50th Birthday, Cebu The Philippines; Day #11
Sick kids again today – coughing all night and literally being sick all night (Jude). So it’s a quiet one for us. Lay in, late breakfast and taking advice from our mate Harold, the GM Movenpick to go to Lantaw Restaurant for lunch. Paine and Coleman group also having a lazy one, but decided to stay on the beach (personally I think they didn’t want me to be there, just in case I took another snoozy photo of them – ha ha.) So folks here comes – 50th Birthday, Cebu The Philippines; Day #11. It ended up being a cracker.
Massive thunder and lightening at night, which was sad as the Ibiza Cabaret got cancelled. But double bonus the guys did an acoustic singing set instead which was off the charts good. So the last night with family and mates was top drawer. Some great food and drinkies to boot, with the most amazing talent on stage. Couple of sneakies after with Andy and Dawn and off to bed early, for an early rise (ooer) to catch the flight home. I have a feeling the blog tomorrow is going to be a short one.
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I was watching this guy on his DIY raft, just wondering where he might be going. He was going to the jetty to get wooden planks, to then come back against the tide to re-supply his colleagues who were making repairs. Amazing to watch this effort, when they could have just walked where the punters walk much quicker. I assume they don’t want to have workers walking where the clients are – amazing!
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I love our new jeepney drivers. First up is Driver Jude.
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Shift change and here is Driver Amy. Yep women drivers, dear me!!!
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This is Lantaw Floating Restaurant, right over the other side of the island at Cordova. Stunning little place, a really really nice barangay. Loved driving slowly through it to soak up the sights. All the tricycles were painted pink for fiesta time too. Just so nice!!!
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Apparently every night they get hit with 1,000 PAX, so we decided to come for lunch at the suggestion of our Movenpick GM buddy, Harold. We also rented a car and driver for 4 hours or so for the trip as it is virtually impossible to get a taxi there.
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100’s of little pipe fish in the water beneath our little floating platform. Amy and Jude were feeding them our left over rice. Loads, and loads of them!
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Not a bad little view from the table. Over there is Cebu City. Quite a moody weather day from looking at the clouds, but believe me this was a beautiful warm day, with a cooling breeze. It was perfect!
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Just stunning!
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How nice is that for a view over lunch. Very near to here is a massive reef system too, must come back one day!
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Here’s the gang about to place their orders… Poor Mary had the shock of her life when they advised that the two things she wanted to order were not available! Whoopsy!
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Our very own floating hut, gazebo thing for lunch. So so so cool. I could have sat at this place all day long. So peaceful just watching the world go by, playing cloud shapes, and eye spy with kids. Wonderful! Do lunch here!!!
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Yes I was actually there too!
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Nice one wifey!
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I am a happy boy – Philippines water. Soya sauce. Chili padi. Vinegar with peppercorns, ginger and garlic, and calamansi. Bring on the food!!!
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First up is there speciality BBQ chicken. This was absolutely superb. Loved this, as did Jude and Amy. Cracking! Also known as Bocolod Chicken Grill.
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Mary come up with fish Kinilaw after having 2 rejections of her choices. Her impression was, it was OK, basic but OK.
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OMG, OMG, OMG. I’ll say it one more time. OMG. This is is the local Chorizo. It is just insane good. I ordered more. It’s chargrilled, sticky, candied, almost honey flavoured, with a hint of heat from spices. All hand made, and strung together in to links. Amazing. So amazing in fact, that we had the hotel driver detour to his favourite supplier of these and we stocked up. Absolutely bloody amazing. Best beer snack ever!!!
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Mary also opts for the Utan Bisaya, which is a Filipino sour soup with veggies, as you can see. Enough for four, but she surely did do it some damage!
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Crikey I have to say the BBQ pork belly was crazy too. I squirted a wee bit of Calamansi on this and then dipped in soy and vinegar. Holy crap – flavour EXPLOSIONS!!!
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Sorry guys the Sisig was a little low down on the pecking order – it was OK. Too much capsicum, not enough chili and not a sizzle in sight. Average for this dish! Still can’t stop thinking about the Chorizo – Jeeze!
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Amy goes for the seafood noodle dish of Pancit Canton, which she left 99% of. This is what went to the driver. Which was OK as she got stuck in to the remaining food with me, which was so so amazing!
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Not a bad looking feast for 3.5 of us. Yes, yes we did pack some for the driver as clearly we ordered (I) too much, but I wanted variety!!!
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My two crazy ones pretending to be Sacred Riana. Have to admit they were quite scary!
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Especially when Jude does that with his eyes, holy moly!!!
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My gorgeous little cherubs having another day of fun in the sun in The Philippines. Apart from poor old baby Jude barfing as soon as we stepped foot on the first gang-plank to the restaurant. Didn’t stop him though – I tell you that 4 year old is a trooper!!!
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And the highlight of the day for me (NOT!!!) was the 10,000 roses attraction. Or to me 10,00 rather tall toilet brushes from Ikea attraction. Apparently it is better at night as it lights up – one down-side of a lunchtime trip it seems. Girls seemed to like it though. Even Jude has buggered off!
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I tell you it is a really interesting restaurant this – as you can see it is quite huge, with a rather small kitchen from what I saw. How they churn out food for a 100 pax is beyond me – wow! It should be a must visit though folks if you happen to be hear just remember the pointers – book your car and make him wait, do not expect to get served in an orderly and timely fashion, prepare to wait…
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We really really did enjoy it here. We stayed for about 4 hours in the end, could have been way longer. Sea air I think helped the kids too!
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Amy found a love lock, Panda style, and demand I take a photo to share with Aunty May.
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Sure is beautiful here! Although if I were in Cebu City, I’d be challenging that. Did you know Cebu is where the first Portuguese landed and settled back in 16th Century, and oldest house in Philippines is in Cebu. Named The Jesuit House, it dates back to 1703. Wow!!!
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Come on Babes, I bought you roses for your anniversary – or are you saying you need a new loo brush instead?
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And that was that. Back home. A quick pack, leaving the essentials and then down to the Executive Club for the last time. I made mocktails for the wee ones – seem to be enjoying them! Even Mary came join us tonight – I think because I kidnapped Jude!
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The last photo of us at Ibiza. Little did we know it was about to pour down.
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Last supper so Mary and I shared a Wagyu Ribeye. Not too bad guys, not too bad. Little more seasoning for me though! And no way that herb butter is going to melt…
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Kids as usual go up market with dry aged Jamon. Got to love them! Ha Ha!
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Little bit of chorizo with quail egg bruschetta again – I like this one. Seriously thinking of ripping it off for ChillaxBBQ ha ha! Paprika on top, a little balsamic – hey presto it’s my new recipe…
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And despite the rain and lightening, someone even sent us off with some fireworks – what a cracking end to our 11 nights here.
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Oooooooo, Aaaaaaaaaaa… Night night Mactan Island, and Movenpick Hotel and Ibiza and the amazing crews… You’ll be sorely missed!!!