January 18, 2026
My Cebu Photo Blog

New Adventures

Last Sunday, I was finally able to leave the city and travel down south. The last time that I traveled was almost one year ago. So, why exactly did I travel down south? We drove all the way to Santander to break in my new motorcycle. Yes, I got a new motorcycle. I must admit one of the reasons why I stopped traveling temporarily was the failing ‘health’ of my old bike. It was almost eight years old and I felt that it would conk out all of a sudden if I drove it all the way to the southern tip. (Yes, it was as old as MyCebuPhotoBlog.) So, I made the difficult decision to sell it while it was still salable.

So, yeah. Here are some photos of my trip with Sven, my parents, and of course my new motorbike which shall be known beginning today as Dodong Gotham. Hehe.




Southern Cebu – always a beauty.

I must say, the roads have improved tremendously. Now, traveling is a breeze! 🙂

This widened stretch in Naga looks really neat.

The city of Carcar has constructed a new welcome arch after the old one was torn down during the widening project.

Indeed, it’s been a really long time since my last visit. Carcar’s Metro Gaisano is opening soon! Can you believe it!

And the old Gaisano Carcar (a different Gaisano Group) is now a real mall! It has a Jollibee store, too!

Pretty neat. They’ve also improved the side walk as well as the loading and unloading bays.

And would you look at that! A SaveMore market right across the Carcar market!

We made a quick stop in Carcar to visit one of Dad’s good friends. Nong Boy used to be our neighbor here in the city but he had to move to Carcar after he suffered a stroke. I think it worsened a little because now he has lost his voice. Get well soon, Nong Boy.

This stretch in Alcoy is very lovely.

And this coastal road somewhere in Oslob is one of the many reasons why I love Cebu’s southern towns.

We had to make a lot of stops during the trip due to torrential rains. Actually, I think we were basically chasing a rainstorm the whole time. Haha.

We reached the town of Santander just before lunch. Wonderful view, don’t you think?

After lunch, we relaxed for a bit and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery. We wanted to go swimming but we weren’t prepared enough; we forgot to bring shorts and undies. Too bad!

The beautiful blue between Negros and Cebu. Amazing!

A RORO approaching the Santander wharf.

Eager passengers. Good thing, despite the weather, the sea was perfectly still.

Ground crew making sure that the boat is securely fastened as a Ceres Liner is unloaded.

On our way back, we stopped at the park in Santander which was once called Sanayon. We noticed that a beautiful structure was being constructed in one area. I think it’s going to be a restaurant. Gorgeous, right?

View of Sumilon island from the park. Wow!

The park is perfect for afternoon strolls and other activities. I think this is actually where they hold their annual Tostados Festival.

The big open park sits right next to the national highway. Beautiful.

View of the restaurant from the main road.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Gotham. Gotham is a Honda XRM 125. My last bike was a Honda XRM 110. I decided to get a Honda XRM again because it’s the perfect bike for long road trips. Plus, it performs great on rough roads and other road types. Also, this model is relatively cheaper compared to other newer models. I couldn’t handle expensive monthly fees so I decided to get a cheaper one. Hehe.

Overall, I’m very happy with my decision to get a new bike. Hopefully, this will signal the start of more regular travels and updates for MyCebuPhotoBlog (which is turning 8 this November.) It’s a great anniversary gift for MCPB, don’t you think? 🙂

Posing in Santander. Haha.

I was quite alarmed to see this development in Boljoon. It looks like they’re making a road on top of the Ili Rock aka the Southern Bend. The Ili Rock is one of Cebu’s most recognizable natural icons.

The Ili Rock and the seaside community of Boljoon.

This was how the Ili Rock looked like a couple of years ago. What do you think of the recent development?

Tingko Beach in Alcoy is very pretty even when the tide is low.




I can’t wait to start traveling hardcore again. Thanks for sticking around, you guys despite my long-ish absense!

And happy 8th year to us! 🙂

leylander

View all posts by leylander →

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58 thoughts on “New Adventures”

  1. Congrats Ley for having new Honda XRM 125 and yes happy 8th is fast approaching.
    And congrats too, your part of the SunStar Cebu now. Hardly see you in that sign Santander, you’re cute thats why, lol. The fardest I’ve been to South is Sibonga only. And im longing to cross to Negros. Is that the roro for Negros? look interesting to me. Im oppose to that Ili Rock destruction. But they might make it into Ili Rock Lookout for stunning ocean view/ whale watching. Tnx for this new update Ley.

    Reply

  2. Congrats Ley for having new Honda XRM 125 and yes happy 8th is fast approaching.
    And congrats too, your part of the SunStar Cebu now. Hardly see you in that sign Santander, you’re cute thats why, lol. The fardest I’ve been to South is Sibonga only. And im longing to cross to Negros. Is that the roro for Negros? look interesting to me. Im oppose to that Ili Rock destruction. But they might make it into Ili Rock Lookout for stunning ocean view/ whale watching. Tnx for this new update Ley.

    Reply

  3. Glad of ur new bike. First time to comment here yet been reading ur blog always.
    We , my whole family, love go travel so I visit us page for bright ideas !! Yehey !
    Just went south few days ago. It took us a bit longer due to a heavy traffic in San Fernando. Project not yet through…tsk tsk tsk….

    Reply

  4. Glad of ur new bike. First time to comment here yet been reading ur blog always.
    We , my whole family, love go travel so I visit us page for bright ideas !! Yehey !
    Just went south few days ago. It took us a bit longer due to a heavy traffic in San Fernando. Project not yet through…tsk tsk tsk….

    Reply

  7. Hi Ley, this is Rafael fm Alcoy/Spain. Congratilations for your new bike. I’m really happy to receive your new post. I can not believe what are the boljoons doing with Ili Rock. They are destroying it. Very bad news.

    Reply

  8. Hi Ley, this is Rafael fm Alcoy/Spain. Congratilations for your new bike. I’m really happy to receive your new post. I can not believe what are the boljoons doing with Ili Rock. They are destroying it. Very bad news.

    Reply

  9. Cebu’s southern landscape always fascinates me. Nothing beats riding in a motorbike passing thru Cebu’s version of French Riviera while indulging in different heritage sites along the way. The blue sea and the rugged mountains add up to the mesmerizing journey to the south.

    Reply

  10. Cebu’s southern landscape always fascinates me. Nothing beats riding in a motorbike passing thru Cebu’s version of French Riviera while indulging in different heritage sites along the way. The blue sea and the rugged mountains add up to the mesmerizing journey to the south.

    Reply

  15. “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda”

    Hahahaha! Have you checked out the place in front where you park your XRM in Santander? I saw stairways there. Been riding through these roads yet haven’t been able to check that area. Unsay naa diha bai? 🙂

    Reply

  16. “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda”

    Hahahaha! Have you checked out the place in front where you park your XRM in Santander? I saw stairways there. Been riding through these roads yet haven’t been able to check that area. Unsay naa diha bai? 🙂

    Reply

  17. Bai Ley, its been quite a while since the last time you posted new pics, finally… you’re back, with a new motorcycle to boost 🙂

    Please keep posting pictures of Cebu…

    I am a big fan of your work…

    Reply

  18. Bai Ley, its been quite a while since the last time you posted new pics, finally… you’re back, with a new motorcycle to boost 🙂

    Please keep posting pictures of Cebu…

    I am a big fan of your work…

    Reply

  25. Bai,
    ……nice bike, thanks for the new post. I like your site (bookmarked) and a frequent visitor.
    Keep it up! Btw, planning to come home next year and have a lot to visit because of your blog’s info.

    Reply

  26. Bai,
    ……nice bike, thanks for the new post. I like your site (bookmarked) and a frequent visitor.
    Keep it up! Btw, planning to come home next year and have a lot to visit because of your blog’s info.

    Reply

  27. oh, i miss southern cebu! It’s been 3 years since I met you and do this trip from Oslob going back to Cebu, i hope you still remember me. I am looking forward visiting Sumilon Island someday.
    Keep writing, keep traveling!

    Reply

  28. oh, i miss southern cebu! It’s been 3 years since I met you and do this trip from Oslob going back to Cebu, i hope you still remember me. I am looking forward visiting Sumilon Island someday.
    Keep writing, keep traveling!

    Reply

  29. Hey Ley I’ve been your avid follower, if it’s okay can you post some pictures of cebu city skyline most preferably shooting from lapu-lapu bridge?

    Reply

  30. Hey Ley I’ve been your avid follower, if it’s okay can you post some pictures of cebu city skyline most preferably shooting from lapu-lapu bridge?

    Reply

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