Summer trips!

I’ve been to three different cities this Summer – Iloilo, Roxas and Cebu.

First stop – Iloilo. We had merienda at Ted’s. It’s expected for my parents to eat La Paz batchoy the moment they arrived in Iloilo. Since I was the designated driver, I couldn’t escape that even though I wasn’t really starving after having coffee and a club sandwich at Davao International Airport. I thought, “Oh, what the heck, it’s free food, anyway.”

Migui busy in his own world and dad finishing off half of my sandwich

haagen-dazs – coffee

La Paz Batchoy

Driving around is not that bad, except for Cebu when I have seemed to lost track of major highways and ended up going around and around for a couple of hours. But I made it through from Mactan Airport to Cebu City without getting lost. I’m proud to say, drivers in my dad’s hometown (Roxas) are that well-mannered. I never had that single moment where you wanted to scream at some driver who just came out of nowhere and making you step on the brakes and utter a curse. In Roxas City, it is different. They seem to have that “driving-friendly area”, as I would like to call it. In just half a day, I knew my way already around town. No traffic, no annoying drivers.

Roxas Midtown Hotel

While my parents stayed at Halaran Plaza, we stayed at Roxas Midtown Hotel. It’s a quaint little hotel right at the heart of Roxas City. The room is spacious enough for the three of us and the food is great! I loved their Fettucine Ala Carbonara and their French toast. We were too busy visiting relatives that we never got time to chill at their Chill Bar. Other than that, as much as I would love to explore Roxas’ night life, I couldn’t leave my sisters who weren’t feeling good because they were having upset stomachs. Blame it on the crabs.

After a week Jules and I left for Cebu.

at Marriott Hotel

Marriott Cebu

We stayed at Cebu City Marriott Hotel in Ayala Business Park and boy, we really did enjoy our stay. Marriott is a little up side with their hotel rates but worth it. I felt exhausted after two hours of driving around but my face lit up when I heard someone mention ‘valet parking’. We had complimentary drinks the moment we arrived which quenched my thirst. Their staff is very professional but really friendly and easy to deal with. Food is superb! From breakfast to lunch, the food is mouth-watering, lip smackin’ good .

For two nights, Jules and I went out to eat. Our first night was at Gerry’s Grill. I liked their chichabits and spareribs but I didn’t enjoy their pork BBQ. On our second night, we had dinner at Lai Garden in SM North wing. We pretty much enjoyed our meal there.

Shopping is best done in Ayala Mall because boutiques are huddled close together. Cebu has changed greatly. And I simply love the place. I’m looking forward to our trip to Cebu on October and another one early next year.

-end-