Cebu, Philippines

To celebrate the day the UK handed over HK to China we spent a long weekend in Cebu, Philippines.  Yes - another long weekend away.

We chose Cebu because it was close to HK, offered golf and was known for their sun.

We flew Philippine Airlines Express - discount airline, but it was pretty good.

Here is the free snack - I found it funny and had to take a photo.

 Saturday.  We woke up to overcast skies.

After breakfast we checked out the mall next to the hotel and found some familiar favorites

Krispy Kreme

 Patrick then headed for Cebu Country Club and Gwen the pool - overcast but not raining lead to nice reading time.

Gwen's lunch by the pool - Ceasar Salad with a Fried Poached Egg - interesting but good.

Patrick's happy hour choice - Cerveza Negra - led the theme for the night.

In reading Trip Advisor (our guide) Mexican cuisine is very popular here.  So we went for the top one on the list and were not disappointed - Maya Mexican Restaurant.

This is the tequila list - Patrick choose one to try.

Patrick with another Cerveza Negro and Gwen's margarita.

Here is our queso dip, cevichi, and tacos.  Gwen took the left over chips back for a snack the next day.

Patrick ended his day in the spa with a massage and Gwen with a Cosmo in the lounge.

Sunday - Another overcast day.

Gwen decided to see some tourists sites.  One stop was going to be a Botanical Garden, but the taxi driver asked about 10 people on the street - hopelessly lost.  As he was making his 2nd U-turn,  Gwen decided to head for something else; Magellan's Cross.  This was Magellan's final stop on his crew's trip around the world.  This is the cross he put here in 1521.  He then died in battle, but his crew continued on.

Next to Magellan's Cross is to Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu.

And it was back to the pool to continue to read for Gwen

Wind picked up later in the afternoon and Gwen found a flower in her flip-flops.

Tonight's dinner was at another highly rated restaurant - Phat Pho - Vietnamese.

Here is our menu.

Here is our Pho.

Spring Rolls

A familiar hot sauce from the US.

Night ended again with Patrick getting a massage and Gwen finishing the night people watching in the lobby with a Cosmo.

Monday - our last day - We woke up to beautiful blue skies.

Hotel water bottle with a super cute logo.

Patrick's souvenir from the trip. 

Trip home was a little longer than expected due to weather in HK - we sat on the plane for an extra 2 hours.  Here is Gwen's window view.   We made it back safely with another country checked off the list.  Great trip.