Trip Ko Lang

Here are 5 things to do before going on a trip. I have gathered these useful tips based on personal experiences as an appointed planner of the group/initiator/adventure lover/eager traveller with my family and friends’ holiday trips.

1. Google it. Do online research on your travel destination. Google will provide you with good results from different  blogger experiences on hotels, beach resorts, how to get there, accommodation rates, places to visit and etc. You will get a more friendly and realistic reviews/comments and not just learning about it from the companies/businesses’ point of view.

2. Ask your friends. Tell them your plans and ask if they know something about the place. They might refer a good place to stay or suggest interesting things to do that can help make your planning a lot easier.

3. Booked early. If you have already finalized your travel destination, date for your trip and confirmed the people coming with you, then you can now booked your transportation (bus/plane/rent a van) and hotel/resort. It is always advisable to book early so you can avail of cheaper rates, you have time to save money and avoid any last minute change of plans.

4. Write down your Itinerary. Yes you have to put everything on writing, set a meeting with your group to discuss the things you want to do, sights and places you want to visit, food to try and etc. Include estimated time, how many hours will be spent on one place, give some time adjustments or make your schedule flexible in case something unexpected would arise during the trip. Don’t forget to consider your travel time in between places and available transportation.

5. Budget your expenses. The most important part in any trip, putting in mind your allotted budget, your actual expenses and how will you be spending wisely on your trip. But this depends on you; some would go on a trip to really splurge while others would go on a tight budget trip just to spend their vacation. Set your transportation, accommodation, food, and other expenses. Give allowances so that you won’t be short with money, ready for any emergencies and if ever you will still have money left after the trip then it will give you a good feeling that you didn’t go over budget and have spent reasonably the whole trip.

These are my 5 travel tips on planning before a trip, really helpful from my experiences, made planning easier and trips more enjoyable. Hope you can also make use of it and share it to your family and friends.

Ayala Cebu 1

If it is from Ayala, it is definitely the Best. I can guarantee that Ayala Cebu is a great place to shop, dine and simply hang-out with family and friends.  If you get bored in visiting the historical places and other tourist spots in Cebu, Ayala Cebu is a must visit, where you can relax and just enjoy the crowd and the mall. Ayala Cebu has a lot to offer, visit and experience it now.

To get here, you can ride a cab or if you are saving money, there is a jeepney that passes in Ayala Cebu area.

Ayala 2

Fort San Pedro images

After our Sunday mass at Sto. Nino Basilica, we went to Fort San Pedro, just a 5-minute taxi ride. Entrance fees, adult – 21php and child – 13php. The place is small like a mini version of Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. One can take great photos of  Spanish artifacts, cannon, and old ruins of Spanish era.

More pictures on Fort San Pedro

It was raining hard that Sunday morning, but we insisted to get to CNT to eat the best lechon in Cebu before going back to Manila that evening. CNT is located just in front of SM Cebu, a big nipa hut style resto without aircon but with so many customers inside. This has been known as the best place to eat lechon in Cebu and so people would really line up just to buy and eat here. Yes, the line was really long, we waited for an hour or more just for our 1/2 kg lechon and 3 rice.

CNT Lechon in Cebu City

But the long wait was worth it… it was so delicious. I think only in Cebu you can taste a lechon just like CNT’s… We also tried their dessert – black sambo (not really sure about the name…hehe) but it was also good.

Best Lechon in Cebu

We waited for more than an hour… but finished it in just 20 minutes or less…

Lechon... gone!

Tip: Don’t go there without anything on your stomach. If you plan to eat for lunch or dinner, arrive really early. Expect long queue and a bit disorganized system (CNT’s blue and black number system).

Here’s our story… while strolling around Ayala mall, we saw people in line, trying to line up in a resto called Ice Castle… Hmmm… Why are there so many people? Got near the entrance, saw pictures of icy halo-halo and big and colorful ice creams… Hmmm… Okay, let’s line up!

Ice Castle at Ayala mall Cebu

Thou the line was long, we didn’t really wait that long because the turnover was quick. We ordered 1 Special Halo-Halo @ 66.50php and 1 Banana Craze @ 125php…

Ice Castle Menu

Halo-halo and Banana Craze

Yes it was icy, yummy, and really worth the price. I think their Halo-Halo is very affordable and has more ingredients (sahog) compared to what we have here in Manila. We definitely enjoyed our mini and accidental merienda of Halo-Halo and Ice Cream.

In case you will be in Ayala Cebu, Ice Castle is a must try and you will surely come back for more desserts and ice creams.

Yummy Ice cream