We took the catamaran back to Cebu in the morning, checked back into Cebu R Hotel, had a snack and arranged a taxi to take us out of the city northwards, into the hills.
The Tops Lookout gives a great view over Cebu City and we could see Bohol and even Balicasag in the distance.
Our next stop was The Terrazas De Flores Botanical Garden where footpaths leading between terraced flower gardens gave us a chance for a bit of a photo op amongst the blooms!
The Sinulog Festival is one of the most famous festivals in the Philippines, attracting millions of visitors each year. At the center is the Grand Parade which attracts dancers with vivid costumes and choreographed routines from all over the country and takes place on the 3rd Sunday in January.
The festival celebrates the the statue of baby Jesus called the Santo Niño de Cebú, which was handed to the Rajah of Cebu by the explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. This was one of the most important events in the Catholic history of the country and the word Sinulog refers to the flowing movements of the dancers who act out the scenes of this Spanish encounter.
While that is still a week away, there are other events and smaller parades leading up to the main event and the roads near the hotel will be closed tomorrow so we’ve had to ditch our plan to look round the historical centre … only seeing the capitol building just beside the hotel.
Instead, Since Joanna needs to be at the airport by 4pm, we’ve decided to hang out at the SM Mall, one of Cebu’s most popular shopping malls. Built like a maze with several sections and four floors of shops and restaurants, nothing could be further from the ramshackle shops and booths made of concrete block, unpainted wood and corrugated iron we had seen elsewhere.
Sinulog is a big thing with lots of shops selling dress up items such as feathers and Tshirts that could be personalised with fringes and beading. Joanna’s off to a festival in Sydney next month with a couple of friends and bought feathered ear cuffs and headdresses for them to wear!
One of the popular lechon or roast pork chains called Zubuchon also offered veggie choices, so we went for lunch and I had a special with crispy lechon, rice, soup and papaya pickle called atchara.
It was time to say our farewells, and put Joanna in a taxi to the airport. We’ve all had a great time and it was good to spend so much time together … but no need to be too sad, as Joanna will be coming to England in May so that’s hardly any time at all!
Chris and I made our way back to the hotel, hoping to catch the end of the parade, but it was finished. I did find these pics online of the mass at the Basilica del Santo Nino on Friday and the first parade, but am quite pleased not to be caught up with all those crowds.
This is the Xmas tree at Fuente Osmeña Circle … obviously no concerns here about decorations after 12th night, they are still everywhere …
… a copy of the Santo Niño de Cebú amongst the traffic …
… and a few more jeepneys.
The staff at the hotel have looked after us beautifully and a craft afternoon had been in session, making decorations for the festival. They insisted Chris show off his new T-shirt in front of the lift!
Tomorrow we move on, southwards, by bus …
Off Travelling Together 