ISLAND HOPPING IN CEBU FINALLY!!!

WOHOOOO! FINALLY DID ISLAND HOPPING AFTER 1 YEAR AND 2 MONTHS!!!

The last island hopping we had with my friends was around March of 2020 which was just days before the government announced a lock down in Cebu.
Island hopping is one of our favorite activities with my close friends. A birthday celebration? Let's go island hopping! Welcome party for a balikbayan (Filipino visiting Philippines from abroad)? Let's go island hopping! A send off party for a friend? island hopping again! Just bored and miss snorkeling? Island hopping is always a good idea!

For this island hopping it was a triple celebration. First was to congratulate our friends who passed and got their open water scuba diving license, second was a send off party for a friend who was leaving for Norway, and third is just to celebrate life in the new normal!

When you plan to go island hopping in Cebu, you need to get passes for everyone and a booking confirmation from the boat rental or dive center. There was a checkpoint by the port entrance and we had to present the document to the officials.

We went to Nalusuan Island which was known for its marine sanctuary. Just by looking from the boat, we saw a school of big yellow fishes passing by. I love watching fishes. It's just so peaceful watching them swim in the peaceful ocean. Every time I see an aquarium, I could just stare at it for a long time because it makes my mind relax too.

Three of our friends went scuba diving while the rest of us were preparing lunch, talking, and teaching a friend how to dougie. 🤣 No joke, there were 3 of us teaching 1 of our friend because she wants to learn it for tiktok. We made a video dancing Bartender by T-Pain trying to be part of the trend lol. Actually just doing it so we don't feel too old since we also saw young people on the boat beside us doing tiktok dances too. 🤣

I wish to try scuba diving soon and get a license too! I can't wait to explore a whole different world down there! Exciting!

_{before swimming photo: enjoying the sun! 🕶}

_{after swimming photo: had to put sunscreen from time to time and soothe my face with ice because the sun is biting my face! 🤣}

We then went to Gilutungan Island and stayed there for most of the afternoon. [//]:# (!pinmapple 10.266819 lat 124.007161 long d3scr)

For lunch, they ordered one of Cebu's famous lechon (roasted pig), puso (hanging rice: rice wrapped in woven coconut leaves),and pasta which was a specialty of our friend. So goood, so delicious, so full of carbs and cholesterol. 🤣
In the Philippines, we sometimes don't use utensils. Everything seems to taste extra good when we use our hands to eat! 😋

WARNING DON'T READ IF YOU GET EASILY DISGUSTED: but I got to try the pig's brain for the first time! The texture was really soft and creamy, it melts in your mouth. The taste was really distinct, kind of bitter and leaves a strong aftertaste when eaten plain but with vinegar and lots of chili then dip the rice and brain together, it was yummy for me!

I am adventurous with food. I want to try exotic and weird dishes but of course with caution and moderation. If you're like me and you come to Cebu, I'll let you taste my country's unique dishes! 😁

Urghhh! Wanted to show you more pictures BUT who is this in the middle of my panorama? 😫🤣 ahaahha Do you see all those boats?! There were so many people who went for island hopping this day. I realized it's summer and people are out to enjoy the dry and sunny season, the kids' summer vacation and get together with the family or friends. Summer here is from last days of March until May. That's how fast time is because I can't believe we are almost half of 2021! Gosh, I wish days had more than 24 hours lol.

My friend offered to take a photo of me jumping off the boat using her polaroid. But hahah what a waste of polaroid film 😥 What am I even doing? lol

This is an example of me still falling for someone who showed too many red flags. 🤣 I guess my favorite color is red.

We decided to go back to shore at around 4:30pm. Meet Spotty the very clingy and hyper dog who welcomed us. We got access to this beautiful beach house with a beautiful beach front because of my friend's brother-in-law who owns this place. And that is why I know this dog's name. 😊 It was still nice to take one last dip in the beach but we were in a hurry. Next time for sure! See you again Spotty who kept trying to bite my toes. 🤣

What a loooong and fuuuuun day! Sat at the back of the pick up on our way home to enjoy the air and the company of my bestfriend beside me. We were grateful for the good weather, good food, safe trip and fun friends. We will surely miss our friend who was leaving for Norway. It's really part of adulting, we slowly shift our plans to prioritize our goals and future and because of that we have to leave our comfort zones, leave old friends and start anew. We've seen them come and go and even if our friends will be miles away, it is always nice to remind them that we will always be there to welcome them when they visit and we are only a chat away.

If you ever come to Cebu, I can help you find a boat for island hopping. 😊

Peace out and thanks for chilling with me. Catch you next time!

SHANNA JEN

Welcome to Chill with Shanna. Shanna is a life enthusiast and a wanderer. She is easy going, spontaneous and want to challenge herself by testing her limits. She aspires to be an effective storyteller and content creator.

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ISLAND HOPPING IN CEBU FINALLY!!! | PHILIPPINES