CEBU CITY

The city of Cebu is the capitol of Cebu island. The city lies on the eastern shore of the island. According to the official 2007 census, it has a population of 798,809 people. The whole of Cebu island which includes the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Naga has a total population of more than 2 million people.

The Mactan International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu City is about 25-40 minute drive away from Cebu city. Cebu city is connected to Mactan Island by the two bridges, one of them is the Marcelo Fernan Bridge (Mactan II Bridge)

We selected Crown Regency Hotel and Towers for our three nights stay as recommended by Lucy, a travel consultant with a Kota Kinabalu based travel agent. This 341 rooms hotel is located at the center of Cebu city, in close proximity to the major shopping complexes and recreation. We were allocated a Corner Suite on the 11th floor. Bed room 1

Bed room 2

Cebu city, just like any other city in the Philippines, the Jeepney is one of the most common means of transport. It was earlier used as transport just after the war. The Filipinos later converted the "troop carriers" left behind by the American, for passenger use. The design was modified over the years and now the modern Jeepney(s) are a common sight on the road. The Jeepney ride could be fun but not for us. We preferred to use taxi with air-con and "good driver".
One of the popular open-air food stall for the locals.

A fruit stall just like one in Kota KinabaluDown Town Cebu city where all the imitation goods, like DVD, VCD, watches and PC soft wares could be purchased along the side of the streets.

Freshly cut mangoes on a busy street.We spent most our time visiting shopping malls and sampling the local delicacies. Shopping was great. We covered all the three major shopping malls, the SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu and Cebu Down Town. SM City Cebu is the largest shopping mall. It has a land area of 13.8 hectares and a gross floor area of 268,611 m² or 2,891,305 sq ft. According to their statistics, about 100,000 people patronise the mall on weekdays and 140,000 to 150,000 on weekends or National holiday.

Alaya Center Cebu is a also a large shopping mall. On an average day, about 85,000 people visit this mall on weekdays and 135,000 on weekends or National HolidayWe selected this Filipino Native restaurant for our dinner on the last day

It was a good choice. We enjoyed the Native gourmet of the Filipinos

After the dinner, my wife and daughter posed for a picture to remember this particular restaurant

Before we leave for the airport,I made sure we had a good lunch before boarding the 5 star Airlines The Check-in area at Mactan International A PR A340 was landing while our aircraft was waiting to enter the Runway Leaving Mactan International

Over the Sulu sea.
Final "approach" Home sweet home - Kota Kinabalu International

We had a good time in Cebu City. My shopping was only confined to these "Snacks" while my family bought a good collection of clothes and shoes.

FLIGHT TO CEBU CITY

MH708 departed as schedule. Off-choke at 13:15 hours. Seating in 5A, I had the opportunity to capture these magnificent pictures while the B737-400 was airborne. Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort and Kampong Air in the back groundSutera Harbour Resorts: The Pacific and Magellan.

Over Gaya Island

Mt. Kinabalu in the clouds Me and my family

The aircraft did not take long to climb to the cruising attitude of of 35,000 ft. Lunch was served but it was disappointing. I did not expected such a poor quality meal from a 5 star airlines. Overall the flight was very comfortable as the en route weather was fine with no turbulence all the way. Just at about 14:50 hours, Cebu island appeared at the starboard Landing in 5 minutes - turning left toward Mactan International 15:05 hours - Choke-on at Cebu Mactan International airport . Total block time was 1 hour 50 minutes.

5 STAR AIRLINES

Last week, we took a short holiday to Cebu city. We flew with our country's 5 star airlines. During boarding, the warm welcome by the cabin crew somehow assured us that we would be enjoying the 5 star hospitality.

After airborne, the well groomed stewardess came with the "welcome drink". We had the choice of either guava or orange juice. Lunch came 30 minutes later and it was a real disappointment.

It was served in a low quality paper box. The main course was "a few pieces of chicken " with fried rice. 3 small slices of melon, a small pack of black chocolate, biscuits and a 100mm mineral water. Coffee or tea was offered in low quality plastic cup

CLOSE-UP OF THE LUNCH "BOX"

I bought this small lunch and paid 68 peso or approx., RM5.00 at a shopping complex. The chicken tasted better than that of the inflight meal.

On the return flight, the service and meal remained unchange. Same chicken pieces with fried rice.

Nevertheless, we did have a very good time in Cebu City and landed home safely

BIRTHDAY TREAT

26 June 2008 - a day to remember. It was my wife's birthday. I actually planned to to treat her to another Japanese restaurant since we were not satisfied with Nagasaki. We had a surprise visitor that evening - my brother-in-law turned up unexpectedly. He offered to celebrate the birthday with a dinner treat in an "Indian" restaurant. I have no objection since he was paying.

This was the "Indian" restaurant selected for the occassion - the famous Krishna's "fish head" curry restaurant.

The banana leaf set-up A selection of tasty mixed vegetables with white rice
The famous FISH HEAD CURRY
Deep fried quails - a delicacy of Krishna's

Very high cholestrol lamb curry Prawns in sambal sauce

To me, Krishna's Indian restaurant was definitely a good choice that evening. I loved the fish head and the lamb curry which I have not touched for a very long time.

This is what was left! All gone except the bones.

This basket of flowers was arranged by my SIL for the occassion
It took my daughter half a day to get the cake in shape. Surprisingly the cake was delicious!

Overall, it was an enjoyable evening. I had no regrets! Indian food was definitely much better than Japanese in Borneo.