SKY (AND SEA) ADVENTURE IN CEBU!

by Nana Nadal

I have not had the chance to explore the country in awhile so I welcomed the Department of Tourism’s invitation to spend a few days in the Queen City of the South. My enthusiasm was shared by my colleagues. Everyone in the group was excited about slapping on some SPF50s and hopping on a streamlined, elegant, and efficient version of the traditional motorized banca courtesy of Islands Banca Cruises. Mind you, it was no ordinary boat, it boasted of comfortable seats and bean bags for some serious chillaxing, piped-in reggae music to get the passengers in the mood, WIFI connection for the workaholics who refuse to leave their jobs (or their Facebook accounts) even for a day and a toilet for people like me who panic when there’s no decent restroom in the vicinity. Best of all, it was operated by a lean and efficient crew who made us all kickback and relax to the max.

As soon as we reached Gilutungan, we all shed our shyness and T-shirts and grabbed our snorkeling gear for a swim with the fishes. The site was teeming with sea creatures of different sizes, shapes, and colors, it was spectacular! My legs got tired from kicking before I’ve had enough of the scene so I opted to continue enjoying the view while rowing around on a kayak. Our activities at the marine sanctuary left us exhausted and hungry. Good thing a hearty lunch awaited us at Cao-Uy, an area with a row of restaurant on stilts approximately 40 minutes away by banca from our first stop. We enjoyed our feast of the day’s freshest catch partnered with rice cooked in coconut leaves or puso, also known as ‘‘hanging rice’’. The filling meal got us raring for more adventure. We boarded our banca once again and headed for Pandanon situated in Getafe, Bohol. Upon reaching the pristine island, we were greeted by the sight of a quaint chapel that could probably seat no more than 30, a handful of huts, and an edifice that is being developed into a resort. There was a trace of sandbar which we were told, extends far from the island during low tide. It was a postcard-pretty display and we all oohed and aahed as we treaded the white sands and clicked away. Picture taking wasn’t the only activity we busied ourselves with. Some went for a dip, others retreated under the shade for a massage, while I engaged in one of my favorite things: jet skiing! There’s just something about the sound of the engine revving combined with the splashing of water as you slice through the waves that I can’t resist. The strong wind and spray against my face and the view that surrounded me was simply exhilarating! We all groaned as Kitchie Uy, general manager of Islands Banca Cruises announced that it was time to go. We reluctantly boarded the banca knowing we were slowly inching our way back to reality. And that happened sooner than later as we crawled through heavy traffic going back to our hotel.

The media contingent was billeted at the new Crown Regency Hotel and Towers along Fuente Osmeña Boulevard. The tallest hotel tower in the Philippines is the home of the Sky Experience Adventure, a unique concept of attractions far above ground, meant to give tourists another reason to visit Cebu. Its centerpiece is the Edge Coaster, the very first and only amusement ride of its kind in the world. In pairs, guests can enjoy the view from the 38th floor of the building as their seats move sideways following the contours of the Crown Regency’s Tower 1. The seats have individual controls that provide riders the option to add a bit more thrill to their ride and tilt their seats down to 55 degrees. Behind this concept is American company, Interactive—the same people behind some of the best and safest custom-made amusement rides all over the world. Fear Factor fans can also enjoy the Sky Walk Extreme, where one can take a stroll along a ledge 400 feet off the ground while tied to a safety harness a la James Bond. ‘‘So much thought has been devoted to emergency management, we followed not just local but international safety standards,’’ assures Danny Dy, managing director of International Management & Consultancy, who, together with Panpisco Technologies Inc., brought the Sky Walk Extreme to the country. Richard King, chairman of J. King & Sons Company, owner of the Crown Regency Hotel and Resorts and visionary behind the SEA innovation disclosed that another ‘‘crazy’’ ride is coming in 2010: the Insanity Orbit, patterned after the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. ‘‘Our objective is to be a landmark, for people to say that you have not been to Cebu if you haven’t tried the Sky Experience Adventure,’’ beams King. Let’s just hope that their efforts for improvement will not just be confined to infrastructure but extend toward service as well. After all, Filipino hospitality is at the heart of our country’s success in tourism.

For more information on these Cebu attractions, log on to www.islandsbanca.com and www.skyexperienceadventure.com.