why we love the plantation

there is so much history to this. bear with me as i reminisce about my father.


as much as we, as a family love variety, routine is also a welcome fun for us--esp if it brings wonderful memories.

and perhaps why shangrila never happened. (aside from the fact that the beach is a long walk away from the rooms).


plantation bay will always be that one for us.

it was where, in 2005, my father expressed his love for the resort, uncannily, when he was the type of person who really loved staying in. we stayed there with just the immediate family and a guest from a the UK...we enjoyed the clean and beautiful surroundings and the lagoon-concept was such a novelty then.



the gang of brothers and cousins pretending to be kids again




waiting to slide

in 2006 (may), we went back for him to enjoy the resort...this was after my sister ana's 18th birthday party, we stayed again at the Plantation.(okey i know my father sounded like a spoilt brat the way i put it, being catered to for his all his likes, but as some dont know, my father was blind the last years of his life...so anything that made him relaxed and happy and anything enjoyable for him--we made sure he got it as he deserved it for all he have done for us his kids). this time, we got the riverboat suite. --(highly recommended!)




enjoying the riverboat...this is my favourite photo of my papa that year=)




ahhh, can you tell i was a papa's girl?


the next year,2006 december, we went back again, and because the riverboat suite was already booked, we took the penthouse suite. it was a disaster. we enjoyed the company of people we love, but the stay at the penthouse wasnt as enjoyable as that of the riverboat. perhaps it was the late service,or the rainy weather, we didnt enjoy it as much. but my father was still happy as larry. and the young cousins were enjoyin every second.



the view from the window of the penthouse suite



this was the master bedroom in the penthouse...same as the riverboat actually, but the riverboat was on one floor/bungalow type on stilts by the water, while the penthouse,has a bigger second bedroom than the riverboat.

(note: the penthouse is on three floors-the bottom floor which is the restaurant, the two top floors being the suite. its beautiful and opulent, but lacks the warmth and homey feel of the riverboat.)


in 2007, my father died. when we went home for a vacation, we resisted going back to the Bay, as we didnt want certain memories to be put in the surface. we opted going the Portofino way--a local beach resort.

eventually in 2008 we did Boracay island. all were fun and served some purpose for the much needed r&r. still at this time, talking about plantation bay was still sore. ---and yes, we also went swimming at the local Tubod springwater (quite nice actually) in Minglanilla, so that Adrian can swim every week. he is addicted to swimming.

in april 2009, we took the courage to go back to Plantation Bay. this time, for some closure. where to do so at our favourite suite room. the one where he jovially was his old self (funny and just warm person to be around with).



beautiful under the sun




man made, but still beautiful...



ana ,ruby and bolantoy, still swimming at night




they used to give a welcome basket of fruits together with a run-in-the-mill bottle wine...this time, its a plateful of cookies..still, a welcome treat

alas, we bury the sadness of him being gone, and just pure happy memories of him going underneath the dark watered pool---and resurfacing after a few seconds with a huge smile on his face...

im not sure if i'll be lucky enough to reserve a room in the Bay in december (as its their peak season), but when i can find a window of opportunity, i hope to go back again. and look for his memories.

when i go, im taking you with me.

good times.


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