Travel: Villa de Gloria (Bohol)
Monday, June 26, 2017
It's my 3rd visit to Bohol and this time it was extra special because I have my family with me. It was just me, DJ and Kiel, without the yaya. The main agenda actually was to attend my college classmate's wedding. She lives in Bohol, thus the venue. It also became sort of a reunion for us but unfortunately, others were not able to come due to conflict in work.
It was my first time to arrive in Bohol through their Tagbilaran airport. The wedding was on a Saturday afternoon and we arrived Saturday morning. Ay grabe stress level ko that time! Muntikan na kami di matuloy kasi naclose-an kami ng check-in!
Buti na lang talaga si Ateng maganda at the check-in counter was kind enough that she still allowed us to get in. Siguru dahil hawak hawak ko si Kiel that time, naawa siguru? Haha. Kasalanan talaga ng traffic eh! Di ko naman inexpect na ang aga aga ng Sabado, trapik na agad. Ay my beloved Manila. Buti na lang talaga. Kundi sandamakmak na paninisi aabutin ko ke DJ for not budgeting our time properly, haha.
Anyhow, the flight with Kiel was a breeze (which I honestly did not expect). Upon arriving, we were fetched by a prearranged transport and headed straight to our booked resort in Dauis, Bohol.
For me, what made this third trip a memorable one was our stay at Villa de Gloria. I didn't expect the place to be such a hidden paradise! When I found out that it's a cliffside beach resort, di na ko masyado nagexpect. I would have preferred a beach front sana. But since the wedding preparation was booked here, we decided to book here as well for easy access to the wedding.
It was my first time to arrive in Bohol through their Tagbilaran airport. The wedding was on a Saturday afternoon and we arrived Saturday morning. Ay grabe stress level ko that time! Muntikan na kami di matuloy kasi naclose-an kami ng check-in!
Buti na lang talaga si Ateng maganda at the check-in counter was kind enough that she still allowed us to get in. Siguru dahil hawak hawak ko si Kiel that time, naawa siguru? Haha. Kasalanan talaga ng traffic eh! Di ko naman inexpect na ang aga aga ng Sabado, trapik na agad. Ay my beloved Manila. Buti na lang talaga. Kundi sandamakmak na paninisi aabutin ko ke DJ for not budgeting our time properly, haha.
Anyhow, the flight with Kiel was a breeze (which I honestly did not expect). Upon arriving, we were fetched by a prearranged transport and headed straight to our booked resort in Dauis, Bohol.
For me, what made this third trip a memorable one was our stay at Villa de Gloria. I didn't expect the place to be such a hidden paradise! When I found out that it's a cliffside beach resort, di na ko masyado nagexpect. I would have preferred a beach front sana. But since the wedding preparation was booked here, we decided to book here as well for easy access to the wedding.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the receptionist and was allowed early check-in -- for free, yey! Check in starts at 2pm pa talaga but we were there 10am pa lang. Ang bait nila, we were guided to our room agad agad.
The resort, or should I say 'villa' has nipa huts where the guests stay. The huts have a simple, modern native vibe. The bed was neat and clean, with a nice bathroom that has a water heater. The room also has an aircon, a ceiling fan, a mini ref and cable TV. There's also a coffee table set, a cabinet and safety vault. We were assigned to one of the detached huts with a balcony overlooking the ocean. Ang ganda ng view!
There's a viewing deck that offers a very nice spot to view the calm waters while feeling the sea breeze. Since cliffside, wala waves. Ang sarap lang tumambay at panoorin ang karagatan. Di mo mapapansin ang oras pag ganito ka-chill ang kapaligiran, hehe. Thank God na kahit me low pressure that time, indi umulan ng panira during our trip.
A few flight of wooden stairs beside the viewing deck will lead you down to the mini pier. In here, you can take a dip in its greenish, clear waters. Ideal to swim in the morning when its low tide. However, by lunch time, high tide na.
The steps would also lead you to another viewing deck built on top of the waters. This will give you an unobstructed view of the sea and also serves as a tambay area. Ideal place for taking a nap as well. CCTV cameras are seen installed here.
This is what it feels like to take a swim on a cliffside beach resort. Activities like kayaking, paddle boarding and boating are also suggested. The villa rents out equipments in case you want to do these activities.
The villa also has a pool. Be noted though that it is quite steep. A few steps from the side pa lang, lampas tao na agad (for my case), haha!
We really had a great time staying at Villa de Gloria. Aside from the
chill environment, good view and relaxed ambience, I loved their
accommodating staff. They serve free breakfast as well. Food choices can
be a little bit limited but tastes well. The location is secluded which
means that you get to enjoy the place with privacy. The place is a
little bit remote so you need to be prepared to have the things that you
need before going to the villa. There are no nearby place to buy food
or stuff. You will need to hire a private vehicle in order to reach
places outside the resort but the resort staff will gladly help you to arrange transport, also including airport transfers and tours around Bohol.
Here are more pictures of our time in Villa de Gloria...
Genice & Kristian's Wedding
I would also like to mention na ang galing ng choir sa church and special mention din ang singer nila during reception. Hanep sa galing kumanta! If I remember it right, Angel Zamora ang name. Akala namin nakikinig lang kami ng CD version, yun pala he is singing live na. Galing! 'Taz ang galing din ng photographer and videographer niya. Haaay, ako kaya magkaka wedding din ng ganun?..Haha..
(pic grabbed from Genice's FB page)
Nagulat ako ke Genice. Siya yung tipong
ang simple simple lang tignan pero ang yaman pala. Haha! Siya yung
classmate ko ng college na tipong di ko inexpect na isa sa unang
ikakasal sa amin kasi may pagkaboyish. 'Taz siya pala etong makulay ang
lovelife. At inlove na inlove. Hehe, nakakapanibago lang. During her
wedding ang ganda niya. First time kong makita siya na nakafull make up.
Nakakapanibago lalo if lagi lang siyang simple mag ayos. Ni indi nga
ata naglalagay ng lipstick yun.
I remembered before nung nagpunta ang batch namin sa Bohol para magreunion. Since taga-doon siya, nag-ofer siya na ilibot kami. Wow talaga the experience! Pagdating pa lang namin ng pier, me nakaabang na sa aming magsusundo na car. And take note, bagong bagong Montero, haha! Mukhang kami pa ang nakabinyag gamit. Free tour kami kahit saan namin gusto. Ang bait pa ng Mama niya, gusto kami ilibre sa River Cruise, ang mahal kaya nun considering madami kami. Then nag-offer pa na sa bahay na lang nila kami matulog instead sa hotel. Yun pala, mansion ang bahay! Haha, nagulat kami sa laki ng bahay nila. Too bad, nasira ng lindol nung 2014. Then nung mag beach hopping kami, di nakasama si Genice. Pinagluto at pinabaunan pa din kami ng seafood for lunch namin, waaah, nakakaiyak sa bait. Then hinatid at sinundo pa kami dun sa sasakyan naming boat (na sila din naghanap). At ang malupit, binigyan pa kami pampasalubong namin pag-uwi..
Anyway, congratulations and best wishes to Genice and Kristian. I am wishing you both for a happy and fulfilled marriage. And sana baby na soon kasi nagmamadali na ang lolos and lolas, hehe.
I just wanted to post our pic taken during the wedding. Team pink na naman kami. Gusto ko sana magsuot ng ibang damit pero sa pagkapangit ng sunburns ko, indi ako makapili ng maayos na style that would hide my uneven colors.
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