The Simpler Traveler Celebrates ONE!

Happy Anniversary!

How time flies so fast! From the beginning I started working out and planning to set up a blog and it shown great success. Without you guys, nothing is impossible for achieving this!

From traveling all over the Philippines: from Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao. Travel by air, land and sea. Visiting sights and seeings across the country makes me inspire of creating a travel blog and sharing my experiences to all.

One year and counting! :)

The success of creating this blog would not be possible without the readers and supporters. With the bottom of my heart, A Big Thank You!! :)

It doesn't stop there, as the The Simpler Traveler headed to a new dimension beyond its one year anniversary. I will continue to share and inspire everyone about my travel blogs and help you especially when you will travel to my country, THE PHILIPPINES!

Once again to all 95,378 viewers and counting, Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat! (Thank you to everyone!) :)

Note: Pictures are not mine. Credits to the owner.

Cebu's Taboan Market: More Than Just a Dried Fish

Basket full of Dried Fishes

After our lunch at Zubuchon, we went back to Sampaguita Suites at downtown area for check-in and took a little rest before we headed back to another "laag" moments in the Queen City of South. Our group were frequent visitors of Cebu City and we enjoyed visiting this place. After few hours of freshen up, we hit the city once again.

Our next stop was the famous Taboan Market. We hailed a jeepney (signed 15F) just across Magellans Cross and took 10-15 minute drive to the destination. Had a little walk and immediately reached the place. It is one of the places in Cebu where you will buy your pasalubong. The place is famous for selling dried fish or danggit. Make sure you know the haggle skills and they will give you discount. :)

view infront of the market

Once you arrived to Taboan Market, you immediately smell the dried fishes which makes more intriguing. I have been to this place for several times and I love going back because of atmosphere and great place to buy pasalubong back home. :)

more choices of dried fishes

there's danggit (PHP450 per kilo)

other dried fishes

self photo

Prices vary on different type of dried fish and of course, it depends on the season. During our trip, prices range from PHP400 to PHP600 depending on class and types. Several dried fishes to choose from: aside from danggit, there were squid, fish tapa, dilis (anchovies), fish tocino and many more.  By the way, I also bought dried squid which costed me PHP600 per kilo and had to divide it per 1/4 kilo. Good thing that packaging was free and they sealed it plastic.

Not only dried fishes sold here, Taboan Market is a one stop pasalubong center where they also sell Cebu's products and delicacies. So it is a great place of doing your shopping and prices were almost the same or even lower than in other pasalubong shops and supermarkets. Just go inside and you will find different products such as the favorite dried mangoes, mango puree, otap (Cebu biscuits), Cebu chorizo (sausages), Carcar Chicharon (pork cracklings) and many more. 

more shopping ahead

different mango products sold here

many to choose from

great time to buy pasalubong

Money well spent when you are in Taboan Market. You can buy everything here especially your pasalubong back home. It is a one stop center selling great Cebu products at affordable price. make sure to include this in your itinerary when visiting Cebu. Great place and it's more than just a dried fish! :)

Tip: Bring extra clothes because the smell of dried fish will stick to your dress. But nevertheless, it's an experience to be there and more fun! ;)

Taboan Market

Pahina Central, Cebu City

See the map here

How to get there?

via commute - the best way is to ride a jeepney. From Cebu downtown area (Magellans Cross), look for  route sign going to Taboan or Tabo-an. Fare only costs PHP7.50. 

Taxi cabs also available across the city. All drivers know that place. Flag down starts at PHP40 and fare usually did not reach PHP100 depending on traffic.

Our Lechon Lunch @ Zubuchon, Cebu City

Zubuchon! Nice to be back! :)

We were hungry after our city downtown walk. We hailed a taxi and went straight to General Maxilom Avenue, nearer Fuente Osmena Circle. A visit to Cebu is incomplete without tasting the world famous lechon or roast suckling pig. Actually it's our second visit to this restaurant and we know how tasteful is their best selling product, LECHON! :)

Located at One Mango Mall

check what was written...

lechon!! :)

"Best Pig Ever!" by Chef Anthony Bourdain

Zubuchon became famous when it was featured in television not only locally but also internationally. Chef Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations featured lechon and easily ranked it as one of the best tasting pork in the world. No wonder that people flocked here in Cebu to taste the best of the best! :)

checking out their menu

checking once again

with the gang

waiting for our meals

Waiting time for the food took 5-10 minutes. We ordered a kilo of Boneless Zubuchon and divided it into two plates, a bowl of Shrimp Sinigang, bowl of Monggo with Zubuchon and endless number of rice cups. Our drinks were a mixture of sodas, fruit shake and their famous "Iba" or Kamias Shake which ideal since we eat lechon so it will decrease the greasiness of your intake. Our dessert was Banana Turon with Dulce de Leche. 

tasty boneless Zubuchon

Zubuchon and Monggo

ready to eat!

Lunch served! :)

Happy Lunch!

Our meal was made in heaven. I love their zubuchon especially the crispiness and juiciness of it. A kilo costs PHP530 and it's all worth it. Shrimp Sinigang was also good. Not overpowering the sourness and the shrimp was fine. Monggo was also good, not salty and creamy. Iba shake was divine. I love the drink. And for the dessert, it was so good to end your meal. :)

Dessert Time! :)

Overall lunch experience was great and we were full thanks to the wonderful food that served on Zubuchon. Great food and ambiance inside. Zubuchon has many branches in Cebu and in Mango Branch was huge and great dining experience whether in groups, families, couples or even soloist. 

More information on the restaurant:

Zubuchon - One Mango Mall Branch

Address: One Mango Mall, Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City

Contact Number: +63 32-2395697

Check their Menu lists: http://www.munchpunch.com/zubuchon-one-mango-mall/menu

Like their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zubuchon/187045978068913

Revisiting Downtown Cebu City

Magellan's Cross

Maayong Buntag Sugbu!

This is my greeting after we landed in the Queen City of the South. It was a "Good Morning Cebu" as we headed to Sampaguita Hotel near downtown Cebu City. It was a long one hour travel from the airport to the downtown. Our check in time was supposed to be at 1PM but I told the staff to leave our bags at the counter while waiting for us to checked in. After that, we walked a short distance to our primary destinations.

Welcome Back to Magellan's Cross

Revisiting Cebu City is not boring and it makes me more excited since I finally see them once again. Going to downtown Cebu makes me happy it celebrates history and faith for as I am a Catholic person. Our hotel was a short distance to the tourist destination so a short walk was just fine. We finally reached Magellan's Cross and we were so happy to be back and immediately grabbed our cameras to take photos after photos. 

Happy to be here!

with the gang

picture time!

Historical Marker

inside Magellan's Cross

look up

full view of the cross

Magellan's Cross

While taking photos, one woman offered her help to take us photos inside Magellan's Cross. We obliged since she dressed up as one of group of dancing women who offered candles and prayers infront of Magellan's Cross. We thanked her and give her small amount as gratitude.

picture picture

happiness...

down to up

Thanks for this shot! :)

To those familiar, infront of Magellan's Cross is the Cebu City Hall. It was also one tourist destination so we also took photos and appreciate its architectural design.

City Hall

infront of Magellan's Cross

A walk on the right side of Magellan's Cross is Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. This is a sacred place especially to devotees of Santo Nino. Even there were many people, it remained peaceful. We offered candles and say a little prayer. We also went inside the church to pray and went inside and outside the church. By the way, this place where the famous Sinulog Festival celebrated and performed here.

walk from Magellan's Cross

Welcome to Basilica

light some candles

offered prayers

many people light up candles and say prayers

historical marker

entrance to the basilica minore

inside the church

offered prayers too

people praying

infront of the basilica, mass held every Sunday and special occasions

The Basilica Minore del Santo Nino

We went to another church which was also a short distance from the Basilica. It was Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. This is also where the new saint, San Pedro Calungsod was located. The cathedral was also the seat of Archdiocese of Cebu. It was bigger than Basilica del Santo Nino.

tarpaulin for San Pedro Calungsod

mass celebrated at the cathedral

altar

main altar

line up for San Pedro Calungsod

wait for my turn

San Pedro Calungsod

say a prayer

Pray For Us

inside Cebu Cathedral

exterior look

nice picture! :)

It was a short fine walk at downtown city. Good thing that the weather was relatively fine as we visited these areas and revisited it once more. It was a great time until we were hungry. We looked for a taxi and proceed to our next destination... and this time, it's food trip time! :)

Continue to the next blog! :)