Tadhana means fate in English. Remember that word. You will know why later.
Mariger and I just had a short eating vacation in Cebu.
From our past experiences, we should not be together especially when we travel. We need an equalizer. But this time around it was just the two of us.
Scary!!!!
Prior to the trip I prayed a million Hail Mary's (exage, of course). I figured God is mightier than Murphy's law.
When the time of departure says 8:40, I am already at the airport by 6:40. I am a by the book person. I do not want to get stressed that I might be late. It happened to me once and I do not want a repeat. I was on my way to the airport at 4 am. The horrible traffic situation started at Mantrade bridge all the way to Andrews Ave. I thought I would not make it to my birthday trip to Cebu several years ago. Even if I have web-checked in already, I still follow the 2 hours before rule for domestic and 3 hours for international.
Early breakfast at Terminal 4 was the jumbo bola-bola siopao
at Vin-Vin's.
I kept on looking at my watch and still no sign of Mariger.
It was boarding time already and my companion was nowhere to be seen!
Finally, Mariger texted she was in the airport already. I slowly walked to the plane, boarded it at a really slow pace and all the time I was looking at the airport door.
Still, no Mariger. I sat on my seat, actually, it was her seat assignment but since she was not there yet, I figured I could have it. The crew was about to close the doors when my travel buddy finally showed up!
Hallelujiah! What does it say on her blouse?
From then on, it was smooth sailing. I love Air Asia! My 2nd ride in a week's time. The aircon was cold! Maybe for other people they would call it freezing because I was feeling cold already. The plane left on time and we arrived in Cebu on time, as well.
First stop was Rico's Lechon!!!
Loved the Spicy Lechon.
Mariger ordered the Original flavor.
I wonder where can I buy the little caldero? Discovery Shores also uses it for the rice.
We dropped off my luggage and her bag at our hotel. Red Planet Cebu.
It is my favorite because it right across Ayala Center Cebu and reasonably priced and the aircon was really cold! 16 degrees!!! My kind of temp!
We then went to SM Seaside City!
It is a new mall, some shops and restos are not open yet. The mall is spacious and not too crowded.
Our merienda was at Majestic. I wanted her to try the Snow Ice Halo-Halo.
(I have been so tired lately. I started writing this post 2 days ago. After the last sentence, I laid down on the sofa and told myself I will just close my eyes for 5 minutes but when I opened them, it was 8:40 am! So here I am, writing the rest of the post.)
We also ordered the afternoon set meals.
I really loved the Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice!
The best part of it was the price! 75 pesos only!
I also ordered the Pork Sio Mai.
Mariger had the buttered chicken meal.
We were so full and had to go around the mall! After a not so quick Uber ride, we were back at the hotel.
The room was so conducive to sleep. I fell asleep before Mariger did! Hehehehe.
When we woke up the next day, we still did not want to leave the room so brunch was at Doming's Ngo Hiong in Fairlane Village. This place is not for people who have a queasy disposition. The place is just a small garage in a residential area near Guadalupe church.
My favorite!!!!!!! I really love it.
Ngo Hiong is lumpia with either ubod or bamboo shoots, dipped in a slurry and fried until crisp!
The sauce is homemade siling labuyo sauce then you add soy sauce and vinegar to it!
Ngo hiong is best eaten with puso rice.
Everybody was using their hands to eat it. There is a wash area in the dining place.
I cannot say it any other way ....
Ang sarap ng kain ko!
After brunch, believe it or not, we went back to the hotel to sleep!!!
Well, after chips and ice cream for dessert.
We had to set the alarm or else we would have slept the whole afternoon. I still had a lot in my eatinerary. We went to Alejandro's Crispy Pata but the restaurant was closed! Permanently or just for the afternoon? I don't know. So I changed the destination of the Uber to Abuhan Dos.
Mariger and I had the best meal in Cebu.
We ordered Beef Pochero, the Visayan version of Nilagang Baka.
I even brought my bulalo spoon/straw.
But the best meal ever for us was the marrow by the bowl!!!!!!
We had to order extra rice. I want to go back just for the extra marrow.
I told Mariger we cannot go back to the hotel because we will sleep again if we do!
Ayala Center Cebu was our next destination.
We tried the Mango Xie Ping at Harbour City.
Nothing beats Majestic's Snow Ice Halo Halo. Others tried to copy it but their versions do not compare.
I had sio mai.
Mariger had hakaw and butchi.
We bought our pasalubongs and the stuff my neighbors asked me to buy for them.
Hehehehe I used Mariger's baggage allowance that was why I asked my neighbors to list down what they want from Cebu. So lucky!
Sunpride bacon was their number 1 order.
Next was the sylvanas from Mrs. Montenegro. I do not eat it but Cat and Shey really love it.
Ohhh An order now comes in a box! It was just wrapped in newspaper back then.
We were just planning to rest in our room and start packing when a friend told us to try the local pizza joint, Handuraw.
We ordered the special and Hawaiian pizza! Really thin crust pizza.
I did not realize it was a bar with live music. I'm a Lola already because I do not like live music anymore unless it is classical music.
Back at the hotel...
Ohhhh it was such a nightmare for me because I always have a hard time packing my things.
Good thing I showed Mona my problem and she told me how to pack my things.
Time to go to sleep. I brought my traveling kitty cat named, Sia.
I got her in Malaysia, hence, Sia. Plus Lia and Sia make a good traveling team.
I also brought my green security blanket and I bought a new small pillow.
Did we wake up early? Of course not.
Even if I am on vacation, I still had to do some errands like pay bills and go to the bank.
Mariger and I just met at the Abaca Baking Company, Ayala Center.
Yes! There is a branch now in Ayala Center! You do not have to go to Crossroads arcade anymore but the menu is not as extensive as the one in Banilad. And no bread for take home in their Ayala branch.
Banana Pecan Waffle.
I even brought my own Aunt Jemima pancake syrup because theirs is not as sweet.
Sunburst Chicken opened again in Ayala Center!
It was full so we just ordered chicken for take out and ate in our hotel room.
We received an email from Cebu Pacific that our 4:05 flight was moved to 5:20. That was OK.
But when we dropped off our baggage at the counter, the new estimated time was moved to 7:20 but that was still tentative!
Hayyy....... You think one can escape one's fate,
tadhana in Filipino.
But not in Mariger's case. Of course, our flight has to be delayed several times.
I have accepted it already so I was not upset.
I figured, in life, you just have to accept things as it is or else you will just get upset. I am not just talking about delayed flights but situations in general.
"This is unacceptable!" I often hear people say that phrase. Then they get upset, they blow their top and become miserable the whole time.
But if you accept things that you cannot change or beyond your control, then life will be so much easier and happier. Imagine peaceful and zen like emotions.
So.... I have accepted my friend, Mariger, for who and what she is, BALAT and all.
