically as he had a series of that.

outside view of the Magellan's Shrine

Magellan's Cross, inside the black painted cross is the real cross Magellan has offered for Christianity and thus the start of most of our faith in the country.

We then went inside the Basilica Minor del Sto. Niño, where a Friday mass is going on, so we had to juggle the cathedral with lots of devotees and church-goers. I said a little prayer of thanks for the safe trip to Cebu and asked for guidance.

The Basilica Minor del Sto. Niño
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inside this church stands the first Sto. Niño image brought by the Spaniards

We were able to visit the Basilica Museum, but we can only have our pictures taken outside.

Off we went to Fort San Pedro where a lot of foreigners go to when in Cebu. Fort San Pedro is a place where soldiers and residents have kept refuge during the Spanish conquest.

Welcome to Fort San Pedro

This is what you will first see when you get inside the fort.

The fort was constructed with cannons and armaments to protect the whole city from being kept hostage by the Spaniards.

old cannons surround the fort

I dunno what this place is called but the soldiers hang their enemies here, some said a guillotine was kept here before, they used that to behead Spanish conquistadores.

Right now, Fort San Pedro is already a historical site where you can visit the whole fort for a minimal fee, and take a look at olden jars which were found at sunken Spaniard ships. While we were there, we happen to witness a group of dancers from the University of San Carlos posing for a pictorial, images to be soon placed in postcards of Cebu.

University of San Carlos Dancers

Our last destination was the Lapu-lapu Shrine. It was a 30 minute ride back to Mactan. The kids enjoyed seeing Lapu-lapu on his diapers, err, bahag. Biboy was ecstatic at seeing him because it was still part of their lesson in Sibika. We enjoyed the walk to the place where Lapu-lapu and Magellan and their men fought, I tried telling him the story as I remembered it. Airplanes come and go while we were strolling the park. The place was near the airport.

Lapu-lapu and his bahag

Magellan's Shrine, Mactan, Cebu

This background is said to be the place where the actual battle of Mactan happened many many years ago, while the Spaniards were in conquest.

It was a full day, the kids went back to the hotel happy because of the historical sites they have seen. We bought dinner at Andoks and had dinner at the hotel because the kids and MIL were so tired from all the walking they just couldn't walk any farther.

Tired, but happy, lying down for a rest at the park

While we were back at the hotel, we had to visit the hotel's lobby and the other hotel rooms. What we saw amazed all of us. Overlooking from the hotel's balcony was this breathtaking image, actually two bridges we can clearly see, the Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. And with the lights from them, it was awesome. The cool breeze was fanciful that we had to take in deep breaths of fresh air. Cebu City is really nice, and very clean too. We had to wake up early the next morning in order to watch the rising sun through the balcony and watch the traffic of the bridges from the hotel's balcony again. Very nice site indeed.

view of Mactan Bridge (from the hotel) at nighttime

view of Mactan Bridge at sunrise

Needless to say, we all enjoyed the stopover at Cebu. I have told myself and to hubby once: "We have to save enough money to get to Cebu."

What coincidence, we saved and we got more than Cebu. Best thing, we have been there, and twice!

Up Next: Boracay Escapade