As I’ve mentioned on my previous post, here is the crazy story of how things really went during my 4-day birthday trip in Cebu, Philippines.
Traveling on your own is both freeing and limiting at the same time. It is freeing in a sense that you have your time in your own hands – you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Also, it is freeing in a sense that your self-discoveries liberate you. You count on no other person but yourself and you get to know your capabilities and limits better. You grow.
On the other hand, it is also a limiting experience. Well, maybe not for all. But for those who are just starting, there might be some struggles. In my personal experience, being the awkward person that I am was somehow a hindrance to me doing things. I don’t have that much photos to show from the trip because taking photos in public wasn’t really my forte. And as a solo traveler, I try to be as inconspicuous as possible when in public (safety measure). I don’t want to seem too touristy so it was just awkward trying to take photos.
This was my first time to travel alone at a great distance. My flight was rescheduled twice from the original 6:15 a.m. to the 9:40 a.m. one that, luckily, didn’t anymore get delayed. The estimated time of arrival was 11:00 a.m. but the plane landed at around 11:15 and I still had to wait for my checked-in luggage. I was able to finally exit the airport at around 12 noon and by then, I was already so hungry. And so, I made Bad Decision Number One.
Bad Decision Number One: I paid for a private vehicle for rent to transport me to the hotel, and it cost me PHP475.00.
Well, I couldn’t really say that it’s a bad decision at that time since the queue at the taxi bay was extremely long and my hunger just couldn’t wait any longer. Maybe the monetary damage was worth it, after all.
Traffic wasn’t that awful even though it’s lunch time, thank God! By
12:30 p.m., I finally reached the hotel, dropped off my luggage at the
front desk, and went out to eat at the nearest fastfood I could find.
(Maybe that’s what I’d call the real Bad Decision Number One. There was a
Jollibee branch at the airport. If I’d known I’d be eating at a
fastfood once I get to the hotel, I would’ve just eaten there and waited
in line at the taxi bay. Though that would be a waste of more time.)
After having lunch, since my check-in time was still 2:00 p.m., I
decided to visit the nearest tourist spots: Magellan’s Cross, Basilica
Minore del Santo Niño, and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
The famous Magellan’s Cross
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
Church Interiors 
Cebu Cathedral’s bell tower
Sadly, there was an ongoing wedding ceremony, so I wasn’t able to enter the church.
I was planning to walk farther to see the Heritage of Cebu Monument but it was too hot outside and I was anxious that I might not make it back to the hotel in time for check-in, so I just walked back.
At around 2:00 p.m., I was already in my room. I rested for a while, started unpacking some of my things, and took some time to freshen up. After all these, I realized that it was almost 4:00 p.m. I didn’t want to waste anymore time lazing around in my room, so I already went out.
Selfie! 
Next stop was Plaza Independencia, also just a few blocks away from the hotel I’m staying at.
As a plaza is always expected to be, it is a wide open park. I saw a lot of students practicing routines here and there, probably for their P.E. class or maybe for a school presentation. It also is a very peaceful place – perfect for relaxing.
Also found in the plaza: Cebu Veteran’s Memorial
Just behind Plaza Independencia is another must-see spot in Cebu City, and that is where I went next: Fort San Pedro.
Fort San Pedro is the oldest and smallest fort in the Philippines. It began as a single triangular bastion made of logs and mud in 1565. It served different purposes at various times in the island’s history: a prison for local rebels, a classroom, a prison camp and fortification, a hospital, and finally, an army camp.
You will have to pay a Php30.00 entrance fee to see the fort.
Side story: I stood in the middle of the fort and started filming a
360-degree video of the place. This tourist saw me, and when I was
filming the area where he was standing, he started dancing around. 
After Fort San Pedro, I had to go back to the hotel to freshen up once more in preparation for the 5:30 p.m. Anticipated mass at the Basilica.
Thankfully, I got to the church just in time for the mass. I’m not
sure if they hold masses inside the old church, but that evening, it was
held outside – at the open area. And then is started raining. And of
course, will God ever let anyone who came for Him get sick because of
the rain? Of course not! So as the mass came to an end, the only
sprinkling of water we got was that of the Holy water. #blessed
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño at night
After mass, I went back to the hotel to ask the receptionist which jeepney I’d have to ride to get to Fuente Osmeña Circle. They told me to take the 06B jeepney (I honestly can’t anymore remember the exact route this jeepney was plying).
Upon reaching the circle, I sat on a bench for a while just to admire the fountain (although it was at a standstill at that time) and to find my way to the famous Larsian (mapped my way through. Lol!).
The Fuente Osmeña was built in honor of the late President Sergio Osmeña, the fourth president of the Philippines. It is also a symbol of the Cebuano’s courage and pride.
After a few minutes of searching via Google Maps, I was on my way to one of Cebu City’s must-try food spots: Larsian BBQ.
Larsian sa Fuente
As the name of the place says, it is this huge barbecue haven. It
looks like a big food court wherein you’ll have lots of options on where
to buy, but I am sure all of the stalls serve nothing but the best and
freshest food. And what’s unique about this spot is that you get to eat
the traditional Filipino way: using your hands. No need to fret, though, as they provide plastic gloves to ensure that things don’t get all messy.
Panihapon (dinner) for one! Yes, that’s a whole grilled milkfish just for me.
Though I was alone, it was fun just enjoying my food while watching vendors try to convince new customers to try the food in their stalls.
After seeing all the places I’ve seen and having a hearty and heavy dinner at Larsian, it was already time to get some rest. If you’ve seen my previous post, you’ll see how many of the places I planned to visit on my first day I wasn’t able to visit. But this day was fulfilling, nevertheless.
I got back to the hotel at around 8:30 p.m., bought some food at the
nearest convenience store for my trip on the second day, got myself
ready for bed, and, well, that’s how Day 1 went.
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