Cebu / Moalboal

Hello again!

uiuiui, it was cold on the plane - brrrrrr.

When I arrived at Cebu airport, my driver was already waiting for me (yes, no bus, van, tricycle or anything like that this time - how decadent^^)

The drive from the airport to my destination, Moalboal, took a little over 3 hours. Despite the late arrival time, the island's capital was incredibly busy, it only took us an hour to get out of the city; a huge city with so many contrasts - on one side of the street modern shopping centers on the opposite side tin huts in front of which families prepare their (presumably) dinner on a more or less makeshift grill.

Colorful, shrill, loud, sometimes dirty, poor, rich....

But the cab ride was also a special challenge, because Filipinos love Christmas and are simply too fond of this time of year. Of course, that doesn't stop on December 27th. They love music just as much as Christmas - the kind of kitschy hits where the same bassline always plays in the background in four or two-four time and only the lyrics vary.

And I could hear exactly this music during the journey - the driver sang along passionately in places: Jingle Bells, Dreaming of a White Christmas, Silent Nigt - the whole thing in a discofox-hit-song-mix in Filipino version in a continuous loop until my ears bled...for 3 hours...

Moalboal is located on the west coast of the island of Cebu and is a classic tourist destination. My accommodation, the Archery-Aisa Nipa Huts, is located about 2 km outside of town in a quiet area surrounded by a forest of bamboo and all kinds of tropical trees and plants.

My hut is a small one with a mattress, a fan and a mosquito net - a wooden tent, so to speak :) It's more like a campsite than a resort - perfect. The very next morning I went to the center of Moalboal to see the infamous Sardine Run. No sooner said than done I went Snorkeling - it was magical how it glistens when this incredibly large school of fish moves beneath you.

Even a turtle didn't want to miss out on the spectacle and popped in for a quick look.

It all sounds super romantic, but it was super crowded!

Unfortunately, I had forgotten my phone protection and couldn't take any snorkeling photos :( I wanted to go back another day; but jellyfish probably like sardines too, the sightings and the number of stings rose sharply - well, the photo isn't that important.

Back at the campsite I rented a scooter (not that I've ever ridden a scooter before, but hey, there's always a first time) and signed up for a canyoning trip for the next day, sounded super exciting (honestly, that day almost deserved its own entry!) It was MEGA!

I went for a little scooter ride around the area and found Kawasan Falls, where I went for a swim :) A beautiful place, the rocks, the plants, the turquoise water ...

Canyoneering

I was picked up at around 8am and driven to a hostel in Moalboal that offers these trips.

We were a fun and colorful group, English, Norwegians, Americans, Dutch, Australians - solo traveler like me, but also couples and groups of friends.

The trip lasted the whole day and was great fun. We swung, hopped, climbed and jumped (from heights of 7 and 10 meters) into the Matutiano River down to the Kawasan Falls in a breathtaking setting. Of course I didn't miss out on the ziplining adventure; the second longest zip line in Asia - it was incredible :)

The guides were super fun and took incredible photos - they know what they are doing and how to motivate people.

Of course we also got talking during the trip, Loretta told me that she was bitten by a spider at the beginning of her stay in the Philippines - thanks TMI... I like spiders so much anyway o.O

Lys is also traveling solo, lives in Australia since her studies but is originally from the Netherlands, was almost at the end of her vacation - but travels on the same day as me back from Moalboal to Cebu - how convenient, we can share a cab :)

With Lys and a few others (sry I can´t remember all the names) who were staying at the hostel, and also took part in the excursion, I spent the next two days here and there; in one of the clubs we also met a few of the guides from canoneering again. My billiard skills haven't improved over the years, I still can't do it, but at least everyone had a laugh :)

The same group then arranged to meet up on New Year's Eve.

On New Year's Eve I decided to take a trip to the mountains on my scooter. Osmena Peak was my destination. The path up the mountain via Serpenitne road was once again picturesque, and the view - a dream.

I drove around a bit and enjoyed the scenery. Looking at the clock, I made my way back to my cabin – that was the plan. High up on the mountain there was no cell service, no net or anything like that... so where exactly was I now?

Well, let's go... that way. My path took me through many small mountain villages where people were all busy preparing for the New Year. For me it was a bit strange because the chickens were slaughtered on the street for dinner; the streets were covered in blood... It was a bit weird, like in a bad horror movie, the feeling increased as the streets got higher and higher, but somehow none of them led down the mountain...

At least I found a gas station, which of course would have been the perfect scenario: the blonde woman runs out of gas gets lost in the mountains while the residents are in a bloodlust... 

Well, after just 2 hours of searching for a route, I managed to get back down from the mountain. Back to the hut, shower and then off to New Year’s Eve dinner – I’m hungry.

Before it started, however, I had to sing a karaoke song at the request of the Resorts Owner Judy: “99 Luftballons”, what else... and because it was so great, I was also "allowed" to sing “Er Gehört zu mir”, after the third German hit classics I finally was allowed to go (why German Schlager-hits, there is so much good music....)

A Lechon is a must for a typical Filipino New Year's Eve meal; actually nothing more than a suckling pig.

There is a large menu with all sorts of delicious things: rice, vegetables; Chicken; Spring rolls; Fruits and of course the pig. We started the new year – 2024 – with live music, karaoke and lots of good atmosphere! Oh yes, by the way: Happy New Year!!

Today, New Year's Day, I have decided to take a day of rest and enjoy the peace and quiet of my jungle resort. In the communal area where the reception is located, there is a chill area - yes, I'm going to use it today.During my stay, there were two German girls (19 years young), Russians, French, Japanese and Filipinos. There is a family atmosphere, the owner and the staff are super friendly and helpful. I was very happy about all the animals here, chickens, dogs, cats, guinea pigs .... it's a concert of different noises and sounds all day/night long.... I have to say that I slept really well here and would come back anytime.