CDO Trip 2013 - Day 1 - City of Golden Friendship

2013 Trip to Cagayan De Oro: City of Golden Friendship

This trip to Cagayan De Oro (CDO) city was planned as early as June 2012. My friend Klaire and I was very excited! From our office in Bonifacio Global, we took a taxi to NAIA Terminal 3. We looked for the check-in counter to have our ticket printed out then roam around the airport before going to the boarding gate.

This was my first domestic trip outside Luzon...

 Touchdown at Lumbia Airport, Cagayan De Oro City!

Cagayan de Oro, abbreviated CDO, CDOC, CdeO or Cag. de Oro is known as the "City of Golden Friendship". The provincial capital of the Province of Misamis Oriental and the "Gateway of Northern Mindanao". Located along the northern coastline on the Mindanao island, southern part of the Philippines. It serves as the regional center being the most populous highly-urbanized city in Northern Mindanao (Region X). 

Lumbia Airport, often called Cagayan de Oro Airport, the airport serves flights from Cebu, Manila and Davao. Airline carriers such as Philippine Airlines, and Zest Airways and budget and regional carriers such as Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines.

We decided to look for a hotel in Divisoria. From the airport, we rode a Carmen-bound jeepney. We didn't know where to alight. I had the courage to ask for directions from Kuya, the guy seated beside me. He said he is bound for Divisoria too! Whew! I remember that we alight  in a gasoline station in a place I do not know (forgive me...) then we transferred to another jeepney. Kuya said there is no need for us to worry because all the jeepneys passing by the gasoline station are headed to Divisoria. I remember we rode a Bonbon-bound jeepney. 

The first thing that we did was to meet our friend Marian whom we did not see for almost 7 years.

Marian suggested that we stay at Parkview Hotel. The hotel is located in Tirso - Neri St., Cagayan De Oro City. It was a good choice since the hotel is located in the heart of Plaza Divisoria. 

After we checked in, Marian decided to take us around Plaza Divisoria. This is our first destination:

Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral

And just like any other provinces in the Philippines, there is a park or plaza just outside the church.

Gaston Park

After the stroll, we decided to head back to the hotel and continue chatting there as there are a lot of things we needed to tell each other. It was the best time to catch up!

After hours of chatting, it was time for Marian to go home. Klaire and I then decided it's time to sleep as we needed energy for the activities for the next day!