A paradise called Bohol

Noted A-listers from the diplomatic corps, business and social circles left the hustle and bustle of the metro and together with your columnist had an early summer vacation at the beautiful Panglao Island in Bohol where we chose to stay at one of the country’s premier five-star resorts, The Bellevue Resort, owned and managed by The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts (BH&R) under the helm of chairman Johnny Chan, managing director Patrick Chan, marketing and communications corporate director Ryan Chan and The Bellevue Resort managing director Dustin Chan. Upon our arrival, we were treated to the signature Bellevue brand of hospitality. As part of its impeccable service, The Bellevue Resort arranged special tours to the world’s best and magnificent botanical garden, Tarsier Botanika, which was the scheduled activity for our group that day. Owned and founded by husband and wife Nicolas and Patricia Moussempes, the expansive property is a botanical garden that has an animal sanctuary, an aviary, an equestrian center, a museum and a restaurant among others. Our ever-gracious hosts Nicolas and Patricia arranged for us to first have a tour of the equestrian center that is home to thoroughbred horses, including three Lusitanos imported from Portugal. Well-respected classical dressage French master Bernard Chiris is the equestrian center’s leading trainer who displayed his expertise in the art of classical riding with the Lusitano horses that showed off their winning form in a show held at the equestrian center where the horses pranced to some of the country’s well-known cultural dances. We then toured the museum that houses the Moussempes couple’s vast collection of art paraphernalia displayed in three galleries – from classical, impressionist and modern paintings to Chinese ceramics, scrolls and porcelain, even personal belongings of famous historical figures – all acquired from their many travels around the world. Our last stop for the day was at the Tarsier Paprika, Botanika’s top-notch restaurant that boasts of a unique and breathtaking view of the Bohol Sea and with a masterfully maintained garden. Our group was treated to a sumptuous and delectable array of hors d’oeuvres partnered with premium wines from the restaurant’s very own wine cellar. We all had a great time relaxing at the air-conditioned cocktail area while exchanging wonderful stories about our whole day of adventure. This Bohol trip is definitely one for the books for yours truly, all the more because of the excellent service of the entire The Bellevue Resort staff and the hospitality of Tarsier Botanika’s Nicolas and Patricia Moussempes.