*warning, I may or may not have tears in my eyes while typing this entry out* For those unaware, I was born and raised in the Queen City of the South called Cebu City. I lived here for fifteen years before moving to California. This short trip to Cebu was my first time setting foot in the first place I called home for the first time in eleven years – with that being said, it was exciting to be back but nostalgic at the same time.
We arrived close to midnight after being delayed in Manila. My grandpa (dad’s dad) picked us up from the airport and drove us to my uncle’s home where we stayed for the majority of this trip. My uncle lives on top of a mountain with the prettiest views of the ocean nearby. And right below his house is a golf course where we spent our first day. After a quick round of golf, my uncle hosted a little welcome home party for us.
Besides spending time with my dad’s side of the family, I was able to spend some quality time with my mom’s side of the family as well! I met up with my mom’s sisters and we caught up with what little time we had to each other.
I also got to explore one of the newest malls in town, SM Seaside. It’s located right next to the ocean! One of my aunts is the manager for the event/theatre department so we got to see Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again in the Director’s Club. I also got to dine at Harbor City, which is still the best dimsum restaurant in the country in the whole wide world.
I think one of the biggest highlight of this trip was seeing my grandfather (mom’s dad) for the first time in eleven years (my dad’s dad has visited us several time in California)!!! I cried way too hard when I saw him again, and saying bye again broke my heart. *I’m bawling right now, whoops* Anyways, we dined at Harbor City again, per my brother’s request, and we grabbed dessert at Room For Dessert, where I witnessed my aunt get scolded for ordering cotton candy with ice cream in the middle since diabetes is pretty popular on my mom’s side of the family.
After saying our goodbyes, I met up with my uncle and aunt at a different mall and then got dropped off at the airport. I had to leave two days earlier than my brother and aunt due to work. This trip made me realize that you don’t necessarily miss the place but rather the people you left behind. I didn’t see any of my childhood friends due to time constraints but seeing family that mattered to me was enough, actually more than enough. Like I said, it was extremely bittersweet saying goodbye again.
I’m not waiting another eleven years to visit Cebu again. Also, mango shakes in Cebu are still the best tasting shakes ever.
These pictures are so cute! Sounds like you had a fab trip, I bet it was lovely to meet up with your family again
Megan | https://pixieskiesblog.wordpress.com/
Aaaaah, Cebu! One of the places I never got visit really well. I once went to Cebu as a stopover of sorts on a trip to Bohol, but that was a long time ago! Now that you’ve posted about your visit, it makes me want to go back there again!
Glad that you got to spend time with your relatives! 🙂
Layla | legallyunblondeandbeyond.inspirelight.net
So much delicious looking food! As they say, you never really miss the place itself but more the people and the memories.
When do you think you will be back next?
I love that you still have a lot of love for Cebu and that you’re proud of your heritage. Oh man, the views from your uncle’s house look amazing. Rich Asians!! Hehe. Not crazy though.
It is good that you got to spend time with both sides of the family. The dimsum out there look delicious!!! Your grandpa is so cute. I’m glad you enjoyed your time out there even though it was a few days. Come back soon, hehe!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I’m missing Cebu too but at least I get to see your photos, that cotton candy with ice cream is epic. Your uncle’s house is fab, so good on you to reconnect with your family.
http://www.busyandfab.com
It looks gorgeous there! It’s so great that you got to see family you haven’t seen in a long time. 🙂
Aww, this is such a sweet post Eena! It sounds like you had a wonderful time with your family, your photos are so adorable. Wow, the cotton candy with ice cream is amazing, ha ha! Thanks for sharing your trip and I am glad you had a lovely time! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
This is such a sweet post, I bet seeing your grandad after that long was amazing! That ice cream looks absolutely amazing as well, who doesn’t like candy floss?
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Lovely photos. Looks like you had an amazing time, yay.
Kara Aragon
http://www.thekaragon.com
Oh my gosh I didn’t know you were from Cebu??? Wow! It must have felt amazing going back to your hometown after so many years!
Haha I agree with your opinion about the food AND the mango shake! That’s one of the reasons why I keep on coming back to Cebu (besides family, of course!)
it sounds like you had such a lovely trip and a great time seeing your family. your pictures are incredible! it sucks that life gets so busy that it’s hard to travel to places that mean so much to us, hopefully there won’t be such a time gap between now and your next trip! xx
mich / simplymich.com
Thank you for sharing your trip! Your pictures look amazing! I’m sure it was wonderful to see your family after so long.
This is so lovely! Sounds like you had a great time seeing your family again! Your pictures are so cute, and the food looks amazing, what a sweet post to read 🙂
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Cute pictures 🙂 Looks like you had a great day 🙂
Looks like a fun trip, hope you had a good time!
xx Jenifer
https://www.theevolista.com/
Sweet reunion with family 🙂 Looks like you had a wonderful trip!