My Chaotic Journey to Cebu

From booking a cheap flight to questioning the universe’s signs—this trip had me all over the place.

So, last year I grabbed a round-trip ticket during a Cebu Pacific sale for just PHP 1800. It felt like such a deal for Cebu to Manila. I even booked my hotels in advance, thinking I could cancel if I changed my mind. Spoiler: They weren’t refundable. So, I had no choice but to stick with the trip to avoid wasting my money.

I thought everything was set, but as soon as I left for Manila, I started wondering if the universe was trying to tell me something.

It all started when my bus crashed into the car in front of us. It wasn’t a huge crash since we were in traffic, but it caused a major delay. We ended up waiting almost three hours for another bus.

Let fate decide

By the time I finally got to Manila, it was 9 p.m. I rushed to the airport, only to miss my flight by five minutes. I wasn’t shocked, but I was definitely bummed.

I seriously considered just giving up and going home, but then I decided to let a yes-or-no tarot website make the call. I drew the Fool card, which basically said to go for it—there’s wisdom in being a little foolish, right?

I booked a flight for the next day, but of course, faced yet another delay. As I sat there, frustrated and tired, I thought, “Maybe I’m just not meant to take this trip.”

Finally boarding, but not without another delay

After what felt like forever, they finally announced we could board. I was over all the waiting, but I figured if I didn’t go now, all of this would be for nothing. On the way to my seat, a flight attendant greeted me. I managed a “good morning” back, even though my morning had been anything but good.

Just when I thought we were finally about to take off, they hit us with another announcement: another mechanical issue, which meant another delay. At least they gave us some snacks—two Dewberries, a big Presto, and a bottle of water.

I was so close to giving up again, but then I heard “Rain on Me” by Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga playing over the speakers. The lyrics “I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive” felt too on-point. It was almost like the universe was giving me a sign to stay positive. After all, at least I’m alive, right?

Finally, after a bunch of waiting, we took off. When we landed, “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton was playing, and it brought back so many memories. It felt like a full-circle moment after all the chaos. Despite everything, it was an unforgettable trip.

When Tumalog Falls Runs Low

From Sumilon Island, we made our way over to Tumalog Falls. Although we visited during the dry season, the waterfall remains spectacular. It’s also crazy to think that this gem was only discovered in 2012. It’s tucked away in such a hidden spot before—but now there’s a road that makes it way easier to get to.

Like a fairytale setting

The area around Tumalog Falls is really beautiful. You’re surrounded by greenery, bamboo, and these tall limestone cliffs. The waterfall itself is like a thin curtain of water flowing over the rocks, which gives it a pretty magical vibe.

The pool isn’t super deep, so it’s perfect if you just want to wade in and soak up the vibes. I also read somewhere that Tumalog Falls has a unique mineral composition in the water, which is why it has that beautiful, milky blue color. The locals even say that the water has some health benefits.

To get to the falls, we had to take a motorcycle from a little sari-sari store nearby. The ride was kind of intense—imagine a roller coaster without seat belts! It was pretty steep, and I was a bit nervous, but I reminded myself that these drivers do this all the time, so I will be fine.

Still stunning!

When we finally got there, I was really impressed. Even though there wasn’t as much water, it still looked amazing. The water was this cool milky blue color, and butterflies were flying around, which added a magical touch.

They also have a spot where you can get a fish foot massage, which was a unique experience. We even had our photos and videos taken by a “human drone”—a guy who moves around and take videos like a drone. It was actually pretty cool.

If you’re planning to go, I’d suggest visiting during the wet season, from July to January, when there’s more water. We went in June, so it was pretty dry.

Wrapping up our trip, the waterfall’s milky blue hues and the surrounding scenery made it feel like we were in a dream. The ride up was a bit of a thrill, but it was all part of the fun! If you get the chance, aim for the wet season to see Tumalog Falls in full flow. Tumalog Falls is still worth a visit no matter when you go though. If you’re ever in Cebu, it’s definitely a spot to check out!

High Tide in Sumilon Island

After our whale shark adventure, we were still ready for more exploring. But first, we had to grab some lunch. We ordered some delicious Filipino cuisine and a fruit smoothie to cool down. I’m pretty sure we ordered sisig, and maybe tinola or sinigang? I can’t remember exactly—it’s been a while. Keep reading to find out more about our Sumilon Island trip.

Boat ride to Sumilon Island

Once we were fueled up, we hopped on a boat and headed to Sumilon Island. You can actually see the island from Oslob! It has an interesting history behind it too. The name “Sumilon” comes from “Sumilog,” which means “take shelter,” Back in the day, fishermen used it as a safe haven during those intense typhoons that love to hit the Philippines.

It took us about 20 minutes to get to the island. I was seriously impressed with how the boatman handled everything—it felt like we were on a mini adventure.

Exploring the island

Sumilon Island is a tropical dream—white sand, clear blue water, and lush green vibes. Besides the sandbar, you can also hike up to this old Historic Watch Tower that’s over 200 years old! It used to be a lookout point for pirates and slavers during the Spanish era. And here’s a little secret: there’s also a lagoon with mangroves and a natural fish pond hidden away on the island—how cool is that?

Our time on the island was short and sweet. We snapped a bunch of photos of the beach and just soaked in the views. Sadly, the sandbar was nowhere to be seen because it was high tide.

And the waves? Let’s just say they were not messing around. I felt like I was about to get knocked over every time one hit me. We didn’t have enough time to hike up to the watch tower either, which I’m still bummed about—definitely a reason to go back!

Making the most of your Sumilon trip

We went in early June, but from what I’ve heard, the best time to hit up Sumilon Island is between November and May. If you ask me, try to go when it’s not high tide, and definitely check the weather beforehand to make sure your trip’s a good one.

So, that was our adventure on Sumilon Island! Even though we didn’t get to see the sandbar or hike up to the watch tower, the island still made quite an impression.

With the beautiful views, interesting history, and that exciting boat ride, it’s definitely a place I’ll remember.

In any case, I’m already dreaming about my next visit. Maybe I’ll finally make it up to that watch tower! Until then, I’m just happy to have these memories (and the photos). See you, Sumilon—until next time!

Oh Whale…Shark?

So, last year, we decided to book a Cebu tour that included swimming with these incredible creatures. It was my first trip to Cebu, and I have to say, it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I thought I’d share a little recap of our Oslob whale shark-watching trip and everything that went down.

Sunrise over Oslob

I can’t recall if there’s a quote that says you have to go through hardship before you can truly feel at ease, but that’s exactly how I would describe our journey to Oslob from our hotel. Normally, I don’t believe in that kind of thinking, but for this particular situation, it seemed to fit perfectly.

We arrived in Cebu from Manila late at night, checked into a hotel, and grabbed a quick meal. By 4 a.m., our driver arrived to take us to Oslob. It was a long journey, and since I hadn’t slept the night before, I was hoping to catch some sleep in the van. Unfortunately, the road was so bumpy and uncomfortable that getting any rest was nearly impossible. At times, I felt like I was going to break my neck!

As we got closer to Oslob, though, the scenery started to change, and I was glad to be awake. The sea on the left side of the road was stunning, and I got to watch a beautiful sunrise.

Morning crowd

We reached Oslob around 6 a.m., and the line was already long—I’m pretty sure we were the 100th or so in line. Luckily, we had booked a tour, so our guide helped us get in line and navigate the process. At the end of the line, we filled out some forms with our names and information and then waited for our number to be called for a briefing. While waiting, we noticed a few stores selling souvenirs and a karinderya (local eatery) across the road where we could grab some breakfast. We hadn’t eaten yet, so we ordered some cup noodles and Milo or coffee to tide us over.

After the briefing, we waited again until it was our turn to prepare for the boat ride. Finally, at 8:30 a.m., we got on the boat, and the activity lasted for about 30 minutes. Even though we had to wait for two hours, it was worth it.

Face-to-face with gentle giants

The experience was unforgettable. I was initially a bit nervous, especially since I didn’t know how to swim and worried I might panic at the sight of such a big fish. But once I dipped my head underwater and saw the whale shark up close, it felt otherworldly. We managed to get some amazing pictures and videos of us swimming with the whale sharks, and our guide even helped us capture some great shots.

However, it’s important to note that whale shark watching in Oslob has its downsides, something we didn’t know before booking the tour.

Hidden impact on nature

The practice can be harmful to whale sharks and the marine ecosystem. The feeding of whale sharks to keep them in the area disrupts their natural migratory patterns and diet, making them reliant on human interaction.

If you’re considering this activity, please think about the impact on wildlife and the environment. Instead, look for alternative experiences that support conservation efforts and prioritize the well-being of animals. By choosing eco-friendly activities, we can help protect these magnificent creatures and preserve their natural habitats for future generations. Let’s make responsible choices that respect nature and its inhabitants.