November 6, 2012

SuTuKil

We planned something special for lunch on our first day in Cebu because it's our friend, Dianne's birthday. We all thought SuTuKil was some kind of a restaurant in Mactan but we  were so wrong. We should've asked around first before going to Mactan from the city proper of Cebu. It was one hell of a road trip, it took us a couple of hours to arrive. I will never do that to myself ever again! Hah! 

It turned out, SuTuKil is the way the food was cooked, not a place to eat at. We ended up in a place that cooks SuTuKil which is hell of a lot like Dampa here in Manila. 

After our realization, we felt so stupid but anyway we've gotten there safe and sound so we just availed what's in front of us. It's an experience to remember because of all the effort, time, and money we've spent just to be there, it's literally the other side of Cebu!

Sinigang na Hipon or Filipino Shrimp Stew 
Inihaw na Liempo or Grilled Pork Belly 
Buttered Shrimp 
Inihaw na Pusit or Grilled Squid  
Fried Squid or Calamari
The reason why we went there! SuTuKil, abbreviation gotten from Sugba, Tuwa, and Kilawin. The picture shows grilled(su), stewed(tu), and ceviche(kil) lapu-lapu or grouper. ☺
It wasn't the best meal we've eaten but it's fine enough for our grumbling stomachs. The food were under average and I'd choose Dampa here in Manila in a blink of an eye over the place we've eaten but at least we've experienced what we've gone through and we now know better. It wasn't the best birthday lunch for our friend here but I hope our presence filled in with what the food lacked.☺


"It's the company, not the cooking, that makes a meal."


Toodles!☺
A

November 4, 2012

BOHOLiday!

From Cebu, we decided to side trip to Bohol via Ocean Jet ferry. It was a smooth sailing 2 hour ferry ride and the ferry seats were comfy and the a/c were just right cool so I slept like a baby almost the whole ride since I wake up at 6am!

My half smile gave me in that I'm not completely at peace with boats or ferries or ships. I always wonder what the vast water consists. I guess, we will never know.

When we arrived in Tagbilaran, I was so excited to start our 2 days/1 night trip to the island of Bohol! I heard a lot of great things about the town. 

We availed a package tour that will bring us to all the must see places in Bohol or as what they call it, the country-side tour. Just after a couple of minutes when we arrived, we already started our tour.☺

 I'm posing with the sandugo or the blood compact site which I know nothing about but I'm aware with the place because a local movie here in the Philippines shot a scene in the site. I read that it shows the treaty between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, the first ever treaty between the Spaniards and the Filipinos. ☺

The Loboc River. I believe that Bohol is very beautiful because of its very own people. They take very good care of their place! They value their place that's why other people values it too. In Bohol, you can really say it's more fun in the Philippines and mean it. 

 What I ate at the Loboc River Cruise. It's buffet lunch but I only ate this, maybe because I'm too excited to enjoy the surroundings. While you're eating and cruising Loboc, someone's singing live in the background. It's a good experience.

 I just love this shot that's why I have to include it here in this post! Haha.☺ 

 The hanging bridge. It's the highest hanging bridge I've passed through but it's sturdy so it's not as scary as I thought it would be.☺

 I'm not as scared as I was the first time. Going back is a lot easier. It's true what they say, the first step is the hardest but if you keep going, you'll get shocked how far you can go.☺

 I already managed to put my arms up while at the middle of the bridge. I told you, it gets easier.☺

 I wouldn't want to have them as a pet because they're scary looking but I learned a lot about them that day! They can't move their eyes so instead they move their head, they're nocturnal, they're very sensitive and in fact, suicidal. They are only available in Indonesia and the Philippines. And lastly, they are already endangered. One of the many things people go to Bohol is this so I wish they reproduce some more!  

 Goofing around. I just love wacky shots! 

 The Man-Made forest as our backdrop. It feels unreal to think it's man-made. It's creepy at night but in the afternoon, it looks amazing! Photo op!!! It's crazy how many Mahogany trees are there. It's environment-friendly and at the same time, tourist catching so it's an ideal project, really. 

 I'm addicted to The Vampire Diaries so I instantly thought of Mystic Falls and I almost wished to see Damon lying on the road waiting for a prey. Or you can also think of Twilight, Edward hunting for animals in the woods. I can go on and on. Hah! :p 

 Hermaphrodite butterfly. It's so cool I just have to include it in this post! I wonder if there are really hermaphrodite human beings in this world. I think it'd be odd but it's God given so acceptance is the key!☺

 That's a real butterfly on my hair! And it's playing dead! It's sooo cute!!!☺

 Camera trick! ♪'Spread your wings and prepare to fly.."

 Our guide was so funny we had a good laugh the whole butterfly garden tour! And when we saw this, we asked him to pose as Ketut Liyer in Eat, Pray, Love. :D I know what you've noticed! I'm so fat and I hate it! Haha!

 The whole Bohol caboodle.♥ 

 If the forest was man-made, these chocolate hills are heaven sent! God does wonder! It's crazy how many hills are there! And it's a breath taking view! It's surreal to even be there at the top of the highest hill.

 It was really exhausting to go up and when you see the view it's exhilarating! That's the reason why we all have to travel, because the world is one hell of a big gift from God and we only get to peek and feel what's inside when we travel. But all the money, effort, and time spent were all worth it! I swear! All worth it!♥

 This is something I'm not excited about. I'm never a pet lover and snakes are way too scary for me. But for the sake of seeing the largest snake in the Philippines, well here is Prony. She eats one whole pig or two goats every month. :s

 Since I didn't enjoyed Prony, at least we got to have a photo with this tarsier. lol! 

We also went to one of the oldest Jesuit churches in the Philippines. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception or very well known as the Baclayon Church. We missed going there our first day because it's already closed when we passed by but before going to the pier for our trip back to Cebu, we stopped by the church and we thanked and prayed our heart's desires.

I really believe in candle lighting. I lighted three candles: violet, blue, and pink. There are meanings for each color and I hope my wishes will be granted.♥

There's always a photo opportunity everywhere! Here I was, at the side of the famous Baclayon church. Spot Padre Pio!☺


If you want to read about our Panglao experience, click on the link below. More photos and stories coming up!☺