Carcar Shoe Expo

Our national office wanted to do a video documentation as part of their report during the execom meeting. My boss was tasked to act as one of the reporters.  I did the script for her segment.

One of the areas chosen for the video documentation was Carcar, a heritage town which is 40 kilometers south of Cebu City.  Carcar has as its "One Town One Product" the shoes and sandals produced by local artisans.  Some of these sandals are unique because local raw materials are used such as raffia, jute, abaca twine and inlaid shells.

The Carcar Shoe Expo is a vending area for local shoemakers.  It is actually a regular part of the itinerary of tourists who visit Cebu. 

We had to use the office van so we can bring along the needed equipment and paraphernalia for the shoot.  As expected, the video shoot took longer than the three minutes given for the segment.  We finished the shoot after wading through a horde of tourists wanting to buy sandals at bargain prices.

Still, I was able to grab a few "devious" moments of delight.  It was amusing to watch my boss while she was practicing her lines at  nearly 12 noon under the heat of the sun, while I was standing in the shade sipping chilled water and munching on boiled banana.

After an arduous video shoot, the day ended with a hearty late lunch of tinola and inasal.  The videographer and interviewer bought a few sandals as souvenirs.

Chinese Cuisine at Plaridel Extension

It felt like being in China ... the Mandarin chatterings of  diners, the chinese characters on the bottled drink, the chinese language newspaper on the table, and most especially the tangy and flavorful Lomi soup. 

From my photos of the dining area, you wouldn't have guessed that this was just a "hole in the wall" restaurant at Plaridel extension in Cebu City.

Of course the proprietors of Ning Nan Chinese Cuisine can always achieve that authentic ambience since they happen to be migrants from the land of the "dancing dragon."

The Lomi soup is made up of noodles, egg, slices of pork or beef, minced vegetables, and spices. It's not only delicious and filling; it is also cheap at  50.00 pesos.

The restaurant is accessible since it is along the road. It is at the side of Princess Bazaar. 

Balamban Town Center

 I started traveling towards Balamban town center at 10:30 in the morning, distracted and anxious about my trip to Iloilo and Bacolod since i'd be arriving at night. I was worried about how I'm going to manage during the four days of the holy week in places I wasn't yet familiar.

I don't know what got into me, but when I saw the low, low fares Cebu Pacific Airlines offered I grabbed it. Someday I would have to change the title of my blog to "Walk Philippines." I have an inkling that I'd be traveling more often outside Cebu on weekends. And maybe who knows, when I retire, I'd be able to circumnavigate the world... ha.. ha ha..

In the meantime Balamban. Judging by the look of its gleaming, new municipal hall, this small town has become a bit more prosperous this year. I bought a piece of their famous pork liempo --- the original Balamban liempo, yummy! It tastes like Cebu's lechon baboy without much of the fat. I ate this for lunch along with "utan" (native vegetables) at their Food Mart which is a few steps away from the bayside.

There's also their town plaza overlooking the sea. Its not exactly like the bayside area of Dumaguete City, but still attractive. The town has a vibrant public market teeming with vendors and shoppers.

I took the Citilink V-hire GT Express to Balamban near the South Bus Terminal. I paid Php 100.00 fare.

it seems that the GT Express has become as ubiquitous as the jeepney in this part of Cebu. The vans ply the routes that jeepneys or buses do not usually take.

Road trip from Tabuelan to Transcentral Highway

It seems that in this year of the tiger I've been doing a lot more traveling. I was born in the year of the tiger so that explains it.

I guess the tiger year intensified my natural instincts. Tigers are suppose to be restless and curious about its surroundings.

There is something exhilarating about being someplace different even just for a few hours. It gets your mind off the mundane stuff.

The road scenery from Tuburan to the transcentral highway is my favorite since its mostly greenery.

I try to limit my trips to just Saturdays since it can get expensive. I usually stay home on Sunday and sleep or read books and magazines, keeping expenses down.

I'm planning on traveling outside of Cebu soon. To other islands and, probably someday, other countries. Wow, that is something to look forward.

Durhan's Beach Resort in Tabuelan

I didn't know I'd go as far as Tabuelan to ease my boredom. But there I was walking on the white sands of Durnhan's Beach Resort.

The long two and a half hours ride was straining on my butt. The vehicular traffic in the northeastern side of Cebu province, especially in Consolacion area, made my head ache and the turns at the Sogod area made me feel woozy. But when I got to Tabuelan's famous white sandy beach within the Tabunok area, I was enthralled. Just look at the pictures; don't you agree that the beach looks postcard perfect?

I took a van for hire at the North Bus Terminal and paid Php 100.00 for the trip (one-way). No, I didn't stay overnight. Their rooms were a bit expensive for me (a minimum of Php 1,500). Their open cottages though, started at Php 800.00.

In going back to Cebu City, I rode the habal-habal to Tuburan and rode the V-hire for Ayala terminal. I left the North Bus Terminal for Tabuelan at around 10:00 a.m. I was back in Cebu City on the same day at around 4:00 p.m.

Traveling from Tuburan to Asturias

I easily get bored. Traveling cuts the monotony of my everyday life.

Recently, I headed Northwest of Cebu. I don't have a car or a motorcycle; so I take a v-hire, habal-habal or bus.

The western part of the island is the least visited since it is far from the Cebu City. It is also my most visited area.

Last weekend I visited the not so sleepy towns of Tuburan and Asturias and found a few pleasant surprises.

It seems that Tuburan's economy has improved considerably judging from the growing number of vehicles at the town terminal.

At Molobolo Beach Resort in Asturias, I had an enjoyable chat with the owners before I hitched a ride back to the town terminal in Sta. Lucia.

I started my trip at 10:00 a.m. at the Ayala terminal and arrived back in Cebu City at around 4:45 p.m. The fare for the one way trip from Ayala to Asturias is Php 130.00

Swimming in Balamban's Spring Water

Swimming all by myself at the spring water pool was soothing and refreshing.

There are several spring water resorts in Cebu. However, I enjoyed this particular pool because I had it all to myself for three hours.

Yes, I did a few water exercises to keep warm. It was surprising that the water can be so cold at noontime on a bright sunny day.

The proprietor of GL Highland Resort told me to relax for a few minutes before diving into the water so as not to develop cramps. Going to and from the highland pool can really strain anyone's leg muscles. Before I took a dip, I lounged at a bamboo chair and took photographs.

GL Highland Resort is in Gaas, Balamban, less than an hour from Cebu City. Resort entrance fee is Php 20.00. Pool use is Php 50.00. If you're interested and you don't have a car, you can take a van-for-hire GT Express at Ayala terminal. Ayala-Balamban fare is Php 100.00.