Cebu — We Went Together

Balamban · 17 October

The Balamban Hills

We began in the hills of Balamban, staying in an open-sided house built beside a stream. There was no air-conditioning, but up in the hills we did not need it. The house stayed cool, the children could play in the water below and it remains one of the most amazing places we have stayed.

Claire, Sophie and George together on the flight to Cebu

The family beside the stream beneath their open-sided house in the Balamban hills

Philip, Sophie and George playing in the stream below the house

Moalboal · 18 October

Moalboal

From Balamban we drove to Moalboal and took a jeepney down to the coast for snorkelling. That evening, Sophie and George had collected some hermit crabs. Claire sat watching them for so long that we called it “Claire TV.”

The family crowded into a bright green jeepney on the way to the water — Taking a jeepney to swim with the millions of resident sardines.

Sophie swimming beside a turtle off Moalboal — Sophie with a turtle.

Claire watching the hermit crabs Sophie and George had caught — “Claire TV”.

Sumilon Island · 19 October

Sumilon Island

On Sumilon Island, almost the entire day was spent around the water, most of it in the swimming pool. The island also had a lake where we all took turns catching fish.

Philip and the children in the pool beneath a large tree with the Cebu coast beyond

Philip and George catching small fish together from a bamboo platform on Sumilon Island — Fishing with George.

Oslob · 20 October

Whale Sharks at Oslob

The next morning was going to be the highlight of our trip. We left early from Sumilon Island for Oslob and took a small boat out to the whale sharks. Sophie was excited, but George was nervous at first, which was completely understandable when you saw the size of the sharks. Once he got in, however, he stayed in. Swimming beside them was the clear highlight of the trip.

The family walking down through Oslob towards the shore

Sophie and the family aboard the small boat from Oslob

Sophie beside the bright water after the morning excursion

Oslob to Mactan · 21–22 October

The Road Home

After one last morning by the water, we made the long drive north for our final night in Mactan. It had been a lot of moving for six days, but the experiences together as a family were well worth it.

Vanessa holding Claire above the stream on the final morning in southern Cebu

Claire drinking from her bottle in her seat during the drive north

Singapore · 22 October

Home

6 days · 5 nights · approximately 5,390 kilometres travelled