Cebu weekend escapade- domestic tourism at its best

Upon the invitation of noted landscape artist and plant grower extraordinaire Jaime Chua, a small group of the Philippine Orchid Society (POS) members flew last weekend to Cebu to visit his farm and tour the city and environs.

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We arrive early morning Saturday and were met at the airport with a van lent to us by a friend of mine for the weekend. POS President Susan Lee's friend, Esther Lim, was on hand to bring us to The Reef Condotel for a hearty buffet breakfast.

Being thus fortified, the group proceeded to the Temple of Leah, a shrine to the late wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, of Teodorico Adarna, now termed the Taj Mahal of the Philippines. It's a magnificent Roman-style temple with Doric columns, marble statues, and a grand staircase featuring a massive statue of Leah on the landing. Filipinos, being suckers for a grand romance, are now flocking to it as a unique tourist attraction in Cebu. Its location on a mountainside with a view of Cebu City adds to its allure.

Next, we got a taste of the famous Cebu lechon at the House of Lechon. After stuffing ourselves full, it was time for a shopping spree of Cebu goodies. We had tasted bolinao, a small dried fish, at the Reef and had to buy some to bring home. There was dried squid, dried mango, otap, and more goodies as well.