Looooonnngggg overdue…but here we go!
After an amazing time in Bantayan Island, it was finally time to head home. As soon as we woke up on our fourth and final day, we packed up our things and made our way to the port for the first available ferry back to the mainland. The morning sea breeze felt refreshing as we watched the sun rise over the island, marking the end of yet another wonderful stay in Bantayan. Since we didn’t have time for a proper breakfast, we settled for some bread while aboard the RORO, fueling ourselves for the journey ahead.
Once we reached Hagnaya Port, we wasted no time and drove straight to Medellin’s Bamboo Forest. This was a last-minute addition to our itinerary, and we were excited to see it in person. After a quick lunch, we entered the bamboo forest, which looked like something straight out of a movie. The towering bamboo trees created a peaceful and enchanting atmosphere, making it the perfect place for photos and videos. A local kid, who happily acted as our tour guide, helped us capture some great shots, making the experience even more memorable.
From there, we headed to Medellin town proper for another round of dried fish shopping. Our Bantayan stash wasn’t enough, and we couldn’t resist the chance to bring home more of Cebu’s famous bulad. Originally, we planned to go all the way to Daanbantayan, the northernmost town of Cebu, but realizing that we needed to be back home in Samboan by evening, we decided to skip it. Instead, we took a quick coffee break somewhere after Medellin town before making a U-turn and starting our long drive back south.
Taking a different route this time, we passed through Bogo City and then Tabogon. Along the way, we attempted to stop at Banyan Spring in Tabogon for a quick dip. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the spring was already closed. A little disappointed but still in good spirits, we hopped back in the car and pushed forward, aiming to reach the city before traffic got too heavy.
As expected, hunger struck once again as we neared Metro Cebu. We made a brief stop at Jollibee Star Mall in Talisay for a quick dinner before continuing our journey. Our final stop before heading home was in Carcar City, where we took a restroom and coffee break—an essential pause to recharge for the last stretch of our road trip.
Finally, we made our way back to Samboan, exhausted but incredibly fulfilled. The entire trip was long, with countless stops, unexpected detours, and missed opportunities, but that’s exactly what made it special. Road trips like this remind us why we love to travel as a family. The journey itself is just as meaningful as the destinations, and every adventure strengthens our bond.
It was a rewarding experience, and if there’s one thing we all agreed on, it’s that we’d love to do it all over again soon. Until the next road trip!
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Day 1: Exploring the North of Cebu – A Family Road Trip Adventure
Day 2 and 3: Exploring Bantayan Island: A Perfect Day 2 and 3 of our North Cebu Road Trip