Cebu Week Vacation [Days 7]

MONDAY - Nov. 13, 2006

5:45 AM - Wake Up and Shower

yawn! hehe... i waited long for the sun to come out... and i did it! yehey! sunrise... o sunrise... aimee and i had fun doing the pics.. the videos... the silhouette(s)... which is kinda embarassing... hehe! kaye wasn't up yet... well, u know kaye... Ü that was actually my first experience to fully focus on sunrise... hehe... amazing... so, that's how it comes out... so... that how it starts... so, that how big it is... bright... and early!!! yeh.. we took a long time... haha! ok stop.

6:30 AM - Breakfast

I had the Filipino brekfast in spending our last minutes at the island... so soon.... huhuhu..... we are catching the 7:30 first trip back to hagnaya port....

7:30 AM - Off to Hagnaya Port

we were the last ones to ride the fairy this time we didn't take the air-con seats... we wanted to enjoy the view.... though its hard to leave the island... wwaaaaahhhhhhhhh.............

9:30 AM - Off to Cebu City

and we're back.... this time we are taking the bus to the city... fortunately we are early.. haha.... anyway, we were confident that the trip won't be too long coz its our cebu fav bus: CERES! haha! its still a long ride, so we sleep.. saya! sarap matulog! yawn.

12:00 NN - SM City

we stop here for lunch... aimee is set to meet with her relatives then kaye and i to tour the queen city... yey! syempre prang bata na may field trip.... wippeeee! txted our very own Manong... ung sa TOPS... pra mgpasundo... we eat at Sunburst Chicken.. not bad and nothing special... gutom lng.. Ü

1:15 PM - The Cebu Tour: Carbon Market
keychains - php 10.00 each (free lettering)

we arrived here 20mins after... then started taking on the shops one by one to look for souvenirs for friends.... we were looking for keychains... after some time we found one... at first, we were thinkin twice because the cute keychains we found don't have any text on them to tell us its from Cebu.... syempre, maabilidad si kuya noel(si manong cebu taxi service) he asked the local folks if they can add labels on them and yey! they can! we had pics with them too.. they liked the pics... i enjoyed talking to them and laughing with them.... feels homie. Ü

2:10 PM - The Cebu Tour: Magellan's Cross

the famous cross.. we were there... like they say.. kinda disappointing.. nothing special.. nothing amazing about the place.. like they say.. like quiapo before.... but the ceilings of its place was nice... i like the art... we had a hard time taking pictures coz.. its too high... haha!

2: 15 PM - The Cebu Tour: Bassilica de Sto. Nino

a few steps after the cross you will reach the church... its a big old spanish inspired church... pretty obvious actually... i like the fact that its big... i like how it looks on the outside, i like the details... i didn't like the inside of the church.... except for the garden.. there were a number of people even its a monday... its a busy church...

dumaan kmi dun sa sindihan ng mga kandila.. (sorii, di ko lam tawag e.. i forgot..) i like the curved cemented walls at the back.... i had to take a picture even if i wasn't suppose to.. sorry...

2:45 PM - The Cebu Tour: Fort San Pedro

like Fort Santiago in Manila, they have this... i haven't explored Fort Santiago so i can't really compare... it was this castle like fort... that has canons on top... watch towers on the side... pure rock surrounding whatever's inside.... large wooden doors... as if im awaiting an army to come out... it looked nice inside... i like the walk ong the left side.... i didn't understand the monkey statue on the tree.... it oversized... haha! and then the walk to the right side is ronda la tienda... which means te stores are located there... souvenirs, drinks, food.. etc... upstairs is a museum which features old artifacts of the history in cebu... which we can't take pics of.. heheh! naawa lng ako dun sa guard kaya di ko na sya dinaya... hehe..

3:30 PM - The Cebu Tour: Taoist Temple

syempre... palalampasin ba namin to?! the very famouse taoist temple... we came here to take pics of coarse and primarily because of the chance u get to ask Buddha for some guidance to ur questions.... i had fun asking... i think i finished 4 questions straight yes, 1 maybe then went yes again... ang nkkinis.. ung for not-so-much-for-myself question.. dun pa sya mag-no! weeh.... hehee fine!

4:30 PM - The Cebu Tour: Casa Gorordo

this is a house full of cebu history... i like this the best from all the places we toured.. y? because it the most educational about cebu.. hehhe... it has rooms.. like a casa.. from bedrooms, kitchen, living rooms, veranda, dining and toilet! ul walk on a red carpet path to view the rooms.... ul see obviously the furnitures are old and very antique... ang saya! feeling tourist ka tlga! so sad di pwede masyadong picture! so, nakaw pics lng meron ako.. hehee... its floor grounds look nice too.. perfect for picture takin! haha! kulit!

5:15 PM - The Cebu Tour: Pasalubong Shoppin'

suggestion ni kuya noel, dalin kmi sa pinaka-kilalang factory ng 7D pra makamura ng dried mangoes.. dahil madami-dami rin e... so, we go! 5:30 we got there.. tawid ako.. sbay "hi" kay manong guard... manong bili kmi... "sorry ma'am, uwian na po... close na factory" weeh.. manong naman.. di na pwede? "di na ma'am e"... balik sa sasakyan... kuya pano to... 5:30 sna dpt asa airport na kmi... 6:30 ang flight! dito ngsimulang ang kamalasan... trappik pa!
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ang tensyon nmin sa katawan ay amin nang naramdaman.... mukang tatakbo tyo ulit kaye... at infairness, ang dami nting dala this time.. lht ng bags pati kay aimee at ung mga pasalubong pa.. yikes pano to... tense! tense! tense!
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suggestion ulit ni kuya ung malapit nalng sa airport... o sya tara! 6:00 we arrived.. baba kaye! dali... ate, 4 na otap, 12 mangorind, 20+ na dried... dali.. onting baratan.. then pack it! pack it! pack it! ate! bilisan nyo.. bayad! kaye, sakay!
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manong, larga! kuya salamat ah..binigyan ko na lng sya 1k pra sarado.... the best ka kuya! i-aadvertise kita sa maynila! hehe!

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sa bilis lang pics... =(

6:15 PM - Cebu - Mactan Airport Arrival

kaye, baba! ang mga gamit.. text message from aimee: "asan na kyo? kktpos ko lng check-out counter"... kaye, dyan lng si aimee.. bitbitin mo lht ng kaya mo.. akin matitira... eto si kuya tumulong.. yehey! kaye, x-ray.. gamit.. tray! scan dali! kuya bilis! takbo kaye! sa counter..... kuya,.... to manila po... kuya:"sorry, ma'am boarding na po di na po pwede" guard: "bat ksi late kyo?, pa-rebook nyo na po yan ma'am" anoo!?!?! putcha na yan! cge na.. boarding pa lng nman e.. kkumpisa nyo lng... cge na ho! text message from aimee: "san na kyo? kkpasok k lng ng plane!" naman! pano to? "sorry ma'am di na po!" @#$@#$#!!!
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kung asa manila kmi pwede sana to.... dyan lng nman e... or kung cebuana sana kmi.. bwisit!
nkkinis sa twing iisipin ko ung init ng ulo ko lampas sa akin... at eto pa.. cost us php 900.00 each for the new ticket... walang pera.. walang dinner... at 2.5 oras na pagiintay... haaaay! kamalasan! y?!!?

****At long last! finished! sorry sa mga pngintay ko... eto na... on-time naman ako sa drafts e.. sorri wlang time ituloy. Ang saya.. grand total budget: php 12k less.... not bad d ba pra isang linggong salaysay ko ng kasiyahan... haay.. sana pwedeng ulit-ulitin... nweiz, panalo to! wala akong masabi... im proud of me... us... sariling sikap lht to noh! i wish sna masundan ang makatulong sa inyo...

for inquiries: email/ym me: iconpool@yahoo.com

Cebu Week Vacation [Days 5 & 6]

SUNDAY – Nov. 12, 2006

7:30 AM – Wake up and shower

as usual ako ang gumising sa mga kids... nga pla.. di ako sa kwarto natulog sa kabilang rm. with Maan(frm OV sabi syo wwork ang punta nmin e.. hihi), mag-isa ksi sya... wawa naman! lumampas nga ako sa target na 6:00 so, therefore might be late... Mass starts at 9:00... syempre la na breakfast to! ..will attend Mass to thank God for this trip.. hehe.. (bait)

8:30 AM – Travel to St. Nicholas Church
Taxi Fare: P80.00

will attend mass here ksi.. priest dun ung uncle ni Aimee... pra di kmi hiwa-hiwalay... dun na...

9:00 AM – Mass

it was a nice church.. it was kinda big... there were a lot of people that came in... i was curious with one picture there... coz for me... somethings wrong with it.. hihi... the mass was held in english and bisaya so we did understand some parts of it..

10:00 AM - Picture takin'

while waiting for Aimee's tito... we took the chance to go around and take pics syempre... kaye, smile! Ü

10:05 AM - Breakfast

at last! hehehe.. we were invited to have merienda actually (breakfast for us)... wow! jabi! hamburger.... ng-sphagetti ako... (yum! yum!) at softdrinks.. tnx po...

11:00 AM - Travel back to Hotel

check-out na kmi... gudbye pensionne... nice to meet you.. Ü

11:30 AM - Travel to SM

will ride a V-hire to get to Hagnaya Port... dito ang terminal nila..

12:00 AM - SM (North V-hire terminal)

wow.. ang init... and u know i can't stand it.. so... ng-stay na lng ako sa labas while waiting... we were the first ones sa van... will have to wait for 7 other people... ganun tlga ang V-hire... minutes later, it was really getting too hot... i asked Kaye to go with me sa SM for a while... Aimee stayed to rest and read and of coarse watch the bags.. hehe... later.... Aimee txted may dumating daw na babae... was asking if its ok if we just paid for the rest pra lng maka-alis na.. it was getting late na rin.. 1:00 PM na nun e... at kmi palang din sa van.. other alternate is to take a bus.. which we could catch if we were extremely early... next trip is too late for the last trip at Hagnaya Port.. in the end.. aun! binayaran na nga nmin... costs us P960 all in... to take occupancy of 8 peeps... haay.... mas wise kung groups kyo then tsaka kyo mgV-hire... pra sulit at di mabigat sa bulsa... Ü

1:30 PM - Travel to Hagnaya Port

total of 2.5 hrs ang ride... so... aun! tulog! tulog! ang saya! pro it felt longer than that... dunno y... cguro ksi ung view... feeling ko wala na tlga kmi sa civilization.... pro maganda.. peaceful!

4:00 PM - Arrive at Hagnaya Port

last trip leaves at 5:30 so.... 1.5 oras pa... grabe... waiting... the scene around there was not very likeable... it seems time was so slow.... people are just waiting and contented watching the tv... porters are everywhere constantly asking for ur bags... i felt like a star when we arrived... they were really runnning... if a bus comes in or a tricycle or a van same thing happens.. i felt sad for the way of living they have.... nweiz, we were really starving.. grabe.. anong oras na.... wala pa kmi lunch... aun! nilantakan na nmin ang mga tinapay! haha!

5:30 PM – Travel to Bantayan
Ferry Fare (via Island Express Shipping) – php 168.00 (air-con) php 135.00 (regular)

we road the M/V Island Roro II boat... it was ok.... ung mga crew ang kukulit.. cguro just about our age.. kaya ang galing mambola... hehhe.. pro sila lalake... it will be a 1.5 hrs cruise to get to Bantayan.... so.. nood na muna... uy! the Buzz! at Going Bulilit... hehe...

7:30 PM – Arrive in Bantayan, Travel to resort via Kota service c/o Manong Dodong

haha.. ang kulit! syempre same old! same old! kht saan ata dun sa Cebu... syempre.. artista kmi ulit nung dumating.. pro prang mas artista kmi dun.. dhil isla un e.. prang aun! tao! tao! (haha! joke lng...) may kasama kmi sa service nung dumating.... mga foreigners.... muntik na kmi di magkasya lht... sakto lng...

7:45 PM – Check-in Kota Beach Resort (1st Day)
Cottage(w/ AC) – php 1560*
Beachfront – php 2000*
Extra bed – php 150*
(032) 438-9042(032) 419-6135(0916)981-2023

got a discount of php 200.00 so.. si Beachfront nmin.. php 1800.00 na lng... Ü yep! beachfront.. too bad it was dark already for us to appreciate the beach front! pro grabe.. look up! wow! am i in a planetarium?!! ang ganda.... ang ganda! grabe.. ang ganda! and those were all i can say.... i cudn't explain how happy i was to see that... i was amazed and overjoyed.... (grabe, ang sweet! hehe... and then i miss someone! wushu...) bsta i was happy! can't take my eyes off the sky and i can't help but smile.. i like stars! hehe... gives me piece of mind... nweiz, and off we go to check the room... aba! not bad.. leave our bags and find a place to eat.. haha! gutom na tlga ko!


08:00 PM – Dinner
bill – php 935.00

we went to a place called White Sand, its not far from Kota u can actually walk.. but since were tired and it was dark and our first time in the island we took a pedicab.. palapit pa lng kmi ng gate... prang nabuhayan na ung mga pedicab boys at pinag-agawan kmi... may isang bibong pedicab driver dun... sya rin ung makulit sa pier sna sa knya na kmi sasakay kso.. kulang upuan ng sidecar nya for the 3 of us.. so kay young Dodong kmi napasakay... (uso ang pangalan na Dodong dun.. iba-iba lng pronounciation) haha! nweiz, makulit rin pla ito.. half korean ata sya, obvious naman sa itsura nya... kinokontrata na kmi bukas... at iintayin na daw kmi pagtapos kumain... haha! agawan tlga e noh... so, cge... napa-mahal tuloy... 15 lng sna kung indi nya kmi iintayin... naging 50 tuloy... pro cge na... tulong na nmin...

so, were there finally... grabe... ang stars.... ang ganda.. mas maganda... the view was great... ul eat by candlelight beside the shore.... underneath a carpet of stars.. ang lapit nila... the wind was blowin and ul hear no noise but the waves of the sea... wow! this is the life.... if ur with ur boyfriend and they propose right there... it might be hard to say no to... ewan ko ba bat un ang nsa isip ko nun... ang ganda ksi... i dunno bout Aimee and Kaye but i'v overjoyed it....

about the food... they'll present you a bed of fresh food (fish, meat, vegetables, etc.) from which ul choose from... the waitresses are well-trained in english and tagalog.. (very scripted haha!) ok na! afterwhich, the foreigner owner will approach u and have his "hope ul enjoy the fud" speech... --we will! mahirap lng mgpicture coz of the wind and the place being only lighted by candles... aun! naexplore ko tuloy ung camera ng wala sa oras! haha! pra sa picture! the food was nice by the way they come in a variety of sauces... try to remember what are they when they are served, haha! we had mango pancake for dessert... not bad! but not that ok! we tried the ones we dnt have any clue about... medyo napamahal pro busog!

10:00 PM - Travel back to Kota

hehe.. 2 oras kmi andun.. tagal nmin.. Ü

10:30 PM - Night at Kota

syempre eto na naman ako kay stars... we decided to star gaze for a while.. di pa naman kmi antok.... haaay... ang saya... we laid on the benches and stared... i saw 2 shooting stars.... haha! panalo! Kaye saw one. wish! wish! i was tellin Kaye that i hope our friends could experience the same.... Ü

11:00 PM - Sleep!

MONDAY – Nov. 13, 2006

7:00 AM - Wake Up and Shower

I wake up by myself and take a look around.. i know its gonna be beautiful... and it was... had myself took pictures like there's no tomorrow... Aimee was already swimmin'. Kaye is hehe.. still sleepin'..... wow... it was a nice island...there were a number of early birds too... people trying to get some tan.... i drew a message in the sand... for my friends who can't be there... pra ksing hinde totoo na andun kmi... and sana di na kmi bumalik.. hehe...

mga 8:30, lumabas na rin si Kaye.. sa wakas.. hehe... picture! picture!

9:00 AM - Breakfast

mmmm..... coffee and pancakes... sarap! ang saya tlga dun...... cheese! we were planning the day... and forever wishin we could get an extention... haha! will have the Bantayan tour.... Ü

10:00 AM - Off to Ogtong Cave

Tricycle Rent - php 150.00

Ogtong Cave is located inside the Ogtong Resort not far from Kota... you could walk the shore but ul die coz of heat.. or take a hired tricycle to go about the island... we had ours for P150.. pretty cheap... The resort was much beatufil in terms of facility vs. Kota.. but the view was off because of the fast that they are at the higher part of the island that u needed to go down to the shore for the beach experience... they have pools... much good lookin cottages... and of coarse higher prices... haha! Ü since we are not staying.. we only paid a php 50.00 each entrance fee... if ur being wise.. u cud do it this way... check-in at kota then pay entrance Ogtong and enjoy full access of facilities... nweiz, Ogtong Cave is a small cave that has cold spring inside... it flows from the ocean... the water was very clear... it was a nice not scary lookin cave.

we also bought some souvenirs here.... they have a lot at the entrance lobby... Ü

10:45 AM - Off to go to Bantayan Market

php 75.00 per 1/4 kilo

we went here for the danggit pasalubong... si shen-shen ksi e... ang kulit! the price here are really low... y? because Bantayan is the place where they fish danggit... so, bagsakan tlga.. got ours at php 75.00 per 1/4 kilo... got pictures with nanay and ate... natuwa namn sila sa pics... haha!

11:30 AM - Off to go to Bantayan Church

across the street ul reach Bantayan Church... it was an old church as u see it... its just sad that no one's there to tell us the story... i like it doors... it has the arch wooden door style.... with big metal railing on the side and locks... Ü it was a simple designed church inside... very homey... there were school kids inside that didn't look prayin but just waiting.... we asked them to hold the camera.. haha! outside i took a shot of a bunch of school boys playin basketball at the park in front.. feeling photographer naman tlga ko.. pra sa caption na.. local kids at Bantayan... haha!

i got pictures of they're local schools... on the way i took a picture of one poultry farm... the place was well surrounded by that...

12:15 PM - Off to go to Lunch at Blue Ice Bear

bill - php 495.00

yep.. not a typo.. that's the name of the place... we misread it the first time... took a while to let us see that... then another bar near that was the Hard Cock Cafe.. san ka pa?!! haha! naman! bat ganun? nweiz, we decided to eat and have lunch there... hmmm... what's on the menu? the menu there wasn't to costly.. most of their dish our good for 2-3 persons... ul have a variety of chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, squid, shrimp. etc... since its our first time we took the liberty of trying the food we dnt know... haha!

1:20 PM - Off to go back to Kota

i dunno for them but everytime i look at the view.. it feels that it keeps getting better and better to my eyes... again the photographer wannabe in me took some pictures... we rest for a while then decided to take the Virgin island tour.. wooo!

3:00 PM - Off to Virgin Island

Boat fare: php 900.00

Island Entrance: php 200.00

Safety jackets (optional): php 30.00 each?! not sure about the price

to get there we need a boat, so Manong Dodong offered one... we were excited to get there coz of the name... we wanted to know y? along the way... ul see the view of the side of bantayan... and the resorts around it... it was a 15mins boat ride from Kota...

later, we reach the island.. there were a group of foreigners already there... they are staying in Kota too... they are the nice couple always smiling at us.. hi! first impression at the island it was desserted... the view was nice coz ul feel lost. it got trees and some houses... for the people that take care of it.. and a sign that says: "this island is for sale" hmmmm.... magkano kaya? hehe! the sand is still white but not as fine in Bantayan... its very peaceful there... ul enjoy snorkelling because the island has lots of fish around.... unfortunately, Kaye got stung by a jelly fish which we couldn't find.... damn that jelly fish! and no thanks to Aimee for helping... haha! iwanan daw ba si Kaye? nweiz, while we're there... we had a nice view of the clouds... it suddenly had this effect of light coming down on a certain part of the sea... sino kaya kinukuha dun?! fishes?!! haha! i made footprints on the sand.... the water was not as clear but as cold.... refreshing... swim! swim! swim!

5:00 PM - Off to go back to Kota

on the back we saw a rainbow! la lng.... i tried capturing the sun and the water... la lng din...

we continue our swimming there.... the sand really feels great.. ul enjoy walkin in it... the shore expands long enough upfront for you to reach far off the water.... feeling mo ang tangkad mo... haha! we enjoyed picture taking in the sunset.... we waited.. Ü

7:30 PM - Off to take shower and prepare for dinner

syempre picture muna!

8:00 PM - Off to Marisquera O Portugese

bill - php 980.00

this is a well known bar in Bantayan... too bad they don't have the karaoke workin.. they have billiards which unfortunately we didn't get the change to play with.. dami ksing nglalaro e... sayang! nweiz, this is the bar that is fully lighted.. with christmas tree.. nweiz, we had fun taking pictures... overall they're style is very unique they have shirts hangin in the ceiling.. the waiter and waitresses wear hawaiian.. and they serve all more on portugese, mexican food... haha! san ka pa? the long wait for food is very well known... so we ordered beer first... i think Aimee had her 1st time.... and i think it should be here last... it didn't have a nyc effect on her... nweiz, the food was great or maybe we didn't notice because we're too much starving.. we had pasta, pizza and a spicy pika-pika (forgot the name) haha!

10:30 PM - Off to go back to Kota

we had fun... we took picture with the yung Dodong.. when we got to the room... we took some more... hahaha.. like there's to tomorrow.. as long as the idea comes in... cge.. click lng ng click! one with the towels.. one with the same shirt.... mcdo.. budda... the ring 2... sleeping... lookin... etc...

12:00 MD - Sleep!

Cebu Week Vacation [Days 3 & 4]

FRIDAY – Nov. 10, 2006

06:00 AM – Wake-up

haay, kay hirap gumising pero ok lng for the adventure.. let's go!

06:30 AM – Breakfast
Suman at Kape php 15.00 each

hmmm... wow.. nescafe classic... sorii, i just got addicted to this cafeine.. hmmmm.. so far.. im having fun....

07:30 AM – Kawasan Falls
Entrance: php 10.00
Table Rental: php 200.00
Lunch: php 375.00 (lechon manok: php 300.00, rice: 10.00 each, coke litro: php 45.00)
Balsa: php 300.00
Life Vest: php 25.00 each

if u like an adventure.. then u've come to the right place... this is it... the adventure.. ul trek to the mountain (well, technically kinda similar to a mountain)... full of rocks which are very slippery when wet.. so try to wear the proper footwear... (dnt be like me.. i didn't have any choice.. i didn't have any other footwear to wear) haha! redundant! nweiz, full of bridges... in diff sizes and kinds.. cement, bamboo, wood.... name it! numerous stairs, trees and insects... beat that! this nature trip trek will introduce you to a number of falls (which for us, is defined to be any height of water that simply falls and descends to another level) hahah! i dunno how many are valid but im counting 5... beats me, i've never been there. here, ul appreciate the beauty of nature and water cycle.. hehhe! bsta amazing... specially when you get to the source... my friends says, its freezing well not really... the pressure there was very strong, ul need to hold on to anything u can.. try to stick on to ur slippers too.. but ul definitely enjoy it.. for me.. i liked the falls upstairs the great kawasan falls... its smaller... yes.... but the place was much peaceful... we didn't know how deep that drop was but it can drown you for sure... so, safety first and wear the vest for you to enjoy the dip... swim around the falls (careful coz current and pressure there is hard) look for the rope! if ur the kind that likes to jump off to the water then this is ur chance... we met here kuya Emeit (i'm guessing this is the spelling, i saw a carving nearby) he's nice. try to look for him... we stayed with the huts nearby the groto.. ul have the view and the bathroom to your advantage... hihi! =)

02:30 PM – Prepare to leave
03:00 PM – Travel to Cebu City (3 hrs)
Bus Fare – php 120.00 each
Side Trip(optional) – Carcar (the place is also known for their shoes)
Must try Chicharon, Ampao & Bukarillo along the way

yeah, i tried the chicharon.. and nothing seems to be different.. i bought one while a vendor came in the bus.. didn't notice he was selling it w/o vinegar... damn! i ate it plain and i had to deal with it... we didn't get to stop by Carcar, aaww... shoes... next time...

06:00 PM – Arrive in Cebu South Terminal

06:10 PM – Travel to Hotel
Taxi Fare – php 150

we met an irritating, not very helpful and lousy taxi driver.. he says too much and knows nothing about anything we are saying.. just buying his time to make some more money on the meter. hmp! trivia: most if not all taxi's in cebu starts their plate with the letter G. Ü
06:30 PM – Check-in and meet Uri & Adrian
Cebu Pensione Plaza
N. Escario St., Cebu City
Tel. (63-32) 254-6300
Standard rm - php 1000.00 per night (gud for 2 persons)
Extra bed - php 150.00

wohoo! check-in.. we were excited to see our friends; officemates.. fortunately we have the same week to our rollout to one of our clients... so, its a reunion. we were inviting them in for the next days itenerary we have, unfortunately (ang corny ksi nila) they can't.... (won't) haha! so, we met them at the hotel, left our bags.. the rooms are not bad.. trivia: pensione hotels are a good way to go if ur being cheap. nweiz, then off we go to ayala mall.

07:00 PM – Hang with Uri and Adrian

we went to the store and meet up with our clients... our main goal was to buy some things too... i bought slippers because i figured i never did bring one. Aimee bought one too.. Kaye is lookin for a charger and i am looking for an plug adaptor... so, we roam around and shop. Kaye and i had orbitz... buti pa dun uso pa.. haha! sarap! nweiz, its nyc to have Uri and Adrian... so, we have guys in the group. =) too bad, Uri was still decided to leave by 8:00.. he had to enroll the next day... huhuhu...Adrian can stay til the next day but up until 4pm only.. dem! was is it with these guys? they both wanna go home so soon... haha! we tried arranging to re-sked Adrian's ticket only to find out that it will cause us 900 plus... so, no choice. he had to leave.. another huhu... nweiz, we just invited him to TOPS!

09:00 PM – Travel to Busay, TOPS Cebu

as we ask around, we learned that going by ourselves won't do us any good, they say this because its not located in a place where jeeps and buses pass by. =( so since we have adrian with us maybe we could get a taxi hired... they say 1k plus is the normal rate.. we got ours at 900... 500 papunta, 400 pabalik.. for 3 hrs. if lesser, it can cost u lower... the trip was educational... ksi si manong makwento.. mabait sya... ok sya! paakyat ung daan that's y at one pt. we had to turn off the air-con to avoid overheating the car... ang dilim na... at ang lamig.. exciting... we had another option if not TOPS, Mountain View.. though this is not open 24hours plus to be able to see the view, u need to climb it.. maybe 3000 plus steps... wow! no thanks.. i've done that in palawan... and its not funny!

9:30 PM – Arrive in TOPS
TOPS entrance fee – php 50.00
Dinner – php 200.00

and we're here... wow! its close to pitch black.. but the view was ok. u see cebu city at night.. like being on top of the city... the city was fully lighted... its a nice feeling of relaxation... with the wind and all... i had a hard time taking pictures... i had to do lots of trial... and i mean a lot! haha! had a hard time taking pictures of ourselves too.... can't see anything... until we hit the walk way.. we had fun taking our pictures there.. nweiz, so we had dinner.. and yes, its chicken again! this time inihaw! pro naman! anong meron!?! we had fun talking to Adrian in discussing life and work in general. galing ni Adrian mg-yosi! Ü

12:30 PM – Travel back to the hotel

since we really enjoyed manong's kindness and help. we took his number and asked if he'll be interested in taking us on a city tour on our last day.... he said yes, just txt him. wohoo! got it for a cheaper price too.. tnx kuya! nweiz, this day was exhausting... the main adventure trip of the vacation... but i had fun! how many can say they did that?!!

1:00 PM – Arrive at the hotel

home! and im tired!.... tomorrow is another day... another adventure...

1:30 PM – Sleep!


SATURDAY – Nov. 11, 2006
* Leave our things at the hotel since we are going back the same day.

05:30 AM – Wake-up and shower

of coarse, getting up was too damn difficult.. with the air-con and soft pillows... but we have too.. so, wake-up... for some reason it falled down to my responsibility the wake-up call... dem! and they say i'm always late... (i just have a long way from home!) haha! Ü

06:10 AM – Breakfast and prepare to leave

they didn't wanna get up yet and i can't wait for them.. i had to have coffee... or anything hot before my acidity came in... (mornin' sickness) sadly, the hotel can only give me hot water... they depend on the bar who just opens 7:00 for the instant coffee... dem! so, pigilan muna...

we're really running late.... we are suppose to wake-up 4:30... for the 7:00 trip.

06:30 AM – Travel to Pier
Taxi Fare – php 120.00

oh, God we won't make it.. we are targetting Ocean Jet Pier 4 bcoz of the libre balik promo they have.. it will only cost us P500.00 but i guess, we can't... i didn't know any other fast craft that will... beside the very expensive winsum... buti mabait si manong inintay na lng kmi... at tinuro pa kmi sa tamang pier... salamat po...

07:00 PM – Arrive in Supercat Pier 1
Ticket Rate: php 527.00 each papunta
php 235.00 each pabalik
Port Fee:

Wow! SuperCat! we're lucky! they recently open trips to tagbilaran with a cheaper return ticket promo! great! we're early for the 8:30 trip.. so we ourselves some breakfast.. i had donuts and of coarse, coffee... while waiting... we tought having a commemorative pic tag is cool... so we did... we chose a pic from our pics in sumilon and have it printed, tada! now its sitting in my wallet. Ü its cute..

08:30 AM – Travel to Tagbilaran

wow.. very nice boat... we were seated near the window... not much of a view coz its all water out there.... mi:3 was showing that's why Kaye is not asleep (she haven't watch it yet) . we had a nice pic too taken by a crew.. thanks.. the same crew offered us for a hired van for 2,500 but we refused... though its for the whole day.... we can't afford it... plus we believe we can do it on our own... naks! real adventurers! one techniqure we learned, talk to the people who are innocent lookin locals of the place and ask around... those people that doesn't have any bussiness with what you wanna do there... they can be trusted 10x more than those who continously approach you ang make an offer... (pepera-han lng kyo nung mga un!). its a diff rate between locals there, filipinos not frm cebu and foreigners... so, try to be wise in everything... Ü
try to act like you're from there.. just dn't speak...

10:30 AM – Arrive in Tagbilaran
Tricycle Fare: php 15.00 each

welcome to the port of tagbilaran! wohoo! and the taxi drivers gone wild when we arrived... haha! they're funny! we asked around and found out that we need to ride a tricycle to a Dauis terminal and pick up a jeep there...

10:45 AM – Travel to Hinagdanan Cave
Jeepney Fare – php 20.00 ( closer to cave entrance) php 15.00 (u can walk, mga 1 kanto)

as we go around, we observed that in bohol its a new tricycle design... la lng.. we were amazed on how they look... do u know what basis they have for it? and for the design to change? by city? by brgy? or wala lng... Ü nweiz, going by the town... makes you feel you're really in a province far away from manila... its calm. its different. its really nyc to look at...

11:30 AM – Arrive in Hinagdanan Cave
Entrance – php 45.00 each

1st bohol stop. oooh... where's the cave? wow.. its underground?! cool toh! wow.. dami tindahan.. souvenirs! cge pagbalik... so, we got in the cave... and they said let there be darkness and its there.... weh! ang dilim... cave tlga! oooh... spooky! there's a smell... they say its bats.... i dunno but i dnt like it... but i can hold on til we got pictures.. haha! the water was too clear and u can see its kinda deep.. i bet its cold... a few people was taking a dip... there were'nt a lot of people in so its nyc timing.. the cave was amazing... only a small amount of light comes in... so u have a dramatic effect... nweiz, outside the cave are souvenir stores... i had to buy! bohol souvenirs wow! shirts cost 99.00, keychains are at 25.00, peanut kisses 55.00 (largest box), small guitar at 120.00 ano pa ba nabili ko?!! cost me around 500.00 all-in-all.. pro sulit! dami e! mura dun!

12:30 PM – Travel to Loboc
Multicab Fare – php 8.00 each (hinagdanan - dauis terminal)
Jeepney Fare - php 25.00 each (dao terminal - island mall)
Jeepney Fare - php 25.00 each (island mall - loboc)
* Loboc is 21 km east of Tagbilaran.

the travel was long plus we had to transfer from one jeep to another.. well, ganun tlga pag mgcocommute... like here in Manila, kailangn mo puntahan kung saan ung terminal... we became friends with a girl along the way.. Aimee had long talks with her, she was kind enough to offer that she can go with us to make sure we drop off the right place for the river. we were really hungry at that time.. haha! so, help was very much appreciated. Ü

1:30 PM – Arrive in Loboc
Loboc River Cruise – php 250.00 ("raymond al")
Loboc Museum – php 10.00
Loboc Church

And so we arrived in the famous Loboc River. dem! i'm hungry. We were the second ones to arrive first in the boat then seconds after... Korean invasion. grabe! san sila galing? they filled up the whole boat and I felt like a stranger. Nweiz, no offense.. i think they are funny. Everything is ok with them, they pretty much enjoy anything offered to them. So... the cruise starts... I didn't realize that there will be performers along the ride. A local from the town, sang to us Tagalog, English and of coarse Korean songs while we are eating. haha! As we cruise to the river stretch, a group of kids will be swimming by the boat. They came from the houses on the sides, i guess.. and man! they can swim! some of them jump from ropes, some of them race the boat and hang to the sides, some of them climb. They were a combination of boys and girls of ages between 9 to 12. (we asked) wow! ng-aaral pa lng ata ko lumangoy nun.. at first, i was worried but you will realized that they are experts on the field. haha! The supposedly falls on the end doesn't look like one.. nweiz, there were a boat of local performers that stays there and ask for donation, they play good with they guitars and banduria. The Koreans as entertain as they are, went it with them and join the band for pictures. On the way back, the singer decided to start a dance party so to the tune of "Sex Bomb" we had one. wohoo! the Koreans of coarse, had the most fun. (had videos to proove it). The cruise was worth it and the Koreans are cool. Ü

After we headed across the street to the Loboc Museum, outside you'll think its haunted but not really. haha! I enjoyed and learned a lot about the place during the musem tour and I'll never forget being there. I admired they're efforts in preserving they're heritage. I symphatize with them for loosing some of the most priceless ones they had on board, well some people can really be heartless. You have to come by and please make sure to give your donations. By the way, the kids in the Oishi commercial, the one that was shoot in Bohol and has some scenes of the Loboc River Cruise, they are the Loboc Children's Choir. I stood before the place where they practice everyday. Unfortunately, that day they are in Manila to be with Regine in a concert. (sayang!)

The 2nd oldest church in Bohol was connected to the Museum, the famouse Loboc Church. Upon entering, you can already smell the old scent of the place plus the smell that the bats contribute. Nweiz, it was really old. The ceiling was beautiful, they had drawings in there that may really need some restoration. Inside, there were two personalites that had their remains placed. Upstairs, through the wooden spiral stairs (kinda creepy) you'll see the organ and a view of the whole church. There were old people cleaning the church when we were there, for me its been really nice for them to be doing that.. for me, where are the others? they should take care of their church.

4:00 PM – Drop by Tarsier Sanctuary just next to "raymond al" cruise
*Tarsier entrance – php 10.00 (not sure if we paid, think its free)

The sign says, 40 meters away. Lapit lng un! tara lakad! maliit lng isang meter e. After walking for 10mins.. si Kaye? asan si Kaye? nawawala... aaah... Kaye, lampas na?!! hehe! asan ba? ano?!!? ung katabi lng.. takte! nweiz, sorii tarsiers.. i had to do the flash thingy! dilim e!

4:15 PM – Travel to Chocolate Hills
Bus Fare – php 20.00
Motorbike Fare – php 10.00
* Ride bus going to Carmen and ask to drop off at Chocolate Hills complex. After that a 10-minute walk along the road going to the complex. (They say we have to go to Dao bus terminal to catch a bus going to Carmen)

Huhuhu.. longest bus ride ever. I had the chance to sleep.. not sleep and still we're not there.. are we there yet? anong petsa na? The road was scary. You'll be going by a mass of cliffs and trees that you didn't know that can grow that tall. Pilipinas pa ba to?

4:30 PM – Arrive in Chocolate Hills
Chocolate Hills entrance – php 10.00

The real Peanut Kisses, even we didn't have too much time in the place.. at least I did get to see it. The hills started to be covered in fog.. kinda nice effect. dali! click! click!

05:45 PM – Travel to Baclayon Church
Bus Fare – php 50.00
* Baclayon is 6 km east of Tagbilaran. Take a bus or a jeepney or a tricycle.
* Walk back to main road, wait for bus going to Tagbilaran (last bus leaves at 4 pm) or we can rent a motorbike(habal-habal)

We were racing against time, we didn't know that the last trip leaves earlier. We need to make it back to tagbilaran port by 7:00.. no choice. we took our chances in a rented habal-habal. Aimee and I shared one, then Kaye on the other. One hell of a experience, imagine 1.5 hrs riding a bike, driving through a scary curved road. wohoo! I had to pray for safety. I was scared. Thank God he didn't let anything happen...

06:50 PM – Arrive in Baclayon Church
Museum entrance – php 20.00

Since, its only minutes before our fastcraft leave us. I took seconds to take shots of the Church.. yes, I was definitely frustrated... I didn't get to see it. It was the 2nd oldest church in the Philippines and we blew it. sad. =(

07:10 PM – Arrive in Tagbilaran
Seaport Terminal Fee – php 20.00

I was running to the port when we arrived, shouted thanks sa mga manong na nghatid sa amin... we made it.

09:15 PM – Travel to hotel

Tired... I txted Adrian and asked how is he doin!? still wishin they were there with us..We did had one nyc Bohol Adventure, don't we?

09:30 PM – Arrive in hotel

Its late so i guess, its my right to feel hungry... Kumain na tyo!

10:00 PM – Find place to eat
Dinner Options:
Ayala Mall
Sandtrap Near Gaisano Mall
LnT Near SM Mall
budget: php 200.00
Taxi Fare – php 200.00*

From these options... Kaye and I opted to try Sandtrap... we didn't have Aimee with us so it became an adventure.. we tried walking at first... then we got tired we took a taxi.. told the driver to go to Gaisano. When we reached there, he didn't know exactly there is Sandtrap.. and how will we either.. (I forgot the map) nweiz, so we just took a chance on a restaurant bar called "First Row".. aba! not bad... nyc design.. let's take the menu... not bad either.. not too expensive.. wow! they're serving breakfast.. (u know i like it) i tried they're longganiza coz the picture was nyc... plus the waitress told me it was good too.. (she liked my watch,haha!) Kaye ordered beef.. the waitress told us that the owner was from Manila.. wow! hehe... la lng.. we had a nyc dinner... I want to go back sometime..

11:30 PM – Travel back to hotel
Taxi Fare – php 150.00*

On the way home, we had a weird driver (i think).. I didn't want to go at first.. but it was getting later... Why? coz, he didn't look like a driver.. he was in shape like the gym buffs you meet around.. He was all dressed up too.. his hair is perfectly gelled like Mike. Nweiz, he drop us home safe. Ü
12:00 PM – Arrive at the hotel
Sleep!

Cebu Week Vacation [Days 1 & 2]

WEDNESDAY – Nov. 8, 2006

11:30 AM – Cebu Pacific Manila (Reg & Kaye) Ticket price: 199 (promo) + tax = php 1250.00 (+/-)
Airport Terminal Fee – php 200.00

the experience was great! kaso ang sakit sa tenga! pressure was all in my ears! this is my first time to be at an airport and be at a plane... ang saya! hehehe... na-tense ako.. 10:45 i was there.. nun lng ako naexcite ksi naman ang daming work at OT pa ko the day before... haay.. nweiz, aun... excited... ng-CR then ngtxt at tinawagan kay Kaye asan ka na?!! naku... bka pumasok un... txt ng ibang tao pra di kabahan.. si ja! tnx ja! 11:20 na.. Kaye, asan ka na?!!?! pinagtitinginan na ko ng lht ng tao.. miss, anong oras flight mo.. hehe... in 10mins po... whaaaa... 10:23 cguro un... Kaye is here.. tara! takbo! waaah... close na! pahabol manong... kuya cge na.... aun.. napagilatan kmi... pro nkpasok naman... ang bait nyo bossing salamat!!! Ü ayan na ang scanner... miss patanggal.. we gave our cellfone then the bag.. miss.. yan din... left my coins... miss patanggal.. waaah alin ba?!! aah! sapatos!?! sorii po 1st time... sensya na! asuz.. di pa boarding! wait ng sandali at eto na.. wohoo! picture! picture! picturan lht... at nga pla.. i won a cebu pacific tumbler from a bring me game at the plane... hahaha! how lucky am i?!!

12:30 PM – Arrive at Dumaguete
Meet Aimee then have lunch

txted Aimee, san ka na?!! kaway ka! aun! hehe.. ang kukulit ng mga mama na to.. buhat daw.. baggage... mga manong.. ok na kmi.. di nman sako sako to e... aliw ang tricycle kakaiba...

01:00 PM – Tricycle Fare to Jollibee - php 50.00
Lunch (max. 1 hr) – php 100.00

mmmm... jabi.... iba ata ang rates a... hehe.. while eating... aaaah.. natapon ang coke... damn! bakit dito pa?? so, im wet... lucky ha!?

02:00 PM – Travel to Sibulan
Tricycle Fare – php 60.00

usap-usap... plano-plano... excited! excited...

02:30 PM – Travel to Liloan
Boat Fare – php 35.00 each

Aimee takot e... tara picture! hehe.. kmi lng ang ngppiktur! e no naman?! haha sakto kmi sa sked... kso di sya ung ala-fast craft pro... ok na rin pump boat lng.. ayos na un!

03:10 PM – Arrive in Liloan, Travel to Bato
Tricycle Fare – php 150.00

wow.. view.... ang saya! tabing-dagat! are we there yet? prang ang tagal na nting nk-upo dito a... layo pa aims?!

04:00 PM – Arrive in Bato (Aimee's House)
Liloan Ligthhouse (optional)

didn't get to the lighthouse, out of way... aawwww.... eto na?! ok naman pla bahay nyo e.. though kala ko kahoy??! bato na sya e... hi lola.. hi another lola.. afternoon po... aaah.. kama.. tulog muna tyo... aimee: tara swimming na tyo! weeeh... lola: baba na, kain na kyo.... kmi: tlga nman ganto tlga d2.... i guess just tired ksi kulang sa tulog e... naku.. tnx po... kape with evap!?! ok lng.. pro di ko trip.. nweiz, let's go! san tatalon?! dadaan tyo court?! yee... aimee: tara, game na! kmi: hayok ka sa tubig noh! seconds after eto si weird guy, sabi ni aimee lasing... di ko sya maintindihan... hinde tagalog e.. ako: ano!?! pipikturan kita... ok! cge pra matapos na.. ayan! ok na? ano pangalan nmin?! nyee... aimee, layo mo yan.. sasaktan ko yan! and then, so ngswimming na kmi... soz.. eto na naman sya.. ano ba?!! shark!!!! leche! aimee.. sasaktan ko tlga yan! dinner came, ang sarap busog! may saging na green mas trip ko un e! ano un naririnig?! karera?! binggo daw e.. haha! may curfew dun.. by 10 wala na dpat tao.. and it happened... everything just stopped. haahha! aliw! nyt... as im trying to get sleep then i realized the life they had there.. it was peaceful and simple... at nyt ul hear the waves of the ocean on one side then the trucks that go by on the other side... every house windows is large, as if no one is watching... everyone knows everyone and they are all friends.. people are never late.. u can lay on the streets and it won't matter.... geez... can i stay at a place like this?!! guess not!! haha! but i guess u can get use to it...

THURSDAY – Nov. 9, 2006

05:00 AM – Wake-up

oops.. late.. shet! oist! gising! guys gising!

05:30 AM – Breakfast (max. 30 mins)

ang sarap namna po nito.. mmmm..... itlog at kanin... at sausage... with kape... wow! favorite! tnx po... maraming salamat lola.... dada!

06:00 AM – Travel to Oslob - php 40.00
Bus Fare – php 40.00 (sign says Oslob)

wow.. aga! and people are awake... hehee... last pictures at the house! cheeze! we were waiting for ceres bus, they say every 15mins they go by... but maybe they were late then.... wla rin dyip.. naku.. we can't be delayed... hehe.. late na rin si lola.. may klase daw ksi sya.. so we decided to take the dyip... wishin we would encounter a bus along the road... it cost us... php 5.00 each.. then there was a ceres bus... we pulled over and ride. ceres bus is the only bus liner available there... they only got one speed and that is fast... any driver you meet have the same traits.. im just amazed about how they do it along blind curves... maybe they know the road like they know their name... people were'nt complainin about it.. we are the only ones who's scared... they are like buses in our express ways... or the bus we see at 2am... at syempre 100% ang hangin sa labas... i think they alternate their aircon and non-aircon buses... if ur patient... u can wait for it a little longer... approx. 30mins ryt? i didn't understand y we went off the bus and ride the multicab.. maybe it'll get us there faster... fortunately the driver was one of Aimee's relatives (i think) so fare was free.. she drop us off at the sumilon port.

07:00 AM – Travel to Sumilon Port
Sumilon Day Tour Package – php 1,000.00
Inclusive of lunch, boat ride, snorkelling gears and access to all amenities

unlike any other ordinary port... this is the best.. its complete.. the view is one of a kind.. you can even stay here overnyt... but i guess not for a big no. of people... you'll enjoy taking pictures here... ul enjoy the port walk to the boat... the boat looks fine... better than the ordinary.. with class.. that gets you to be excited to arrive at the island more and more...

08:00 AM – Arrive in Sumilon Island
Activities: snorkeling, paddle boating, kayaking, swimming, etc.

our boat can't get closer to the dock because another boat was there.. so, the alternate solution is to ride the mini-boat we have aboard just to get closer and start our day.. it was being pulled by a crew who is walking to the water... aliw! so, we got there... a island shuttle was there to welcome us.. obviously it was very useful coz we still have our bags... while riding ul enjoy the pleasure of taking a peek on what the island is like... a view of the forest, the sandbar, the blue ocean water and the cottages... prang patikim! ang saya! ang ganda! prang sa picture! wohoo! and the lobby wow! look at the pool.. breath-taking.. we met there Jetjet and Ana, they are the frontdesk personnels. They accomodated us and help us with our bags, you can keep ur valuables in a safety bags though its small.. for bigger items.. they'll keep in it the office. We were able to talked with the manager, Sir Leo. He was nice.. he's very good in what he's doing.. you know, marketing the place.. he's nice to talked to. He makes you realize what you need to realize when you're there.. and we did. I dnt have to tell because that defines ur sumilon island experience. We swim, took on snorkelling though waves were tough.. kayaking even my friends are the worse drivers and the highlight part of it.. was the trek. Jetjet gave us a map, a trekking stick and a smile.. "happy trekking!" He said we can do it for less than an hour, it took us an excruciating 2 hours or more under the heat of the sun to go around and trek the island.. it was one hell of an experience. damn! i got sunburn! i was tired and exhausted.. i couldn't wait to get back.. the trail wasn't easy.. u go up and down.. it goes flat or rocky... there are stops and seats along the way if u needed to rest and... man! my sandals wasn't made for this.. poor sandals... huhuhu... nweiz, it was worth it.. how many can say that they had a chance to walk around an island.. well, i did! rock on!

05:00 PM – Travel to Oslob
Boat Ride

we got on the main road and waited for the ceres bus again... we were running late.. we need to get to the terminal before 6:00pm coz locals told us that last trip to cebu leaves at 6:00pm. gosh! or else we'll need to stay another night at bato.. and who knows where we can stay there? we have Aimee's house as last resort.. but for us, it was uncalled for. so, we prayed to reach on time..

06:00 PM – Travel to Bato, Ceres Bus Terminal (1 hr)
Bus Fare – php 50.00

prayin....

07:00 PM – Arrive at Bato then look for Bus to Cebu

at last the terminal, we were running like we are in a race... searching for the last bus.. at first we overlooked it coz it didn't have their lights turn on.. and we were the 1st passengers... wohoo! we are lucky!

07:30 PM – Travel to Badian (2hrs)
Bus Fare – php 50.00 each

this bus is definitely fast.. people along the road took off when this bus passes... Kaye was sleeping.. Aimee took pictures of her.. poor Kaye... Aimee took the chance to talk to the driver at ung conductor... at eto.. napagalitan lng kmi nung nalaman na pro babae kmi.. bakit daw?!! gabi-gabi na... sorii po... adventurous lng..

09:30 PM – Arrive at Matutinao, Badian

we're here... yey! wow, it was dark! tama nga si kuya! mapapagalitan nga kmi... they advised us to just stay at the near by resort instead of hiking at that time... so, we did.

09:40 PM – Check in at Matutinao Beach Resort
Cottages – php 500.00
Dinner (Lechon Manok sila, Cornbeef with Egg ako! plus softdrinks) - php 120.00

if you notice.. mahal tlga ang food dnt know y.. pro kesa di kumain... the rooms are not very pleasing in the inside (hate the design) but ok in the outside.. you share veranda's with ur neighbor... you can choose aircon or eletric fan.. we chose the fan so, we could dry our wet clothes... it has a bathroom with shower.. bed is gud for 3.. one is bigger than the other... nweiz, it was good enough for lodging purposes..