Plz note actual date went to Cebu Island was on 6-9 Dec 2014. The expenses stated here was for 2 pax.
After a few days closed, the whalesharks watching site was opened. We woke up early cuz the whalesharks will appear on feeding time around 6:30am. We not gonna miss the moment cuz one of the main visit here was to snorkel with the whalesharks. We went there with habal rode (Budget 10: PHP200 for motorbike-taxi) suggested by Uncle Gilmore.
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| We ride on Paddle Boat due to MotorBoat are not allowed at this whalesharkes site. Not to worry cuz the staffs were rowing the boat. |
We placed our clothes in the shower room provided nearby and went for registration and short briefing regarding the appropriate interaction with the whalesharks. After payment has been made, they given us life jacket, snorkeling gear and we followed them to the boat. Locals pay PHP500 only. The cost for us (foreigners) is PHP1000 per pax for 30minutes inclusive of local guide, paddle boat ride, goggles, snorkeling gear and life jacket (Budget11: PHP2000 for 2pax). We also took underwater camera services PHP500 (exclude CD) and we save in our thumbdrive (Budget12).
Once the boat stopped in the middle of the sea, we dip into the see and eagerly snorkeling with the whalesharks. Whalesharks are the largest fish in the ocean. It has white spots on its dark gray body and white/light gray color underside. Locals call whalesharks as Butanding or Tuki.
We were strictly prohibited to touch the whalesharks cuz it could react violently or swim away. No flash photography due to whalesharks are sensitive to sudden light. Please note maximum only 6 tourists per shark are allowed. We were advised to keep a minimum of 4 feet distance from the shark.
The video above was taken after 30 minutes snorkeling and we were on the way back to the beach. After had a shower, we acquired underwater pictures and purchased some fridge magnets and tshirts. Forgot to mention earlier that we use alternative road went to the whalesharks site. The road was differ from yesterday we went with Uncle Gilmore. This road was aside the sea and such a wonderful panoramic. FYI, Tumalog Falls and Tan-Awan Whale Sharks Watching is nearby about 15 minutes ride.
We returned to lodging, freshen up, packed our things and kept on the journey to Cebu City. We had to take the next bus due to the earlier bus was crowded. The Ceres bus came after we waited about 10-15 minutes (Budget13: PHP288). Alhamdulillah, there was seats available for us and we seat on those. One of the unique cultures here was the vendors selling drinks and snacks while the bus onboard. The vendor rode in/out the bus when the bus drop-off the passengers.
The bus stopped about 10 minutes in Argao to replenish fuel and a dropby for passenger went to restroom or grabbed some snacks. The picture above was taken in front of the bus’s dropby.
Once reached South Bus Terminal, we promptly took a cab (Budget14: PHP85 per taxi) to Sugbutel Family Hotel, Cebu City (Budget15: RM238.98 for 2D 1N). The employees were helpful and the wifi was good.
Later, we took a cab (Budget16: PHP85 per taxi) to Robinson Mall, walked around town, and next (Budget17: PHP85 per taxi) to Ayala Center Cebu City, hang around and dropby Persian Palate to munch halal meal.
Getaway Philippines: Lapu-Lapu City-Cebu-Oslob (Day 1st)
Getaway Philippines: Cuartel, Baluarte, Heritage Park, TumalogFalls, Oslob - Town, Ginatilan - Mainit Springs, Malabuyoc - KawasanFalls, Badian (Day 2nd)
Getaway Philippines: The Whale-Sharks Watching, Oslob (Day 3rd)
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