Peach Mango Pie

peach long sleeves and white shorts from april.  sneakers from june ann.  gold thin bangle from ninang naida.  location at Cafe Tiala Princess Room.  FFF

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Where We Stayed and Ate in Oslob

Along the shoreline of Brgy. Tan-Awan in Oslob where whale shark watching is getting popular, are resort hotels that have the potential to be acclaimed internationally as foreign guests flock into the province to encounter our butanding.  Sad to say, that means being unaffordable to Filipino citizens like us.  However, there are locals who open their houses for travelers on a budget either foreign or not.  And one of these homestays is Chateau de Tan-Awan of Ate Veny.

   

Chateau de Tan-Awan is just right across Tan-Awan Elementary School.  Just tell the driver of the bus or jeepney you're riding on to drop you off at the school and you will see the place right away.  Then you will be welcomed by Ate Veny's huge rabbits!

  

The place is well-kept which is a charming blend of modern American and native Filipino interiors.

You can choose rooms of fan or air-conditioned.  Dormitory-type with fan is P1,800, fan room is P2,100, and air-conditioned room is P2,700, all good for 6 pax.  Their rooms are spacious and if you are in a big group, an additional of P450 per head is charged. 

   

Breakfast is at P125 per pax and it's up to you if you will have brekky there or not.  But I suggest that you must to power up your day in the beautiful town of Oslob!

All of us felt so homey at Ate Veny's homestay for she is also very hospitable to her guests and entertains her guests very well.  It was like spending a night at a Tita's house.

We slept straight really well that night especially our baby Shang2x.  For reservations at Chateau de Tan-Awan, text or call Ate Veny at 09179127783.  She replies instantly to your queries.  Thank you, Ate Veny and staff for the good night rest in your place! :)

Apart from Ate Veny's, there ain't no cheap eats in Oslob.  Even a nipa hut carenderia serves food at some high costs.  But per Ate Veny's recommendation, we tried Paul & Madz.  

Paul & Madz is just in the neighborhood of Ate Veny which is a restaurant, bar, and souvenir shop in one place.  Prices are high, food is not ample especially the platter rice, service is slow.  But, a big BUT!  Food is great!  Their food is really delicious, scrumptious, tasteful, giving justice to the price.  Though we waited enough, it was worth it.  I could have waited to taste their grilled squid again and again!

Bring some souvenirs from the journey!  Get whale shark magnets and key chains for your loved ones left at home.

Visit the south of Cebu and be surprised by its amazing still-to-be-discovered wonders! :)  #tosomtravels

For questions, invites, and collaborations, direct message me on Facebook.  For updates on my whereabouts and whatabouts, follow me on Twitter and Instagram! :)    

Related Posts:

Swimmin' with the Whale Sharks in Oslob

Sumilon Island on a Budget

Logging-In at Tumalog Falls

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Logging-In at Tumalog Falls

We are now on my third post of our family summer Cebu South escapade!  First was the whale shark watching, second was Sumilon Island, and third stop was the enchanting Tumalog Falls which completed our 3-in-1 Oslob experience.  

Just a few kilometers away from Brgy. Tan-Awan which is the butanding watching area is Brgy. Luka, home of the recently "discovered by many" tourist attraction, the Tumalog Falls.

In getting there, you may take a 20-minute walk from the entrance gate.  The road is paved but it is very steep.  To save time, you may take a single motorcycle ride which we call habal-habal for P50 per pax roundtrip.  It is safe since only one person is allowed for the back ride.  Entrance fee/environmental fee to the falls is only P20.  You may bring food and water with you because just like in Sumilon Island, there are no restaurants in the place.

Once you get there, you will be mesmerized as the waters cascade down.  The cold water showers like raindrops.  The basin is ideal for basking or swimming since it is only waist-deep.  It is not dangerous to swim there because some parts have been improvised to be like swimming pools.  Unlike Tinago Falls in Lanao del Norte which has an unfathomable depth, Tumalog Falls is great for family picnics for you don't have to worry about the safety of your children.

The water is too cold that we enjoyed so much, soothing the hotness of our bodies from the beach.  It is clean, fresh, and flowing that washes away the saltiness of the seawater our bodies had collected.  Hehe....  It was great to have this gem of the South last in our itinerary!

So whenever you're in the southern tip of Cebu, never fail to log into Tumalog Falls for a one-with-nature experience!

There's still more of our Cebu South escapade so stay tuned only here on The Other Side of Mae! :)  #tosomtravels

Related Posts:

Swimmin' with the Whale Sharks in Oslob

Sumilon Island on a Budget

Where We Stayed and Ate in Oslob

           

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Sumilon Island on a Budget

The Queen City of the South is not only known for its annual Sinulog festival but also known for its gifts of nature especially its pristine beaches.  Once you touchdown at Mactan International Airport, you'll instantly be welcomed by an array of 5-star hotel resorts where white sand beaches are as inviting as ever!  Click the hyperlink to see my blog posts on Mövenpick and Shangri-La.  

However, checking into hotel resorts can be heavy to the pocket.  Travelling is not always that cheap no matter how tight you are on your budget and it's a great thing that there's still the south of Cebu to further explore.  After whale shark watching last week (see my post here), we dropped by Sumilon Island for swimming.  Sumilon is called as such from the dialect sumilong which means "to shelter".  Fishermen always use the island as shelter from the storms whenever stricken out in the open sea.  And stressed modern-day people also use the island as shelter from the battles they are fighting in their crazy city life.   

So, wanna take an escape?  Getting into Sumilon Island is just as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1.  Book for a boat ride.

Boat ride costs P2,000 from Oslob to Sumilon, vice versa for a whole group.  Vangie's boats are really big, having a capacity of 20 people maximum.  The boat crew is friendly and assists you well.  It surprised us that their boys can carry a baby with finesse as they hand our baby Shang2x from one person to another in getting in and out of the boat.

2.  Enjoy a 15-minute boat trip.

Take this opportunity to have pictorials.  The boat is an exclusive trip for you to be free in whatever things you wanna do.  But there's a part when the waves get high so keep an eye for kids onboard.

3.  Pay P50 per pax for environmental fee.

Once you reach the sand bar, you can directly swim or select a spot for the picnic you've brought.  There ain't no cottages, tables, nor chairs and you can bring yours if you wish.  The beach is raw with its natural beauty and the corals are untouched.  There is also no restaurant in the place so you better bring food and water.  All that you can get there is pure nature at its finest.

If you would also want a luxurious Sumilon Island escapade, you may check into Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort.  Day tour costs P2,000 per pax.  For more information, click here.   

Watch out for more posts as we took an adventure off the beaten path of Cebu's South!  So stay tuned only here on The Other Side of Mae! :)  #tosomtravels


For questions, invites, and collaborations, direct message me on Facebook.  For updates on my whereabouts and whatabouts, follow me on Twitter and Instagram! :)

Related Posts:

Swimmin' with the Whale Sharks in Oslob

Logging-In at Tumalog Falls

Where We Stayed and Ate in Oslob

           

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Swimmin' with the Whale Sharks in Oslob

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the world's largest fish.  For me, it is as big as a whale but not as monstrous as a shark.  Whale sharks are found in tropical oceans and we are so blessed here in the Philippines for having them live freely in the open sea of Oslob, Cebu.  With that, we attract tourists from all over the country and the world for whale shark watching which contributes to the source of employment to the locals of the municipality.  Additionally, whale sharks have also become one of our country's pride as we call 'em our butanding!

Whale Shark in Philippine Peso Bill (Photo from Web)

Since whale sharks are gentle and friendly as dolphins, snorkelers and scuba divers are fond of swimming with them.  Sometimes, whale sharks can also be playful and take them for a ride at the back but this is already prohibited by law so not to harm the fish.  Whale sharks are listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected by Philippine laws namely, FAO 193, RA 8550, and RA 9147. (Source: Municipality of Oslob)  So before watching and swimming with the whale sharks, an orientation was given by the municipal hall employees to the snorkelers, scuba divers, and even non-swimmers who will just be in the boat watching the fish.

If you want to watch or swim with the whale sharks in Oslob, take this advice:  

Right after the orientation, race to the table by your left to pay for the fees because whale shark watching is in first come, first served basis.  Even though you already registered in the log book, that won't be honored 'coz it is the government official receipt that'll serve as your ticket.  Thanks to Sir Dominic for assisting us!

Boatmen Prepping Up

The De La Torres Gearing Up

And there goes one butanding welcoming us!

As our boat steadied into the deep, we jumped into the waters to have our photo taken with the whale sharks.  It was a great thing that the boatman who was assigned to us is camera-literate whose hands are not shaky at all.  Hehe..... So we had good shots!

However, taking underwater shots is not as easy as what you're seeing and might be thinking.  It is so hard to hold your breath underwater!  So aside from the best shots we have, we also have our flops and allow me to show 'em to you just for laughs.  Haha!

Orientation starts at 6 AM every day, whale shark watching ends at 12 NN.  Again, it is in first come, first served basis so better be early.  In our case, we arrived before 6 AM which made our 30-minute whale shark encounter more enjoyable because the boatmen are still in high spirits, the sun is just rising, and the area is not yet packed with people.  On Sundays, the area is actually crowded.  Watching is P300 per pax and swimming is P500 per pax.  Save some tip for the boatmen 'coz they are really friendly and hospitable who gives in to all your whims!

  
Watch out for more posts as we took an adventure off the beaten path of Cebu's South!  So stay tuned only here on The Other Side of Mae! :)  #tosomtravels


For questions, invites, and collaborations, direct message me on Facebook.  For updates on my whereabouts and whatabouts, follow me on Twitter and Instagram! :)

Related Posts:

Sumilon Island on a Budget

Logging-In at Tumalog Falls

Where We Stayed and Ate in Oslob

Kagay Whitewater Rafting

It's More Fun to Wakeboard!

  

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Café Tiala Princess Room

Coffee shops are sprouting like mushrooms in the queen city of the South, Cebu!  Each has its own gimmick aside from the usual coffee and tea menu to capture the interest of the costumers.  The last time I visited Cebu in November 2014, I checked into Café Noriter from where I was mesmerized by the post-its and graffiti.  The café-ing theme was all so new to me which I enjoyed a lot so I asked my cousin, Morishka to take us to another café with a different setting.  So we ended up at Café Tiala Princess Room last Friday night.  

Café Tiala is a quaint little coffee shop nestled at Unit 2D, 2nd Floor, The Forum Building, Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City.  It is very accessible from Ayala Center and Waterfront Hotel and Casino.  In contrast with Café Noriter, Café Tiala is a very neat and dainty place fit for a princess. 

So if you are the girly/prim and proper/ladlylike type, this kind of rendezvous is definitely for you 'coz you'll not only feel like a Korean princess with its ambiance but you'll also be treated as one with their cute Korean-look-alike maids-in-waiting!

The food is also fit for royalty.  They not only serve sweets and drinks as all coffee and tea shops do but also "real" food for the hungry ones and for the I-want-salty-food people like me.  They have ramen and Korean tteokbokki which is made of rice cake and fish cake in sweet and spicy chili sauce.  The honey bread topped with whipped cream is actually bigger than in the photo below and it can be shared by 2-3 people.  The smoothies are not as sweet as Noriter's which I found better plus the hot chamomile tea gave me a relaxing evening after a very long journey from Ozamiz-Laguindingan-Cebu.

For its nice place, good food, and fine service, I give Café Tiala a royal approval!  An evening here spent with my cousins just marks the beginning of our family summer Cebu South escapade.  As Café Tiala's tagline says, "Make a good experience at Café Tiala.  We are serving a precious memory, not just food." 

Goofing 'Round Café Tiala

Watch out for more posts as we took an adventure off the beaten path of Cebu's South!  So stay tuned only here on The Other Side of Mae! :)  #tosomtravels

Related Post:

Café Noriter

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