Maribago Bluewater Resort and Spa, Mactan Island, Cebu
Hello Hive!
It's time for another showcase of Philippine Islands! This time, I don't have to go far from where I live. This will be all about Cebu and Visayas Islands.
I just posted in
Photography Lovers community some photos of Carnaza Island and La Manok Island. Those islands are less known compared to their neighbouring touristy ones, but they're not inferior to Bantayan Island or Camotes. In fact, their less popular status as a tourist destination made them more appealing to visit. Anyway, know more about those islands in this post:
This is sort of a compilation post of the places in Cebu and the neighbouring islands that I've visited, just like those islands above, but with new and added photos I've never shared before. The reason why I'm doing this now is because
Cebu and Visayas Islands has been awarded as
Best in Asia by
Condé Nast Traveler's The Best Islands in the World: 2020 Readers' Choice Awards.
This is a celebration post!
Maribago Bluewater Resort and Spa, Mactan Island, Cebu
Why is it a big deal?
Condé Nast Traveler is a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine that has won 25 National Magazine Awards. This year's Readers' Choice Awards has a record of 600,000 voters who weigh in the best in the world, may it be cities, islands, hotels, and countries. Take note that this year is their 33rd annual survey.
To be recognized by a US travel magazine as the Best Island in Asia is a big deal for me. As a traveller who keeps on promoting the tourist attractions here in Cebu and Visayas, it makes me very proud. It means what I'm promoting ranks at par with the bests in the world.
Mt. Mago, Carmen, Cebu
At around the same period last year, we went to Boracay and about a month after, Condé Nast Traveler announced that Boracay was the Best Island in Asia for 2019. Cebu & Visayas Islands followed in the second spot and Palawan in the fourth spot. The Philippines has always been a constant contender for the Best Islands in Asia. I wrote about Boracay in a series of posts:
[1] Kim's Quest #14: Strolling Around Boracay at Night
[2] Kim's Quest #15: Boracay (Part 1) - Best Island in Asia (Condé Nast Traveler's 2019 Readers' Choice Awards)
[3] Kim's Quest #16: Boracay (Part 2) - Best Island in Asia (Condé Nast Traveler's 2019 Readers' Choice Awards)
I can't believe Cebu & Visayas Islands took the top spot this year. Palawan is still at the fourth spot. Siargao is fifth and Boracay is sixth. This makes the Philippines the country with the highest number of contenders within the top 10.
Cebu and Visayas Islands deserve to be the Best Island in Asia. If you're not yet convinced, I'll give you more reasons why you should visit here. I might tour you around. At your expense, of course. 😂
Maribago Bluewater Resort and Spa, Mactan Island, Cebu
I wrote something similar to this post last May. I think I should focus on the places that were not mentioned in that post. Please check that post out so that you will have an idea on why Cebu is worth a visit. You can find that post here:
You can go through all editions of my Definitely Cebu and Philippine Islands series as those places are all within the vicinity, but I bet you won't do that so I'll add here some of the posts that are not included in the post above.
Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is a waterhole and a series of waterfalls in the municipality of Badian at the southwest coast of Cebu. The
article specially mentioned Kawasan Falls because it's the most famous spot in Cebu. They recommended not to visit the falls on weekends because it can get really crowded, but you actually can. You just have to be early or you can go above the first tier and find a quiet spot. Find out more here:
When you visit Kawasan Falls, don't settle in immediately at the first level. That's where most of the people stay so it's always crowded there. Try to go to the third level, that's beyond the dam, because only a few would go there. That's also where the main source of the falls is also located. In the first two levels, you're no longer allowed to do cliff jumping because of the danger of the rocks located below. In the third level, you can jump all you want.
We had a road trip yesterday to the south of Cebu and Kawasan Falls is already open, but you're not allowed to swim. You can just take pictures for 10 minutes. We decided not to push through with the plan to visit the falls because it's not worth it at this time. You need to walk for 30 minutes to reach the first level and you're just allowed there for 10 minutes to take pictures.
That famous Cebu Southern Bend. It's called Ili Rock that's located in the town of Boljoon.
Other Spots in Cebu
I've visited a lot of tourist spots here in Cebu already and I felt I still have a lot to visit. To give you an idea, here's a full list under my Definitely Cebu series:
[1] Definitely Cebu #1: Tuslob Buwa at Colon Street (Cebu's Street Food Scene)
[2] Definitely Cebu #2: Puto Bumbong and Halo-Halo - Filipino Desserts in Colon and Tisa
[3] Definitely Cebu #3: Mt. Lanaya via Legaspi Trail - Alegria's Coast to Base Camp
[4] Definitely Cebu #4: Mt. Lanaya via Legaspi Trail - Assault to the Peak
[5] Definitely Cebu #5: Maravilla White Beach - Tabuelan, Cebu
[6] Definitely Cebu #6: Cheesy Goodness at Fat Dois
[7] Definitely Cebu #7: Arterra Bayfront Residences at Discovery Bay
[8] Definitely Cebu #8: Alta Cebu Village Resort and Convention Center
[9] Definitely Cebu #9: Lambug Beach, Badian, Cebu
[10] Definitely Cebu #10: Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
[11] Definitely Cebu #11: Climbing Mt. Mauyog
[12] Definitely Cebu #12: Mt. Manunggal ft. the Other Side of Mt. Mauyog
[13] Definitely Cebu #13: Cancalanog Falls in Alegria, Cebu
[14] Definitely Cebu #14: Bantayan Island Escapade
[15] Definitely Cebu #15: Tour at Oboob Mangrove Garden (Eco-Park), Bantayan Island
Take note that it's not an exhaustive list of spots in Cebu that I've visited because there some that are under my Kim's Quest series. Some are spots are still to be written, especially the ones I've visited recently. Stay tuned for them soon!
Other Islands in the Visayas
Mt. Mago, Carmen, Cebu
Other island provinces in the Visayas are equally stunning and I visited only a few of them, although I am planning to visit all of them in the future. I was mostly focused in Central and Western Visayas. Eastern Visayas will be on the list once the pandemic is over. Alright, let's start with Bohol.
Bohol
Chocolate Hills of Carmen, Bohol
Bohol is a province in Central Visayas that's comprised of Bohol Island and many other smaller islands. Bohol is most notably known for Chocolate Hills, an unusual geological formation made up of more than 1,200 near-perfect shaped mounds or hills. Bohol is also known for its diverse marine ecosystem that's ideal for diving. What impressed me the most about Bohol is its successful sustainable eco-tourism programs. You can find more about Bohol in my series below:
[1] Philippine Islands #2: Virgin Island, Panglao, Bohol
[2] Philippine Islands #4: Panglao Island, Bohol
[3] Kim's Quest #36: Journey to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol
[4] Kim's Quest #37: Culinary Adventure at Loay River Cruise
Siquijor
Paliton Beach of San Juan, Siquijor
Siquijor has a special place in my heart. The mystical island offers a different experience compared to any other islands in the Philippines. For you to fully experience its true beauty, you have to be open to the idea that witchcraft, faith healing, and mysticism has been always part of the cultural identity of the people living in the island. You can find out more about my experience when I visited the island in a series of posts below:
[1] Kim's Quest #39: On the Way to Isla del Fuego (Siquijor Island)
[2] Kim's Quest #40: Tales of Siquijor (Isla del Fuego) - Part I
[3] Kim's Quest #41: Bolo Bolo Spring - the Secret of Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor
[4] Kim's Quest #42: Siquijor's Healing Festival at Mt. Bandilaan
[5] Kim's Quest #43: Kamp Aninipot and Capilay Spring Park of Siquijor
[6] Kim's Quest #44: Tales of Lazi, Siquijor
Negros Island
A view of Negros Island (Negros Oriental side) from Tañon Strait
The island where I was born and spent my childhood. It is composed of two provinces: Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. I haven't explored much of the island except I went to Bacolod twice. There's so much to see there, but I haven't had the opportunity yet. I have been to Lake Balinsasayao in Sibulan, some places in Dumaguete, Manjuyod Sandbar in Bais, but other than that, I'm still curious about what to see in Negros Oriental. It's still in my dream to climb Mt. Talinis and Mt. Kanlaon. In the meantime, I'll just share some of my escapades in Negros:
[1] Kim's Quest #3: Ancestral Houses of Silay City, Negros Occidental
[2] Pine Forest, Don Salvador Benedicto
[3] Kim's Taste #1: Pecan Pie and Cheese Cakes of Calea Pastries and Coffee
[4] Kim's Taste #6: Grab those Finest Delicacies at Bongbong's
[5] Kim's Taste #7: One of the Juiciest Grilled Chicken at Manokan Country
[6] Kim's Taste #9: Bring Your Friends to Coffee Stop & Snack Hauz
[7] Kim's Taste #25: Terraza Cafe - A Scenic Place to Unwind
[8] Kim's Quest #23: One Calm Morning at Tañon Strait
[9] Exploring Bacolod City
[10] Kim's Quest #38: Bacolod New Government Center and Balay ni Tana Dicang
As you might have noticed, most of the entries are all about food. Well, you haven't really visited Negros Occidental without tasting their famous delicacies.
Panay Island
Pana