Day #2 Panglao, the Philippines Nov’2019
Quite a short blog for Day #2 Panglao, the Philippines Nov’2019. A lay-in for the tired troops. I was up early though coffee in hand sitting alfresco. Listening to all the Cocks crowing, and our goats behind the fence. I love the early mornings here. Amy joined me and I made her a traditional Filipino breakfast of corned beef with a fried egg and savoury sauce. Relaxing big time. I watered the plants and pruned off all the dead bits. This left me thinking of an idea.
With that idea in the head, we did need to do some shopping too for other bits. Today, after 10 years of visiting here, I drove for the first time. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone re my license. Now that was fun fighting against all the tricycles cutting in and out. Oh yeah, and navigating a right-hand manual stick and driving on the right-hand side of the road. I think my passengers were nervous so I had to sing them a soothing song about BQ Mall.
But what is the agenda for Day #2 Panglao, the Philippines Nov’2019?
- Buy new umbrella for balcony;
- Buy some new plants for balcony;
- Buy Cushion covers;
- Execute against my idea;
- Dinner with Jimboy.
Here we go.
Our chauffeur drove us (hold on a minute, that’s me) to one of our favourite family hang-outs for food. Gerarda’s. We just love it here. There are two and we prefer the one up near St Jude’s (well of course we do) as it is much more HUGE family sittings and chatty noise and laughing. It’s just great. We love it here.
I wonder why…? Sweetcorn soup is heavenly. I am in love with their deep-fried beef ribs. I get these every single time and you just simply dip this in native sauce = vinegar, soy, chopped red onion, birds eye chilli. I am truly in heaven at home #2. I am so happy and feel relaxed and comfortable.
Our driver then tales us shopping for some other things, including a stop at Island City Mall. I tell you what, this driver is the best ever. An amazing variety of verse for the famous BQ Mall song too. He’s really good. I think we’ll book him again.
Well hello there check this out. Balcony now adorned with new umbrella and potted plants. She is looking great! Love it. Now I am going to call out my little mate Jude here. WOW. He was brilliant helping me with the umbrella construction, and he must have made 20 trips or so to collect water to fill the weighted base up for me. So busy!
Then my secret idea kicked into action too. I bought three bags of these beautiful stones to make the planted areas look much neater. Whilst we had the car it was a no-brainer. But, the sacks were so bloody heavy I think I pulled a nut. Each one was like carrying 4 small kids. Holy cow. Back to my co-worker, who was the guy that was with me? Yes, my Jude. We both got so sweaty we even took our tops off like real work-men on a hot day. So cute. And we had a boys-only shower together afterwards – after all my work travel of late I really did need some family time and this is that. I LOVE IT.
Wifey came out too to help the boys on the longer side. COme on, I think that looks amazing now. Compared to what it looked like, this is show-house material. We chose the stone colour a little by chance, but on reflection check them out – they match the 2-tone walls and tiles. We are unexpected genius’. I think it looks bloody brilliant and the plants seem to like it too.
Yeah, baby and a happy balcony too. Oh yeah, and there is Brian’s Uber with pre-loaded 40 tracks of BQ Mall songs if you ever come stay at the house and want to rent a car.
We tried Smoque but closed on Monday’s so off we go to yet another of our all-time favourites in Bohol. It has to be Payag. Another reason for choosing here is that it is very close to Jimboy’s school, so we get to see him for a little bit before curfew. Double- awesome!!! He is now doing Psychology at University, WOW, so proud of him! Go, go, go Jimboy!!!
Looks a simple dish, but this is complex believe me. Some of, if not the best BBQ chicken you will ever have the chance to eat. Again with some native dipping sauce, just add soy. This is off-the-charts cracking food. We grazed and giggled. Thanks, Payag, you are the best! And we will be back every single time we visit home #2, of that I am certain!
Well hello, gorgeous. Food porn on steroids. Are you a breast man or leg man. They do even ask that, so you can choose your favourite meat cut. I went for breast and here is a close up of the best chicken tits you can get in my reckoning!!!
Final photo for today is a cracker of Jimboy and Jude. The culprit for those Joker sized grins is that 3/4 empty bottle to Jude’s right (in the picture). Yes, folks, the wee man was on a psycho sugar-rush and whom better to manage that than my son who is doing psychology at Uni. Over to you Jimboy haha. And what a great job he did of it. Thanks, buddy!
