Island Hopping Mactan Cebu
Woke up feeling 'I really have got nothing to do today'!
That, happens from time to time, right? Although my psychologist-friend told me, it's usually immediately followed by a need to find something to do. Ah I felt exactly that!
And...
About to throw an oldish local Cebu daily, I saw an ad about Islands Banca Cruises. My mind titillatedly raced, and told my royal self "why not revisit Olango Island area"?!
The lazy other half of 'me oldie brain' said "it's a gloomy day, rains are forecasted"! Yet I caught my self grinning, imagining how to ride connecting jeeps to Punta Engaño!
See the arbitrariness? Walang ganito sa Metro Manila!
Voila! Exactly 8:27AM I was at the Islands Banca Cruises office and dock in Mactan (near Hilton)! A seemingly bewildered boatman (standing-in for a desk clerk who was still at breakfast) told me to wait a while, then asked "are you sure wala kay kauban"?
I jokingly turned around, looked around me, then asked him "do you see anyone with me"? He laughed hard, at least! So, I told my self "this is gonna be a good day, surely"!
Not long after, the lady came to her counter. She initially had the same questions - if I was really alone [tinuod ka sir?] - and I had the same answer: oo yes dili ko damgo!!
So, she asked me to choose from: 1) their listed island-visit combinations; 2) what I wanted for lunch; 3) how long I wanted to be away; 4) do I know how to swim; etc..!
I opted for the "Two-Island Getaway" and chose Nalusuan and Pandanon Islands!
Make the long story short, at 8:53AM, off I was to a gloomy sea, finally!
You see the two tall buildings far behind? That would be Mövenpick Cebu (an Accor member hotel) formerly Hilton Cebu until 2011. That's where this boat took off from.
Those are 22 floors each, while the shorter structures a little to the left are buildings of Shangri-la Mactan. I think they're 8 or 9 levels each - first tall structures in the area.
Oh yes, the 3 men are 'my crew' - an entire boat w/ only my royal highness as guest!
Now children...(ahehehe)
Why did their faces look as gloomy as the day? Even the manong at the back, who I first talked to at their offices was not anymore as jolly. Serious when at sea (work)?
Weh! I think I know the real reason!
Syempre I didn't ask them. I just pondered about it. It was likely that:
Imagine if there were 30 foreigners on this boat. Di ba?! Aw sorry nalang. Fate hehe!
Aguy! With that first quick and candid photo, I instantly knew I needed to summon a miracle to make them happy. Was that necessary? Well.., happy crew, happy guests!
In my mind, I was saying how could I enjoy this 'luxury' if these three people with me in the middle of the sea are not (at least man lang) enthusiastic to deliver happiness!
Note: to my discernment (yes me ganun), they were doing what they were supposed to do. Medyo too formal mechanical lang and without the usual bisdak exuberance!
I can't seem to pinpoint it. Basta, there is a certain "lingaw" among Cebuano service providers - everywhere, everytime - and it felt somehow missing as we "sailed away"!
Tuloy, I was thinking... bantay mo kay m'sayaw ko'g sexbomb unya, if only to make you smile! Kalain ba, customer (me) worried, that the service providers weren't enjoying!
Anyway...
Provisions
Well provided without proof - nakalimutan ko magkodak eh! But look to the 1st photo above. That's mostly the wide dining/buffet table - convertible to a bed if you want to!
See the big plastic container? I saw cutlery plates glasses and utensils, me kasama pang table napkins - surely prepared for my lunch, earlier agreed at the booking desk.
In 2 other containers (styropore boxes) placed below that table, must have been the 'princely banquet' - one to keep the food warm and the other to keep the drinks cold!
In a separate plastic box like that above, I saw clean fresh beach towels topped by a snorkeling set. Kumpleto ah! The guest must have required them. Aw, ako pala yun!!
Mighty meticulous preps for just me, myself and I, right? But that's part of what you pay for on this one-of-a-kind cruise - USUALLY for groups, SELDOM for a single soul!
The jolly lady at their wharf office told me they don't normally take walk-ins like I did - because nga of the preparations required. Imagine na lang if there were 30 of you!
She mentioned that they took me because, there was only one reservation for today (on a smaller boat), plus the food & drinks I required were available at their kitchen.
Best way is to call them ahead, "way ahead" said that bungisngis front desk beauty, especially if you require extra things like live musicians, decor, yoga mats, etcetera!
As for me, I was happy with those 4 outsized beanbags scattered on the floor.
They call this boat "bariles" (that means "tuna"). It's for 20 to 30 people. Now you can imagine all that space with just my royal highness as the lone guest-of-horror! Cool!
They do have smaller boats called "butete" (that means "puffer fish") good for 10~15, but they're the 'regular' outrigger boats, no space for even 1 beanbag - not very cool!
This "bariles" see 2nd photo above is like a lounge. You can do many things such as move around, dance, or humilahilata lang with a fine choice of under the sun or not!
Okay alright, now you know how this goes.
So off I was to the first island destination, Nalusuan.
But let's talk about those in my next stories. Coming in a while!
That, happens from time to time, right? Although my psychologist-friend told me, it's usually immediately followed by a need to find something to do. Ah I felt exactly that!
And...
About to throw an oldish local Cebu daily, I saw an ad about Islands Banca Cruises. My mind titillatedly raced, and told my royal self "why not revisit Olango Island area"?!
The lazy other half of 'me oldie brain' said "it's a gloomy day, rains are forecasted"! Yet I caught my self grinning, imagining how to ride connecting jeeps to Punta Engaño!
See the arbitrariness? Walang ganito sa Metro Manila!
Voila! Exactly 8:27AM I was at the Islands Banca Cruises office and dock in Mactan (near Hilton)! A seemingly bewildered boatman (standing-in for a desk clerk who was still at breakfast) told me to wait a while, then asked "are you sure wala kay kauban"?
I jokingly turned around, looked around me, then asked him "do you see anyone with me"? He laughed hard, at least! So, I told my self "this is gonna be a good day, surely"!
Not long after, the lady came to her counter. She initially had the same questions - if I was really alone [tinuod ka sir?] - and I had the same answer: oo yes dili ko damgo!!
So, she asked me to choose from: 1) their listed island-visit combinations; 2) what I wanted for lunch; 3) how long I wanted to be away; 4) do I know how to swim; etc..!
I opted for the "Two-Island Getaway" and chose Nalusuan and Pandanon Islands!
Make the long story short, at 8:53AM, off I was to a gloomy sea, finally!
Those are 22 floors each, while the shorter structures a little to the left are buildings of Shangri-la Mactan. I think they're 8 or 9 levels each - first tall structures in the area.
Oh yes, the 3 men are 'my crew' - an entire boat w/ only my royal highness as guest!
Now children...(ahehehe)
Why did their faces look as gloomy as the day? Even the manong at the back, who I first talked to at their offices was not anymore as jolly. Serious when at sea (work)?
Weh! I think I know the real reason!
Syempre I didn't ask them. I just pondered about it. It was likely that:
- Lone guest - that meant less tips (gratuities) if ever I even gave any at all!
- Pinoy guest - meaning I wouldn't be as foolishly generous at giving $$$ tips than the K or J crowds that they are used-to, if ever I even gave any at all!
Imagine if there were 30 foreigners on this boat. Di ba?! Aw sorry nalang. Fate hehe!
Aguy! With that first quick and candid photo, I instantly knew I needed to summon a miracle to make them happy. Was that necessary? Well.., happy crew, happy guests!
Note: to my discernment (yes me ganun), they were doing what they were supposed to do. Medyo too formal mechanical lang and without the usual bisdak exuberance!
I can't seem to pinpoint it. Basta, there is a certain "lingaw" among Cebuano service providers - everywhere, everytime - and it felt somehow missing as we "sailed away"!
Tuloy, I was thinking... bantay mo kay m'sayaw ko'g sexbomb unya, if only to make you smile! Kalain ba, customer (me) worried, that the service providers weren't enjoying!
Anyway...
Provisions
Well provided without proof - nakalimutan ko magkodak eh! But look to the 1st photo above. That's mostly the wide dining/buffet table - convertible to a bed if you want to!
See the big plastic container? I saw cutlery plates glasses and utensils, me kasama pang table napkins - surely prepared for my lunch, earlier agreed at the booking desk.
In 2 other containers (styropore boxes) placed below that table, must have been the 'princely banquet' - one to keep the food warm and the other to keep the drinks cold!
In a separate plastic box like that above, I saw clean fresh beach towels topped by a snorkeling set. Kumpleto ah! The guest must have required them. Aw, ako pala yun!!
Mighty meticulous preps for just me, myself and I, right? But that's part of what you pay for on this one-of-a-kind cruise - USUALLY for groups, SELDOM for a single soul!
The jolly lady at their wharf office told me they don't normally take walk-ins like I did - because nga of the preparations required. Imagine na lang if there were 30 of you!
She mentioned that they took me because, there was only one reservation for today (on a smaller boat), plus the food & drinks I required were available at their kitchen.
Best way is to call them ahead, "way ahead" said that bungisngis front desk beauty, especially if you require extra things like live musicians, decor, yoga mats, etcetera!
As for me, I was happy with those 4 outsized beanbags scattered on the floor.
They call this boat "bariles" (that means "tuna"). It's for 20 to 30 people. Now you can imagine all that space with just my royal highness as the lone guest-of-horror! Cool!
They do have smaller boats called "butete" (that means "puffer fish") good for 10~15, but they're the 'regular' outrigger boats, no space for even 1 beanbag - not very cool!
This "bariles" see 2nd photo above is like a lounge. You can do many things such as move around, dance, or humilahilata lang with a fine choice of under the sun or not!
Okay alright, now you know how this goes.
So off I was to the first island destination, Nalusuan.
But let's talk about those in my next stories. Coming in a while!
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