(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
The historic resort city of Lapu-Lapu in The Philippines is the right place for the intrepid who loves water adventure such as kayaking scuba diving snorkelling jet skiing parasailing windsurfing and island hopping. Comprising 167 islands and islets Cebu is a haven - the place to be for vacationers who wish to stay close to nature.
By Raynald C Rivera
Basking in the convergence of culture and nature is something travellers sojourning in Cebu take pleasure in whenever they visit the province which is home to the oldest city of the Philippines. I just did.
A media familiarisation tour following the celebration of the inaugural flight of Emirates to Cebu and Clark afforded me and 12 other journalists from the GCC and Europe the rare chance to experience the province’s unique allure.
Cebu is replete with history with trade relations with China India and the Malay Peninsula dating back 800 AD. The locale of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s death is Mactan the country’s most densely populated island and now a major tourist destination.
The coral island of Mactan is where the Mactan Cebu International Airport-the second busiest airport in the Philippines — is located and where Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft carrying us landed. There was an immediate feeling of belongingness the moment we exited the plane as we were greeted with jovial songs and warm smiles of Cebuanos.
Twenty minutes from the airport is Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa where we would stay for five days while exploring the various touristic offerings of the nearby cities and islands. A festive atmosphere welcomed our arrival as a group of local performers danced the Sinulog which is a highlight of a festival celebrated every third Sunday of January we were later told.
I was booked on the eighth floor which provided a breathtaking vista of the entire resort dotted with trees and lush greenery. The crystal blue waters of the resort’s two extensive swimming pools coupled with a 350-metre white sand beach was a sight to behold and remember.
Sitting by the pristine beach while listening to the waves lapping the shore as the sun sets is an ideal retreat from a busy city life.
Shangri-La’s 13-hectare award-winning property is one of the more well known resorts for many holidaymakers who choose to vacation in the island during the summer break. It is situated in the historic resort city of Lapu-Lapu named after the Mactan ruler and warrior who killed Magellan in a battle which halted the Spanish occupation for 40 years.
The resort is the right place for the intrepid who loves water adventure such as kayaking scuba diving snorkelling jet skiing parasailing windsurfing and island hopping. Comprising 167 islands and islets Cebu is a haven - the place to be for vacationers who wish to stay close to nature.
A 30-minute boat ride from the resort leads to Gilutungan Island marine sanctuary which is ideal for snorkelling with its wide range of coral reefs and bountiful schools of fish. Fifteen minutes from the island is Nalusuan — another marine sanctuary complete with accommodation and essential facilities such and a restaurant where visitors may take a stopover for lunch.
These islands are the most popular in the area for boat cruising although there are other islands and islets which are also frequented by tourists such as the Olango island — a bird sanctuary which is home to a large species of birds. In the later part of the year the island becomes an important habitat for migratory birds.
After a day of island hopping and water adventure one can relax at the resort’s Chi The Spa which is one of the largest spa villages in Asia.
Activities and facilities for children are also available at Shangri-La making it a family-friendly resort.
The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (PDOT) has been keen on encouraging more Middle East travelers to the Philippines. In August 2014 it launched the “Kids Stay Free” package designed to provide complimentary package for families living in the GCC when visiting certain destinations in the country including Cebu.
The Philippines’ no visa requirement for GCC and many other nationals its many popular shopping experiences tranquil beaches and numerous family-friendly attractions has resulted in an increasing number of GCC residents making the Philippines their holiday destination of choice.
Visiting Cebu will not be complete without a tour to some of its historical landmarks and heritage sites made possible through the “Pasiyo sa Kabilin” (Heritage Walk) — a project of the City Tourism Commission of Cebu aimed at enhancing tourism as well as raising awareness on the significance of preserving sites which remind of the past to inspire future generations.
Taking a walking tour through the remnants of Spanish colonial settlement and Parian-a district for Chinese settlers provides visitors an intimate encounter with the city’s rich history evident in remaining structures which exude a lot of Spanish character.
We started our heritage tour at Fort San Pedro the oldest and smallest fort in the country believed to have been built in 1630 as a coral stone fortification.
Tartanilla – a horse drawn carriage which was an ubiquitous mode of transport during the Spanish occupation centuries ago-took us to our next destination: Magellan’s Cross. Probably the most photographed site in Cebu the iconic site contains the cross believed to have been planted by Magellan in the shores of Cebu in 1521.
We also visited the Metropolitan Cebu Cathedral and the Basilica Minore del Sto Niño de Cebu in which the image of Sto Niño which was a gift from Magellan is enshrined.
Another tartanilla ride took us to the Jesuit House of 1730 which is the oldest dated house in the Philippines and is located in the Parian district. Hidden in a warehouse for many years the stone house is now a museum which holds artefacts some of which have just been recently unearthed and continue to enrich the story of the house. Other must visit museums in the area are the 17th century Yap-Sandiego Ancestral Home which displays early Filipino architecture and antiques and the Casa Gorordo which was built in the mid-19th century and showcases the elegant lifestyle of the elite during the era.
The tour also includes a stroll on Colon Street the oldest and shortest national road in the Philippines named after Christopher Columbus.
Cebu continues to be a main hub for furniture-making business processing services and heavy industry. Along with these its traditional industries still thrive such as guitar production which Cebu has been known for both domestically and internationally. Guitar making has been a source of livelihood for around 20 families in Lapu-Lapu City.