Bohol Bee Farm, Bohol

happened on Dec. 12, 2015

just looking at these boats instantly relaxes me

I've  been to Bohol for a couple of times already but never in this place.  For our recent trip I made sure to visit this place and experience dining maybe.  I have been intrigued with their organic food and ambiance.  I'm quite envious with the photos I'm seeing on IG and FB of some friends eating flower salads, etc.

Finally, our last stop is in this serene place.  It is still located in Panglao Island but isolated from the crowded place.


From its name, it's a bee farm and famous for organic foods.  It also offers accommodations and diving lessons.

The moment you enter the premise, you'll instantly feel the serenity of it.  It's embarrassing to even make a little noise as some of the guests are reading in some corners.  The pool is located at the entrance. 



the small but serene pool

The store is also at the entrance while the dining area is by the sea side.  The store sells organic items from food to toiletries.  I bought some chips and this malunggay ice cream.  The taste?  the real deal malunggay leaves with a little sweetness.  I really can't consume it all.  But, it's healthy so I finished it and that will be my first and last time to eat it hopefully.  I'll just eat malunggay pandesal ok?

trying to finish this ice cream

The dining area is big.  It's overlooking the sea.  The problem is there are so many mosquitoes around so instead of having dinner, we just checked the menu and wait for the sunset.

My companions checked the diving center below.  It would also be nice to hang around in there.

The sunset is magnificent I must say.  It would be great to be just sitting here and watching it till total darkness consumes it.

So when darkness came, we hurriedly went back to our hotel.  Yep, I would consider staying here on my next visit.  It's like doing a retreat where silence and tranquility surely abound in every stay.

Images of Panglao Island

happened on Dec. 11-14, 2015

We Filipinos are such lucky souls that our country, being made up of 7,100+ islands,  is blessed with lots and lots of nice beaches.  Panglao Island is definitely one of them.

this image is etched forever on my mind

Boracay maybe the most famous but Panglao definitely is at par with its pristine white sand.  The only difference is that it's still not yet exploited and commercialized.

It's high tide in the morning so swimming is enjoyable.  There are even some fishes swimming with you.  Looking for nice shells and dried corals is also an enjoyable activity in the morning.
A lot of boats are docked during the early mornings as they are looking for clients for an island hopping.

my dear friend P challenged little B for a run

how about sand castle building?

An Unfortunate Incident in Dumaluan Beach Resort

happened on Dec. 11-14, 2015

Just a few minutes from Tagbilaran, this island is the most favorite accommodation for most tourists in Bohol since this is where the beach is. The beach is at par with Boracay's Station 1.  The sand is powdery pristine white.
 

overlooking the calm sea

We stayed in Dumaluan Beach Resort for our 3 nights stay in Panglao. All of my visits here, I've been choosing this place since it resides at the farthest end and with a reasonable pricing. It's not too crowded and the beach is cleaner.  The shore is shallow and it is still rich with marine life.
 

very inviting beach

 I've booked the Kamalig tree house for my friend's family and the deluxe room for ours.  The Kamalig room is big (good for up to 10 people) and fronting the beach, however, it is not well air conditioned and within the busy area.  The ceiling is low. The toilet and bath is located outside so my friend requested for a transfer.
 

the Kamalig is the one with jetski at the bottom

a closer look

the view from the veranda

the room with 2 queen beds with low ceiling

Bohol - Your Charm Keeps on Haunting Me!

happened on Dec. 11-14, 2015






with hubby in Chocolate Hills' viewing point

It's the busiest month of the year but it's still the best month (for me) for traveling, simply because it has the most wonderful weather and cheerful ambiance anywhere you go.

 

still amazing Panglao

My best friend since elementary - A visited home again after five years of working hard abroad.  Beginning February of last year, we have been discussing on where she should spend vacation with her family.  Without a doubt, I recommended Bohol to her since they haven't seen it yet and I'm sure that they will love it the same way I've fallen in love with it. She wanted me to join her but I said it will depend if I can get a promo airline ticket.  So I first booked their flights and hotel.  Everything's set for them months in advance.  The stars are on my side on June 12, there was a CP promo of 500 pesos one way.  I was able to score roundtrip tickets for 2 for only 2,370 pesos only.  It was way cheaper than their tickets.  I was shocked myself to book those cheap tickets.

 

Actually, I've seen this magnificent place for three times already and it never fail to charm me.  It was my hubby's 2nd time so he was no longer interested to join us but I still managed to make him join us (no choice naman sya lagi hehe).

 

Our fist day was spent in Panglao beach. We stayed in Dumaluan Resort for our 3 nights accommodations.  I'll have a different post for this resort. I opted to rest first before the tour so we can have enough energy for the tour.  After checking-in, we just had lunch and it was siesta time after.
 

so shallow shore

friends since elementary

the beach is calling me

too lazy to do anything except lying around and watch TV

When the sun is about to set, we walked along the beach till dinner time.  Panglao beach is at par with Boracay Station 1 since it has powdery white sand. I like it more since it's not too crowded.  You can relax and really have a good rest.
 

sun is setting in

fun time with dear friend

in Bohol Beach Club

not yet starving I guess

2015 - My "Wander" Year

It had been a challenging year - career wise.  It was a roller coaster ride emotionally.  Until now, I'm still waiting for the final moment with my company.  I can only hope for the best and be confident that everything will be OK.
 

it was a great year indeed!!!

Unknowingly, I have been affected with these challenges that last year had been with my most number of travels (so far).  Aside from my planned travels, some were added when my BFF went home for a visit plus the invitations of some friends.

 

Here is my travel summary for 2015:

 

January 2015

 

It's "us" time for me and my hubby.  I can say that this is our fist honeymoon since we didn't have one when we got married and this is the first time that we traveled alone, just the two of us.

 

1. Macau - It's his first time and my second.  We are fortunate to have his first cousin M to be our tour guideagain.  He took us to an old village and some local restaurants that offer authentic Chinese and Macau dishes for affordable prices.  We also saw the posh restaurant, Belon, where his GF works.

buying our breakfast in Red Market

just stepping on a bar of gold and diamonds

original bakery of the famous Lord Stow's

Lord Stow's cafe

an old church in Coloane Village

St. Paul's Ruins

Wynn's dancing fountain

how can I steal all of these money?

Belon's hallway

Pampanga| Abe's Farm

happened on Nov. 21, 2015


Abe's is one of the famous restaurants here in Metro Manila.

the very cozy restaurant

After our outreach activity, we had our lunch here.  I made reservations two weeks in advance.  I love that the staff are so friendly and helpful in every inquiry.  They will even reach out just to ensure that everything will be OK.  We had a few exchange of calls before the day of our visit.  I highly commend this kind of service.

On our way to this restaurant, I called them for an advance order of food since we are hungry already and travel time is around one hour.  When we arrive there, everything is already set.  We had a very long table for 26 persons.

Pampanga 2015| Munting Tahanan Ng Nazareth

happened on Nov. 21, 2015

 

"Be a blessing to others"

 

with the residents and the Jollibee crew

A member of our Windangan Group suggested to conduct an outreach to have a meaningful Christmas last year.  Due to time constraint we were not able to do it last year.  This year I was so stressed looking for an orphanage.  There are a lot of orphanages but we wanted one that has not much sponsors already.

 

I love conducting outreach.  In fact, I was able to join a few already.  These gave me a different kind of fulfillment but organizing it is a very different thing.  It simply is stressful.  Just looking for an orphanage is not an easy task.  Added to this is the raising of funds.

 

It was only in October that I was able to find one.  I forgot that my sister in law is working in one in Pampanga. Silly me!  It was a last minute planning again.  Next step is the available schedule since Christmas season means hectic schedule.  Even with our chosen schedule, the person who suggested this was not able to join.

 

Anyways, with God's guidance and help from our group, we were able to pull it off successfully.  Everything just flowed smoothly.  We even have additional benefactors during the event.