From Cebu’s Peaks to the Depths of the Sea: A Solo Traveler's Adventure

Today I’m leaving this beautiful country, on my way to Hong Kong.  

You’ve already heard about my time in Davao in this blog post, but today is all about my short yet incredible time here in Cebu.

I had an action-packed four days with one highlight after another, all flawlessly organized by Travel Cebu (again, not sponsored!). Originally, I planned to handle everything myself, as I’ve done in every other location. But organizing transportation on this rather large island proved to be somewhat challenging. At one point, I considered renting a scooter. I know how to ride motorcycles, so what could possibly go wrong? 😄 Picture me with my 15 kg backpack and “personal item” on a scooter, in a place where I’m sure traffic laws exist, but they very much escaped me. I was hard-pressed just to cross the street, let alone drive! Thankfully, I listened to some well-meant advice and abandoned the scooter idea.

Equally fortunate, I serendipitously met a former co-worker who highly praised Travel Cebu and the package they offered. It covered everything I was trying to figure out on my own. So, it was a no-brainer! The only thing was, as a solo traveler, I ended up on a private tour – just me, my personal driver, and priority treatment at every activity. You get the idea. Combine that setup with my skin color, and I never felt "whiter" in my life. 😅

What I cherish most about traveling is connecting with people, which this private setup made a bit more challenging. Still, I had a few delightful encounters. I stayed at a lovely beach resort Down South, (again, not sponsored – but this is a Facebook link; this country runs on FB and FB Messenger!). With a little courtesy, I managed to connect with the wonderful staff there. After hearing about my plans the next day, they sweetly offered me a shower in my room after my water activities. How sweet is that? ❤️ A clean shower after saltwater and before hiking up a peak was much appreciated!

Now, on to the activities from these three days. Hold on – it’s going to be a fast ride! 😄

Day 1: Sightseeing in Cebu City

The first stop was the Sirao Flower Farm. Not quite what I expected! 😂 Given the island's climate and natural beauty, I imagined a vast array of plants. Don’t get me wrong, there were plants, and they were beautiful, but the main theme was photo spots for tourists 📸. It was too funny not to join in, even though they’re not exactly made for the solo traveler. Use your imagination as you scroll through the pics! 😆

Next was the Temple of Leah. Another surprise! A loving and (obviously) insanely rich husband removed part of a mountain to set up a Greek-inspired temple for his late wife. Inside, you'll find all kinds of intriguing memorabilia. My personal favorite is the contrast of styles you’ll see in this picture. Have fun finding it!

After that, we visited the Taoist Temple. Fun story: I ran into a group of four fun-loving women at the Temple of Leah and, later, met them again at the Taoist Temple. Along with an older Aussie gentleman, we ended up doing a hilarious "and jump" photo. Sadly, I don’t have evidence of the encounter, but it’s imprinted in my memory!

We also explored Magellan’s Cross, which encloses the original cross that Magellan set up in 1521. Nearby were the Basilica del Santo Niño and the Heritage Monument, all showcasing Cebu’s deep historical roots.

One of my personal favorites was the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, over 300 years old and still owned by the same family after 11 generations 😲. The owners even stay there on weekends! Like everything else in the Philippines, it was already decorated for Christmas – it's a -ber month (September to December) when Christmas celebrations begin 🎄.

We wrapped up the day with a visit to the newly opened Malacañang Museum, offering a nice overview of Cebu’s history. Day one – check! ✔️

Day 2: Island Adventures

A 4:00 AM pickup took me to Moalboal for Pescador Island Hopping, Sardine Run, and Turtle Watching. Snorkeling bright and early, surrounded by countless sardines, was an incredible experience. Sadly, we didn’t spot any sea turtles despite my guide's best efforts. He kept ditching me in pursuit of turtles while I frantically tried to keep up – all while half-blind in my goggles! 😂 It turned into quite the morning workout, but I’m here to tell the tale!

Next, we headed to Kawasan Falls Canyoneering. This was even more of a workout but in the most fun way possible 🤩. I have to admit, having a personal guide here was amazing – those rocks are slippery! With jumps, slides, and the stunning scenery, I was grateful for the helping hand. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

From there, we drove to Down South Beach Resort, where I enjoyed one of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises I’ve ever seen 🌅❤️.

Day 3: Whale Sharks and Peaks

We started bright and early with the Whale Shark Encounter in Oslob. Yes, it’s touristy, but being so close to these majestic creatures was breathtaking. Although we were told to stay 5 meters away, the whale sharks didn’t get the same memo! 😅 Hanging onto the boat, I found myself almost dodging their tail fins. I’ve added a short video to give you a glimpse!

Next, we visited Sumilon Sandbar for more snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Sadly, I didn’t bring an underwater camera, so you’ll have to use your imagination!

Finally, after a much-needed shower, we made our way to Osmeña Peak. Here, I got a glimpse of the simplicity and beauty of mountain life, thanks to a kind local guide. The views were stunning – check them out! 😍

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Now, as I sit at Manila airport, heading to Hong Kong, I can’t believe how fast time has flown. The experiences I’ve had here are absolutely invaluable. ❤️

Stay tuned for the next updates from Hong Kong.

With gratitude,

Renate