Day 20: Travel and Resting before Paradise Round 2

Monday March 21, 2016

I am now in Bohol, or technically, Panglao.  The ferry ride was enjoyable over a calm sea.  One hour and 45 minutes, while watching Transporter 3 with no sound.  It actually is pretty funny without the sound…so obvious what was going to happen.  The round trip ferry ride is 800 P ($17.75), not too bad at all.

I got to the pier early to be sure about finding my way to the ship and walked right on to an earlier departure…no waiting at all.  Upon arrival I was hounded by taxi / tour drivers as I left the pier, and none believed me when I stated that I had arrangements for a ride.  One guy followed by my side for 50 feet before giving up.  A nice guy approached me in the parking lot, and I appreciated his calmness.  His fare to my hotel was 600 P (and I read online that 600 P was the going rate).  Since I was alone he offered 500 P and I said “okay”.

I am now at the unique, beautiful resort of the Bohol Bee Farm.  I was able to check in 2 hours early.  There are tours here of the business for only 30 P, a restaurant that is expensive but has rave reviews online, and a dive shop.  They also arrange dolphin watching and island tours (Tarsiers!!!!) I’ll be heading out for lunch and then check out the dive shop for the afternoon. 

My room: The Squash Room

View Right Outside my porch

A view to the left outside my porch

The restaurant is a charming open air venue with tables overlooking the water.  The restaurant was actually really busy but everyone was sitting at the edge tables overlooking the water.

The reviews on TripAdvisor and Travelocity stated that the food was organic and remarkable.  I ordered the orange glazed chicken with a beer.  I was first given a starter plate with squash bread, super thin chips made there (not corn), tomatoes, honey sauce and another sauce.  I put the honey sauce on the bread (went non gluten free just to confirm the reviews) and, WOW, the first bite sold me.  I have not had such an explosion of flavors since my first bite into the ribs at Larapin in Trinidad.  The second sauce was just as good.  And the combination was to die for.

Below is the main course.  Honey Glazed chicken (great), red rice (great), and a garden salad with edible flowers.  I’ve stayed away from salads this entire trip because of the risk of rinsing with contaminated water.  However, organic edible flowers—-had to do it.  Took the risk and hoping to not get a bad reward.

Little pricey, 400 P with beer and tip ($8.80), but really, really good.

This was the view from my table.  The deck below contains a “Chill Bar” and a Dive Shop.  I had my eyes on the lounge chair in the shade under the umbrella.  And, A Beer.  The lounge opened up and my waitress was nowhere to be found.  Hurry Up!  Nowhere to be found.  I need to pay so I can Chill Bar on the lower deck.

Paradise 2:  As good as Paradise 1.  SUCCESS.

Too late to rent snorkel equipment today.  So, I took a nap, had a great dinner, and am enjoying the sunset.  I’m going to snorkel tomorrow morning and see all the cool stuff I can find.  Sea Horses?