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Text and photos:Le Thang
We arrived in Cebu after an hour's flight from Manila. I don't understand much about aviation landing principles, but I think Cebu Pacific Air's landing on Mactan Island was special. The plane flew over Cebu City in the afternoon sun, curving out over the sea in a perfect arc. At times, the plane tilted its right wing as much as 45 degrees during the turns.
Cebu is famous for its coral islands, ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Cebu is the oldest city in the Philippines, boasting unique landscapes and cultural features. It is the most ancient city, with numerous historical sites and monuments linked to the formation and development of this land, known as the "Queen of the South." Cebu is the general name for the city, the town, the island, and the entire province. Cebu Island is narrow, stretching over 200km from north to south, surrounded by 167 smaller islands. Mactan Island is closely connected to Cebu and was chosen as the location for Cebu International Airport.
Our initial impression of Cebu was one of wildness and wonder. We were on our way to visit a guitar-making village, the first stop on our 3-day Cebu trip. It was truly fascinating. Besides learning about the guitar-making process, we also bought souvenirs – guitars of all sizes, from tiny ones the size of two fingers to professional-grade instruments. There were also many colorful souvenirs made from leftover wood from the guitar production process.
I met a very pretty girl here, the daughter of the owner of the musical instrument factory, who has mixed Filipino and Indian ancestry. Next, there was a very handsome Western tourist in the instrument display room. He played pieces that made us linger and enjoy them, even though it was time to leave.
As dusk fell, we continued our visit to the Lapu-Lapu Temple, highlighted by a 20-meter-tall bronze statue commemorating the victory of the Cebuanos indigenous leaders over the Spanish invasion in 1521. Around the temple, there were many stalls selling unique souvenirs. I bought almost all the gifts for my friends there.
The sunrise in Cebu was brilliant and refreshing. From the balcony of my high-rise hotel, I could see the sun rising somewhere off the eastern coast. Strange-shaped clouds began to glow against the blue sky, as the first flight of the day prepared to land on Mactan Island. Sunlight began to penetrate the still-dark corners of the city.
I left the high-rise building and wandered through the tranquil little streets of Cebu. The streets, with their long, winding slopes, created captivating interplay of light and shadow, allowing the sunlight to appear and disappear. I passed colorful houses, met people of all ages playing basketball in sun-drenched courtyards, and saw others sleeping peacefully on their porches. Cebu's streets also bear the marks of the city's tumultuous history. At night, Cebu comes alive with tempting food stalls, a rich musical culture with diverse performance spaces, and the captivating voices of local singers.
Cebu has skyscrapers, and the Skywalk was an unforgettable experience for me there. We got to walk on the edge of Cebu's tallest building, zip-line across the rooftops of 40-story buildings, and most importantly, I got some amazing photos from the city's rooftop.
Cebu is famous for its white sandy beaches lined with coconut trees and coral reefs ideal for snorkeling and diving. We were on our way to Nalusuan Island, home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs. After a 45-minute boat ride from Mactan Island harbor, we arrived around noon. The water, under the bright sunshine, was an unusually clear blue. I had never seen water so transparent and with such a unique color. Without much thought, we plunged into the water, immersing ourselves in the schools of fish and coral reefs.
Today was also our last day in the Philippines. Our final lunch was a BBQ on a beautiful little island with seemingly endless stretches of pristine white sand. Everyone was tired and hungry after more than an hour of swimming and snorkeling among colorful fish and coral reefs in the turquoise waters. We were thrilled with the most delightful lunch of the trip; the food was delicious, and the enchanting singing of the lovely local band filled the air.
We gathered together to play on the white sandy beaches, not forgetting to take souvenir photos of our meaningful trip. I always made sure to capture beautiful pictures, with the ultimate theme being the incredibly attractive girls immersing themselves in the clear blue water and pristine white sand.
Additional information:
+ About Amazing Photo Tour (APT):
Please refer to the following:www.amazingphototour.vn
+ Movement:
You can travel to Cebu from Hanoi or via Manila, depending on your needs. Fly with Cebu Pacific Air. There is also a round-trip ferry from Manila to Cebu, with a journey time of 20 hours.
+ Accommodation:
Hotels in Cebu are quite diverse, ranging from budget-friendly to 5-star hotels and resorts, spread throughout the city as well as in the island resorts.
+ Tourist attractions:
- Basílica Menor del Santo Niño
- Magellan's Cross
ButTriangle FortressFuerza de San Pedro
- Lapu-Lapu Temple
- Taoist temple
+ Cuisine:
Since becoming an international city,CebuThere are many types of food to choose from. You can try local Cebuano dishes or international dishes from Korea, Japan, Italy, the USA, and other countries.
For more details and to book a tour, please visit our website:www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.vnAlternatively, contact the Philippine Tourism Authority in Vietnam at: (+848) 3 551 2202 | Facebook: Philippine Tourism – Vietnam.
