A relatively uneventful trip getting here. As mentioned, I had my driver pick me up at 7 am instead of 8, because I’d been warned that I was cutting it too close for my 1 pm flight. So, we arrived at the Manila airport at 10, and had three hours to kill. Oh, well.
As I checked my bag, I asked the attendant about changing our seat assignments (Swan and I both had middle seats; she was one row behind me). Alas, the flight was fully booked, so it was not to be. We left on time, and the flight was just a little over an hour long, so it wasn’t so bad. I dozed for most of it. Landed at the small but efficient airport in Panglao and called for a Grab pickup to the hotel—only 75 pesos for the 3K ride.
Our lodging was not quite what I was expecting. The Facebook page says it is two minutes from the beach. Maybe so if you are driving fast. We did walk to Alona Beach later in the evening, and it was at least 2K. I also had it in mind that Nora’s Place was an expat hangout, but there wasn’t anyone around yesterday or so far today.
The room is clean and comfortable as well. This is a “Filipino-style” resort, meaning outside food and drink are permitted, the rooms are family-sized, and for the first time in my experience, it has a fully-equipped kitchen.
So, we had a couple of drinks at the hotel bar, but got bored pretty quickly and decided to make our way to wherever the beach might be.
I saw two or three places that I want to go back and try during this trip, but last evening we plopped down at one that looked cozy and had a friendly waitress beckoning us to have a seat.
That was enough for our first day in Bohol, so we caught a tuk-tuk back to our lodging and called it a night. We’ll be going back for more Alona Beach fun this evening.
From the March 2019 LTG archives, I post about being proud of my kids and grandkids. Maybe they will miss me when I’m gone.
Today’s YouTube video talks about the cost of living for regular Filipinos and the harsh realities of not being able to afford things most of us take for granted.
Some moments of lightness.
Alright, time to get back to what I came here for, some new sights and sounds. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Damn, I enjoyed the video almost as much as the song.
re: Okyanus Bar
Other than those bar chairs looking to be at least 6 inches too low, it looked like a nice place. LOL
Re: kids and grandkids.
Take a chance. Set up a trip to the US. Let them know you guys are coming and I would guess that you guys will be welcomed with open arms.
Ironically, a ride the same distance in a much-less comfortable tricycle would have set you back three times as much. Ask me how I know….
For excursions, you might consider dolphin watching (more like dolphin chasing). You’re sure to be approached (pestered) repeatedly by touts, unless all the dolphins have been chased away. Panglao has changed quite a bit in a very short time.
Cheers
Drain, I’ve been paying 100 pesos per trike ride in town. Oddly enough, the Grab app said our fare from the airport would be 150. Then we tried the Grab stand at the terminal and got quoted 75.
Thanks for the dolphin chasing tip. We might check that out on Saturday. Tomorrow we are doing a day tour of the interior (Chocolate Mountains, etc.). And yes, the touts are inescapable. Welcome to the Philippines!
Brian, they offered us seats on the beach (the same type of chair), but I was comfortable enough.
They can’t even be bothered to answer my messages these days. It’s okay, I raised them, and now they don’t need me. I must have done something right.