Friday, May 13, 2011

Unlike what some of the prep materials suggested, the Filipinos I spoke to don't seem to worry about Friday, the 13th... so we headed into it without apprehension.  What was even more exciting was that we were gifted a special "explore Cebu" day organized by our clients.  Hard work... not, but a fabulous continuation of our initiation in our new city!   Thanks indeed.

Jewelry Market near SM Mall

The IBM City Government crew - me, Tati, Nora, Janet and Garima - loaded into the Management Information and Computer Science (MICS) department vehicle and headed to market...  Maam Loida, the MICS manager and Garima and Janet's project sponsor, and Yvette from the HR office, took us to a lovely jewelry market across from the SM Mall. 
Many of the stands were just opening.  We got some great lessons in how to bargain for the best price.

Carbon Market

Next stop in our tour was the famous Carbon Market, located very near the City Hall where we work most days.

We got there in late morning when it was already quite hot, and were advised the market is busiest early in the morning and later afternoon, esp. when it comes to fresh fruit vendors.  Was quite the sight regardless - overflowing with goods even at this hour, and fortunately not too crowded.  We were carefully escorted by security and enjoyed a very uneventful visit.  Wonder how it may be if we tried to go by ourselves and promise to be extra careful.

After the lunch hour (12-1 PM), we joined up with Maam Perla and Maam Terry from HRDO, and RC from CCMC, who had planned an outing to Mactan Island and the fancy resorts in Lapu Lapu.

Plantation Bay Resort

With Maam Perla

The IBM group had prepared a picnic to enjoy for the afternoon snack - merienda - and once everything was packed in the cooler, we loaded in a van and headed across the bridge to Mactan (where we first touched down in Cebu some 5 days earlier, at the International Airport...).
We had ambitious plan, fantastic hosts and skilled driver. 

Imperial Palace

Every place we stopped at was so much fun to explore that we quickly realized our appetite for adventure is bigger than the time we had allotted, and chose to spend our time at two main resorts - Plantation Bay and the Imperial Palace.

Gorgeous, several times we wished we could jump out of the golf carts taking us around the grounds and swim up to the pool bar... or touch the sand and ocean for the first time since having arrived.  Soon!

Our "merienda" turned into an early dinner picnic at the HR Office... which was fantastic as could share with everyone who was still around.  Flexibility paid off yet again!  We even got to enjoy a beautiful "golden hour" sunset light / view from the 8th floor of the City Hall building on our way out...

Abandoned Maritime Building