Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Eve in Camotes

Camotes Islands - according to wikipedia, is a group of islands in the Camotes Sea, Philippines. Comprised of three major islands divided between four municipalities. The island group is located east of Cebu Island, southwest of Leyte Island, and north of Bohol Island. 

The Map:


















The Itinerary:

  • Check out hotels. For a full list please click the link below.
  • Bukilat Cave
  • Buho Rock
  • Lake Danao
  • Mangadlong Rock
  • Mangadlong Paradise Resort
  • Timobo Cave or Timobu 
  • San Francisco Baywalk

The Travelouge:


5:00 A.M. - E.T.D. from Mabolo, Cebu City.

We could have left earlier but the travel partner needed a lot of time to prep herself up. Facial overhaul slash make-up galore, uhm sorry that was just purely exaggeration. Made two stops along the way, first to an automated teller machine, since none can be found in the islands of Camotes and for our second stop - at McDonald's for some Iced Coffee (to perk me up)!


There are two ways to get to Camotes Islands, one is to directly take a ship from Cebu City port to the Port of Poro in Camotes and the other is to head all the way to Danao City. In all my trips to Camotes, I have always used the latter.

Since it was a day before Christmas, the queue to the ticket counter was a kilometer long, as expected. Thanks to the wits, agility and negotiating skills of my travel partner, she successfully squeezed ourselves in the 7:30 A.M. boat trip.

The Travel Time:

From Cebu City to Danao City port minus the chaotic northbound traffic takes about 60 minutes. Distance is approximately 37 kilometers from the city proper. Travel time is just an approximate considering road conditions, diversions, weather conditions, traffic and the like affect driving distance.


From Danao City port to Consuelo port takes about 2 hours.


T'was raining when we left and the sea was a bit angry that day too but I couldn't care less, I was too sleepy to take notice of how rough the seas have become.

The Modes of Transportation:

  • PUJ (Public Utility Jeepney) - Jeepney route number 27 bearing the sign DANAO. Terminal is at Whitegold Club Inc., Soriano Avenue, Reclamation Area, Cebu City. Fare is at 30 pesos.
  • PUB (Public Utility Bus) - hop on one at the North Bus Terminal, North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City. Fare is at 35 pesos (non-aircon) and 
  • Taxi - one would be so lucky to hire a metered taxi. For long distance travels, hone your haggling skills, a flat rate that seemingly starts at 700 pesos is their usual asking fee.(I prefer KEN Taxi (032) 272-1995.
  • V-Hire (Van for Hire) - Terminal is at SM City Cebu and fare is at 50 pesos.
  • Private Car
NOTE: When taking PUV's tell the driver to drop you off Danao Port.

The Schedule:

Jomalia Shipping Lines


Danao Port to Consuelo Port      Consuelo Port
 to Danao Port
  Departure          Arrival               Departure          Arrival

  5:30 A.M.           7:30 A.M.         4
:00 A.M.           6:00 A.M.
  8:30 A.M.         10:30 A.M.         5:30 A.M.           7:30 A.M.
11:00 A.M.           1:00 P.M.         9:00 A.M.         11:00 A.M.
  2:00 P.M.           4:00 P.M.         1:00 P.M.           3:00 P.M.
  5:30 P.M.           7:30 P.M.         5:00 P.M.           7:00 P.M.
  9:00 P.M.         11:00 P.M.

Super Shuttle Ferry



NOTE: Schedules are subject to change without a prior notice.

Travel Tidbits:
  1. English is widely spoken.
  2. Credit cards are mostly accepted in hotels and other commercial establishments like resto's & spas.
  3. Mobile networks bear good signal strengths in most areas. Globe having the strongest reception and Sun Cellular, the weakest and even in some areas no signal at all.
  4. "Habal-habal" is widely used within the island at 50 pesos per trip. Click here to know more about "habal-habal".
  5. Travel tour agencies offer day tour packages, but they are rather pricey. You can do DIY trips, or better yet hire a "habal-habal" for a day starting at 500 pesos.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

iTalk Christmas Dinner Buffet

The simplest company Christmas party I have ever attended... ever, ever, ever! But at least there was a dinner party. Well more of a dinner than a party, but nevertheless the girls had a great time while they joyfully feasted on the array of dishes presented on the conference table turned dinner table.

I suppose the star of every festive occasion is the famous at the same time infamous Lechon. So close to the heart of almost every Cebuano despite it being bad for one's heart. Interestingly enough, this well-loved delicacy has never been the apple of my eye despite the crunchy apple it bites while lavishly sprawled on the table. What made my night oh so divine was the sight of the empanadas. An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries in Latin Europe, Latin America, the Southwestern United States, and parts of Southeast Asia... TMI*, I know. Anyway, I must have gobbled about 5 empanadas, a RATED PG moment (as in patay gutom).

Enough being said, time for some documentation or in layman's term although a bit high-tech -"selfwe"; "groupie"; or simply known as kodak in my younger years.


* too much information