Hello everyone.

Today, I will be reviewing my trip to Cebu, Philippines, a new experience for me. The trip lasted 3 days and 2 nights, and included everything for under 15,000 baht per person. This is my first post ever, so please forgive any mistakes.

Without further ado, let's dive into the details. Cebu Pacific Airlines has launched an enticing promotion that has caught the attention of many travel enthusiasts. The promotional route for this round is Bangkok - Manila - Bangkok (BKK-MNL-BKK) with a round-trip price of 3,717 baht per person. Upon seeing this promotion, I was immediately tempted and couldn't resist booking a flight within 5 minutes. (Special thanks to the "Friend Tell Pro" page (https://www.facebook.com/friendtellpro/?fref=ts) for constantly providing us with airline promotions.)

Let's continue... Due to the limited availability of promotional tickets, our trip was only 3 days and 2 nights (February 20-21-22, 2016). However, the flight times were excellent, arriving in the morning and departing late at night. After booking, we started planning our itinerary. As I mentioned, I booked the tickets impulsively because of the promotion, so I had no idea what to do in the Philippines. I only knew that it was a country with many islands. Without wasting any time, I turned to Google for information. However, Google's vast search results made it difficult to choose a destination. There were options for beaches, mountains, nature, waterfalls, diving, and snorkeling. But what caught our attention was the opportunity to swim with whale sharks in Oslob. This became the main focus of our trip.

Our travel itinerary for this trip.

February 20, 2016

• 00:35 Depart from BKK to MNL on flight 5J 932, arriving in MNL at 04:55.

- 08:20 Depart from BKK to TAG (Tagbilaran Airport) on flight 5J 617, arriving at TAG Airport at 09:45.

- 10.00 One-day Bohol trip by Bohalrentacar

• 16.40 Take a Fast Ferry from Tagbilaran to Cebu (2 hours travel time)

• 19:00 Check in at Wellcome Hotel, Cebu City.

February 21, 2016

- 03.30 Whale Shark Watching and Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls Day Trip (Early morning pick-up due to long travel distance)

• 09:00 Cool down at Tamalog Waterfalls.

- 10:30 AM Depart for Kawasan Falls

• 12:00 PM Prepare for Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls (4-5 hours)

• 19:00 Arrive at accommodation and sleep.

February 22, 2016

The day was spent sleeping and traveling, connecting flights to return to Bangkok.

- 13.00 Check out and depart from the hotel to Cebu airport.

• 16.50 Depart CEB- MNL on Air Asia Zest flight Z2-776

- 21:25 Depart MNL-BKK on Cebu Pacific flight 5J 931

The three-day, two-night trip itinerary is as follows. The total cost is 15,000 baht, which will be summarized at the end of the post. Our journey begins on Bohol Island.

Bohol Adventure: A whirlwind tour with Bohol Rent A Car

With only 3 days and 2 nights to explore Bohol, we opted for a private tour to maximize our time and avoid the pitfalls of self-guided exploration, especially after a sleepless night. After researching various options, we settled on Bohol Rent A Car (http://boholrentacar.com/), drawn by their competitive price of 2,000 pesos for a full-day private tour with a driver. This translated to a reasonable 0.76 Thai baht per peso at the time of our exchange, making it a cost-effective choice. The added convenience of paying on the day of travel, without any advance deposit, further solidified our decision.

Our flight landed punctually at the small Tagbilaran Airport, reminiscent of a provincial airport in Thailand, albeit with less charm in our opinion.

At 10:00 AM, our driver picked us up at the airport with a sign displaying our names. Nearly everyone in the Philippines speaks English, although it can be a bit challenging to understand. However, communication was not an issue, and our driver also served as our guide throughout the trip.

The first stop our driver took us to was the Blood Monument. Our guide told us that this is a popular spot, and that most people who come to Phuket make a stop here. And indeed, it was quite crowded. However, what really caught our attention was the stunning view of the sea behind the monument, overlooking Plagloa Beach. The water was a beautiful color, and the atmosphere was fantastic. We only spent about 5 minutes here, though, as the tour groups from Korea, China, and Indonesia all descended upon the place.

Our next destination is Loboc Adventure Park, a highlight of our trip. We are eager to experience the thrill of ziplining across the Loboc River. Based on our research, the prices are affordable compared to those in our home country, and the views are stunning. The experience promises excitement and a test of courage. There are three packages available to choose from.

1. Zipline round trip costs 350 pesos per person.

2. Zipline to Cable Car costs 350 pesos per person.

3. Roundtrip cable car ride costs 450 pesos per person (if I remember correctly).

We opted for the second option, seeking a thrilling experience only on the descent, while enjoying a comfortable cable car ride with scenic views on the return journey.

View of the Loboc River below

It's fantastic ...

[Spoiler] Click to reveal hidden message.

The video's cropped image is of very poor quality.

On the way back, we took the Cable Car, enjoying the view below. It was a bit scary, but not as much as when we were on the Zipline.

**Note:** Photography services are available here for a fee of 250 pesos per CD. However, it is highly recommended to bring an action camera for the best possible shots. While you are ziplining, after experiencing the thrill, you will have lunch. Our guide will take us to Loboc River Cruise, which sounds like a luxury river cruise similar to the Chao Phraya River in Thailand.

Upon arrival, it was a raft boat, sailing on the Mae Klong River in our own country. 55 But the water was very clear, it was emerald green.

For lunch, we enjoyed an all-you-can-eat buffet on a boat with live music for 1.5 hours as we cruised down the Loboc River.

The presentation of the meal was average, and the taste was passable, not particularly delicious. However, the pleasant atmosphere compensated for the lackluster food.

As the boat sailed, we couldn't help but express our admiration for the breathtaking scenery and ambiance. The highlight of the journey was the enchanting performance by young ladies who danced and sang traditional songs as we cruised along.

The cost for this place is 400 pesos per person for food and 50 pesos per person for boat service. We had a delicious lunch with beautiful scenery. Our guide then took us to a place we didn't know, because we told him "anyway where you want to go". We were so tired from not sleeping all night that we couldn't appreciate the view. We slept the whole way. After a while, our guide said "Excuse me sir! We're here." We didn't want to get out of the car because we were sleeping so comfortably. In the Philippines, men are always called "Sir" and women are called "Madam". They always show respect to us wherever we go. Okay, let's get back to the story. Our next stop was the Tarsier Conservation Area. We were going to see the Tarsier. If you're wondering what a Tarsier is, you can read about it at the link below.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

The creature is very small, about the size of a fist. It walks in the forest, making it difficult to find. We found three of them, and we knew they were there because there were a lot of people watching. The photos I took were zoomed in as much as possible.

The final stop of our tour was the Chocolate Hills, a geological formation of over 1,200 cone-shaped hills spread across an area of 50 square kilometers. These hills, ranging in height from 30 to 50 meters, are a unique and captivating sight. The name "Chocolate Hills" originates from the brown color the hills take on during the dry season, resembling chocolate mounds.

Despite the heat and humidity, we decided to climb the viewing platform for a panoramic view of the hills. The climb was challenging, but the reward was worth it. The vista that unfolded before us was breathtaking. The rolling hills, like giant chocolate drops scattered across the landscape, created a surreal and unforgettable scene.

The Chocolate Hills are a testament to the power and artistry of nature. Their unique formation and captivating beauty make them a must-see destination for any visitor to Bohol.

The entrance fee here is 100 pesos per person. It is recommended to buy water from below, as the water on top is very expensive. A can of Coke costs 50 pesos. After this, we asked the driver to go straight to the pier, which took 2 hours from Chocolate Hill. This is because most of the roads here are narrow 2 lanes, and there are road and bridge repairs going on at various points. This is because 3 years ago, there was a 7.2 magnitude earthquake here, and the repairs are still not finished. Our guide tried to explain to us all the way, but we were half asleep and half awake, listening sometimes and not listening sometimes, understanding sometimes and not understanding sometimes. 55

At 4:10 PM, we arrived at the Tagbilaran pier to cross to Cebu Island. Our original plan was to arrive at the pier before 5:30 PM for the last ferry. However, upon arrival, we decided not to wait and immediately looked for a ticket booth. The next available ferry from Ocean Fast Ferry was at 4:30 PM.

We immediately ran to buy tickets. The staff asked us which class we wanted to sit in. There were Business Class, Tourist class, and Open air. But when we bought it, only Business Class was 1000 pesos and Open air was 400 pesos. We were tired all day, so we had to choose the best option, which was open air. We are all about saving money, and the open air ride only takes 2 hours. We've done it before. We once took an Open air to Koh Phangan for almost 3 hours, so this is a breeze. After buying the tickets, we had to check in at the counter to choose our seats and check our luggage, just like on a plane. After checking in, we had to pay a Port Fee of 20 pesos per person. There were 10 minutes left before departure. We chose not to check our luggage because we had a bad experience in Phangan where we had to wait a long time for our luggage. Plus, we only had one backpack, so it was easy. After passing through the ticket check, we had to scan our luggage and go to the gate where passengers would board. We ran as fast as we could to the boat, afraid of being late. We didn't have time to take any pictures, which was a shame. We could only review it with words. For more information, please visit http://www.oceanjet.net/fare-and-schedule. But if you have a plan and a specific time, you can book online in advance. It's a little cheaper than buying at the counter. At 7:00 p.m., we arrived at the Cebu port as usual. All the way, we slept because the open air seats were quite narrow and not very comfortable for sleeping. Luckily, the seats were not full, so we didn't feel too crowded. Now, how do we get to the hotel? We have no idea where it is, so we have to take a taxi. We used the same method as when we travel abroad or in Thailand. Don't call or look for a car that follows you or waits to pick you up because they like to charge a lot. So we walked out of the port a little further to call a taxi. To be honest, it's not the right logic because this time, after walking for a while, we started to get tired and didn't know which way to go. So we stopped to ask someone on the side of the road. But guess what? The person on the side of the road was a taxi tout. We fell into their trap. He called a taxi for us, and we thought he wouldn't turn on the meter. Whatever, it was late, and we were tired. We agreed on a price of 200 pesos. The taxi driver said the hotel we were going to was very congested. He used a calculator for a while and said it was 200 pesos in Thai baht. It wasn't much, but we checked the taxi fare at least 3 times and emphasized that it was "No per person, all of you, okay?" We felt relieved. If we could have recorded it, we would have. We were afraid of being cheated. We didn't want to be cheated or taken advantage of in a foreign country. You can use this method too, no matter what. Unless you're afraid of the taxi driver scolding you.

This accommodation was booked through Agoda.com, a service we frequently use due to its 7% discount for CitiBank cardholders. If you have a CitiBank card, click this link: http://www.agoda.com/th-th/citibankth. It is valid for hotels worldwide sold through Agoda. However, the booking conditions are subject to change, so please research them carefully.

Our accommodation, the Wellcome Hotel in Cebu City, is a 3.5-star hotel. Based on reviews, photos, and the surrounding area, it has restaurants, is close to shopping malls, and offers the best value for money, costing 576 baht per person per night. We chose to stay there for two nights. We didn't expect much from the hotel, just a place to sleep. However, when we got out of the taxi, there were staff waiting to open the door for us. The staff were friendly, spoke well, and explained everything in detail. When we went up to our room, we were amazed. Everything was excellent, exceeding the 3.5-star standard. The room facilities were complete. We were very impressed with the incredibly low price, the excellent service, and the comfortable room.

Note: The photos are from the internet. The room we stayed in was in a mess, so we couldn't take any photos. As for the tourist attractions mentioned in the topic, it was time to go diving and swimming with the giant whale shark.

For one-day trips, we booked through an agent. Most agents for one-day trips in Cebu offer online booking. You can click to choose your destination and the number of people, specify the pick-up location, and the price will be displayed. It's very convenient. The agent will then reply to us via email with details. This time, we chose Island Trek Tours (https://www.islandtrektours.com/whale-shark-watching-canyoneering-day-tour/). The tour program we chose was WS Whale Shark + Canyoneering Kawasan Fall, a one-day trip of 16 hours. The cost for this tour is 6050 pesos per person. Let's see what's included in this package.

The package includes:

• Private tour (16 hours including travel time; additional fees apply for exceeding the duration).

- Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle

• Local Tour Guide

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off at the Wellcome Hotel.

• All entrance fees

• Light breakfast included

• Lunch with one round of non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks or bottled mineral water).

• Admission and observation charges

• Boat trip and life jacket.

- Whale shark observation (remaining on the boat) for 30 minutes, or snorkeling with the whale sharks for an additional fee.

• Excursion to Tumalog Falls

• Canyoneering down the Canlaob River to Kawasan Falls.

+ Life preserver

+ Water shoes

+ Waterproof Dry Bag

+ Motorcycle journey to the starting point

Water

+ Helmets

+ Swimming in the Kawasan waterfalls

- Government taxes and service charges (excluding payment transaction fees)

We found the price to be expensive, but we decided to book it anyway. The other hotel we had booked previously had a similar program, but three days before our trip, we sent an email and received no response. The booking status in the system also showed as "Canceled." We were not comfortable with this, so we decided to cancel the booking. If anyone is planning to go and is unsure, please send me a private message.

Island Trek Tour: A Reliable and Trustworthy Experience

This passage details a positive experience with Island Trek Tour, a company offering excursions in the Philippines. The author highlights the company's professionalism and reliability throughout the booking process.

Key Points:

• Prompt and detailed communication: Island Trek Tour responded quickly to the author's online booking request, providing a confirmation email with comprehensive and trustworthy information.
• Secure payment options: The company offered secure payment options, including credit card and Paypal, with a 50% deposit required upfront.
• Transparency and trust: The author conducted research on Trip Advisor and found positive reviews and verified company credentials, further solidifying their trust.
• Clear communication and organization: Island Trek Tour provided a voucher for the tour and sent an email a day before with the driver's details, contact information, vehicle registration, and pick-up time.
• Punctual and professional service: The driver arrived on time at 3:30 AM, and the journey began as planned.
• Attentive and helpful guide: The local guide, Jay-R, provided exceptional service, even checking on the author during bathroom breaks.
• Unique breakfast experience: The breakfast consisted of black sticky rice, mangoes, and hot chocolate, offering a local twist on the first meal of the day.
• Safety briefing and preparation: Before the swimming with whale sharks activity, the author received a safety briefing and instructions, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

Overall, the author's experience with Island Trek Tour was positive, characterized by professionalism, reliability, and excellent customer service.

Tourists are prohibited from wearing sunscreen. Those who have already applied sunscreen should wash it off, as it can harm coral reefs and whale sharks. Additionally, tourists are prohibited from getting too close to the sharks and using flash photography.

Before boarding the boat, we had to register and get a queue number. We didn't have to worry about this, as the J-ray girl took care of everything for us. Our only task was to sign our names, and she handled the rest. We opted to swim with whale sharks, which cost an additional 500 pesos per person. When it was time to board the boat, our guide called us and arranged for our snorkels and life jackets. He also spoke with the queue runner. We found this to be very convenient, as everything was taken care of for us. The guide gave us personal advice on how to swim with the whale sharks and other information. We were very satisfied with this experience.

The time allowed for swimming with whale sharks is only 30 minutes per boat.

It's time to board the ship and set sail.

The excitement was palpable. The anticipation was thrilling, yet a tinge of fear lingered. The sheer size of the whale shark was awe-inspiring, sending my heart racing. As we reached the designated swimming spot, I eagerly shed my life jacket and plunged into the water, clutching my trusty action camera. Upon entering the water, the boatman pointed, exclaiming, "There!" I turned, and my jaw dropped. The whale shark was colossal, approaching us with an imposing presence. Goosebumps erupted across my skin. Mustering my courage, I resolved to capture this incredible moment. After all, I had come this far. I reminded myself that whale sharks feed on plankton, not flesh. We were not here to play; we had to be strong. The whale shark, too, was a force to be reckoned with. It was not alone; several others accompanied it. After about five minutes in the water, my fear dissipated. I ventured further from the boat, unaware that I had strayed beyond the designated feeding area. Suddenly, I heard, "Sir, Sir, go, go!" I turned, and to my astonishment, I was swimming directly beneath the whale shark's belly. My body erupted in goosebumps, a mixture of fear and exhilaration coursing through me. It was an incredible sight. My heart pounded as its fin brushed past me. The experience was exhilarating.

Time flew by in 30 minutes, and we were still not satisfied. We were lucky to arrive early when there were not many people. But later in the morning, there were a lot of people, and they would compete to take pictures with the sharks, which would make the pictures crowded and not beautiful. If you are coming, we recommend that you come early in the morning because there will be a lot of whale sharks. They are hungry. If it is late, they will be full and will not come anymore. You may not see them when the boat arrives at the shore. Jay-R rushed to us to pick us up and take us to wash ourselves. He explained the next program we would go to: We would go to cool down at Tamalog Waterfall, which is not far from the whale shark watching spot. After changing our clothes, we set off. To get to the waterfall, we had to take a motorcycle taxi, which is like a motorcycle taxi in our country. There is a queue and a driver's number on the back of the shirt so that we know which number we took when we came down. On the way back, we had to go back with the same number. If the slope is steep, the driver will let the car slide without braking. They are very familiar with the road.

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This is a waterfall that gently cascades down in tiers, creating a breathtaking sight. It's a scene that must be witnessed in person, as my photos simply don't do it justice. No matter how I try, I can't capture the delicate ribbons of water as they tumble down the rocks.

In fact, you can walk down to the waterfall if you don't want to pay for a motorcycle taxi, which costs 50 pesos for a round trip. When we were riding back, we saw a lot of foreigners walking up. We only spent 30 minutes at Tamalog because we didn't want to swim. We had a waterfall that we really wanted to go to, which was ahead of us, where we could swim for a full 4 hours. So we traveled to Kawasan Falls, which took 2 hours. It was time to say goodbye to Jay-R, because she was only going to stay there. She packed us a lunch box to eat at Kawasan Falls, because we would have a guide to meet us when we arrived.

Behold, the captivating beauty of Kawasan Falls.

Upon arrival, instead of heading straight to the waterfall, our driver took us to the Agent Island Trek Tour office for a break and lunch. This was also where we prepared for canyoneering. Our guide provided us with all the necessary equipment and asked us to sign a waiver form in case of accidents. The form specified who to contact and confirmed that we wouldn't be held liable for any damages. We filled out the information and signed the form. Fortunately, we had already purchased travel insurance with Cigna before the trip, so we didn't have to worry. Before setting off, the guide explained that there would be 3-4 main jumping points into the water and a few slides. He also assigned each group to a specific guide. Our group consisted of 8 people: 4 Filipinos, 2 Australians, and 2 of us from Thailand. There were 2 guides for our group.

After the briefing, we set off on motorbikes to the starting point at Kawasan Falls.

The first challenge upon arrival was a heart-stopping jump. We volunteered to be the first to jump at Kawasan Falls. We primarily used an action camera to record videos, so we took very few photos. We encourage everyone to experience this adventure for themselves. It's an exhilarating experience that allows you to try new things and enjoy an adventurous trip.

At this point, it was an extremely high jumping point, probably as high as a 2-story building. Judging by eye, it was so high that the owner of the post didn't dare to jump when standing there. He changed his mind back and forth dozens of times, took 10 minutes to make up his mind, and laughed at himself a lot. In the end, he walked down as before. As for the owner of the post's companion, he was very brave and didn't waste time making up his mind. He jumped up as soon as he got up, but he landed in the wrong position and his legs were bruised for several days.

Kawasan Falls is a stunning limestone waterfall where freshwater meets the sea. The limestone gives the water a beautiful blue color. The canyoneering experience was truly amazing. On our third day, we planned to wake up early to explore the city, but we ended up sleeping in and had to check out of the hotel. We left the hotel at 1 pm to head to the airport. To reach the airport, we had to cross over to Mactan Island, which is connected to Cebu Island by a bridge. The distance from our hotel to the airport was 13 kilometers, but it took 45 minutes due to traffic.

Our return journey today took us from Cebu to Manila. We opted to fly with Air Asia Zest, a Philippine airline, with a scheduled departure time of 4:50 PM. However, we experienced a delay of over an hour, arriving in Manila around 7:00 PM. Air Asia flights in Manila land at Terminal 2. To catch our connecting flight back to Bangkok at Terminal 3, we had to register with an official and present our booking confirmation. As the terminals are not adjacent, we needed to take a shuttle bus.

The journey back to Bangkok began at 9:50 PM on Cebr Pacific flight 5J 931. After a 3-hour flight, we arrived safely in Bangkok. This concludes our 3-day, 2-night trip, which was tiring due to the travel but ultimately enjoyable and worthwhile. The total cost of this trip will be summarized below.

1. Pre-travel expenses

• Round-trip airfare from BKK to MNL and back for 3,717 baht per person (Cebu Pacific)

• The cost of a plane ticket from MNL to TAG is 537 baht per person (Cebu Pacific).

• Airfare from CEB to MNL is 1,000 baht per person (Air Asia Zest).

• Hotel accommodation for 2 nights at 1,152 Baht per person.

- Purchase Cigna travel insurance for 209 baht per person.

• Upgrade fee for outbound flight seat, 480 Baht per person.

Total pre-trip expenses per person: 7,095 baht

2. Expenses on Day 1

- The cost of the zipline is 350 pesos per person.

• The cost of a round-trip zipline ride is 125 pesos.

• The cost of lunch at Loboc River Cruise is 450 pesos per person.

• Entrance fee at Tarsier is 60 pesos per person.

• The entrance fee to Chocolate Hills is 50 pesos per person.

• Fast Ferry fare from TAG to CEB - Open air class is 400 pesos per person.

• Port fee 20 pesos per person.

• Private one-day tour costs 1,000 pesos per person.

• Taxi fare from the port to the hotel is 100 pesos.

• Other expenses include water, coconut, and tip, totaling 112.5 pesos.

The total cost per person on the 1st is 2,267.5 pesos, which is equivalent to 1,723 Thai baht (at an exchange rate of 0.76 pesos = 1 Thai baht).

3. Expenses on Day 2

• Private one-day tour for whale shark and canyoneering costs 6,050 pesos per person.

• An additional 500 pesos per person for swimming with whale sharks.

• Motorcycle fare to Tamalog Falls is 50 pesos per person.

• The cost of a motorbike taxi back from Kawasan Falls is 50 pesos.

• Other expenses: 188.5 pesos per person.

- Dinner costs 575 pesos per person.

The total cost for two people on the 2nd was 7,413.5 pesos, equivalent to 5,634 Thai baht (at an exchange rate of 0.76 pesos = 1 Thai baht).

4. Expenses on Day 3

• The taxi fare to the airport is 125 pesos per person.

- Breakfast cost 294.25 pesos per person.

- The cost of the minibar is 70 pesos per person.

• Other expenses are 132.5 pesos per person.

The total cost for three people on the 3rd was 621.75 pesos, which is equivalent to 473 Thai baht (exchange rate: 0.76 pesos = 1 Thai baht).

The total cost for this trip per person is 7,095+1,723+5,634+473 = 14,925 baht.