http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Asia , Philippines , Cebu , Bantayan , Sta Fe en-us Sat, 18 May 2013 11:36:33 +0000 Sat, 18 May 2013 11:36:33 +0000 Decided to spend Christmas and New Year on the quiet relaxed Island of Bantayan. Not sure why I keep coming back to Bantayan maybe its the empty beaches maybe its the best value place to stay I have yet found here in the Philippines or maybe its just th efriendly locals but had a great time. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-679470.html All went well with my 1 hour flight from Palawan to Cebu 11 days ago and no problems getting a metered taxi from the airport to my hotel in the city centre. I must say that Cebu City is not the prettiest city I have ever seen. There seems to be a fair bit of poverty around and quite a few shady characters. For the first time in the 10 months of my latest trip I had a couple of guys on 2 seperate http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-661154.html Decided to travel to Bantayan Island again. Was last there about 2 years ago and liked but this time was a very different experience. Last time I stayed on a very quiet area of beach North of the main pier this time I decided to stay in Santa Fed Town itself and had a great time. Found wonderful little place to stay called Onde in its own secluded garden but in Santa Fe also. 2 minute walk to the http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-606191.html Caught ferry from Bohol to Cebu then bus up to Hagnaya and ferry across to Bantayan. First thing we encountered was the worst bunch of pedicab drivers I have ever seen in Philippines We told them we were walking to our resort but they followed us for 20 minutes anyway not a good start. Island was very relaxed after Cebu and we found a great little resort to stay at. Went out one night to local K http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-473564.html 1100PM 09182008Leaving the OfficeI left the office on the night of Sep19 and hailed a cab going home. Fortunately i got an MGE taxi and while the driver was driving me home he asked if I was in a hurry. I told him a bit and mentioned that I have a flight at 4am going to Cebu with my girlfriend. He asked me if I want to be picked up I said Yes please pick us up between 100 and 130am.I http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-333486.html As hoped in our last blog we've just arrived at the internet cafe directly from the beach. Unfortunately Hannes experienced some problems with his snorkelling mask but we both felt better after a few shakes coconut bananarhum and mango. Not a bad day on the whole.The ferry trip from Manila to Cebu was comfortable but not that exciting. We did however finally hear some of the infamous karaoke http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-249193.html Two Weeks in the Philippines Part III Bantayan and Cebu CityWe arrived in Cebu City around 5 p.m. much later that planned and had to decide whether to stay in the city for the night or try and take a private car up to Bantayan. I knew we wouldn't make it for the last ferry so either way we would be spending the night someplace other than where we planned.Charito called up one of her friends w http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-170306.html I'm just relaxing at Bantayan at the moment. It's low season so there was pretty much just me on the beach for a quite a long time. Unfortunately the sand wasn't as nice as the pictureit never is. Lots of shell bits. I saw a baby jellyfish. I think it's the first time I've ever seen a jelly fish. It was so smallpretty dark coloured though. I've never seen a jellyfish but I assumed that that i http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-170287.html Looking Back Bantayan Island Dec. 1996. After Christmas of 1996 my friends and I planned an out of town trip. This was to be the first of the many trips we'll be having. Our first stop was Cebu City we stayed at my uncle's place. My cousins were our tour guide. the first few days we visited the Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills Magellan's Cross across the Sto. Nino Shrine a beach in Mactan. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-156688.html I almost forgot featuring this... When you visit Bantayan Island this is one of the most visited spots...whether you're a local tourist or a foreigner one could not say that heshe has gone to Bantayan Island if hisher body has not taken a dip into the cool waters of this cave. THe cave is actually situated in the middle of the Ogtong Cave resort which is also owned by Sta Fe Beach Club. It h http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-137421.html This time it's YOONEEK Yeah I went to Bantayan Island again only this time I was with some teammates. The trip was not that fun though... I could say it is because of the companions I had. The group decided to stay in Yooneek Beach resort which by far is the most boring resort I've ever been to. YOu may wonder why the sudden change of impression from my previous blog. Well it is becaus http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-137404.html An unforgettable tripThis should be my 2nd trip to the wonderful island of Bantayan. I was here 2 years ago and we just stayed in Sugarbeach.However now I am travelling with another group and we stayed on one of the renowned beach resorts called Marlin.Although the trip to the island is tiring it was simply incomparable when I set my eyes on the placid aquamarine seawater...the long stretch of p http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/Bantayan/Sta-Fe/blog-136487.html