I was about to free some storage on my phone when I came across some of my photos back when I went to Cordova. These photos come with great memories, and I like to share them with you today.
My memoirs on the place are as brilliant and blooming as on that day that I first got to Cordova. How beautiful and stress-relieving it was to both experience work and leisure at the same time. The experience made me wish for more opportunities like that: our school's participation in a certain competition.
I could remember how excited I was when our school chose me to be one of the coaches for our students during the Competition. But what made me so overwhelmed was not me being the coach (I didn't like the pressure and the "lack of time and preparation" at that time) BUT it was because of the host Municipality at that time, the municipality of Cordova, Cebu, the place that I longed to explore.
I have been dreaming of going to Cordova since the opening of the 10,000 Roses Cafe. The place instantly became famous which attracted a huge crowd who wants to witness these illuminating 10,000 Roses. My feet became itchy and the only remedy is to go there! Haha! If only I could fly at night to marvel at the lovely sight of the glowing roses and come back home at dawn, I'd be more than glad to! I won't get tired of flying back and forth for five hours! lol! So, when the school principal sent me and the other two teachers to Cordova, I jumped with so much joy! Finally, C O R D O V A and everything for free!
A GLIMPSE OF CORDOVA
Cordova is a third-class municipality in the province of Cebu. It is a coastal island with growing attractions and travel destinations. It has beautiful islets such as Gilutungan, Nalusuan, and the Olanggo Islands. Aside from beaches, one of the famous attractions on the island is the beautiful, artificial 10,000 Roses (which thankfully, I was able to finally set foot).
Recently, Cordova trended again with its newly completed hanging bridge connecting Cordova and Cebu City, Cebu's iconic landmark the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), and the longest bridge in the country! The hanging bridge didn't just provide comfort and convenience of travel but also becomes a tourist attraction in the city!
I have not traveled nor passed by this new bridge yet. Hopefully, on my second visit to Cordova, I could pass this bridge and take a photo of myself quickly.
THE 10,000 WHITE ROSES
Real beauty of the unreal
It was on our third day that the event was almost over, we excitedly head to Cordova's famous 10,000 Roses. Good thing it was just 1 ride away from the school where we were staying, we only spend 10peso for our fare.
Stunning and everlasting.
We arrived and witnessed the 10K Roses at the perfect time! It was dark and so the roses were brilliantly illuminating already! Everything felt so magical when I walked to the aisle in the middle of the sea of white roses. These thousand beauties of white roses are artificial, powered by LED yet their beauty felt natural as it sways along the wind's breeze. It was nostalgic.
Other than the roses is the Korean-themed Cafe at the corner. The Cafe has beautiful knitted rattan benches and chairs you can sit on while watching the stunning roses and the beautiful lights view of Metro Cebu. The Cafe has a viewing deck on top that will allow you to see the best view of the bright roses and the 360 views of the sparkling light of the city.
We enjoyed strolling the whole place. The students were very much happy to explore the whole area, they said it was their first time seeing such beauty. Thanks to the municipal mayor we didn't pay any entrance fee because, during that time, all of the participants of the Competition as announced by the mayor were given free admission to the 10K Roses, but normally 10KRoses require 20peso for the entrance fee. And because it was free, I came back again the next day! Why not enjoy it while it lasts?
So, the next day, I came back once again to see how beautiful it look in broad daylight. In the daytime, the LED lights are off. Did it lessen the beauty of the place? NO. Though the best view of the Roses is at night because the lights illuminating, however, during the day time one can enjoy the peaceful and serene view of the 10,000 Roses (only a few visit the place in the daytime). And not just that, in broad daylight, one could see the beautiful background of the place: the sea and the neighboring island surrounding it!
Near the 10K Roses Cafe is the famous floating Restaurant named Lantawan serves delicious foods. I took a time strolling the whole resto and enjoyed its fresh and relaxing ambiance. I didn't buy any food because I couldn't afford to eat alone while my students were watching. So I simply strolled around and looked at the food menu. I'll surely buy it next time I come by.
We spend our whole evening in the place and head back home to our quarter for our dinner. I was satisfied with the beauty brought by the 10KRoses and I was also very grateful to be allowed to explore the place for free!
Other wonderful memories.
Every time our students were attending the competition, we, the coaches spend our time resting and relaxing in our quarter. There are times I roamed around the school we stay in to enjoy its view and the garden design.
Sometimes, we also go with our students together if they need to move from one venue to another.
The whole duration of the event went great. I had a good time relaxing and taking a break from my classroom routine. I know it's not just me who enjoyed it but all of us had a great vacation experience. It was all worthwhile.
I hope when everything returns to normal, more co-curricular activities will be given to the school and hopefully, I can participate again.
How to find 10K Roses and other tourist destinations in Cordova?
I suggest you take a taxi or a private car from Cebu City. Tell the driver to drop you off at the specific destination and they will bring you there right in front of the entrance.
Screenshot from Google Map.
If you are driving your own, navigate Waze to 10,000 Roses, Cordova, Cebu City.
No need to bring food and drinks because there is a Cafe and neighboring restaurants in the place.
Thanks for reading.🥰