Some places become more meaningful with time.
Seventeen years ago, I visited Bohol for the very first time with my husband. Although the trip was short, it introduced me to the island's beautiful beaches and lush countryside, leaving memories that stayed with me through the years. I never imagined it would take nearly two decades before I returned.
This time, the journey felt even more special. Instead of traveling as newlyweds, I was returning with our son and two senior citizens for a four-day family vacation. It's a different season of life, and I was excited to experience Bohol from a new perspective, sharing familiar places with my son while making sure everyone could enjoy the trip at a comfortable pace.
Our adventure began with a flight from Manila to Tagbilaran. It started with an unexpected delay that left us with almost six hours at the airport. We made the most of the waiting time by having breakfast at Ka Tunying's. I ordered the Chicken Adobo while my son had the Beef Tapa meal. I can’t remember what my husband ate because I don’t have a picture.
While exploring the terminal, I couldn't resist stopping by a pasalubong shop. I picked up Mulach Ensaymada, Polvoron, and Polland Hopia for our snacks during the trip.
As compensation for the delayed flight, Philippine Airlines served Chickenjoy meals for lunch, which was a nice gesture.
Once we were finally in the air, the flight itself took a little over an hour. Before landing, we were served Salted Caramel Cookies with a choice of coffee, tea, or water.
Arriving at Bohol-Panglao International Airport
One of the first things I noticed after landing was how much the airport had changed since my first visit in 2007.
Back then, Tagbilaran Airport was a small domestic airport with a simple terminal. There wasn't even a baggage carousel; we simply waited while airport staff brought out our luggage for passengers to collect. It had its own charm, but it was a completely different experience.
Fast forward to 2024, and we arrived at the modern Bohol-Panglao International Airport. The spacious terminal, organized baggage claim area, and upgraded facilities immediately reflected how much Bohol's tourism and infrastructure have grown over the past 17 years.
Less than 30 minutes after landing, we were already on our way to The Bellevue Resort using their complimentary round-trip airport shuttle. The resort is only about 10 to 15 minutes from the airport, making the transfer quick and convenient.
The Bellevue Bohol Resort
Upon arrival, we were welcomed with native necklaces and refreshing welcome drinks. After checking in and settling our balance, the front desk surprised us with a complimentary room upgrade. It was a wonderful way to start our stay.
The surprises didn't end there. When we entered our room, we found a towel cake decoration and a complimentary birthday cake waiting for us since it was my husband's birthday week. It was such a thoughtful gesture from the hotel.
We didn't have any activities planned for our first day. After the long delay at the airport, all we wanted was to relax, enjoy the resort, and recharge for our island tour the following day.
Luau Night Buffet
Since it was the weekend, The Bellevue Resort was hosting its Luau Night Buffet for PHP 1,288 per person. They also had a "5+1" promo, but since our group only had five people, we couldn't take advantage of the free buffet.
The dinner was enjoyable, with a wide selection of food and live entertainment. Guests were treated to a fire dance performance, and we even got the chance to participate. It was a little scary at first, but it turned out to be a fun and memorable experience. A live band completed the festive atmosphere, making it a wonderful way to spend our first evening in Bohol.
When we returned to our room after dinner, another pleasant surprise was waiting for us: a complimentary midnight snack of kutsinta with freshly grated coconut. It was a simple yet thoughtful gesture before calling it a night.
An Unexpected Incident
Overall, it had been a wonderful first day. We went to bed early since we had an early countryside tour scheduled for the next morning.
However, at around 9:00 PM, someone knocked on our door. My husband woke me up and said that my aunt was calling for me. Still half asleep, I got up and opened the door, expecting to see one of my relatives.
Instead, I was greeted by a man I had never seen before. He didn't say a word and appeared to be holding up his phone as if he was taking a photo or recording a video. Startled and confused, I immediately closed the door.
The following morning, we reported the incident to the front desk, and we were informed that the man was also a hotel guest.
Later, my aunt and my mom told me they had experienced something similar that same evening. Someone had also knocked on their door. Thinking it was me, they called out my name, but the knocking suddenly stopped. That's when I realized my husband had probably heard my name being called and assumed it was my aunt outside our room, which was why he woke me up when someone knocked.
Although nothing else happened after that, the experience left us feeling uneasy. We requested to move to another room for our peace of mind, even though it meant giving up our complimentary room upgrade. Even now, whenever I think about it, I still get annoyed by what happened.
Read: 4 Days in Bohol
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