Our honeymoon began on the third day of our married life. Pao and I spent two nights at a one-bedroom suite at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza as part of our wedding package. We did some errands after check out and spent a quick night at our condo. We woke up before dawn for our flight to Tagbilaran on our way to Eskaya Beach Resort on Panglao Island, Bohol.
We discovered the Eskaya at a wedding fair in Rockwell last May. Their representatives Jun and Pearl offered us a honeymoon package we couldn't resist: 4 days / 3 nights, all meals, private villa with outdoor whirlpool, 1 hour full body massage, 30 minute head and shoulders massage, 1 hour Jet ski and so much more. We added a dolphin watching and snorkeling tour to that bunch of amenities. Eskaya promised exclusivity, privacy and excellent service and they surely delivered.
At the Tagbilaran Airport we were met by an Eskaya driver who ushered us into a brand new Toyota Grandia. I welcomed the strong air conditioner inside, a respite from the humid morning that met us in Bohol. As we were seated we were each handed a cold bottle of distilled water and a cold towel. The Eskaya experience has begun.
Pao and I have been to Bohol before albeit separately. I was there in 2006 with good friends and he was there the same year as a cameraman for "On Foot", Tim Tayag's travel show. We both love Bohol and it was fitting that we'd honeymoon there. Why go out of the country when ours is so beautiful and has so much to offer?
Our 30 minute ride to the resort took us along familiar roads. We went past Bohol Bee Farm and Flushing Meadows. The Eskaya's heavily guarded gate assured us that no day-trippers or casual "can-we-see-your-resort" on-lookers could disturb our honeymoon.
Eskaya was sprawling and not all of the 7-hectare property was developed as the resort only opened in May 2007. At the main villa we were welcomed warmly by the resort staff and Bolly, Eskaya's Resort Manager, who gave us the good news that we were upgraded to a villa with a private pool. It felt like going home to my own summer palace.
A quick golf cart ride on sandy pathways brought us to the restaurant where we had a refreshing fresh buko welcome drink. We took that opportunity to take in the grandeur of Eskaya with a great view of their infinity pool and the crisp blue sea beyond. We were then ready to be escorted to our "balai".
Our balai or villa, along with the entire resort, was designed by Mañosa and Associates and we're fans of their use of indigenous materials in architectural design. Our villa was 90 sqm on a 200 sqm lot surrounded by plants and beautiful landscaping that provided a screen against prying eyes into our home for the next 4 days. The center of the room was a plush king-sized bed, there was a 42-inch flatscreen with cable and a DVD player. There were complimentary bedroom slippers, flip-flops and beach bag. There were fresh fruits on the table, lots of bottled water and the menu for room service should we need anything else.
The next thing we explored was the outdoor bathroom. Both doors beside the bed led to the sun-lit bathroom with his and hers sink and a whirlpool / jacuzzi that could comfortably fit two. All the toiletries one would need were present that made me believe one can go to Eskaya with nothing but bathing suits and change of clothes.
The first meal of our package was dinner and our morning PAL flight got us to Eskaya before lunch. Hungry, we tried out their room service for a club sandwich. The 4-inch tall monster of a sandwich that arrived a few minutes later was a prelude to the generous servings that met us at all meals throughout our stay.
Our dinner that night was a beach side grill. The torch-lit 600 meter beach front of the Eskaya was the dinner place for only two tables: ours and another guest's. Fresh pork, beef and seafood were on offer. I had grilled liempo and Pao had a grilled squid. We dined under the stars with two guitarists serenading us with the standards of Elvis, John Denver and George Canseco.
When we returned to our balai we were surprised to find our bed draped with a mosquito net hung from above that made it look like a romantic tent. Another romantic touch by the resort staff were the chocolates they left by our pillows.
The Eskaya resort honeymoon experience is truly special and romantic.
(To be continued....)
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