If you wish to take a day tour around Cebu and the local historic attractions I recommend you have your Filipina companion arrange with your hotel to rent a car and driver for the day, don't worry about self driving, their is no need to do this in the Philippines, relax in an airconditioned car, and your driver will take you on a tour of Cebu City and the surrounding area, this can be arranged for around P1800.00 for the day, fairly low cost and the tour will be all day about 8 hours, the tour booth is inside the hotel lobby.

One of the first momuments you may wish to see is Magellan's cross Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to come to the Philippines in 1521. Also known as Fernao Magalhaes or Fernando Magallanes, he was a Portuguese navigator working for the King of Spain. When he and his crews landed on Cebu island, they were met by a native chief, Rajah Humabon. Having befriend him, Rajah Humabon, his wife and hundreds of his native warriors agreed to accept Christianity and were consequently baptised. Magellan planted a cross to signify this important event about the propagation of the Roman Catholic faith in what is now the Philippines. The original cross is reputedly encased in another wooden cross for protection, as people started chipping it away in the belief that it had miraculous healing powers. This prompted the government officials to encase it in tindalo wood and secured it inside a small chapel called "kiosk." Some say, however, that the original cross was actually destroyed as it took another 45 years (1565) before Cebu was visited again by another European (Miguel Lopez de Legazpi) who made it the first capital of the Spanish colony known as Las Islas Filipinas. The Magellan cross displayed here is said to be a replica of such cross. It is housed in a small chapel located in front of the present city hall of Cebu, along Magallanes Street (named in honor of Magellan). Sadly, Magellan met his death under the hands of another Visayan chief, Lapu-Lapu, when he went to the nearby island of Mactan. Mactan now forms part of Cebu, in central Philippines. There, both the statues of Magellan and Lapu-Lapu proudly stand. Magellan's cross


The Taoist temple Located at Beverly Hills, Cebu City. This temple preserves the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher. Everyday people climb its 99 steps to light joss sticks and have their fortune read.

 Fort San Pedro - Cebu

Pier Area, Cebu City - The smallest, oldest tri-bastion fort in the country. This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. It has a total inside area of 2,025 sq. meters. The walls are 20 feet high, 8 feet thick and the towers are 30 feet high from the ground level. Work was first started on May 8, 1565 with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi breaking the ground. After the battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey turned the fort to the local Cebuanos, then it became an American Warwick Barracks during the American Regime which was later converted into classrooms where the Cebuanos received formal education. During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, it served as fortification for Japanese soldiers, when the battle for liberation was fought, the fort served as an army camp . After 1950, Cebu Garden Club took over and fixed the inner court into a miniature garden. For a couple of years it also housed the Cebu City Zoo. In 1978 to August 15, 1993, it housed the offices of the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority. At present, it is under the care and administration of the National Museum.

Cebu Luxury Resorts Alegre Beach Resort Sogod, Cebu Tel. (6332)2549800 Alegre Beach Resort 66 kilometers north of Cebu City, Alegre Beach Resort, like it's name, is a place for happy people. From the shining sand beach to it's tropical gardens contoured into natural coves, one can easily lose into tranquil fantasy of paradise. Maribago blue waters Resort Buyong, Mactan, Cebu Tel. (6332)4920100 Maribago Bluewaters Resort The only 3 Diamond Resort in Mactan Island, but really it's just a few minutes drive to the airport. Through the discreet wooden gate, one enters to world of ageless trees of balete and acacia; and vines of bougainvillas and yellow belles to complete the lushfull tropical paradise. Plantation Bay Marigondon, Mactan, Cebu Tel. (6332)340-5900 Plantation Bay There are no tall buildings. The carribean inspired resort welcomes you to wide plantation charm enchantment at surprisingly affordable rates. Badian Island, Cebu Badian Island, Cebu Tel. (6332)4751101 Badian Island Cebu Romantic Paridise Island, that's what they describe themselves. And indeed the island sets your foot in neatly combed white-sand beach. Your are greeted with a pleasant welcome by the island staff singing and handing out your first of many cocktails of a coconut drink from the coconut shell itself.

The photo to the right is Malapascua Island It was on Christmas day when the Spaniards reached the island. According to townfolks, it was supposed to be a special day for celebration but unfortunately a storm hit the island and so came the name "MALAPASCUA", MALAS SA PASKO, which means "Unfortunate Christmas" in English. Malapascua is sometimes referred to as "LOGON", the main community in the south. "Logon" got its name when the Japanese and Spaniards fought over the island during the World War II. The island is 3 kms. long and 1 km. wide, with a population of about 3,000. It has white sand beaches, and crystal clear waters. The west coast is ideal for swimming and snorkelling but one should be careful because of unpredictable weather. A walk or tour on the whole island can be done for about two hours.

Summary: We thoroughly enjoyed our time touring Cebu, it is mainly an Island that you can use as a springboard to other islands and resorts, the beautiful warm waters off Cebu are a magnet for tourists who wish to get away from it all. You can take a trip up the moutain just to the West of Cebu, their is a nice vantage point, where you can relax and take a nice long look down on the City of Cebu itself, all in all an excellent 2-3 days of enjoyment in one of the countries loveliest regions, we would recommend a full week there, if you are sun worshippers by staying at one of the many top class resorts, however if you are a sight seeing type and have itchy feet, give it 2-3 days at most, then move off to other islands. Have you taken a look at Hong Kong yet ?

Come on what do you need an invitation from Jackie Chan or maybe you might like to stop by our Boracay Trip page ?

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