Birthday Weekend in Cebu

 

 

I can’t remember that last time I was in Cebu on my birthday. I left Cebu for college when I was 17, going home only for school breaks. Until now that I have kids, I only get a chance to go home during school breaks – this time, my kids’ breaks. I guess when you get “older” ( yes with quotation marks), you want to lean back to where you came from, to the place where you had the best childhood memories.

I booked the flight 10 months ahead. Thank you, seat sale! But our flight was rescheduled at 6am, thus, I had to wake up at 3am after sleeping sporadically because I was paranoid of missing our flight and my kids were uber excited all week! My boys woke up as early as 4am, good job boys!

 

 

It was a pleasant flight and I thank God for kid1’s seat mate on the plane. Perfect weather, take off, and landing. Hello Cebu! I’m excited for Mactan Airport’s Terminal 2.

 

Because it was a weekend, traffic was smooth. We went straight to husband’s hotel in downtown Cebu and blew my birthday candle on top of a decadent bread pudding. As per birthday tradition, off we went to Santo Niño!

I felt that I committed a mortal sin for not visiting Cebu’s top historical site last December when we were in Cebu for more than 2 weeks and I hope I made up for it though. Prayed inside the church and because I insist of historical lessons every time we travel, I felt very lucky that the queue to the Holy Infant Jesus was short.

The last time I paid a visit was more than a decade ago.

 

I assume taking photos of the religion icon is not allowed inside. I was too shy to even try it because not a single devotee was holding even a phone. The guard didn’t even warn me all the while seeing my big bulky camera but I think, nobody should take photos while inside the holy chamber.

Because there were few people, I had a chance to enjoy a few photo ops outside. This courtyard used to be where devotees light candles.

 

A Cebuano tradition, something I found it different when I arrived in Iloilo where I had to look for the area in churches where I can light my candles.

 

Kid 1 was bugging me to go to Magellan’s Cross. He had seen it many times over but maybe it was only lately that it fully drawn to him because of his Social Studies in school.

I don’t know why people are starting to take photos in front of the cross. Kid1 just pulled his little brother, he wanted to show it to his friends. Personally, I don’t like it – it’s a religious object. What do you think?

 

Let’s have our touristy photos from the outside, shall we?

 

It’s funny how touristy I felt in my own city but it was great for my children. Completing Cebu’s must-visit historical sites or those thinking about places to visit in Cebu for first time visitors is Fort San Pedro.

 

If one of my high school barkada is reading this post, she’ll be thinking, ” There she goes again“. I’ve been teased for my undying fascination of forts especially Fort San Pedro. Well, I love history and this Fort brought many childhood memories.

 

After our Fort San Pedro tour and starting to get sticky, we head off to the mall for lunch and to buy clothes. We traveled light  that I only packed my kid’s sleeping wear. After the mall, we picked up our things at my husband’s hotel to MY hotel.

Hello again, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu!

 

I’ll never get tired of this view

 

Thanks for the wonderful flowers and special touches, Marco Polo Cebu. I’m a sucker for hotel room work stations. Not pictured is my birthday cake from the hotel.

 

 

While my kids went straight to the pool, I went to the Blu Bar for much deserved cocktails. The best rooftop bar in Cebu.

 

My birthday lunch came a day late on a Sunday. I love Rico’s Restaurant at Axis in Escario. As I said before, sosyal for a lechon house. If you are looking for where to eat in Cebu or restaurants in Cebu, include this in your list.

 

Perfect combo!

 

Across Rico’s is a nice cake shop where we had our dessert. Back at the hotel, my family had a quick bonding at the hotel over pizza, beer, and the famous Malicious cookies. Marco Polo Plaza Cebu sent these as soon as we arrived for my kids but my brother finished them all. Can’t blame him.

 

Family bonding continued until dinner. Short and sweet with my sister in Japan as the only absentee on my special day. I didn’t take photos of our group, she might cry. haha.

I love taking trips on my birthday where I can enjoy and spoil myself with self-love. Thanks again, Cebu especially to Marco Polo Cebu for the wonderful time. We will be seeing more often from now on, Cebu!

 

Thanks for reading!