Philippine Travel Notes

It is vacazien! Feeling lang! And as I've said over and over in previous stories, these are the days of my life when I get up early to roam around and see the place. I'm not even sure why, but I find mornings to be an ideal time of a vacation day (aside from late afternoons) for exploring locales that I am visiting. Maybe it's the breeze during that time of day? Or maybe because everything is fresh? Whatever! At past 6AM, the beach area to my right was as clear as when I arrived yesterday (past noontime)... Of course the difference was obvious. This time, most folks were still asleep.., while yesterday, when I arrived, everyone was up but hiding from the sun! How sure was I? Ah eh, it was so quiet this morning! Aha, I remember that store behind the tent. that's where I had my second dinner last night! Me ganun? Yes, because when I passed-by, I saw them grilling fresh fish, it was irresistible so I got two, with SML! I wasn't sure I saw that tent yesterday a...

Settled at Budyong's nice new Room 8, it was time for my afternoon stroll. Isn't that ironic that I had to take chances for a room with a view, only to leave it for a sightseeing? Ah, whatever, basta ganun yun! First stop, my first choice (though it had no space for me). I like things in this place, such as this: This corner table was instantly to become my favorite place for meals or when just daydreaming... Note that this is Kota Beach Resort, but my Room 8 at Budyong was/is just a few steps to the right. Fantastic views, including a jolly wait staff (of Kota Beach Resort) constantly sashaying on the sand... Other than the views, another reason why I like this place is... the delectable well-presented food! My stroll got a bit delayed, as I had a hard time finishing that! Oh, not in picture: 2 bottles of coke 8oz. Good anyway, that the sun was already down when I finally was ready to stroll. Why? Aba, mainit! Did you notice the seabed above isn't level? That i...

Budyong Beach Resort is a good old resort on the white sand beach of Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, and it is becoming better! But without a plan as it was, I did not think I would end up at this accommodation facility, that I enjoyed anyway. This involved patience, luck and even a bit of charm. Oh yes, I have that! The story goes like this... Upon arrival at the port, I decided I should stay at Kota Beach . So I hailed a trike and said "Kota Beach" to the driver. When I asked what would be the best resort there, his reply was " Kota Beach Resort man kaha ka " [I thought you said you're going to Kota Beach Resort]! No, I did not, but I said "aw okay, sige"! That's something worth noting if you're non-Cebuano. The spoken language in this place is somehow that of 'lazy speakers', if there is a thing like that. The above conversation is one example. I said "Kota Beach" meaning the beach strip. He mistook that as I said "Ko...

This is a continuation of my previous " JUST GO " or "to whom it may concern" story. Here I go... Arriving at "North Bus" (that's how Cebuanos refer to the Cebu City North Bus Terminal), I realized that aside from a few 'procedural' or 'orderliness' changes, the place is fairly the same, as it had been more than 5 years ago! It was the last time I used this bus terminal going to.... I can't even remember where! Anyway, I learned that this time, airconditioned buses wait & depart from the right wing of the building (if you were facing the terminal) and non-aircon buses are hubbed at the left side where I first went to. I said to 'my royal highness' "I feel like airconing today" [translation: I feel like riding the air conditioned buses today] ! So, I leisurely walked to that side when drivers & conductors told me about it. Coolness ! Reaching this "right side" of the terminal, I saw two ...