There’s something about returning to places that feel untouched by noise—by traffic, deadlines, and the white static of everyday life. Moalboal, on this particular summer, offered me more than a break. It gave me breathing room.

It was the kind of summer heat only the Philippines knows how to cook up—sunlight pouring like lava on rooftops, skin warmed and toasted, air thick with the scent of coconut oil and salt. Flip-flops slapped sidewalks. Umbrellas opened under skies that had no intention of raining. You don’t just visit the tropics—you surrender to them.

And that summer, I did.

After weeks of routine, night shifts, and that strange numbness that creeps in when you forget to listen to your own soul, I packed up with my family and headed to southern Cebu. Five days, no plans beyond this: be near the ocean.

🌴 Welcome to Parrot Resort, Moalboal

We stayed at Parrot Resort, tucked in a quieter part of Moalboal, not far from the coastline yet hidden enough to feel like a world of its own. It wasn’t luxury in the traditional sense—but it had soul.

There were actual parrots perched within the grounds, casually greeting you with squawks and side glances as if to say, You made it.

Our room felt like a little sanctuary:

• Air conditioning that kissed sunburnt skin
• A small kitchen and clean bathroom
• A wide veranda with rattan chairs perfect for slow coffees and slower mornings
• A private pool framed by palm trees and bougainvillea

I remember waking up late the first morning—no alarms, no rush. Just birdsong, soft sunlight slipping through the curtains, and the gentle splash of someone’s early swim.

To beat the scorching weather and the lull of routine, my loved ones and I headed for a much-needed 5-day nature retreat in southern Cebu—and trust me, it didn’t disappoint!

🦜 Parrot Resort, Moalboal

🍽 Local Eats & Honest Tips

Parrot Resort serves a light breakfast, but no rice meals—which, if you’re Filipino, you’ll understand can feel like an existential crisis. 😅

Tip: Walk a few minutes to The Three Bears Restaurant. The banana shake was a dream—icy, sweet, simple. And while waiting, we played board games like kids on summer break.

Moments like that reminded me of childhood afternoons when everything was slow, and joy didn’t require Wi-Fi.

Getting to Moalboal (Real Talk for Travelers)

We took the bus—a Ceres liner from Cebu South Bus Terminal, which remains one of the most efficient and affordable ways to get around Cebu.

• Bus Fare: ₱127 (non-aircon)
• Travel Time: ~2.5 hours
• Tricycle to resort: ₱150

For travelers arriving late, Grab or taxi services are available, but pricey at ~₱2,800. We preferred the long road—the open windows, the fields passing by like lullabies. It gave us time to shift gears internally, too.way)

☀️ Travel Reminders (From Someone Who Forgot)

• Bring your sunscreen. I didn’t. My nose peeled like an onion.
• Download Google Maps ahead of time—Wi-Fi is unpredictable.
• Be ready to walk—tricycle fares fluctuate and the best discoveries often happen on foot.

What Moalboal Gave Me (Beyond the Views)

This wasn’t just a beach trip. It became a soft reset.

There’s a magic to places that don’t demand much from you. No big itineraries. No pressure to take the perfect photo. Just salt in your hair and time stretching like a hammock.

In the evenings, I’d sit on the patio and just breathe.

And for a moment—maybe longer—I wasn’t chasing anything. I wasn’t thinking about promotions, responsibilities, or timelines. I was just there. With family, laughter, grilled fish, and the occasional gecko watching from the wall.

If you ever feel like you’re losing your sense of wonder, go somewhere warm. Somewhere simple.

Moalboal, with its honest charm and hidden corners, reminded me that we don’t always need to go far to come home to ourselves. Sometimes, all it takes is a room with a pool, a banana shake, and a quiet morning in a town where time slows down just enough for your heart to catch up.

– With love (and sand between my toes),
Anj 🧳🌺