Philippine Travel Notes

I was back in Cebu, and you might think I had a fill of 'a nothing to do' day off, right? Wheh ! I also really thought I would! However, another raket was waiting, and no I am not complaining, so I went for it. Go! The activity this time, brought me to Harold's Hotel in Cebu. Not that I do not know where this place is, as I often see it when passing by Gorordo or just along Escario where its signage can already be seen. But I've never been to this hotel, never even dreamed I will be, so I was excited to try "something new". That is how my Room 705 looked. I told my self 'well, for a business hotel, this is respectably good'! Here's more of the same room... photo album nanaman! Toiletries and amenities are complete and still hotel-branded which lately is getting to be uncommon. There's even still a bath tub, which, we know is not anymore a common fixture among newer hotels. Just like what you would normally have at famo...

It's my bus, our bus, your bus, their bus, everybody's bus! My oh my bus! I really thought I already did a story about this public transport facility from the Mactan Cebu Airport to the city and back. It turns out, I've just been mentioning this conveyance in my stories, but never a full story about it. Sorry po, tao lang! Great and thanks, one of you my dear readers asked. So here I go with a story on my way to the airport! I walked from Sugbutel to the Radisson Blu / SM City area as this parking area is just beside them. This big wide parking lot is the "main" (start/end) station of the MyBus Service. That big fancy-looking building at the back is Bayfront Hotel . So if you're staying at any hotel near this area, MyBus is for you! In fact, since SM City is easily accessible by direct or connecting jeep routes, this place is very easy to reach. I know people (passengers or airline/airport employees) who take cabs only to/from this place, from/to t...

I didn't stay at Radisson Blu this time around. Not that my 'sponsor' had no money hehe, the hotel just ran out of rooms due to a big event in the city, where the proponents were first to grab all their rooms. Well, all issues be told, my event (just a small workshop at one of the meeting rooms) still went forth even if I had to stay at nearby Sugbutel . I prefer it that way, walking distance from sleep to work areas! So eto na nga.., After my lively fun but physically taxing workshop at San Cristobal (meeting room), I had dinner! And what better way to have it than at my favorite Urban Table - Radisson's garden and poolside bar. Unfortunately, there was another solo diner (guest in a blue shirt) at that bar which happens to be my favorite sitting area. Eh I know the "social routine" (syempre itinuturo ko kaya yan!), you have to mingle or at the very least talk to people around. But, after a whole day of talking, I usually want utter silence. So I...

I stayed at this hotel several times. I've even a bit witnessed how it has evolved into an interesting low budget adequate hotel that it is now. I realized though, I have not told a story about it yet. So here I go! First off, the hotel lobby and front desk. That counter at left edge of pic is a baggage depository, while door at right edge connects to a store. Elevator floor buttons are labeled, but there are more room types in this hotel than what is shown! Whatever those are for, I haven't asked (yet)! Maybe, if your room is on Mezzanine, it's Business Class, while if it is on the 2nd or 3rd floor, it's Executive Class regardless if it is a dorm type or double or twin! Am not sure, if those elevator button labels have any relation to the price of your room hehehe! Basta, this was my room during this stay. It has a single bed and a bit of space. Now windows. I know I stayed at a smaller room with smaller bed sometime ago. No windows too. I have also stayed a...

Let us continue my previous story - I was this time taking the SuperCat from Tagbilaran to Cebu. So I boarded St. Sariel. For some reason (that am still pondering about), I knew how to find my seat! I did not need the kind assistance of that guy. I knew: big door in the middle - since the smaller one at left is the toilet of this class of service - there's one in my class of service, upon entering that big door! By the way, did you know these supercats have different layouts? Yep, they're not the same. Example: this one, St. Sariel, is configured like OceanJet, meaning there are non-air-conditioned economy seats. Those are at the rear part of second floor, and only from where you can enter business class section. Anyway, I entered business class section and this is what I saw.., empty - no passengers but me! Lesson learned.., I should have researched thoroughly if today was a busy passenger day/season. Eh, maluwag anywhere I shouldn't have spent for a business clas...