Philippine Airlines to Melbourne

Last March I went to Melbourne, Australia with my friends. We took Philippine Airlines since it's the fastest way to get there. The direct flight took a mere 8 hours. Because I used my mileage I flew on business class going to Melbourne and economy back to Manila.

Fiesta Cheesecakes from Cheesecakes by Guy

Remember the green tea cheesecake I featured a few months ago? The GUY behind that is on a roll and he created 5 new fiesta flavors.

Churrasco at Ibiza Beach Club, Mövenpick Hotel Mactan

I've eaten churrasco twice in my life. The first time was decades ago at Fogo de Chao in Dallas. I wasn't much of a meat eater then so I was overwhelmed and didn't quite enjoy it. The second time was a few years back at a restaurant in Rockwell where all the meats were marinated in the same sauce. I definitely didn't like that at all. So you can imagine my reticence when I was told we were having a churrasco dinner at Movenpick Hotel.

Manny O's Wine Cellar

I was honored to be given a personal tour by wine collector and connoisseur Manny O of his wine cellar located just across Mövenpick Hotel.

Spa Delmar at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan

To have the full Mövenpick Hotel experience Manny O suggested I try the massage at the hotel's Spa Delmar. I took this picture of the beach and Ibiza Beach Club from the Spa using my iPhone's panorama feature.

Cebu's Original Boneless Lechon Belly

I'm one of those weirdos who don't like lechon (suckling pig). Whenever there's lechon at a party I just take a piece or two of lechon skin and pray that it's crispy otherwise I won't even eat that. I don't bother taking the meat unless it's transformed into paksiw na lechon. I just find the meat bland and boring.

Tapas at Ibiza Beach Club, Mövenpick Hotel Mactan

My first dinner in Cebu was in Ibiza Beach Club at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan. I was told we were having tapas and that's always a good thing.

Newly Renovated Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

While I stayed in Shangri-La Mactan during my recent trip to Cebu I went to Mövenpick Hotel next door every night to visit my friends who were billeted there.

Breakfast Buffet at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa

The only time I have a heavy breakfast is when I stay in a hotel and my stay comes with a buffet. I must say the breakfast spread of Shangri-La Mactan was pretty darn good.

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa

A couple of weeks ago I received a text from my friend who was on vacation, "Want to come to Cebu?" Within in a few hours of her text I booked my flight and flew off the next day. If that wasn't impulsive I don't know what is.