Cebu: A Close-To-Flying Adventure

If you're in search for adventure, then Cebu is one perfect place to go. Yes, you heard it right, Cebu. Aside from the tasty lechon Cebu, pu-so, otap & dried mangoes, Magellan's Cross and Taoist Temple, this long stretch of island also offers something great to feed your adventurous spirit.

Upon arriving Cebu City, I'm pretty sure you will not miss it's tallest hotel tower, the Crown Regency Hotel. Aside from it being the highest structure in the city, it also has the country's first Sky Experience Adventure treats: The Edge Coaster and The Sky Walk Extreme.

The Edge Coaster is an amusement ride that moves around the edge of 38th floor of the hotel, and it tilts from 30 degrees to 50 degrees. You'll feel like you're falling from the sky! Aside from that, you'll have an amazing view of the entire Cebu Metropolitan. As if you've travelled the whole city by just riding on a coaster.

You can be an instant Anakin Skywalker on The Sky Walk Extreme. Built just below the Edge Coaster, The Sky Walk offers daredevils to walk around the edge of the building through see-through platforms (to give you the feel of walking on Cebu sky!) and to look 37 floors down. (And ooh, you will be seen by people from inside the building haha!). Aside from walking, you'll be asked to do crazy stunts such as sitting on the edge of the platform with you legs dangled on the air, and the one leg stand.

I've tried both experience at night (and I was awarded a certificate to prove that I'm a survivor of the Sky Experience Adventure :D), and it was amazing to see Cebu City all lit up! Now, I'm curious to see the entire Cebu City at day time.. *wink wink* :)

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Zambales' Enchanted Castle

**This is a old blog entry from my LiveJournal.

Our college block has this annual summer get together. Last 2009, we decided to spend our summer in Subic, Zambales.

We checked in at Cliff Royale Subic Beach Resort, which is uniquely perched 25 meters above sea level. It offered us an amazing overlooking view of the Subic Bay, comfortable and colorful air-conditioned cottage houses and huge swimming pool with jacuzzi.

What comes to your mind when you hear the place Zambales? Of course, the Anawangin Cove, Capones Island and Potipot Island. But did you know that there is one tourist attraction that I'm sure is still missing in you must-see places list in this paradise? You can spot it right smack in the middle of the ocean. It is not an island -- but a white castle known as The Enchanted Castle. :)

From the Cliff Royale Subic Beach Resort, we took a boat ride going to Baloy Beach where this one of a kind attraction is located. According to a website I found, the place was originally called Gaviota Rock. The castle was built in late 1974 to be used as navigational guide for ships and a proposed oyster sea farm. I'm curious though how it was built, and how was it able to withstand natural sea disasters for more than 30 years! Well, that's really one ENCHANTED castle. :)

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Marinduque: The Heart-Shaped Island

**This is an old travel blog post from 2010.

Way back in summer 2008, I attended the Youth for Christ Regional Conference in Marinduque. I've only known Marinduque through history book, and little did I know that the smallest province in Southern Tagalog has a lot to offer. :)

There is one interesting story behind Marinduque's name and shape. From Wikipedia: "Legend has it that the island of Marinduque was formed as a consequence of a tragic love affair between two people: Marina and Garduke. Marina's father, a local chieftain, did not approve of this affair and ordered the beheading of Garduke. Before this could be done, the couple sailed out to sea and drowned themselves, forming the island now called Marinduque." They're like the Pinoy version of Romeo and Juliet. :)

Via [1] Montenegro Lines from Lucena City, we reached the Balacanan Port in Mogpog, where we were greeted by this huge [2] grotto of Mama Mary and the [3] statues depicting the biggest festival in the island during observance of Holy Week, which is the Moriones Festival.

We were welcomed and honored by the these hospitable Marinduqueños by their custom called [4] Putong. Usually, the visitors are crowned with flowers (in my crown's case, it was made of some sort of branch, accented with feathers and a small Morion) while local women dance and sing for them. :)

One famous landmark in Marinduque is the Boac Cathedral. This pilot church of the province is located at Brgy. Mataas na Bayan (literally speaking). Too bad, I wasn't able to take a photo of the church itself, but I have a photo of this [5] huge bell that I believe was part of the original structure of Boac Cathedral.

My trip will not be complete without hitting the beach! And I was surprised that Marinduque actually has a [6][7] White Beach! It is a [8] long stretch of white sand & corals, surrounded by crystal clear waters and abundant aquatic life.

There are a lot more to explore in Marinduque, that is why I'll definetely come back here. :)

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