The Philippines - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 635

EATING, DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
Much of Cebu's best dining and drinking can be found at
the malls and entertainment centres such as The Terraces ,
built around a garden area in the Ayala Center, Crossroads
and Banilad Town Centre mall (BTC). Aside from the clubs
and bars listed here it's also worth checking out Mango
Square, home to some of Cebu's biggest and brashest
clubs, including Alcology , Hybrid and Jave (all daily
9pm-4am).
Chika-An Sa Salinas Drive, Lahug T 032 233 0350.
A local hangout with indoor booths and an attractive
outdoor seating area, serving popular country food. The
grilled chorizo de Cebu (P99) is a bestseller and most
dishes, such as the crispy pata (P279), are big enough to
satisfy two very hungry bellies. There's another branch in
SM City mall. Mains P200-300. Daily 11.30am-2pm &
6-10pm.
★

DIRECTORY
Banks and exchange ATMs are everywhere, and there's
no shortage of places to change currency, particularly
along the main drag of Osmeña Blvd, where there are
branches of HSBC, Citibank and Metrobank. Xchange, Level
3, Ayala Terraces, changes all major currencies.
Immigration Cebu Immigration District O ce, P. Burgos
St, Mandaue City (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; T 032 345 6422).
Internet Internet cafés are everywhere. Try Netopia, top
floor of the Ayala Center (daily 10am-9pm; P25/hr), or
Jedbat on Salinas Drive (daily 8am-midnight; P15/hr).
Medical Care Cebu Doctor's University Hospital, Osmeña
Blvd ( T 032 255 5555). There's a branch of Mercury Drug
on Fuente Osmeña and other pharmacies in all the malls.
Police Cebu Tourist police ( T 032 412 4138) are located
by the Basilica del Santo Niño.
Post o ce On Quezon Blvd close to the port area. Also at
Osmeña Blvd cnr. R. Landon St.
Shopping The main malls in Cebu are the Ayala Center
(Cebu Business Park) and SM City (North Reclamation area)
as well as smaller malls E-Mall (east of the Southern Bus
Station), Robinson's Place (Fuente Osmeña), Gaisano,
JY Square and Banilad Town Center (BTC) further north.
All are open 10am to 9pm, and have a huge range of shops
and services. Ayala is the most upmarket, and is similar to
Greenbelt in Makati with its outdoor eating area.

Golden Cowrie Salinas Drive, Lahug T 032 233 4243.
Part open-fronted restaurant, the Golden Cowrie serves
traditional-chic Filipino cuisine, including grilled backribs
(P255) and deep-fried crispy pata (P279) on banana-leaf
platters. Servers wander between tables topping up your
banana leaf from buckets of limitless rice. Busy, especially
at weekends. Daily 11am-2pm & 6-10pm.
Koa 157 Gorordo Ave. Popular open-sided bar and café
on the site of the former legendary traveller's hangout,
Kukuk's Nest . Live music (Wed-Sat) starts at 9.30pm and
there are Filipino snacks from the bar, as well as pizza from
La Bella Napoli kiosk. Daily 10am-10am.
My Greek Taverna Mango Square. This tiny kiosk turns
out tasty, authentic hummus (P85), gyros, doner kebabs
(P85-185) and salads to the hungry Mango Square crowd.
Daily 5pm-5am.
Oh Georg! Level 1, Ayala Center T 032 233 4735. Famed
for its bestselling banana cake (P40) and chocolate
decadence (P90), this intimate coffee shop and dessert
bar is a good spot to boost your energy with a slice of
exquisite cake and a cup of stong Batangas coffee as you
stroll around the mall. Plenty of savoury dishes too. Daily
10am-9pm.
Persian Palate Several branches including: ground
floor, Robinson's Place mall; Fuente Osmeña, Mango
Square mall; Ayala Center. When you positively can't face
eating another part of a pig, this Middle Eastern place
comes to the rescue with plenty of fresh choices, including
halal and vegetarian options (veggie wrap P95). Daily
10am-9pm.
★

8

Moalboal
Almost 100km from Cebu City on the
island's southwestern flank lies the small
town of Moalboal, gateway to Pangsama
Beach, a relaxed, rather boozy, divers'
hangout which boasts some cheap
accommodation and marvellous views of
the sun setting over Negros. he sea is
crystal clear, and while many reefs along
the mainland coast have been damaged by
successive typhoons, the enigmatic
Pescador Island has survived, and remains
one of the most alluring dive sites in the
Philippines. Located just a few kilometres
offshore, it's a haven for sharks, mantas
and moray eels and swirling schools of
sardines. here's also plenty to do on land,
from hikes and bike rides to canyoning
and horseriding, although sun-worshippers
looking for a sandy beach will be better off
at White Beach, 5km north, where there's
also good snorkelling.

Vudu Crossroads, Archbishop Reyes Ave, Banilad
W facebook.com/VUDUcebu. This bar-cum-club with chic
colonial furniture attracts a yuppie Filipino crowd. R'n'b
beats in the main dance area (from 9pm), while the
laidback whisky lounge serves cocktails (P90) and is the
perfect place to unwind after a long dance session. Ladies'
night Fri, otherwise P150 entry. Mon-Sat 6pm-3am.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus Buses pick up and drop off on the main road in
Moalboal, from where a tricycle will take you down the
partially paved track to Panagsama Beach (P100).