Cebu....my experience in the 'developing world'

The resort mini bus

Atsuko and me headed to Cebu in the Philippines for 8 days. The first stop was Mactan island to Plantation Bay Resort. We spent 2 days in 5 star bliss at the resort...but we paid 5 star prices. I didnt expect the resort to be cheap but it was clear that every time you spent any money you were being ripped off....example - a bottle of rum is 18php, 1 drink in the resort was 250php....basically the resort cashed in on the fact that outside of Plantation Bay there was nothing to do and no where to go....having said that is was beautiful so no more complaining!

In Plantation Bay resort

Outside the resort

We left the resort via taxi and headed to the main island to Constolation and stayed in more 'beach hut' style accommodation. The beach there was for locals and not the white sand I had imagined. We spent the first day drinking bottles of rum (and every day after that!) and singing karaoke on the beach.

The only food available in this area was from street vendors - every part of a chicken, rice, pork, bread.....having been brought up by a mother with an OCD about cleanliness and hygiene I couldn't bring myself to eat any of it....so my diet consisted of crisps, rum, and bread. Atsuko was less anal about the local food than me though and sampled the local delicacy at most meals...she is still with us.

My diet for 8 days!

Atsuko sampling street food

Travelling via a local 'jeepney' (a very scary local bus) we explored the area surrounding Constolation and visited Madarau city and local towns.

A typical jeepney

The local market

In desperate need for a nice beach one day we headed further up the island to a private resort and paid the price to sit on a white beach with clear water, fish swimming around your feet, lovely restaurants and swimming pools.

A nice meal at the 5 star Alegre Resort

Travelling in a side car

After 5 days spent by the sea we decided to go to Cebu City to see if we could find some civilisation. We stayed at a youth hostel in the uptown area and spent 2 days exploring the city via jeepney including churches, shopping malls, nightlife, and all the tourist spots.
With the temperature at a constant 34c we did escape into the cinema a few times and found Starbucks.

Cebu City

Cebu is undoubtedly beautiful, however, having never been to a developing country before it was a bit of a culture shock for me. As much as I enjoyed the holiday and 'cultural learning experience' I don't think it will be somewhere I would go twice and I am now also questioning whether I want to visit many other Asian countries.