Southeast Asia - Week of June 11: Bangkok - Philippines Week 1
Welcome back! It's Sunday, June 18, 2023. Last week was country transition week. I flew from Bangkok, Thailand to Alona Beach on Panglao Island, Bohol Province in the Philippines (connecting through Manila). Note to self: I've now been traveling for nine weeks as of June 17.
Happy Father's Day to all fathers. 🙌 Happy birthday to my brother Richard who is celebrating his birthday on Sunday, June 18! 🎂
Something New - Google Maps
Inter-Country Travel
I'm learning how to use Google Maps to share the physical locations I am traveling to. I've created one map to share the flights between countries which includes the travel dates.
Sri Lankan Travels
I've also created a country specific map so you can see the various destinations I traveled to within the country. I've attempted to match the destinations with the various weekly updates. I'm hoping this level of detail will enhance your travel experience as you follow the blog.
Philippines Travels
Presenting the Philippines travel summary which I'll update as part of my weekly blog posting on Sunday.
Bangkok - Continuing discoveries
My remaining three days in Bangkok were filled with following discoveries.
- #1 - I returned to Kad Kokoa chocolate store to purchase more chocolate for my journey. My discovery was the universe's benevolence was shining me again - the local store was having a two-for-one sale on the chocolate bars I wanted to buy - for that day only. I hereby give my thanks to the dark chocolate gods.
- #2 - I continued my daily massages with Jenny. I increased the sessions to 90 minutes for Monday and Tuesday. My discovery was how much more massage therapy I'm going to need in the months ahead to eliminate all those knots in my body. I also shared chocolate bars with Jenny and her team members. Passing on my good fortune AND keeping the fat gods at bay! 😉
- #3 - Remember those silk cushion covers I bought for my good friend Mike? Well, they are on their way to Canada now. I discovered how easy and relatively inexpensive it was to ship (and track) them through the Thailand Post Office. The Post Office substation was a ten minute walk from the Adelphi Grande. The employees were incredibly helpful in ensuring I got what I needed. As of today, (Sunday, June 18), the covers are in Toronto pending delivery. This discovery was sparked by the concern that Mike and Jacky may have to wait until late September when our respective travel itineraries intersect to enjoy their new covers.
2nd set - white elephants 
1st set of cushion covers - #4 - OMG - I continue to live the discovery of having packed too much stuff! I was able to leave a few items with Pang at the Adelphi who was going to help with donating them. My suitcase is now 3 kg lighter!
- #5 - I've discovered I am so blessed with wonderful people on my journey whose kindness seems boundless. Not only did Pang help me with donating my excess items, she also allowed me to use my room beyond the 6 pm extended check-out time I paid for given my 11 pm departure time for the Philippines. She also presented me with an Adelphi baggage tam in a beautiful white cloth bag plus an Adelphi notebook along with a thank you card from the assistant manager. BTW - I had left a thank you card for Pang and a separate card for the hotel staff. So sad to leave...
Pang
Front Office Superstar
Front Office team members
The Philippine Airline (PAL) Flight Adventure
Think about the word 'patience'. In fact, I've adopted this word as my new mantra now I am equipped with Philippines Airlines flying experience. I also needed to remind myself to suspend judgement on the immediate circumstances as the 'truth' is always revealed over time. The key flight outcome is I arrived safely at my destination with my luggage intact - and that is what matters most.
My introduction to the adventure was having my flight from Bangkok to Manila rescheduled three times - 10:55 pm (June 13) to 11:55 pm (June 13) to 1:25 am (June 14). Our flight finally left just after 2 am. The 9:10 flight from Manila to Bohol airport (TAG) on Panglao Island was also delayed along with a change in departure gate. Always good to ask if you are unsure. There is a difference between 16 and 16A as I learned. All in all, with all the delays, I landed at my destination about 1 hour later than scheduled. Yes, remember patience!!!
Alona Beach
Panglao Island is a highly desired vacation spot in the Philippines. Alona Beach is a premier beach on the island. My personal learning, once I arrived at my hotel (Alona Vida Beach Hotel), was an immediate reminder of that what goes along with being a premier location maybe something I am less interested in. The beach and surrounding area is incredibly touristy. Seeing McDonald's golden arches was the ultimate confirmation. The beach is a good beach; beautiful fine sand, clean with warm water.
Touristy means the opportunity to buy jewelry at will, constant invitations to join island hopping tours or diving expeditions, offers for massages, maybe spending time in an Irish pub. Everyone is working hard to make a living from selling services or products to the people who can afford this type of vacation. Important reminder of how blessed I am with the gift of being able to travel and make the choices I have over the past several weeks.
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| Alona Beach |
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| Alona Beach - Dinner under the sky |
Alona Vida Beach Resort
My initial vibes about my home for the next three nights were negative. I recognize I've been spoiled when it comes to hotel hospitality - specially just leaving the Adelphi Grande hotel experience in Bangkok. This was the first time in my journey that I had arrived early (noon) and had to wait for my room (irrespective of the official check-in time). Imagine that - having to wait! The room, check-in experience and the hotel's general location left me thinking I was on the low end of value for money. My decision was to start looking on Thursday for a new home after my three night stay at Vida. I am glossing over some important pluses I experienced at the hotel such as:
- The resort's flexibility in adjusting my reservation at the last minute. I had messed up on my dates by one day which they readily changed without charge.
- Enjoying the delicious daily breakfast on the beach was another valuable gift.
- Proximity to everything you would ever need. You can find good wherever you look.
- Helpful directions to local convenience store to purchase SIM card. The card costs 50 pesos (42 pesos/Cdn $) with 5 GB data valid for 3 days. I purchased a 30 day plan with 24GB data and unlimited text/calls for about $12 Cdn. Mission accomplished - all set with my phone from day 1 in the Philippines!
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| View while eating breakfast |
Lily and Jarvin
What I was unaware of on Wednesday afternoon as I waiting for my room was that I was about to meet Lily and Jarvin. Jarvin and Lily were born in the Philippines, lived in Atlanta and was returning for his 43rd high school reunion in the upcoming days. They kindly shared their knowledge of different islands once they learned about what I was looking for. I am now traveling to the island of Busuanga to enjoy the highlights they identified, including Coron, and then flying to El Nido on Palawan Island to enjoy the local highlights. Another example of how my travel continues to be blessed with the kindness of others. Joan, a Waterside Inn Hotel (back in Mississauga, Canada) front office team, had provided me with my initial Philippine destinations which I am now fine tuning. Jarvin also shared how when General MacArthur returned to the Philippines, he landed on the island of Leyte. Jarvin's grandfather, a judge, was asked to lead the locals in managing the rebuilding efforts with the Japanese being defeated. Unfortunately, Lily received some very sad news. Her best bud and trusted companion, Mimi, had passed away (sorry Lily - the breed of your best bud is gone from my memory; fail the quiz!). My heart goes out to you Lily. Trust you find comfort in your travels ahead!
Heaven on Earth - Philippine Bakeshops
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| San Agustine Bakeshop - up close |
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| Coincidentally this bakeshop is directly across the road from a church (like I say heaven on earth) |
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| Coincidentally, this bakeshop is also directly across the road from a church! |
'Food for Thought?'
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| So, seeing the golden arches at night - that's like seeing the moon, right? My initial thought at least... |
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| My go-to restaurant to enjoy great local food for dinner Payag means hearth |
Ananyana Resort - Doljo Beach (Ananyana Beach Resort)
As I mentioned above, my mission on Thursday was to find a new home for Saturday when I checked out of Alona Vida Beach Resort. Success! Doljo beach was another top notch beach east of Alona beach. I walked about 7 km to visit the resort prior to making my booking. The photos looked great; the five year old reviews were not so good. What a wonderful find! Michelle toured me around the resort and gave me the manager's (Pearl) contact info. I confirmed my stay with Pearl within the day. The resort launched their website since making my booking.
I've tried to recreate, using the three photos below, my initial experience visiting the resort to help you understand my discovery first-hand. Another instance where suspending judgement led to an important discovery. Use your imagination and follow me into the resort - photos are numbered so you stay on track with my experience!
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| 1 - Remember the idea about suspending judgement |
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| 2 - Still working hard on suspending judgement |
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| 3 - Still need a little convincing |
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| Welcome drink |
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| Welcome sign |
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| Welcome wreath |
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| 1st sunset at Ananyana Resort |
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| 1st dinner - stuffed squid Simply divine! |
Massage Therapy Resumes
Suitcase Purge Continues
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