Serving It Up... A Christmas Wish: Cebu, The Philippines!

Cebu was calling me! Manila had been brief yet I had clocked everything that I had wanted to, that was a satisfying feeling! I had high hopes for Cebu, that tour programme had been expensive and I trusted implicitly! Did I have any 'Christmas Wishes?' I just wanted to have a great holiday, that was all! Mandaue City? Oh, she looked real! Cebu had that Christmas feeling! 

It was a very smooth flight with Philippine Airlines down from Manila to Cebu, those views upon the descent looked truly amazing! I longed to see another new place in the Philippines and I knew that Cebu was about to get spicy, that was for sure going to be revealed! My ears felt really strange and my head didn't feel good upon landing but I carried on, retrieving my bag at 'Cebu Mactan International Airport' with another adventure awaiting me! Heading over the bridge from Lapu Lapu City to Mandaue put the cat amongst the pigeons because my driver strictly recommended that I swerved that part of town for a few clear reasons. I felt like I witnessed every facet of life as I gazed out of the car window, it was truly something with Mandaue looking truly colourful in every single way! I wasn't going to let any place get the 'Basura' treatment! My driver was really easy to talk to, he was extremely polite and for those reasons I now know why he would've made an amazing driver for all parts of my time in Cebu! On to the hotel, we went!

Cebu served grit, I thought that I was used to that Manila mentality but I had been mistaken! 'Quest Hotel & Conference Centre' became my abode for the following few nights, truly the spirit of Christmas could be seen from that kerbside drop-off! Their reception was major, those Christmas songs were played and those Christmas trees had been decorated with traditional decorations, it was a wonderful sight! Thus far, the hotel had impressed me but those first few moments had been brief. I checked-in with some kind of charge trying to be added to my bank card, I didn't want a pre-authorisation because I was going to use cash. Nevertheless, the room was perfectly formed for my needs, I was able to see myself relaxing into that room over the course of that Cebu sector! Room service would definitely be ordered at some point but I wanted to head out for something to eat in the city, something told me a little evening out would be had! No, my ears had still not popped and I wasn't alright with that foolery! Susmaryosep! Not this!  

Heading out into the evening in Cebu gave me the edge, it was not a place to be played with. I had become familiar with specific areas in Manila but then I knew nothing about Cebu, I needed to get my bearings and quickly! I needed something to eat and fast, I headed over to 'Ayer's Lechon' on 'General Maxilom Ave'. I needed something to eat and didn't want to visit the first place I had been recommended. I took a 'Grab Taxi' over to 'Ayer's' with a simple yet delicious plate of Lechon on my mind, served with rice mind you! I had last enjoyed Lechon near to 'Manila North Cemetery' at 'Ping Ping's', that serving in Manila had set the bar very high! Fresh in Cebu, I wanted to try some more Lechon because I hadn't travelled to the Philippines for the second time in one year to miss out on that roast pork dish! That plate was fine, I missed the gravy that I had found in Manila and 'Ayer's' served a 'fast food' vibe about it. I wanted to see some Christmas lights but I wasn't ready for that juxtapose! Cebu had me feeling festive? Yes. C! 

'Fuente Osmeña Circle' served 'Spanish Colonial' and 'American Christmas' features in the same breathe, you know I was about to see another 'Mexican Fiesta' connection! I didn't want to know about the history of that circular square because I was transfixed by the colour and culture that fronted me from every possible direction! The grand Christmas tree towered over the square with a Spanish looking 'fuente' fountain standing in front, it was a meeting of fusion culture that the Philippines plays off effortlessly. Music filled the air with a talent show taking place, it was great to watch the dancers breakout their moves with the tightest choreo! I knew that a sense of 'fiesta' was being served as I have seen documentaries depicting brightly coloured Mexican gatherings with such vibrant stalls that brought something more than continental Spanish fairs! That circular moment was berserk in the best possible way, it was everything that I was expecting from my comeback trip! The feeling of a Cebu Christmas was definitely felt in the air! 

Heading away from the lights and action of the square I had just found, I stuck to that adjoining main road like glue to a piece of paper. I didn't know those streets and with something coming over me and a travel day taking its toll, I knew my limits. I loved Cebu's night-time energy but knew that I wanted to catch up with some writing the next day because the days without an itinerary didn't need to be hectic, I knew my limits. I knew Cebu had certain plans for me but I was left wondering when I was asked by two ladies about services they had for me! I was not looking for what they had, I told them and said with conviction that I was sure their 'beautiful ladies' wouldn't be the right fit for me. Ako ay Bakla! I had nothing against those enterprising women as they walked along that main road, I just didn't require their services, respectfully. My first night in Cebu was showing me that a different vibe had found me in Visayas compared with Luzon's Manila! I know that I will be returning to Cebu once again in the future! A drink? Sige! 

Yes, I wanted a few drinks before bed but I didn't want to be hungover the next day! Which one of the many bars was I going to choose? Now, as I said before I didn't feel like  'mad one' because Manila had done that job for me! I wanted to have a few drinks, observe and then sleep off the long travel day from Manila in my comfortable hotel bed. Google came through for me, I didn't feel like searching high or low, nor did I have any late night ideas. I sipped on a few rums at 'Barcode Restobar'. Well, those few drinks were strong, they were enjoyed at the bar with the whole establishment in my view to check out. It was giving 'old white man seeks Filipina!' Those Filipina women were knock-out gorgeous, whilst those 'presumably western men' would never be able to match in the looks department. I sipped with my thoughts kept to myself, it was also their night out and they appeared as if they were getting the best out of it. Cebu had greeted me with a colourful introduction, I returned to my hotel before it was mad late! Tapos na! Yes, po!

Gusto kong magpahinga!

Desperately Seeking Adventure