I've been lucky enough to go to the Cebu, Philippines Temple not once, but twice! The first time I went with the Institute. We had a great time! The second time I went with Angie, Yet-yet, Rix, Lillian, and some members of our ward. We also had a great time!
Our travel arrangements were the same both times, so I'll just explain it all once :) To get to Cebu we hopped on a boat around midnight that went through the night. The seating arrangements were bunk beds. It looked like this:
Top Bunk
Bottom Bunk
Both trips I slept like a rock! No covers, lights on, people chatting--I'm a pretty good sleeper :) I woke up just in time for the sunrise and getting off the boat :)
We got there first things in the morning, around 5:30-6:00 and headed straight to the temple grounds. The temple grounds in Cebu is kind of like a compound. There is the temple, a stake center, the mission home, and a pension house. The pension house has rooms for members attending the temple as well as a cafeteria and locker rooms. Both times we were able to get cleaned up and get some breakfast there before we attended the temple. I was able to do a total of 3 sessions of baptisms in my two trips. While we waited for people to get dome I got to spend some time walking and sitting around the temple grounds. They were beautiful, as usual.
The pension house is quite nice, and it was so convenient to be able to eat right there while we waited for other members of our groups to finish with their sessions. I was able to find these 2 pictures painted by Grandma Minerva, as well as her painting of Christ in the Red Robe that was inside of the baptistry.
The temple workers are called there on missions. I was able to meet two different couples, both from Utah. They claim it's the best mission on earth, and I believe them! All of the senior couples live on the 3rd floor of the pension house, right next to the temple. They get to go out and eat at different places around the city. Then the temple closes for 2 weeks every 6 months, so then they get to go and vacation for those 2 weeks. Sounds pretty great to me!
Both trips we stayed in Cebu for one night. With the Institute we stayed at a place that was kind of like a hostel. Then the second time we stayed at the Pension house. To get home we caught a bus that drove us to the south eastern tip of Cebu Island. That ride was about 4-4.5 hours with a nice stop in the middle. Then we caught a short 20-30 minute boat back to Negros Island, and from there a short jeep ride to Dumaguete. It was good for me to see the sacrifice that the members here go through to attend the temple.
We had some neat experiences with members in my groups in both trips to the temple that helped to strengthen my testimony. There are some strong members here and it has been so good for me to experience The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints here in Dumaguete. It's the same. There are valiant leaders, strong members, missionaries, and the same special spirit. I love this gospel and I love my Savior. I love attending His temples and the renewed energy it gives me each time I attend.
