BADIAN, CEBU CITY | Elusive Wonders of a Backpacker

Oh! Hello, beautiful monster

Cebu, sited in the Central Visayas Region, is almost certainly one of the most urbanized provinces in the Philippines. Being endowed with too beautiful characteristics for an island; it is just in all probability a sure hit for a weekender, tourist, guest or what not.

Planning an itinerary over the weekend to spend in such a paradise may be thorny, and that is an understatement. I had to decide on whether to roam around the city or go further for another one of a kind rustic experience. And as always, the latter wins.

HOW TO GET TO CEBU

Via Air: Many local air companies, which offer different scores of discounts, have direct flights to Cebu. Mactan International Airport, one of the busiest and well developed airports in the Philippines, is the point of entry. Same applies if you are coming from distant or neighboring provinces. The travel time from Manila to Cebu is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes (1H and 15 mins.)

You may refer to these sites:

• Air Asia
• Cebu Pacific
• Philippine Airlines

Via Sea: If you have ample time to spend on a vacation and if you are okay of spending twenty two hours (22H) in the sea, then you may find this option fitting.

You may refer to this site:

• 2GO

Several reviews in the internet are accessible to any one who is planning to explore the city for the first time. You can either splurge for an over the weekend accommodation in a resort or run off to somewhere far and feel free; your option, I say, is endless.  Immediately after the plane has landed in Mactan, I knew this trip calls for another unforgettable rural invasion – Badian, I cannot wait to meet you.

HOW TO GET TO BADIAN (from Cebu International Airport)

The accessibility of Cebu’s mode of transportation reduces a traveler’s foremost dilemma. Having PUJ’s and cabs visible in almost every corner, it makes the city a more traveler friendly destination. A staircase leading to cabs awaits guests as they cross the road right after exiting Mactan International Airport.

1. Take a cab going to South Bus Terminal. Travel time depends on the number of vehicles on the road but always around forty five minutes (45 mins). Fare is two hundred to two hundred fifty pesos (Php 250).

2. From South Bus Terminal; Look for buses bound for Badian, they are mostly non-airconditioned. Travel time is approximately three hours due to heavy traffic along the neighboring towns - Naga, Carcar, Barili, Dumanjug, Ronda and Moalboal. But you will be delighted as these towns give a dramatic glimpse of seaside skirting the beautiful mountains of each municipality. Fare is between one hundred thirty to a hundred fifty pesos (Php 130-150).

3. 3.1 If you are bound for Lambug Beach: Ask the driver to pull over in Badian Market (Merkado); a habal-habal ride for just fifty pesos (Php 50) will get you to Lambug Beach in ten minutes (10 mins).

    3.2  If you are bound for Kawasan Falls: Get off at the foot of Kawasan Falls, with a lazy stroll and a few halts for some camera clicks, you’d get there in fifteen minutes (15 mins). There are some locals who would offer help in carrying your luggage or suggest a habal-habal ride, it is your call to accept but if you would have to decline the offer, be courteous enough though.

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Badian, Cebu

Badian, a third class city in the south western part of Cebu, is humbly being recognized for its natural beauty. It is remotely to be found three hours away from Cebu City and you need to get to pass a few towns before reaching it. The first four towns preceding Badian – Talisay, Naga, San Fernando and Carcar; can eat up your time due to modified road contours resulting in moderate to heavy traffic condition. One has to ensure a substantial fraction of his time in planning a trip to this place. Reaching the town of Barili though, is a relief but prepare for an alternating sharp turns as you pass on the zigzag trail.

Trade and industry in the town dwell on basic mercantile focusing on the simple way of life of the locals – fishing and agriculture. A few residents in the town make use of their intrinsic talents to produce money by being tourist guides, drivers and makers of souvenirs of different sorts. “Merkado”,a public market, is the center of almost every commerce in the area. This is where travelers drop by to bargain goods before heading to their destination of choice. Mode of transfers is just between a “habal-habal” and buses which are coming from Cebu City or adjacent towns.

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Kawasan Falls | Badian, Cebu

About five hours of combined land transfers and an hour of air travel has lead me at the foot of the falls just a quarter after five in the afternoon on a Saturday. Excitement consumed me soon after I set my camera and began my trek towards the falls. The travel bag which hangs on my right shoulder and a backpack which secures all my valuables has put too much weight on my frail figure, I guess. I do not mind, though, for the impeccable scenery has muted me for seconds or minutes I could not remember.

Sweet chirping birds, not too far, and the resonance of running water as if it is endless entices me all the more to move closer to my target. Trees in various types and sizes – Coconut, Bamboo, Palm; huddled with exotic plants and flowers of different species naturally confined the water coming from the falls. And just like an owl, I gawk discreetly and was able to capture a number of beautiful shots.

A natural outdoor pool

Peekaboo! The blue-green water simply foretells awesome wonders!

This image has gone too far in showing how a ”tropical” should look like.

"Sshh, my darling, no need to rush 'cause we'd get there anyhow."

In no time I found myself facing the magnificent Kawasan Falls. Its splendor is overwhelming that it seems too beautiful to be real. Tourists were already on their way out upon my arrival and only a very few number of guests were spending a night in the area. I was able to get a fan type room with toilet and bath for nine hundred pesos (Php 900). There’s a decent restaurant that serves fresh food selection. Price ranges from two hundred to three hundred pesos (Php 200-300). The bamboo raft is for rent at three hundred pesos (Php 300); it comes with a life jacket. If you would just opt for a picture taking on the raft, then, it is for free.

Good morning from this beautiful monster.

Fried rice, tuyo and veggies omelette for breakfast

with this monster as your backdrop are just way too epic for a sunday.
(Php 250)

After a quick dip, I decided to leave Kawasan to go see another Badian’s pride - Lambug Beach.

I found this native bibingka being sold by one of the locals in the area

(Php 5/ each)

I had three :)

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Lambug Beach | Badian, Cebu

Lambug Beach, an unspoilt beach in Badian, is prettily nestled just a few minutes away from Kawasan Falls. It is reachable via habal-habal on a ten to fifteen minute ride. Unlike Moalboal, this beach is undeveloped making it a perfect go-to haven for someone who dreams of serenity. There are a  few locals that offer accommodation for a minimum amount. Some day trip goers bring in their tent and leave either just before or after sunset.  I stayed in a beachfront room which is made of nipa hut for eight hundred pesos (Php 800). Toilet and bath are outside, if that matters. There are only two stores I spotted in the area which sells ice cold beers and snacks. I would suggest you stock up from the market before heading to the beach as these stores can be a bit pricey.

            

Serenity, I said.

Badian's version of taho - comes with condensed milk.

(Php 10)

Here's to summer 2015 and all its good memories to bring!

(Php 40)

Surely, it's not a waste if days are spent without haste.

This is how i hope all monday mornings should be.

Taken just a few minutes after the sun has risen;

no premium accommodation not even closed to being extravagant.

I am not sure if its the sound of the waves or the sand on my feet 

or maybe it's just the whopping sky above that makes it too cool to be real.

Capping the day with one of the most beautiful sunsets from the south.

I have always found joy whenever I see myself trapped in this kind of solitude. It makes me human and just like that tames all the horrors in my heart. For a moment I feel free at the same time anchored beyond description. Words to sum up the perpetual ease in each travel can be a little too heavy. In some cases it also proposes raw challenges in which it either makes me weak, mystified or undefined. Maybe it’s the little scare I get or perhaps the bliss in each escape that makes it all worth it.

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Leona's Bakery | SM City, Cebu

Punctuating my Cebu trip with these sinful treats from Leona's Bakery in SM City, Cebu.

(cafe latte - Php 50 | carrot cake/ slice - Php 60-70)

Salamat kaayo!