Bohol Bee Farm

The long wait is over. Well, at least my wait. I have been meaning to eat here because I have read a lot of good things about the place. Finally, I was able to.

As me and my friends were browsing through the menu, we decided to just avail of their buffet offering. The price varies depending on how many people are going to eat. I think this is so because there really isn't a fixed buffet table where the food are all lined up. The waiters would bring the food to you and you can ask for as many refill as you want.

Cab-cab with Pesto and Green Tomato - how my friend consumed this thing, I could not really begin to understand. He loved it. I, however, liked it as well, just definitely way less than how my friend loved it. It is just probably not my thing because I could feel the oil while chewing the chip.

Organic Garden Salad - it's odd when you see flower petals mixed with your greens. But I heard before that Bohol Bee Farm does that. So I poured the slightly creamy Asian dressing on the portion I got from the salad bowl. It tasted good but not really as awesome as I would've wanted to taste. Nevertheless, it's still something different to look forward to when coming to this establishment.

Seafood Soup - this was tasteful and full of flavours, not to mention full of the actual seafood as well. It is a delight to have this especially when it is one of the windy nights.

Honey Glazed Chicken - ah, this was amazing. Haha. I loved it, my friends loved it too. It was sweet (glazed in fact) and tasty. The meat was cooked well (no signs of blood yet it was not overcooked).

Baked Spare Ribs - the meat was tender and juicy which was awesome. I just think at this point, I had too much to eat already to gorge into this. But in any case, it is one of the things to look out for.

Grilled Marlin - this one I didn't dare to try. I love fish but when someone says the smell is a bit off, I'm instantly afraid of giving it a shot. It wasn't very popular that night.

Seafood Lasagna - this tasted great as well but I couldn't really finish an entire serving. It got to a point where I needed a break from eating this. Nevertheless, the taste, the cheese, the pasta sauce were all good.

Organic Red Rice with Camote - I'm not a fan of camote, but this is one of the red rice(s) I could eat. I'm not sure if I just do not know how to cook red rice but I like how this one did not have too rough of a texture. I skipped the camote though.

Camote Bread with Homemade Spreads - as I said, I'm not a fan. But I took a bit on this one and was surprised that I liked it. Soft flavourful bread to end the night is one way, however, I had something else in mind... Bohol Bee Farm's homemade ice cream, that's why I did not go any further with this.

Squash Muffins - this too, I took only a bite. But it's good to know that these muffins were moist and are really good to munch on.

Fresh Lemongrass Juice - now this was awesome. I loved it. Had I not have too much to eat, I would've consumed an entire pitcher of this. The refreshing taste of lemongrass combined with the right amount of honey is just pure bliss on a hot night.

Homemade Ice Cream - a lot have been raving about this and I'm one of those who love it. It has a rough texture for an ice cream but the flavour is really good. If you are going to have this with the buffet, they won't give you the cassava cone. But if you are ordering it alone, make sure to try the cone with it. I've tasted mango and melon and both were great.

You can also drop by the place to just snoop around and take a look at a lot of the dips, sauces, and other consumables that you can buy. I took home some honey and the pesto cream sauce. Also, they offer accommodations and a lot of people are actually availing them :)

Buffet prices:
P550/ea minimum of 2 people
P500/ea for 3 to 5 people
P420/ea for 6 people and up

Bohol Bee Farm
Dao, Dauis, Panglao Island
Bohol, Philippines
+63-38-5022288

The Province That Is Bohol (Part 2)

In Bohol, even if I have been in the place thrice already, there are still some places I haven’t gone yet. Check out the sights and attractions of this lovely province below.

Sights/Attractions:

There are a lot who offer tours in Bohol but two of them I contacted thru SMS messaging because they are the most I've seen in the forums. They are Kuya Tatsky and Kuya RJ (will give their details below).

In a nutshell, tour operators generally offer three types.

Countryside Tour

If you have to go on just one tour and it is your first time then I suggest you take this. Depends on the operator, the amount of places to go varies but the following must not be missed:

Chocolate Hills - It's the whole point of going to Bohol (okay, maybe not entirely because there is also the beach). A vehicle will take you up the mountain up to the drop-off point to allow you to climb another 200+ steps by foot just to see the view of the chocolate hills. The hills are indeed a sight to look at though I see them always in green (instead of the colour brown --thus "chocolate" hills). I'm not complaining, they are still pretty to look at. Next time I come back, I would like to ride an ATV bike for a different experience.

Baclayon Church - this is the second oldest church in the Philippines. It has intricate designs inside and it is nice to stop by to say a short prayer. There is a huge hidden image of a man's face on the outside wall of the church which is interesting to look for.

Tarsiers - according to Kuya Tatsky, there are four sanctuaries for the tarsiers in Bohol currently. There was only one that does not use fences around the trees where the tarsiers are at. Kuya Tatsky will take you there as it is better and easier to take photos. Just remember not to use your camera's flash as this might cause them to kill themselves (they are suicidal by nature).

Loboc River Cruise - I have done this each and every time I went to Bohol. The food is not really something to rave about but the river cruise is something nice to experience. It will cost P350/head for buffet lunch. Some are say it is better to go in the evening because the river is lit though I haven't seen that yet.

Blood Compact Site, Hanging Bridge, Man-made Forrest, Butterfly Farm, Hinagdanan Cave and Mag-aso Falls also fall under the Countryside Tour (for Mag-aso Falls, you'll have to pay a little extra as I believe this is out of the way). I haven't seen the cave and the falls and when I return, I'll surely go there.

Price: Van Rental (unlimited time, Starex of Kuya Tatsky) P2,500 + Loboc Lunch P350/pax + Entrances P125max/pax

***Kuya Tatsky was amazing. He was funny and we used his new Starex van to go around the province. His service was impeccable. He was helpful and very accommodating. He was knowledgeable of the province and it shows that he really loves Bohol. Get him for your tour and you won't regret it! ;) Contact him at the following numbers:
Sun - 0922-367-1051 Globe - 0915-794-5556 Smart - 0912-747-2737 PLDT - (038) 415-6040

In the event that Kuya Tatsky isn't available, contact Kuya RJ. I heard he's equally accommodating. And both of them actually are very respectful towards their prospective clients. We just went for Kuya Tatsky because he offered us unlimited time for the day while Kuya RJ offered up to 10 hours. But I love their hospitality. Contact Kuya RJ at 0927-814-3911.


Seaside Tour

Seaside Tour is another type of tour that is being offered in Bohol. This tour will take you dolphin watching (make sure to leave during or just right after sunrise). There are no guarantees that you will get to see them but more often than not, they appear. I was also lucky enough to see them. It was amazing how they just play in an open sea. I know it's their sanctuary but still seeing the dolphins that free made me happy. Sometimes I wish I can be as free as they are. I can go in the middle of the sea and make it my playground.

Anyway, we docked at the Balicasag Beach after. The beach is not really for swimming and lounging. It's where you go for snorkeling. It was a good experience. There were a lot of fishes and corals indeed. It can get pretty scary because there were parts where you only see darkness because of how deep the water was. During the time I was there, the current was pretty strong and our guide would worry whenever I seem to be distant from the boat.

After which, we went back to the shore and got our lunch from one of the eateries there where we had ours cooked. We brought lunch at the Virgin Island where there was a sand bar, some coconut trees and nothing else. The beach was pristine, true to its name. It rained a bit while we were docking and since there wasn't even a single table nor chair on the island, we decided to eat in the boat. It was a fun experience because we couldn't help but laugh while we were eating. We had soup (sinigang), grilled fish, squid and a lot more but all were meant to be eaten with utensils. We all ate the food by hand except for the soup which we placed in plastic cups to drink. The rain stopped even before we finished lunch so we hopped off the boat and began exploring the island. The sand was fine and the water was clear. It was a perfect place for a photo session. We spent the entire time on the island taking pictures (and check-out starfishes). It was great and such an experience. We went back to Panglao after a 30-45 minute boat ride and spent the rest of the afternoon frolicking by the beach.

Price is per boat. I am just not sure how much we paid for this.


EAT Danao

Now this I haven’t tried. I will do this tour some other time because it is 3-hour ride on rough road from Panglao. A lot of adventurous people go there to get an adrenalin rush. I would love to go when I come back and try zip-lining. If you have time, this is a must place to go to.

Eskaya will always be a dream. I look forward to staying here one day but until such time, I won’t get tired of going back to Bohol. Bring your noisiest and closest friends because at night, the beach is really quiet. It is a perfect getaway as you have the option to just listen to the sound of the waves, read a book and sip on a really cold shake.

As for thinking twice to spend your holiday here, don’t. It’s awesome! :)

The Province That Is Bohol (Part 1)

After you have several trips to Boracay, you sort of think of other beaches to explore. Well, at least in my case, I did.

Bohol is a province in Central Visayas. Tagbilaran is its capital (this is where the airport is as well). It's a haven for those who love to have the beach for their own. A relaxed and quiet environment will welcome you once you set foot on its Panglao Island.

Getting there:

The only way I know how is to ride a plane from Manila going to Tagbilaran. You can choose from Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific or Zest Air as your carrier. I only tried PAL and the planes were never delayed. Every time was a nice and smooth flight (of course, I was always asleep).

Staying where:

Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa

I went to that beautiful province around thrice already (still can't beat my 5th or 6th time to Boracay already, hehe). The first time I went there was Holy Week of 2008. I got to stay in Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa which was actually a really good place. They have very nice cottages all over the area. I can't remember what type of room we stayed in but I recall that there was a cute hammock for one person to sit on. It had two double beds as well. They own an entire stretch of white sandy beach with a man-made islet near the shore which has a hammock where you can lounge or sunbathe as you wish. They also have an infinity pool if you happen to tire from hanging-out by the sea (but why would you?) or a place to have a dip in during night time. The food was nothing to rave about though it wasn't that bad. They also allow people for day tours but I am not sure how much.

Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa
Bingag, Dauis 6339, Bohol, Philippines
(63-38) 502-2090/ 502-2091/502-2450 to 52
metroctr@metrocentrehotel.com
www.panglaoisland.com

Dumaluan Beach Resort

Just recently, I got to stay in Dumaluan Beach Resort. It is best to call their landline for reservation. You will be required to deposit half of the rate and make sure to bring your deposit slip upon check-in. Dumaluan shares a stretch of beach with Bohol Beach Club but they offer cheaper rates and fewer amenities which is very practical especially that we were 14 people the first time and 6 people just last February. The rooms are alright. Nothing too grand nor extravagant in terms of furniture or design. We got two family rooms (P4,300/room/night good for four, additional P400 for extra person with mattress) the first time I stayed with them which actually is a good amount of space, even for 6 people (it had two king size beds). The bathroom was huge but I didn't like it very much because a wall doesn't close all the way up the ceiling, so you can actually feel the cold from the air-condition while you are taking a shower.

The last time I was there, we got the superior rooms (P2,150/room/night, good for two, additional P400 for extra person with mattress). I asked to be transferred to other room because of the smell that was coming out of the bathroom. I couldn't take it. There was no available room with the same type so we were transferred to the family room (with no extra cost) which I think showed good customer service though it took us around an hour to be transferred because they were cleaning up the room.

The restaurant area had free wi-fi. The rates came with free one-time buffet breakfast (which was pretty okay if you're not much of a breakfast eater, though there were people placing food on your plate and if you request for more serving of a certain dish, they would say no). I would've appreciated them not scrimping on this. As they say, it's the most important meal of the day. The halo-halo here tasted great especially on a sunny afternoon. It's good to grab a book or a laptop and spend the afternoon just hearing the water by the beach. Also tried eating dinner here and we were pretty satisfied.

Dumaluan Beach Resort
Bolod, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
(+63)038-5029092; (+63)038-5029081
+639178834888


Food:

All I know are some delicacies like Peanut Kisses, which are basically Hershey's Kisses-shaped thing that is made of peanuts. They are really delicious and quite difficult to chew. There's also what they call "Kulangot", which is a sticky delicacy stuck inside a coconut shell. If you have a sweet tooth, this food is something for you to munch on, preferably with bread. I loved Bohol Bee Farm so much, I will talk about it in one of my succeeding posts.

Sights and attractions are up next. Hold on for that. ;-)

One Strawberry Cheesecake...

... one happy me.

I turn a year older.

I love you guys. Thanks for making me feel so special today. :)

Just in case you want to take home one, you can get it from Manila Peninsula :D

Where Shepherds Eat Their Pie

I'm just kidding with the title. I am actually going to talk about Mom & Tina's. =P

This establishment has become popular through word of mouth. I've been meaning to eat here and now that I'm based in Makati again, I finally got to try the food.

The place is packed with people on a weekday lunch. People from surrounding offices composed the crowd. We had to wait for a table if we wanted to be seated inside. We opted to just enjoy the outdoors because thankfully, it was windy that day.

We ordered all sorts of different dishes to try.

Fettuccine w/ Smoked Salmon and Capers (P180) - pasta in cream sauce with smoked salmon and capers. It was fine. I found the pasta drenched in too much cream. Also, cream is not really my thing in pasta. The smoked salmon was okay but I think there were too few a capers. I probably wouldn't order this again.

Fettuccine in Pesto (P170) - this was probably what I would get next time. It had enough cheese and nuts in it. It was flavourful though the pasta was once again drenched in sauce and a bit overcooked.

Shepherd's Pie (P160) - I heard a lot about their version and it is said to be really good, to which, I agree. It was served hot and the presentation looked very intricate. The potato was really soft and the inside was oozing with flavor. The smoke that you see when you scoop a bite made it look like the pie was begging to be eaten. Two thumbs up.

Chicken Macaroni Pasta (P110) - your typical pasta in one round container. It was fine except that you'll get tired of it before you finish the entire serving.

Iced Tea (P45-glass, P60-bottomless) - this comes in three kinds: lemon, red, green tea. There was also a blue one if I'm not mistaken (or was it a lemonade?!) I can't remember which tasted better but they were all really cool to look at and iced teas are always a perfect outdoor drink.

Overall, it's actually a nice place to hang-out and have coffee. I'm looking forward to try their pastries and when that time comes, it will be inside the establishment ;)

Mom & Tina's Bakery Café
Perea corner Dela Rosa, Makati City
(63-2) 8943598, (63-2) 8404299