We arrived in Cebu around 12pm. The ferry took about 2 hours from Tagbilaran, Bohol. I didn’t book any tours or driver ahead of time, but they were people waiting outside offering tours.
As we were walking outside a lady came up to me and offered me a driver and a car. We talked of what we wanted to do and we ended up with a price of 5,000 pesos ($96) for the car and the driver for 6 hours.
The car arrived, we got our stuff in the car and was ready to go, but the AC in the car wasn’t working at all. The driver claimed he picked up the car that morning and haven’t gotten a chance to figure how things works. My husband and I were sweating like crazy in the back seat and we were getting irritated, opening the window didn’t helped at all. On top of that, I didn’t know we had to pay for gas, too. That was additional 1,000 pesos ($20).
I felt like I was ripped off, but the driver was nice and I’m sure he was just making money for living. Since we were on a vacation, I expected things like this to happen, so I let it go and I just wanted to enjoy the day.
First stop in Cebu —>>> Sirao Garden Little Amsterdam
We left the Go Hotels Manila at 6:30 am and our flight was at 8:00 am. The hotel was about 15 minutes away from the airport. Everything was fast and easy at the airport, but for someone like me, a diabetic took a little longer than a normal person should. I use an Tslim X2 insulin pump and a Dexcom sensor device that tells me what my blood sugar is.
We booked with Cebu Pacific Air. We checked in 1 luggage and 1 luggage per person is included as long as it was under 20 kg or 40 pounds.
Our gate was changed an hour before our boarding time and they announced it very clear. We didn’t have to guess and worried about it.
We walked down from 2nd floor to 1st floor and a shuttle bus was already waiting outside. Actually, there was probably 3 shuttle busses out there waiting for the passengers to be transfer to the airplane. Our airplane was parked away from the gates. It was actually fun. We rode the shuttle for about 5 minutes and we walked from the bus to the airplane. The walk was about 2-3 minutes it was just right in front of the airplane, but I enjoyed it. Haha.
We had to go through the back door of the airplane because our seat number was 20.
The flight was only an hour and food wasn’t included unless you pay for it.
Finally we arrived in Bohol.
We didn’t booked any cars for us because the hotel charges a bit more. My friend suggested to check out people outside the airport, offering tour packages and negotiate prices with them.
First person I found was very nice. She wasn’t pushy and negotiating pretty easy. She asked questions; what and where do we want to go and do. They also showed a list of tour with pictures and I just pointed out what we want to check.
We ended up with 3,000 pesos ($56) for the van with driver, gas was included for the whole day. I think, thats pretty fair deal for both.
Out first stop was Tarsier.
We arrived in Manila around noon on a Sunday. There was no traffic and the roads were easy to drive. I think it was a good time to arrive that day. Gave us time to adjust and just relax.
My friends from childhood picked us up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I was glad the airport was organized. I couldn’t use my cell phone (Verizon). I tried using one of the plan they offered, $10 a day, but I couldn’t send or call anyone at all. I turned my data off and turn the airplane mode just in case I get charged. FYI, no free WiFi at the airport. Only free for anyone who has globe or smart phones. Good thing my friend lend me her extra phone and I used hotspot for my phone to work.
Once we got outside where the “greeting area” was. My friends found me right away. There’s an area for people to park in front of the airport for some time and made it easier for us.
We made a reservation at Go Hotels Manila AirPort Road. It was too early to check in so we just dropped our bags and left.
After dropping off our things at the hotel. We went to Manam Comfort Filipino. It’s a Filipino restaurant. There was a bit of a wait, but the restaurant was clean and the staff was very friendly.
We were told not to drink tap water. Only bottled water or soda in can and no ice. We didn’t want to risk getting sick in our trip.
My friend Grace ordered for us and she did great with the choices. Since I have never been there, I told her she can order for us. She ordered a lot!
One of my favorites was the house crispy sisig. The others were good, but I’m satisfied with the sisig with white rice. There palabok was good, too, and the presentation was pretty cool.
Manam Food
After lunch we went back to the hotel and checked in. The room was pretty small but we were just there for 1 night. We had to catch an early flight the next day anyway. Go hotels Manila Airport Road was about 10-15 minutes away. Grab costs around $5.
I finally visited the Philippines after 19 years since I moved to California with my family.
Thank goodness for social media, I wouldn’t be able to keep in touch with my friends and family.
We flew with Eva Air from San Francisco to Taipei. It took about 13 hours, but it felt like forever. It was a very uncomfortable. Their economy seats were too small. I suggested you to pay extra for bigger seats and bigger spaces for your legs. I am a small person and I was not comfortable at all. I probably slept around 3-4 hours.
You do get your own tv monitor and they have free movies, but very limited. They served us 2 meals. One for dinner 2 hours after take off and one for breakfast 2 hours before landing. Food was surprisingly good. You can also request specific diet after buying the tickets. I selected the diabetic food and my husband selected whatever was available. However, I didn’t select any diet restrictions on our flight back home and I had more choices.
Here are some examples of food they offered during our flights.
Spaghetti
Chicken
Beef
We landed in Taipei and had about 2 hours layover. The gates were not far away from each other, but their system was very unorganized. My husband and I had to guessed what to do. They were screaming at people to grab a card, but they didn’t really explain what it was for. We basically just followed other people ahead of us.
We had to go through security again inside the airport for transferring gates. Which I feel like it wasn’t necessary, but I guess its different every airport.
They have a lot of stores in the airport and there was the Hello Kitty store. Our gate C3 was where the Hello Kitty store and I was happy to hang around the store while we waited for our plane, but I didn’t know that our gate was underneath. I heard people talking, we still need to walk down the stairs to our gate. My husband and I walked down the stair and found the C3 gate. It was a really odd airport, but I was glad we arrived at our gate on time.
They let people in by their zone number, 30 minutes before departure time.
Taipei to Manila was very easy. It was about 2 hour flight. Our seats were actually bigger, but the plane was smaller. We were surprised how comfortable, and we were offered a meal.
Walking around the airportHello Kitty pay phone. My meal from Taipe to Manila.
Manila was hot and sticky! Their “free WiFi” at the airport was not really free. You have to have a Philippine number to be able to use their free WiFi. Ninoy Aquino airport was organized. Everyone spoke English pretty well and everyone was very helpful.
Since I couldn’t use any WiFi. We followed the signs. We picked up our bags, a bit of a wait, but went through the customs pretty easy.
We walked out and followed the “greeting area” sign. You take left if your last name starts with A-L and M-Z to the right. Since I couldn’t get a hold of my friends. We came outside and followed the “O” signs. I didn’t even get to “O” and we already found each other! It was a big reunion for us!
What a day! I was so happy to be at the Gohotel. For 19 years everything changed!
Korinne’s Adventures 
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