Ever
since I organized an outing to Busay for my mother and her sisters (The Road to Happiness), they now eagerly anticipate the next adventure.
Knowing
how much happiness the simple trip brought to my senior travel group, I committed to come up
with at least one activity a month for them.
After
our excursions in May to the gardens of Busay along the transcentral highway of
Cebu, I arranged an afternoon of ballroom dancing for June. I contacted my mom’s
elderly DI (dance instructor) who we have known for the last 30 years or
so. Although 60 years of age, the DI
managed to out-dance us all. My mother,
her sisters and the house staff twirled their cares away in the tiny living
room of my mom’s house. Of course,
making it doubly fun was the merienda spread of native delicacies: bico, bibingka,
bud-bud with mangoes and tsokolate, and empanada.
Like
my mother and her sisters, I also am a devotee of our Mother Mary. This would be a special and meaningful
excursion for all of us. The route to the destination also promised to be
scenic with many food tasting possibilities. Best of all, it was near enough to
afford us the chance to be home in time for supper.
Perfect!
---xoxoxox---
On
a hot July Thursday morning, my senior travel mates and I made for the
Benedictine Monastery in Corte, Carmen. We arrived at our destination after two
hours of easy driving along the coastal road of Northern Cebu.
Despite
the heat, there was a feeling of calm that enveloped the group as we slowly
took in the surroundings of trees, plants, flowers, and statues. We were the only visitors and the silence made
for an even deeper feeling of peace—as though we had come home. It was a bit of a climb to the main church. Inside, the serenity of its cool interiors created a closer commune with our Mother as we quietly prayed for her intercession.
We continued to be the only devotees when we made our way to the Rosary Center- a separate structure.
Inside the building were paintings of the 4 Mysteries of the Rosary and the image of Our Lady of Manaoag.
It
being a Thursday, we recited and reflected on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary as
portrayed by the beautifully executed paintings on the wall.
We
left the monastery even more energized as can be judged from the continued
happy banter of my mom and her sisters.
I was content enough to just listen to their stories and their constant
teasing of each other as we made our way to our next destination for a
memorable and delicious lunch.
---xoxoxox---
It
was one in the afternoon when we arrived at Borussia German Restaurant and Bakery in Sogod. We were warmly welcomed by the owners, Chuchi and
Jurgen Mannchen. The laid back ambiance
made for that feel-at-home mood. I felt so relaxed, I only took one picture. Don't fret. You can visit the facebook page by clicking on the name above.
Must
try: their peppery and tomato infused focaccia bread.
We also liked their fried chicken, goulash
and pork loin steak. Don’t forget to ask for their delicious lemongrass-citrus
iced tea. It was very much appreciated on such a humid afternoon. We will need to come back to try their
sausages. It was nearing 3 in the afternoon when we
reluctantly stood up to say good-bye. But not until we loaded up on a variety of
bread to take home.
There
was one more food tasting stop before we headed back to the city. Torta Ug Uban Pa. Located in Catmon, it’s a small bake shop
fast gaining popularity for it’s torta.
Almost like chiffon cake but firmer. It went very well with their coffee
and their version of the lemongrass-citrus iced tea. Check out their facebook page by clicking on their name for their other
yummy offerings.
The
sun was slowing sinking into the clear blue horizon. It gave the group just
enough time to enjoy the next stop-over.
I have more to tell in the second and last installment of this blog entry on two other interesting destinations in the northern part of Cebu.
Hint:
Mother Mary (of course!)
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