The day started out really early as our flight to Cebu was scheduled at 430am that day.  We were at the airport by 315am ready when a lane opens up for check-in.  Still yawning from the short sleep, we secretly hoped that our flights wouldn’t get delayed since we’ve been seeing in the news that the recently opened Terminal 3 caused a lot of delays for passengers.  Thank goodness that Cebu Pacific was very efficient and the flight went on as scheduled.  The Cebu routes are the most efficient flights for the said carrier, and most worked out schedule, since it bears its name.

Even if the flight was only an hour, we tried to grab some shut-eye during the air travel to Cebu.  This was my first time to go to Cebu, whereas it was Bubba’s second time to go.  I’ve landed on Cebu once during a return trip from Davao.  There was a layover at Cebu for 15 minutes then we were off to Manila –I was on a different carrier then and twas a memorable ride because that was the first time I flew alone and the first time I was ever inside the crew/pilot cabin during a flight.  That was some experience!  (Link: )

We arrived at Cebu airport 10 minutes earlier than our declared ETA.  Yay!  Any extra time is gold when you’re traveling.  We registered with Travel Factor for their Cebu: Bantayan –Virgin Island –Malapascua trip but decided to join them on Day 2 of the tour. 

On our first day, it was Norman Go who toured us around Cebu City.  He woke up early and fetched us at the airport around 530am.  Norman studied in DLSU –Manila but he had his practicum at the Cebu airport.  I spent the morning asking him so many questions about airplanes and terminal operation.

Norman treated us during the whole day affair despite our vehement disapproval.  In turn, we fervently insisted that we pick the tab for dinner.  It was mentioned some time during the day that I haven’t tried Uni yet so Norman brought us to a Japanese restaurant in Cebu that serves really fresh sushi –Chibori.  Chibori was a spacious sleek Japanese restaurant at the heart of the business district of Cebu.

On the Table:

Assorted Sushi Platter –Premium PHP 800+

A good sushi platter makes for a great appetizer or main course.  In this case, it was the main course of the entire meal.  6 kinds of sushi were plated on a wooden rack with some side garnish salad.  It was my first time to try uni (sea urchin) and although it tasted like “sea,” I really enjoyed the salty fishy flavor and velvety texture.  The boys let me finish most of it.

California Maki PHP

Ebi Tempura PHP 250

Deep-fried battered shrimps

Sukiyaki PHP 600++

Sukiyaki is a Japanese beef hotpot with thinly sliced beef (ooh lala), carrots, leeks, tofu, other veggies and vermicelli noodles.  The broth has a sweet note to it.  Sukiyaki used to be a staple order for me every time I dine Japanese but haven’t ordered this much lately.  Chibori’s sukiyaki is a winner because it has a good balance between the sweetness of the broth and flavor of the beef.  The veggies were soft but still had a bite to it.

Chibori Album