Free & Easy Travel to Shanghai (Wuzhen & Nanjing), Hangzhou (Thousand-Islet Lake & Shaoxing) from 9th to 15th December 2009

Photograph taken at one of China's most beautiful and scenic West Lake, Hangzhou
Left: My niece, Wan Pik Ki, myself, H. K. Wan, Younger Brother, Wan Heng Wan & my elder sister, Wan Lai Meng

Date of Travel: 9th December 2009 until 15th December 2009
Via Air Asia Flight No. D 72602 leaving on 9th December 2009 from 8.10 AM until 1.10 PM
Return Flight via Air Asia Flight Nos. D 72605 leaving on 15th December 2009 @ 11.25pm and arriving on 16th December 2009 @ 04.25 AM (Next Day)
No. of Travellers: 5 (Five), i.e. Elder Sister, Wan Lai Meng, Younger Brother, Wan Heng Wan, Younger Sister, Wan Lai Ling, Niece, Wan Pik Ki and myself, Wan Heng Kei.
Return Airfare: MYR 709.40 per person.

On arrival at Hangzhou Airport, we took the Airport feeder bus @ RMB 20/person (in Sept 2009, we paid RMB 15/person or an increase of 33.33%) to Hangzhou Railway Station and booked the 5.01 PM D Train @ RMB 54/person to Shanghai. However, the journey took 1 1/2 hours (instead of the usual 78 minutes) as the train also stopped at Haining & Jiaxing stations prior to Shanghai South Railway Station. As usual, we stayed in the same hotel, The Shanghai OK Hotel (www.okhotel.cn) located about 500 Metres from the Shanghai South Station.

The next morning, we took Shanghai South Station Metro ( line 1 & 2) to Lujiazui Metro Station and arrived at Pudong. Touring Pudong is easy and convenient as The Pudong Tour Bus was available at RMB 15/person (including a cup of not-so-delicious coffee). The tour-bus takes about 30 minutes to visit all the major landmarks within Pudong such as The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai International Convention Center, Pudong Shangri la Hotel, etc.
After our tour, we went for shopping at one of the shopping center and then walked to the ferry point to take a river ferry crossing from Pudong to Puxi. The cost of the river crossing was an unbelievable 5 jiao per person or about 7 US cents. In about 5 minutes, we were over the West bank of the Huangpu River at Puxi. From there, it was a 5 to 10 minutes walk to Shanghai Old City at Yu Yuan or Yu Garden commercial and tourist area and the Shanghai's famous Yu Yuan Garden. We spend almost 3 hours here sightseeing and having delicious Siu Loong pau @ RMB 20/16 pieces for lunch, shopping and visiting Yu Yuan garden. Thereafter, we walked over to The Bund to view Old Shanghai's famous colonial buildings but unfortunately, it was closed for renovations and upgrading in preparations for Shanghai Expo 2010. We then went window shopping along Shanghai's most popular shopping street, i.e. Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Mall until The People's Square Metro. From here, we boarded the Metro to Xujiahui Commercial Area for another shopping session and night sightseeing before returning to our Shanghai OK hotel.























Photograph taken just outside Lujiazui Metro Station, Pudong (Line 2) with The Pudong Tour Bus in the background.

The next morning on 11 December 2009, we joined a local tour to Wuzhen Dongzha Tourist Scenic Area - an ancient watertown in Jhejiang Province with its ancient stone bridges, water canals and ancient buildings. The cost of the local full-day tour was RMB 150/person (including a reasonably lunch).
Photograph taken at one of the scenic sights within Wuzhen Dongzha & Xizha Districts

On 12 December 2009, we went for another full day tour to Nanjing and it cost us RMB 300/person (including lunch). With China's newly designed D Trains, it is now possible to tour Nanjing (from Shanghai) and return on the same day. Previously, you need to put a night at Nanjing.
We left by the 7.35 AM train from Shanghai Main Railway Station with stopovers at Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and taking about 2 1/2 hours to reach Nanjing Railway Station. On arrival, our group was met by the tour agent and we immediately commence our sightseeing tours to the following places.
1) Nanjing Bridge over Yangtze River which divides North China and South China.
2) Mocha Lake Scenic Area
3) Zhonghua Gate and old City Walls
4) Old Nanjing's Qin Huai River Scenic Attraction
5) Egret Isle Park
6) Orchid Pavilion
7) Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum.

By the time we reached Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum, it was almost 5 pm and dark (as it was winter time) and main entrance was already closed for visitors.
Notes on Nanjing Tours
1) Although Lunch is included but it is rather simple and cheapskate.
2) Be careful of tourist trap especially when visiting a famous temple/pagoda at Nanjing. You will end up paying RMB 10 for an amulet and later for predictions on your fortunes (or misfortunes), you will have to pay an extra of approx. RMB 200.
3) The return trip from Nanjing to Shanghai was by ordinary train departing at 6.30pm. We were informed by the tour agent that the train will reach Shanghai by 10.30pm but in reality, the train reached Shanghai Railway Station almost Midnight. The journey took slightly more than 5 hours. To upgrade to D Train, you have to pay an additional RMB 50/person.
Photograph of my elder sister, Lai Meng, my niece, Pik Ki, younger brother, Heng Wan, myself, HK Wan and my younger sister, Lai Ling taken at Qin Huai River Tourist Zone, Nanjing.
Photograph taken at the main entrance of Sun Yat Seng Mausoleum, Nanjing.

The next day, we checked out of Shanghai OK hotel at 8.00am and took the 9.30AM D Train to Hangzhou. On arrival at Hangzhou Railway Station, we were pestered by a lady tour agent who was so persistent and followed us like a leech. We informed her that we already had a pre-hotel booking with Motel 168, Jiefang Road thru www.ctrip.com - about 10 to 15 minutes walk from here. As she was very helpful and friendly, we follow her to her office opposite the Railway station and booked 2 (tw0) reasonable tour bookings to One Thousand-Islet Lake @ RMB 300/person and Shaoxing Scenic Area @ RMB 150/person, both exclusive of lunch. We also booked a return taxi to Hangzhou airport for 5 persons at RMB 120/van. Thereafter, she volunteered to take us to the our pre-booked Motel 168 nearby. Upon arrival at Motel 168, the reception informed us that our booking could not be traced but was willing to accept us at spot rates which were much higher than our pre-booking. We refused and decided to cancel the original booking. The lady tour agent then introduced us to another budget hotel, Hangzhou Du Jinsheng Bin Guan @ RMB 120/double room and RMB 150/triple room with free internet access. She even volunteered to take us there free-of-charge. On arrival, we inspected the room and found them satisfactory. Moreover, the hotel location around the north east corner of West Lake (about 5 to 10 minutes away) was superb with lots of food stalls around. We intent to stay here if we are back in Hangzhou as we are looking forward to come again to Hangzhou and tour Huangshan in the nearby Anhui Province.

After checking-in, we had a rest and later walked to West Lake for photographic sessions in one of the world's most beautiful lakes. This was followed with shopping sessions until late at night.
Photograph of myself taken at Qiandao Lake (1000 Islet Lake)
The expensive set lunch (for 5 Adults) available at the Thousand-Islet Lake cost RMB 262/set. The food was not tasty and too salty. Also, you have to be very careful eating the fish (with its numerous tiny bones). Lunch at Qiandao Lake was a tourist trap - too expensive and I would recommend that you bring your own lunch.


For authentic Hangzhou Food, you have to try the outlet next door to our Hotel, Hangzhou Du Jinsheng Bin Guan (located near the north-east corner of the West Lake). You have to queque up to get a seat as the waiting time can be a long as 30 minutes.
We ordered 6 dishes comprising of 2 bowls of Dongpo pork, pork cutlets, chicken wings, vegetables, Gong Xi Fa Cai Soup consisting of fish meat, fatt cai, etc and the most delicious steam and boneless fish we tasted in Hangzhou. The cost for the 5 (five) our us was RMB 123.00 - what a bargain.

We visited The Thousand-Islet Lake or Qiandao Hu on 14 December 2009 leaving at 7.00 am and returning at about 5pm. The Thousand-islet lake is one of China's national AAAA tourist attractions and it the largest forest park in China. It covers an area of 573 sq. kilometers (almost the size of Singaore) and its name comes from the 1078 islets spotted on the man-made lake. The tour took us to the 5 dragon islets, the bird islet, the stone islet, dragon mountain islet, luck & scholar bridge, the memorial of Hai Rui, etc. It was the best place for sightseeing, ecological tourism and leisure holidays.

Group Photograph taken at Luxun Native Place, Shaoxing, Jhejiang

On 15 December 2009, our flight back to LCCT Kuala Lumpur was 11.25 PM. We checked out of the hotel at 6.45 am but kept our baggage there (without any charges). At about 7.00am, we joined the Shaoxing sightseeing tour which ended at about 5.00pm. The tour at Shaoxing includes Luxun Native Place, Shaoxing's Donghu Lake Scenic Area, etc. We had a reasonably lunch whereby we paid RMB 20/person. Thereafter, a last minute shopping nearby until 6.30pm and then at 7.00pm, we had our best dinner at Hangzhou next door - see above.

At 8.00pm sharp, our taxi arrived and we were off to Hangzhou airport for our flight back to LCCT. We were supposed to take off at 11.25pm but due to some minor problems on the cabin pressure within the aircraft, the take-off flight was delayed to approx. 1.00am. By the time we arrived at LCCT, it was at approx. 6.00am the next morning.

Posted by HK Wan (Email: hengkei@gmail.com)

Free & Easy Travel to Hangzhou, Shanghai, Tongli & Wuxi

Photographs of myself taken at Lingyun Grand Buddha at 88 Metres high. It was located a the site of an ancient Buddhist Temple, Xiangxiang Temple of the Tang Dynasty.

Group photograph taken at Lingyun Buddhism Scenic Area, Wuxi

From Left: Youngest sister-in-law, Youngest brother, Aaron, myself, H. K. Wan, Younger sister, Lai Ling, Elder sister, Lai Meng, 4th Sister-in-law, Rina and younger brother, Heng Wan.

Another group photograph taken at Lingyun Buddhism Scenic Area, Wuxi.

Elder sister, Lai Meng, Niece, Wan Pik Ki, Younger sister, Lai Ling, 4th sister-in law, Rina & youngest sister-in-law.

Photograph of the sole panda bear at Hangzhou Zoo.

Group photograph taken on a cold winter night at The Bund, Shanghai (facing Pudong).

From Left: youngest brother (Aaron) & wife, younger brother, Heng Wan, younger sister, Lai Ling, myself, H.K. Wan, younger sister-in-law, Rina & elder sister, Lai Meng.

Another night scene photograph of The Bund Shanghai taken on a cold windy night.

From Left, elder sister, myself, younger sister, younger brother & wife, youngest brother & wife.

Metro Ride at Shanghai - Elder sister, Lai Meng, Niece, Wan Pik Ki, youngest brother, Aaron & Wife.

Photograph of Youngest brother, Aaron & Wife taken on a rainy day within West Lake, Hangzhou West Lake - an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another scene taken at Hangzhou West Lake - my elder sister & younger sister.

Group Photograph taken at Tongli, an ancient water town with a history of more than 1000 years located within Yangtze River Delta.

Photograph of myself, H.K. Wan and my youngest brother, Aaron taken at Yuyuan Ancient City, Shanghai.

Photograph of my niece, Wan Pik Ki taken with a poster of her favourite Star, Raymond Lam Fung.

Date of Travel: 9th to 14th December 2010.

9 December 2010 - Arrival at Hangzhou. Book the entire van @ RMB 800 (for 8 persons) from Hangzhou Airport directly to our hotel, Shanghai OK Hotel @ RMB 190/double room. On arrival travel to Yu Yuan Ancient City and Shanghai famous tourist site, The Bund

10 December 2010 - Local tour to Lingyun Buddhist Scenic Site, Wuxi @ RMB 205/person

11 December 2010 - Local tour to Tongli Ancient Water Town @ RMB 125/person

12 to 14 December 2010 - on Our own at Hangzhou, Jhejiang. Stayed at Hangzhou Du Jinsheng Bin Guan @ RMB 120/double room
15 December 2010 - Early arrival at LCCT, Kuala Lumpur.

All inclusive airfares @ RM 610.00/person and RM 700.90/person.

2011 Holidays - Manila, Taipei, Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Sanshui, Xiqiao Shan, Chengdu, Dazu, Emei Shan & Leshan

The Giant Buddha at Leshan, Sichuan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site It is the largest carved stone Buddha as the tallest statue in the world.

Photograph of myself taken next to the Giant Buddha at Leshan, Sichuan.

Photograph of my siblings, younger brother Heng Wan, myself, Heng Kei, my younger sister, Lai Ling and elder sister, Lai Meng at the snowcapped Emei Shan, Sichuan.

Photograph of myself, younger brother & elder sister taken almost at the summit of Emei Shan.

Photograph of my younger sister, Lai Ling, myself: H. K. Wan and younger brother, Heng Wan at Dazu Rock Carving - another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12 March 2011 - LCCT to Chengdu. On arrival took taxi to Chengdu North Railway Station and then took "D" Train to Chongqing - 2hours 15 minutes trip. On arrival took a Taxi to our Hotel at Yangtze River Youth Hostel @ RMB 130/double room

13 March 2011 - Local tour to Dazu Rock Carving - a UNESCO World Heritage Site @ RMB 240/person. At Night at Chaotian Gate - meeting of Yangtze & Jialing Rivers, etc.

14 March 2011 - Return D Train from Chongquing to Chengdu. Walking tour of Chengdu

15 & 16 March 2011 - Local tour 2 days / 1 night tour of Leshan and Emei Shan Scenic sites @ RMB 450/person + optional tours, sichuan puppet shows @ RMB 200 + RMB 200 cable tours at Emei Shan + optional tours @ RMB 205/person.
17 March 2011 - local tour to Sichuan Panda Research Station & Base @ RMB 98/person. Thereafter, on our own at Chengdu

18 March 2011 - on our own at Chengdu until our flight back to LCCT at 23.55 pm.

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Photograph of my youngest brother, Aaron & wife, myself, my younger sister, Lai Ling, elder sister, Lai Meng and younger brother, Heng Wan taken at Guanyin of the South China Sea, Nanhai district of Foshan. The bronze statue stands at 61.9 Metres (Guanyin Birthday) or 203 feet tall and sits on a 15 Metres pedestal making a total height of 77 Metres or 253 feet high.

Group photograph taken at 5 Ram Park, Guangzhou - my youngest sister-in-law, my youngest brother, Aaron, my younger brother, Heng Wan, myself, H.K. Wan, my elder sister, Lai Meng and my younger sister, Lai Ling.

Another group photograph taken in front of the abandoned "Wan Family Ancestral House", No. 57, Hehou Li, Jiangmen, Guangdong.

Photograph my myself and my younger sister taken with The Giant Sleeping Buddha at Sanshui Forest Park, Sanshui, Foshan, Guangdong.

Photograph of my younger brother, Heng Wan, myself and my elder sister, Lai Meng taken with The Giant Sleeping Buddha. This is the largest Sleeping Buddha in the world with full length of 108 Metres and 16 Metres high. It was located at Sanshui Forest Park - about 2 kilometres from Sanshui, Foshan, Guangdong. Date of Travel: 8 June 2011 to 13 June 2011.

8 & 9 June 2011 - Guangzhou on our own - Shamian Island, Yuexiu 8 Rams Park, Shopping, etc.

10 June 2011 - Took bus from Guangzhou to Sanshui - visited Sanshui Forest Park with the largest Sleeping Buddha. Next went to Sanshui Lotus World but it was closed for renovations. We then head by hired van-taxi @ RMB 150 to Xiqiao Shan, Nanhai, Foshan. Went for another half day tour of Xiqiao Shan @ RMB 200/van and return to Foshan City and took Metro back to Guangzhou.

11 June 2011 - own our own at Guangzhou.

12 June 2011 - Took GZ Metro to GZ South Station and then travel by Light Rail to Jiangmen for 45 minutes journey @ RMB 25/person (as compared to 2 hours bus @ RMB 35/persons a few years ago). Visited relatives at Jiangmen and also the abandoned "Wan Family Ancestral House" at No. 57, Hehou Li, Jiangmen.
13 June 2011 - Jiangmen on our own - went to Guifeng Shan. Later returned to Jiangmen, took Light Rail from Jiangmen direct to Baiyun Airport, Guangzhou, a journey of less than 2 hours.

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Group photograph taken at Fort Santiago - from front: Daniel Wong, my eldest sister-in-law, Doreen Cheong, Mrs. David Wong, Mr. David Wong, myself: H.K. Wan and Dominic Wong. Group photograph taken inside The Manila Cathedral within Manila's Old City at Intra muros.

from left:Dominic Wong, myself, my eldest sister-in-law, Doreen Cheong, Daniel Wong, Mrs & Mr, David Wong.
Group photograph of my office colleague, Mr. David Wong & Family taken at Yehliu Geopark, Taipei, Taiwan.

Date of Travel: 27 to 31 August 2011 - at Taipei, Taiwan and 1 to 3rd September 2011 at Manila, Philippines via Cebupacificairways.com special 50% promotion price with return airfares of approx. RM 650 (excl: Manila Airport Taxes) during Hari Raya Puasa and Malaysia National Day Holidays. We only took 2 (two) days leave and enjoyed 4 nights at Taipei, 1 night on flight from Taipei to Manila and 2 Nights at Manila.

This was the 1st time I was travelling with my office colleague, Mr David Wong & his family, wife, Evelyne and 2 sons, Dominic and Daniel Wong.

On arrival at Manila Airport, the plane encountered bad weather and air turbulence due to a typhoon at Northern Luzon. The plane was circling Manila Airport for almost 40 minutes before it landed with frightening applause from the passengers to the Captain of the aircraft. The same typhoon followed us the Taiwan as a number of tourist attractions such as Fisherman wharf, Yehliu Geopark, Hualien were cancelled. We were worried as we have booked our train tickets & hotel at Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. However, we managed to obtain full refund from Taiwan Railway Authority for our pre-book returned train tickets to Hualien.

Number of Travellers: 8 (Eight) consisting of my elder sister, Lai Meng, my younger sister, Lai Ling, my eldest sister-in-law, Doreen Cheong, my office colleague, Mr. David Wong & Wife, Evelyne, eldest Son, Dominic Wong and youngest son, Daniel Wong.

Free & Easy Travel to Cebu & Bohol, Philippines from 12th to 16th November 2010

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral of typical Spanish colonial church is the seat of the Archdiocese of Cebu


Date of Travel: 12th to 16th November 2010 via Cebupacific Flights from LCCT, Kuala Lumpur to Cebu via Manila. Our first travel via Philippines Budget Airlines - CEBUPACIFIC at special bargain airfare of RM 472.32 (excl. airport taxes at Manila-Cebu, Cebu-Manila and Manila-LCCT).

No. of Travellers: 2 (Two) - Elder Brother: Wan Heng Wah and myself, Wan Heng Kei

Accomodation: Sampaguita Suites, Plaza Garcia Building, Magallanes Street, Cebu City.
From: 12th to 16th November 2010 for 5 Days/4 Nights @ Peso 998/Standard Room with twin beds.
The Sampaguita Suite is clean, very reasonably priced and offered a free airport pick-up from Mactan-Cebu Airport on our arrival on 12th November 2010.
Sampaguita Suite is located within the the old Cebu City with nearby the tourist attractions such Magallen's Cross, Basilica Del Santo Nino Church, Cebu City Hall, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cebu Heritage Monument, The Carbon Market, 10 to 15 minutes walk to Fort San Pedro and Pier 1(Express ferry to Bohol Island) and Pier 3 (ferry to Mactan Island). It is also very reasonably priced for budget travellers.

The extension of the Basilica Del Santo Nino - The oldest Church in the Republic of Philippines

Another extension section of the Basilica Del Santo Nino Church.

Basilica Del Santo Nino is one of the oldest church in The Philippines. It was built on the spot where the image of Santo Nino, a sculpture of the Holy Child Jesus preserved in a burnt wooden box was found by the Spanish soldiers under a pile of ashes unscathed . It was belived that the orignal Santo Nino was presented to Queen Juana by The Spanish after baptized by Father Valderama. The same image now lies in the Basilica del Santo Nino. During the World World Two, a bomb fell inside the Basilica but again the Santo Nino was recovered unscathed. It was one of the numerous miracles and powers attributed to this image.

Basilica del Santo Nino was erected by The Augustinian Fathers in 1565 and was burnt down on 1 November 1566. The second church was destroyed by fire in March 1628 and rebuilt soon after 1628 to 1629. The present massive church was designed and constructed in 1735 to 1737. It is now the center of devotion and religious pilgrimages through the Visayan Islands.

The image of Santo Nino displayed at Basilica del Santo Nino.
The Christian Cross planted by Ferdinand Magellen upon arriving at Cebu on 21 April 1521. This cross was housed in a chapel next to the Basilica del Santo Nino on Magallanes Street (named after Ferdinand Magellan) just in front of Cebu's City Hall. The cross of tindale wood encased the original cross planted by Magellan. Magellen's Cross is a symbol of Cebu and the chapel's image can be found in its city seal. It is also seen as the symbol of Roman Catholicism in The Philippines.

Fort San Pedro - A bastion fort built in 8 May 1565 with Spanish Conqueror, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi breaking the ground. It was initially a nucleus for the earliest Spanish settlement as well as to repel Muslim raiders. It also serve as a stronghold for Filipino Revolutionaries. During the World War Two, it served as a fortification for the Japanese and after the battle of Manila Bay, the Americans turned the fort to the local Cebuanos.

The Heritage of Cebu Monument is a tableau of sculptures made of concrete, bronze, brass and steel showing scenes relating to the History of Cebu. The construction of the monument began in July 1997 and completed in December 2000.

It was built by local artist Eduardo Castillo with assistance from late Senator Marcelo Fernan with donations from private individuals and organisations. The structure depicted are Basilica del Santo Nino, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the St. John Baptist Church, Magellan's Cross, a Spanish Galleon and other scenes despicted are the baptism of Rajah Humabon, a procession of the Santo Nino, a Roman Catholic mass, the Battle of Mactan between Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan and reputable Filipinos such as the late President Sergio Osmena Sr. and Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

The Carbon Market is the oldest and largest farmer's market in Cebu City. it is a lively and colourful place where you can find large variety of local fish, fruits, flowers, sweets as well as handicrafts and inexpensive souvenirs from Cebu and the nearby Visayan Islands.

Getting around Cebu City to Mactan Island

My elder brother & I took the most economical way to travelling from Cebu City to Mactan Island. We walked for 15 minutes from Sampaguita Suite to Pier 3. From there, we took the ferry as the locals do. The fare for me was 12 Pesos and 10 Pesos for my elder brother, a senior citizen. In addition there was a terminal fee of 1 peso each. The ferry took about 15 minutes to arrive at the Mactan Pier, right next to Virgen de Regla Church. We spent about 30 minutes in this old church which was built by the Spanish between 1735 to 1744. Thereafter, we took 2 jeepneys to proceed to Mactan Shrine or Lapu-Lapu Monument & Magellen's Marker. For the return journey, we only took a single jeepney ride to nearby Virgen de Regla Church. As it was already, 2pm, we were rather hungry and we turned out at Big Bro and had a whole grilled chicken, rice and drinks for lunch. It cost us less than 200 Pesos. The owner was Mr. Robert - a well-mannered person and a big fan of most famous Filipino Boxer cum congressman, Manny Pacquiao; presently WBC super-welterweight champion.

Magellan Marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where Magellan was killed by the Chieftain of Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu and his men during the battle for supremacy on 27 April 1521.

Magellen's body was never recovered despite efforts to trade jewelries and spices for the dead body. With Spanish's failure to find and retrieve the explorer's body, they build a monument right in the heart of Mactan Shrine. Thus, Magellan's Market is a test on how the Spanish appreciate and honour their adopted son.

Mactan Shrine or Lapu-Lapu Monoument is one of the most visited tourist haven within Mactan Island. It is a bronze statue of dedicated in honour of Lapu-Lapu; the native chieftain of Mactan. The Mactan Shrine showed a bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu holding a bolo and shield. Lapu-Lapu resisted Magellan's insistence of subduing his people to convert to Christianity. The shrine was erected on the spot where the battle took place.
Lapu Lapu became the first Filipino to repel European Aggression



Getting Around Cebu Island to Tagbiliran, Bohol Island.

Initially, my brother & I intended to go Island hopping, snorkelling around Cebu Island such as Guluntungan Marine Park but unfortunaly, we were unable to find an ideal join-in tour; only private tours beyond our budget were available. From the internet, we found an ideal tour (Island Banca cruise) but as it was the weekends, they only responded on Monday by which time, we were already in Bohol Island.

We decided to go to Bohol Island. From the net, we found there were regular ferries from Cebu to Bohol. We send an email to http://www.oceanjet.net/ early Sunday Morning at 1.00am and by 4am, they responded with a special offer return trip (Cebu-Bohol) @ Peso 820/person. We decided to go on Monday, 15 November 2010 taking the 1st trip (Cebu-Tagbiliran) from 6.00am to 7.40am and returning same day from 3.35pm to 5.30pm. Oceanjet operates the fastest Cebu-Bohol ferries with less than 2 hours per trip from Pier 1 (10 minutes walk from Sampaguita Suite and nearby Fort San Pedro). On arrival, we walked toward Tagbiliran Town in search of tour service. We managed to find Travel Treats http://www.traveltreats.wordpress.com/. We enquired with the staff, Ms. Lot and after a conversation with her boss, we were offered a special rate of PHP 2000 and within 10 minutes their driver cum tour guide, Mr. Ferdinand arrived. The tour was from 9am until 3.00pm at Tagbiliran Jetty just in time for our 3.35pm ferry back to Cebu City. Some of the attractions within Bohol we visited were:-

PHOTOGRAPHS OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS WITHIN BOHOL ISLAND

Photograph of myself and my elder brother taken at The Church of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception or more popular known at Baclayon Church.

It was one of the one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in The Philippines.

Our guide pointed to one of the huge pillars on the side of the church - etched on it was the distinct image of Padre Pio, the result of a natural phenomenon. Since then, many devotees have made pilgrimage to Baclayon Church.




The Blood Compact Site is of historical importance as it commemorates the first international treaty between Filipino and The Spanish. It was located at Barangay Bool, Tagbiliran City.

The blood compact on 16 March 1565 between Spanish Explorer, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftian sealed the friendship between Europe and Asia.
Right across the Blood Compact Site was Panglao Resort Island with a 800 Metres stretch of white powdery sand and various dive spots, dolphin watching, snorkelling, etc.

The 213 steps leading to the top of Chocolate Hills where an observation deck was built for all visitors

The admission fee for Chocolate Hills was Peso 50/person.

Chocolate Hills consists of more than 1268 cone-shaped hills, a strange geological formations that have baffled geologists. The hills are spread over an area of 50 square kilometres and vary in size from 30 metres to 120 metres in height.
Chocolate Hill complex is Carmen; about 55 kilometres from Tagbiliran Town. It is the most famous tourist attractions of Bohol Island. There are thousand of cone-shaped hills spreading out on a natural open plateau, looking like mystic moulds

Photograph of myself taken at the observation deck of Chocolate Hills.

Other places visited in Bohol were the mahogany man-made forest, the Philippines tarsier, a Bohol Phthon named Prony said to be the largest python in captivity. This python is said to swallow a live 60 kgs. pig once a month
My brother & myself enjoyed our 5 Nights/6 Days tour of Cebu and Bohol; although tiring as one night was spent on the flight from KLIA LCCT to Manila but it was worth it as the entire holidays including flight tickets, hotel accomodation, transport, food, tours, ferry rides, etc. cost us less than 1 (One) Thousand Malaysian Ringgit or approx. USD 320.00.

We are planning again to visit Cebu and other nearby places such as Bohol, Panglao Island, Island Hopping and Guluntungan Marine Park and other interesting places. The next time, we will bring along our other siblings, namely our sisters and others who loves budget travelling. They did not joined us this trip as they were worried about the security in the Philippines especially over the recent attack on a tour bus on Hong Kong Tourists in Manila. We assured them that Cebu is a safe city for tourists.

Posted by HK Wan in November 2010

- (email: hengkei@gmail.com)