Bliss in Bohol…by chance

MANILA, Philippines - Driving from the main road in Panglao, an arrow tells you it’s tucked about 600 meters from the main highway along with two other destinations exclusively for diving. We drive amidst gardens and through the rain we make it to the restaurant called Paprika. Then the place consumes you. The sea, the gardens, the view… breathtaking. 

Walking around the deck we admire the details – the doors, the Baccarat chandelier in a café, the use of repurposed wood and shells gathered from close by and put onto stools and frames. We notice the attention to detail. Nice wood, beautiful functional deck furniture. The view is stunning, the place very five-star. I could have been in Bali. But I’m in Bohol.

After a sumptuous lunch of fresh seafood from the grill, a few racks of baby back ribs and a garden salad, we try the homemade desserts and good coffee. We are then led to our rooms.

There are just 12 well-appointed villas barely two years old. Each villa is surrounded by beautiful gardens with its own footpath towards the walkway which can lead you to many nooks and crannies of the eight-hectare estate. Nicholas and Patricia Mossempes did not scrimp on landscape or décor. You can walk around and discover the pool, the spa and the arena where horses are practiced almost all day for dressage, the fine art of horsemanship, which is Patricia’s passion. She teaches advanced riders from here and abroad. “No beginners here. We need to start with intermediate riders because we offer something different,” she explains.

When we drop in she was giving lessons to two ladies, obviously foreigners. Patricia shows us how she leads her horse to follow simply by holding the reins and giving silent signals with a whip or her whispered voice commands. She does this twice a day, and she’s got about 16 horses in her stable. “What passion,” I thought to myself.

I asked the staff to bring me to the museum, another destination my friend made sure I visited. Off we drive in the golf cart to another area of the property which has the two-story building housing Patricia’s atelier or workshop in the ground floor and the two halls of the museum above it. What a great collection of art and other collectibles, all gathered from the couple’s travels – African voodoo dolls, paintings by different European artists, a collection of airplane arts, spotlights and carpets and wall hangings. It’s a special gallery open only to in-house guests.

Walk-in guests may dine at the restaurant but access the place through a separate walkway, and they may also shop at the Philippe Tarsier Collection, a compact boutique  of souvenirs and Patricia’s hand-painted bags which she works on with her sister Evelyn Muassab. There are kaftans beaded by women of Marikina, scarves and shawls embellished by the two sisters and even diving outfits and aquashoes in case you may have forgotten to bring yours.

Finally, we head to the spa. Located beside the main swimming pool and bar the spa has five casitas, including a couple room. I just had to treat myself to a signature massage. I enjoyed the music, the treatment and the garden view with just the right room temperature and the smell of aromatherapy oils wafting in the air. Ninety minutes of pure relaxation.

But yes, you have to enjoy your room, too. Though you can spend the time walking on your own, the room is inviting as it is properly cooled with a view of the gardens or you can decide to close the shades and just enjoy the privacy.

There is a family duplex in case you wish to bring a group and it has connecting doors for your convenience. The master’s bedroom is roomy and the bathroom has his and hers sinks and a rain shower, too,

But if you want something more special, get the Hibiscus. It has its own private pool, a huge bathroom, an ante room for watching tv or entertaining guests and a spacious bedroom area. That’s the top choice in Tarsier Botanika Villas.

Two nights and three days should be enough if you will just laze around. Add days if you want to do dolphin watching or go to other sights in Bohol. For a third timer in Bohol like me, I enjoyed the 48 hours of paradise in the property. From  breakfast of home-baked breads, good coffee and a nice selection of smoked meats and eggs, to the lunch and dinners, there was no need to go out. The menu is good for many variations – from freshly-baked buttery croissants to start your day, to the nice freshly-made kinilaw for cocktails. The Lengua Sevillana on violet heirloom rice is a good choice to go with a Santa Cruz Cabernet from Chile. If you want something lighter to end the day, the selection of local (Italian inspired) cheeses with the breads goes well with your choice of a Merlot or Shiraz.

I saw Panglao in a different light this time around. And it all happened by chance.

Tarsier Botanika is located at Km 16, Hoyohoy, Tawala, Panglao, Bohol. For reservations, call 0917-526-6001 or visit www.tarsierbotanika.com