Thursday, February 19 I'm up way before the sun for my CNY flight to Cebu, Philippines - I'm going looking for the sun given it’s been so cold and fog/smog every day! Thankfully it's not too much hassle to find a taxi; then I'm off with a puff of smoke. 110 in a 50 km area, sure why not. Bloody hell it's both hands holding on for dear life.
Check-in is super easy at in-town check-in, either most people left yesterday or they aren't as crazy as me having such an early flight (or going to the airport so early). My patience for standing in lines at security is wearing thin so I'm hoping by going to the airport a little earlier than required I'm straight through. Time will tell.
On arrival at the airport I'm surprised how many people there are here; you would think it was 11am not 6.30am! Large groups of people are just hanging out, I can think of many other places to be doing this! The security line, while long, does move quickly. I quickly exchange some money then it's straight to the lounge - a cup of tea is needed!
We depart on time and I'm pleasantly pleased the 2.5 hour goes by quickly with no issues. On arrival into Cebu airport immigration is 4 lines, the airport is a lot smaller than I expected. I have about an hour hanging out waiting for Anna; being in the warmth is so lovely! I've really missed you heat.
We take the hotel shuttle to the hotel, no more than 20 minutes and thankfully we are the first stop - the difference being Ocean Wing (where we are) and the main wing. No issues with check-in even though we are well before the allowed check-in time.
I get my jandels out then head out to check out the resort - first stop is lunch. We have both decided that there is not enough time to eat lunch, swim and have a shower before cocktail hour (at 5pm) so decide to have lunch then wonder around the property before chilling out in the room prior to cocktail hour. I know I had a bit of shut eye as well :)
Cocktail hour is actually two hours - woo hoo - and doesn't disappoint. I'm feeling dreadful and don't even manage one drink; before getting to the room earlier I'd said to Anna I feel like I'm hungover and unfortunately that didn't change for the rest of the day. I am clearly exhausted and this is my body’s way of telling me I need to stop.
We had a very early night - much needed!!
Unfortunately in the room next to us (a connecting room) we could hear the children; we decided you couldn't really call reception to after 9pm to complain of the noise.
Friday morning (20 February) I wake early, to be expected given it was lights out before 8.30pm :); I was feeling like I was a little hungover, again, but this time it was to be expected as I'd taken a chlorpheniramine pill last night. We head down to find a seat at the pool - what a joke every seat was taken but what a surprise no-one was there. So off to the beach we headed, the same situation greeted us but we did have a life guard helping us; he very so kindly removed someone's towels and bingo we were in! Now for breakfast :)
Breakfast was like a scrum – people everywhere! We found out too late that one could order one dish each off a menu as part of the breakfast deal. Tomorrow we will be prepared for this!
The morning and early afternoon was spent laying at the beach reading and listening to the sound of the waves, a sound I will never ever get sick of.
Mid-afternoon we had both had enough sun so headed back to the club floor for a delicious cup of tea. Nothing can beat this. Time now to get ready for the cocktail hour :)
Cocktail hour started at 5pm and given its included in the room rate we booked we didn't see any reason for us not to be there just before 5pm. They had a great selection of spirits, beer and wine with an assortment of both hot and cold tapas. A lovely way to end the day!
We leave the club lounge soon after the cocktail hour is over and head back to the room - time for Bollinger (I brought it from HK) and pizza (room service). I toast to Bridget for her birthday.
Saturday I wake early after an awful night’s sleep - the complete opposite of the night before!! I thought on holiday you are supposed to sleep well....clearly not!
We leave the room just before 7.30am; I'm shocked that every single seat is "taken" at not only the pool but also the beach. WTF. Honestly this is ridiculous. What on earth time do people get out of bed to reserve their seats I ask?! We manage to find two seats at the beach, one which is partially covered so take them then head to breakfast.
We have learnt from yesterday's mistake but thankfully the restaurant is nowhere near as busy as it was yesterday. So nice to take our time and not be pushed over getting food! After breakfast we go to find the manager of the Ocean Wing who we had spoken to last evening about no seats at the pool or beach. She promised us she would have two seats saved for us. Thankfully she kept to her word.
We retire to the pool - so lovely to just sit, read and relax. This really is the life! Lunch is had sitting on our chairs :)
I get chatting to an American lady that lives in Shanghai (her husband works for Ford) after Anna leaves. Such a different life to me - but then again she does have 3 children in their mid-20's so clearly a lot older than me.
For happy hour I decide to break away from the wine and go with a Campari spritz – reminds me of my time living in Italy as well as the Qantas lounge in Singapore.
We head back to the room after the cocktail hour and chill before another early night - great way to end a day!
Sunday (22 February) morning I'm awake early, not entirely surprising when you go to sleep early. After breakfast we retire to our saved loungers by the pool. This is the life!
After about an hour there is a bit of activity at the pool, a little child decides the pool is his private bathroom. A few minutes later the pool is closer for cleaning.
We have lunch on the beach before Anna needs to go - I still have another 4 hours until I need to leave the hotel and thankfully we have been given a late check-out time so I don't need to hurry to pack.
I spend the afternoon at the pool reading and wonder what could be better!
I check-out just before 5pm and have a quick cocktail before going down to take the shuttle to the airport. The staff are all asking me if Anna will be joining - no she is nearly half way back to Singapore.
The shuttle arrives a few minutes before 5.30pm and thankfully there aren't too many people getting on board; we head to the main wing of the hotel to collect some bags then we are off. Leaving the gates of the Shangri La it’s a super quick reminder of where we are. There is a local festival on so a lot more people are around; the drive to the airport definitely takes longer than the journey to the hotel. On arrival we go through a security check - passport and eticket only. There are a number of people in front of me that do not have a print of their ticket, stupid really when it clearly states on your ticket you need to have a print out to both get in and out of the Philippines. I'm straight through and into the next line - bags being checked. Now for check-in, which I had done online yesterday so just need my boarding pass. Another passport check....then to pay the fee (750 Peso's, about USD17) to leave the country followed by a check I'd paid the fee. Honestly. Now time for immigration where there is no line at all :) I think I'm through and ready to explore the airport but alas no, another security check for the bags. No idea what I could have done / brought before the last check and now but hey ho. Time to sit down!
It's been a lovely 4 days away; while the hotel is nice I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone nor return again (it’s very expensive for what you get and over a long weekend it’s packed!). A real shame given Cebu is only a 2.5 hour flight from Hong Kong.
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