Cebu to Oslob By Ceres Bus, Again
After 5 months, I was back to Oslob, to see whale sharks, again.
I was with another friend who wanted to see them, because in the near future, we're bringing a group of friends to also experience them or other tourist sites in the area.
Did you notice that? I said "we are", not "she is" bringing a group of friends. Dinamay ako! Haruy hahaha! Gawin ko kayang profession maging Executive Tour Guide, ano!
But I'm not complaining, since I love traveling to the countryside. Every time friends and/or family ask me to go with them, is another chance for me to do that. Laag ba!
Da epek? Panibagong kwento dito sa blog ko. Win-win situation. Tara let's go na!
Most comfortably affordably convenient (if there is only 1, 2 or 3 of you) is still taking the bus, preferably Ceres, and preferably on their air-conditioned trips to Dumaguete.
Mind you, other bus companies also have air-conditioned buses - some even newer. But it is easier to transfer to their other buses, in case the one you're on has trouble!
Quicker pa, since Ceres has the most number of units plying Visayan routes.
Ang dami, grabe! I did not use any, but I stood a while, looking at that whole console in amazement hehehe! Charger 2 accepts 10-peso coins only, while Chargers 1 & 3, 5-peso coins for 10-minutes of charging. First time I saw such a convoluted gadget!
Well, I have seen many "charging stations" in Metro Manila and even abroad, but first time I saw one that is coin-operated, and a conglomeration of so many connectors!
Aliw!
By the way, I'm not so surprised about anything being 'coin-operated' because Cebu is like this country's "epicenter" when it comes to using that mechanical technology.
Remember the piso-computer that's now the piso-internet? I still see some at posh places like J Centre Mall! Of course there's also the video-singko-machine many of which are made in Cebu. Topping them all is: the ATM or Automatic Tubig Machine!
That is technological advancement baya. Unsa kaha'y m'sunod 'no?!
But there is a catch. The whale shark interaction is only until 12NN. Leaving the city at 9AM as we did, is not ideal. It is still best to leave before rush hour, like 5 or 6AM.
All I remember is: the driver slowed down to pick him up, and he started selling that.
He must be a friend of the driver, or conductor, or of a Ceres staff. Because, in many cases, drivers don't stop nor even slow down to let vendors board and sell anything.
Not that it alarmed us. In fact, the aroma of that thing was so salivatingly inviting!
I asked to take that photo, while my companion was already chomping on one. Aba, di ako nagpalugi, I also got one. And we ended up buying a bagful. Masarap pramis!
That reminded me there's a place in Iloilo that's of the same name. I asked if they're related. He said no. My friend said the one in Iloilo has 'apostrophe s'. Ok fine hahaha!
Oh btw, in Cebu that's also bibingka, but pronounced bingka. Ganyan ang bisdak! At nung bumaba sya, tatlo o apat na piraso nalang yata ang natira! Proof na lami gyud!
Friend and I smiled to see that the buildings are standing whole after Yolada's wrath. Many we have seen in Samar and Leyte have been reduced to nothing but skeletons.
And if you look closely at that photo, it was graduation day. On April Fools' Day? Aw, it happens, especially in the Visayas after many schools were struck by ST Yolanda.
Not really far off. I checked online, public school graduation dates, as suggested by DepEd, were March 27 & 28, just 4 days ago. Buti sila me venue, e yung naYolanda?
That viewpoint at left has signage that say Thank You, Come Again. That's the end of Brgy. Alo, entering Brgy. Luka, after which would be Brgy. Tan-awan, our destination.
I think I mentioned in other stories, that this eastern side of mainland Cebu is full of 'seascape panoramas' and beach views. So I always choose that side on a bus ride.
Sample: Sumilon Island is in the midle of that photo above! Can you see it?!
Alright. Just 5 minutes from that photo above, we were at the Briefing Center.
Let's go in and talk more about the whale shark encounter (again hehehe)!
In my next story, coming up shortly!
I was with another friend who wanted to see them, because in the near future, we're bringing a group of friends to also experience them or other tourist sites in the area.
Did you notice that? I said "we are", not "she is" bringing a group of friends. Dinamay ako! Haruy hahaha! Gawin ko kayang profession maging Executive Tour Guide, ano!
But I'm not complaining, since I love traveling to the countryside. Every time friends and/or family ask me to go with them, is another chance for me to do that. Laag ba!
Da epek? Panibagong kwento dito sa blog ko. Win-win situation. Tara let's go na!
Going there
Still the same old song, as I've described in my story last November (after Yolanda).
Mind you, other bus companies also have air-conditioned buses - some even newer. But it is easier to transfer to their other buses, in case the one you're on has trouble!
Quicker pa, since Ceres has the most number of units plying Visayan routes.
Something new (to me)
Hey as always, I keep notes on anything new I encounter along the way, such as that coin-activated Universal Charger at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. I think that's cool!Ang dami, grabe! I did not use any, but I stood a while, looking at that whole console in amazement hehehe! Charger 2 accepts 10-peso coins only, while Chargers 1 & 3, 5-peso coins for 10-minutes of charging. First time I saw such a convoluted gadget!
Well, I have seen many "charging stations" in Metro Manila and even abroad, but first time I saw one that is coin-operated, and a conglomeration of so many connectors!
Aliw!
By the way, I'm not so surprised about anything being 'coin-operated' because Cebu is like this country's "epicenter" when it comes to using that mechanical technology.
Remember the piso-computer that's now the piso-internet? I still see some at posh places like J Centre Mall! Of course there's also the video-singko-machine many of which are made in Cebu. Topping them all is: the ATM or Automatic Tubig Machine!
That is technological advancement baya. Unsa kaha'y m'sunod 'no?!
It's faster after rush-hour, but...
Our bus, that one in the picture, left at exacly 9AM bound for Dumaguete. There was no traffic at NBacalso Ave., so I thought the 3~4 hours drive won't hold again. Tama!But there is a catch. The whale shark interaction is only until 12NN. Leaving the city at 9AM as we did, is not ideal. It is still best to leave before rush hour, like 5 or 6AM.
Bibingka on the road - lami!
I couldn't point exactly where on the highway this bingka vendor joined our bus.
He must be a friend of the driver, or conductor, or of a Ceres staff. Because, in many cases, drivers don't stop nor even slow down to let vendors board and sell anything.
Not that it alarmed us. In fact, the aroma of that thing was so salivatingly inviting!
That reminded me there's a place in Iloilo that's of the same name. I asked if they're related. He said no. My friend said the one in Iloilo has 'apostrophe s'. Ok fine hahaha!
Oh btw, in Cebu that's also bibingka, but pronounced bingka. Ganyan ang bisdak! At nung bumaba sya, tatlo o apat na piraso nalang yata ang natira! Proof na lami gyud!
Yolanda-affected but not that much (I think)
I knew we were in Alcoy when we passed by this: Pasol-Pugalo Integrated School.
And if you look closely at that photo, it was graduation day. On April Fools' Day? Aw, it happens, especially in the Visayas after many schools were struck by ST Yolanda.
Not really far off. I checked online, public school graduation dates, as suggested by DepEd, were March 27 & 28, just 4 days ago. Buti sila me venue, e yung naYolanda?
A scenic coastal highway
And then we reached Oslob. Actually already past, and 6kms south of town center!
I think I mentioned in other stories, that this eastern side of mainland Cebu is full of 'seascape panoramas' and beach views. So I always choose that side on a bus ride.
Sample: Sumilon Island is in the midle of that photo above! Can you see it?!
Alright. Just 5 minutes from that photo above, we were at the Briefing Center.
Let's go in and talk more about the whale shark encounter (again hehehe)!
In my next story, coming up shortly!
#oslob #TravelPhilippines #whaleshark
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