With 7,400 islands making up the Philippines, of course they have many bridges.
Night view from my hotel room.
The moon was full and it reminds me that Jessie travels with me everywhere.
A very nice room with real wooden furniture and a great view.
Sunrise in Cebu.
I arrived to the door of the church with my pashmina covering my arms, only to be turned away. The new priest says a scarf no long will cut the modesty requirement.
So back to the car to get my hot, heavy, long-sleeved sweater to wear in the 90 degree heat in order to be ‘modest’ (no bare arms.)
Inside the cross is the actual wooden cross Magellan planted when he arrived hundreds of years ago. Our little tour guide, Lish, knows it for a fact because after a earthquake/typhoon it fell over and she was able to see inside.
This huge monument tells the story of the history of the island. Quite impressive.
The Heritage of Cebu Monument, also known as the Parian Monument, is a monument in Cebu City, Philippines. It was made by Filipino sculptor Eduardo Castrillo and architects Heradio Español and Ildefonso Santos. It is the centerpiece of the Parian Park which was the site of the Saint John the Baptist Church which was demolished in 1875.
The artwork is a tableau depicting several of Cebu’s involvement in Philippine history including the Battle of Mactan, inauguration of Sergio Osmeña as President of the Philippines, and the canonization of Pedro Calungsod as saint by the Roman Catholic Church. It consists of a mixture of concrete, bronze, brass and steel sculptures.
This is a home currently owned by the eleventh generation of a family. It is 300 years old with dirt floors and everything is original. Suitors used to call to the the young girls in the house from the street.
I felt rather regal behind the curtained room.
The couple in their 60’s who currently own the home still spend weekends here, as evidenced by the window air conditioner next to the bed.
This is a birthing chair, as demonstrated by Lish.
It’s a singer!
Now THAT’S an old sink!
This Taoist Temple was at the top of a hill beyond a gated community of the richest people in Cebu. We were not able to photograph the sacred Gods. The view of the city was wonderful.
Reminders of home — Coke and Orlando!! Orlando was simply the name of the store owner.
The famous Lechon — roast pig. And the skin gets crispy — like eating a cracker (yuck).
The straws were edible — a noodle, I think. And the oil and vinegar decanter was interesting.
Mango and watermelon shakes — m-m-m-m. A Shrimp soup and the famous pork and its crispy skin.
People go crazy for piles of meat.
The famous dessert, halo-halo. Includes purple ube ice-cream, mango, and glazed sugar. (Not worth the calories).
LapuLapu was a big deal warrior king who had an island named after him, called Lapulapu Island and also Mactan Island. When Magellan was sailing around the world, he hit the Philippines and met a warrior king with whom he became friends in order to trade goods with him. It worked so well, Magellan sailed to the neighboring island and met with LapuLapu. However LapuLapu was having nothing of it and his men speared Magellan in the leg. Magellan died 5 days later at this spot.
Quite the juxtaposition of the casinos and condos within the same drive through the poorer part of town.
So interesting to see Alegre Guitars being made by hand. They were in the $100 to $300 range, which seems very inexpensive for all the work that is required.
Click for Lish’s concert.
Three people on a tricycle required SOMEONE to ride on the back of the motorcycle. It was fun!
The wind in my hair! Click.
View from 5th floor. They are building another hotel next door.
I padded out to the end of the white sand jutting out to sea.
Can’t see the forest for the trees!! I saw the octopi and fishes, but not the name of the city.
One last blog to come!
Linda Jeanne