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| The beautiful Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. |
Every destination in the world, no matter how beautiful
it is, has its own story of ugliness or notoriety to deal with that when left
unchecked for a long period of time becomes a major issue, could blemish the
reputation of the said place. In the Philippines, when you consider Cebu to be
among the places you would like to visit and spend a short, or even a long
vacation with, then you’re having a safe, and quality stay. The people here are
friendly, helpful, and most hospitable.
Dubbed as the Queen city of the South, Cebu has a lot to
offer making your stay not only becoming truly enriched and engaging but as
well a one of its kind. With a unique blend of rich history, culture, people,
food, stunning natural wonders, and world class amenities, what else do you
want to ask more for a vacay?
Compared to other cities, and even with the country’s
city capital of Manila, Cebu city ranks among the best cities in the world to
visit or live. However, precautionary measures must still be observed though to
ensure the maximum safety of both the foreign and local tourists alike. Just
like any other cities in the world, it shares the same risks that might be
considered an isolated case.
Prioritize your safety
So when you’re in Cebu and it’s your first time, the first
thing you’re going to do is to look for a nice, secure, and comfortable place
to stay. Look for reputable hotels situated right in the heart of the city or
anywhere near a well-lighted business hub, historical and industrial landmarks,
and police stations. There are lots of these types of hotels to choose from
depending on your budget.
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| A view from the Ayala mall terraces. |
Names like
Waterfront,
Cebu Parklane International,
Crown Regency,
Radisson blu, and
Marriott, among other hotels, become a byword
for convenience and elegance.
Be cautious or wary while walking in
some of the most crowded streets of the city. Colon Street in downtown Cebu is known
as the oldest street in the Philippines. But the historical Colon Street you
will come to see about, where old buildings still stand today and the vehicular
traffic making it looking more like jumbled up, is crowded with people from all
walks of life (bad elements included).
So it’s advisable to take off all of your expensive jewelries while walking
in these streets. Snatchers, scattered among the crowd or lurking in the dark
corners, are always on the lookout for these unadvised individuals wearing
jewelries and other expensive items to be their next victims.
When riding a taxi, make sure that the meter is working
well. Also, take note of the plate number, driver’s name on the ID card (usually hanged at the front seat area beside the driver), and the
name of the taxi you’re riding (just in case). If you noticed anything wrong or
the driver looks suspicious, find a well-lighted place with some people walking
on the roadside and get out. If the driver won’t stop then call the local
emergency hotline numbers for help. Call the CITOM (Cebu Traffic Operations
Management) at +63 32 253 9211 or the Police Department. Cebu city Police
Department has many police stations scattered throughout the city. The police station
situated near the Waterfront hotel area can be reached at this number +63 32 254 6968.
Means of transportation
These are the means of transportation available that
would take you to your destination within or outside the city area. You can ride
a taxi, a multicab, or through the rent a car within the city area. Outside
the city and to the provincial areas of Cebu, there’s a bus, a passenger van,
or you can rent a car you can ride getting there.
Riding a multicab is one best way to experience firsthand
how it’s like going around the city. Filipino multicab drivers are one of the
most skillful and experienced drivers in the world so expect some evasive
steering wheel maneuvers displayed by these drivers to avoid collision. You could
only be stunned and thrilled at the same time. A horse cart or locally called
Calesa is still available as a means of transportation in some selected areas
of the city.
For you to be able to ride in a horse cart is a truly wonderful
experience.
Join in the fun
The fact that you’re in Cebu for a vacation is to enjoy
the vacation itself. You’re most welcome here, so feel at home, enjoy your stay,
and join in the fun. People may be experiencing different impressions (good and
bad) of the places they have been visiting for the first time and probably a
culture shock, but that would only be temporary. What’s lasting is the
worthwhile experience gained as a result from appreciating the people, places, and
culture other than your own.
Enjoy the food
Filipinos, especially the Cebuano of the Visayas, have a
deep craving for what is a delicious food. Cebu’s roasted pig or locally known
as the litson baboy is considered one of the world’s bests according to a
report by Time magazine. Aside from roasted pig, Cebuanos are also known for
their
sutukil (a combination of
Sugba,
Tuwa, and
Kilaw) which is to grill the
pork, a fish soup, and a raw fish salad. There are still many Cebuano foods you
would find delicious to eat and worth a try.
Explore the paradisiacal countryside
One of the main reasons people would like to consider in
a vacation is the availability of the extraordinary beauty of nature. You can
have it all in Cebu, from its well adorned city to the paradisiacal landscapes
of its countryside. It’s a package, you’ll see, for making your stay in an
island called
Sugbo a worthwhile experience.
