Can this be true? Only a few hours from Dumaguete,Bacolod and Bohol by air conditioned bus and ferry boat, the weary traveler arrives in Cebu city, leaving behind the bustle of the big city.The crossing from the Port of Dumaguete through the Bohol island is a memorable one, as dolphins follow the ship most of the way. Mountains covered withh tropical rainforests,waterfalls and beautiful, secluded sandy beaches greet the arriving passenger.My friends would have loved this island!
On april 8,1521 Ferdinand Magellan arrived Cebu and discovered the island for the Europeans thus opening the a route that would be followed by the sea traders until today.Magellan planted a cross in the island that would become Cebu most famous land mark.While in the island, Magellan picked a fight with Cebu's local chieftain Lapu-Lapu that led to the now legendary battle of Mactan.Magellan was killed in the battle and most of his men were annihilated by the locals that mark one of histories most tunning war reversals. Spain was a world power at that time, dividing the world wiht Potugal, while Cebu was an unknown remote island in the pacific.
Cebu today!Trying to capture its old glory, Cebu now leads the Philippines in an economic upswing anprecedented in its history. It has the fastest growing economy in he region with an average 19.5% export growth for the past 5 years. Cebu comprises 4% of the county's total population yet accounts for 10% of the country's total exports in 19994.Cebu is the gateway inn central and southern Philippines and is the country's favorite tourists distination. It is also a jumped-off pont for tourists whose itinerary includes the neighboring islands of the Visayas and Mindanao.