TABUELAN-CALAPE-MALAPASCUA TOUR

It was a week where I finally had my rest day so I went with a friend to her hometown in Tabuelan "a hidden palace" and indeed it was.  It is located in the northern part of Cebu and a 3 hour ride from Cebu (SM Cebu) bus station or what they called as the north bus station.  As soon as we arrived there, I was amazed with the place as it was surrounded by sea.  The waters are very clear (recommended for swimming) though the sand is not that fine or as white as Boracay.  I am very fond of swimming though I really like clear waters because I'm afraid of sea creatures (fishes, starfish, sea urchins and definitely the sharks).  

My friend's house was one of the ancestral house in Tabuelan so if you're a foreigner (transient) and planning to stop by, I would recommend to check-in to my friend's house.  Just ask the house of Mr. Trocio and they would really accomodate you with highest regards. 

   

I like Cebu a lot because the people were very friendly as if they know everyone in the town.  We went to Maravilla and at that time there was an event called "Suroy-Suroy Sugbo" a tour for tourist to visit places they have never been into inside Cebu.  This is to promote tourism for all Cebuanos and Filipinos alike.  

I could say that their sea was one of the places I would really recommend for tourist.  The sea was calm and I could actually swim anywhere with no worries at all. 

Next stop, we went to Malapascua.  As I have heard from friends that it was one of the best places to go in Cebu.  I stayed in Calape first (one my closest friends lives there) and it was the town's fiesta!! I was glad that I was on time for the feast.  We have a great time, people were very friendly and accomodating, a typical characteristic of Filipinos.  

I didn't like the place to be honest.  People from the port area tries to manipulate you and ask huge amount of money for them to take you to the island.  We went there at about 11am and it was our mistake because we should have gone there at least early morning.  The regular fare is Php80.00 but then since we were only 3 girls so they have asked us to pay at least Php 150.00 (one-way ride).  We agreed on that amount then I would see some people riding with us, I don't know if they were natives there or tourist but it should be face that they should pay as well. 

After arriving on the island, I noticed that the shore line was spacious and there were houses and cottages nearby for you to rent.  Php 2500 was the cheapest rate then there were Php 5000 to Php 8000 which was too expensive (for us).  Anyhow, we're not going to spend the night there but we have inquired for us to know the rates in case we wanted to stay.  We stayed only for an hour because the last trip for the boat ride was 3:30.  I didn't like the sea that much because there were lots of seaweeds around.  I don't like seaweeds I feel that there were sea creatures around though I was just having my wild imaginations! (Hahahaha).  The place was known for a great diving spot for divers that's why there were lots of tourist  there.  When we went home, same price for the pump boat and they were actually fooling us about the prices.  They were already asking at least Php 500 but we were informed from the beginning that the price was only Php 80 so it was really arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......I couldn't express properly myself as I was really angry about it.  Also that time, we didn't bring much money with us so we were running short in cash.  We agreed to pay only Php 300.  There was even a tourist (Argentinian with a Filipina wife) who was disagreeing with the price as well.  I couldn't say that we were thrifty or we don't want to spend some money but it was an abuse on their part as well as to tourist.  The natives there were taking advantage of the situation and was asking more than the original price of the fare!!! Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. (That's what I hate about my countrymen!!!)

So we decided to go and at that time there was a tropical depression in the northern part of the Philippines but then I could feel the extreme blowing of air and the waves were big and tremendous and it was like it was going to rain.  We were so afraid because the pump boat didn't have life vests at all! So we were scared but then we remained calm.  I could see from afar that the sky was getting darker and darker every minute and so I prayed almost all the prayers in the world.

I couldn't see any island nearby if in case the boat would sink.  Luckily, the sun went shining on the east side and my dark thoughts was full of high hopes once more.  I was a one-of-a-kind experience for me as it was the first time I've felt I'm going to die and to an open sea-the one that I hated the most but then I've made one realization about life:

I've realized that why should I be afraid about death, when death is the way to meet God and be with him.  After this realization, I was no longer afraid of the open water nor the sharks (if there were in that area) because all deaths seems to hurt us no death is not painful maybe except for not waking up.  After that day, me and my friends prayed the rosary and thank God for our safety. 

Summary: I think Malapascua would be appreciated by divers but not by me. I saw a blog and he liked it a lot. Check out reviews from other sources. -------http://www.scubadivephilippines.com/SCUBAtdivemonadshoal.shtml or http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g659555-w2-Malapascua_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html 

***Many Thanks to Trocio Family for their hospitality.

***Pictures to be uploaded soon.