Good afternoon and welcome back to VibePinas! Today was a day of pure indulgence in the city. We’ve been staying in Cebu for a while now, and since we’re heading back to the mountains soon, where the menu is mostly rice and dried fish, we decided to go all out with a "foodie" day.
The highlight of the day was heading to Vikings Buffet at SM City. If you’ve never been, it’s basically a massive warehouse of food from every corner of the globe. Jessa and I have a bit of a tradition here—she goes straight for the seafood and local Filipino favorites, while I tend to hunt for things that remind me of home or are a bit more "international."
I have to admit, I’m a bit of a nightmare at a buffet. I start with a plan, but then I see the carving station, the sushi, and the dim sum, and my discipline just disappears. I ended up with a plate that had everything from roasted beef to pizza. Jessa, on the other hand, was focused. She can put away an impressive amount of food for someone her size, especially when there’s unlimited shrimp and tempura involved. Liam was mostly interested in the dessert section—specifically anything with chocolate—and watching him navigate a high-end buffet is always a mix of entertainment and keeping him from making a total mess.
After we literally waddled out of Vikings, we headed over to Ayala Mall. I needed to stock up on some "survival supplies" for the mountains. By that, I mean the things I can’t find in Ginatilan: proper coffee, specific Norwegian-style treats, and some quality cheese. It’s funny how much you miss those small comforts when you’re living off the grid. Jessa was also on the hunt for some clothes and things for the house. Even though we’re on a budget for the big house project, a little "window shopping" and a few essentials didn't hurt.
The energy in the city is a world away from the peace of the mountains. Ayala is beautiful with its terraces and greenery, but after a few hours of the noise and the crowds, I always find myself missing my quiet balcony and the mountain view. It’s a bit of a "grass is always greener" situation—when I’m in the mountains, I crave a good buffet and fast internet; when I’m in the city, I crave the silence.
We ended the day exhausted and very, very full. We’re currently packing up the car with all our mall haul, getting ready for the long drive back home. It was a great day of city luxury, but I’m ready to trade the buffet lines for the mountain ridges again.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next one!
