At the wild heart of an amazing spot showed good vibes and harmony among tourists and every wandering soul at Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines.
Who would have thought that a mesmerizing beach at daytime becomes a night market plus night life in an island that soothes body, mind, and soul.
It was late in the evening at Panglao Island and I admit that I was really very tired and so sleepy due to morning tours around Bohol, but the night market and the night life in the island sounded very inviting to me.
Despite being sleepy, I went outside to explore the surroundings even if I am on a nighties wear.
And here I am on a nighties dress. I was about to go to sleep but was thrilled by the loudest sound of happiness all around the island. So without doubts, I ignored what I had worn and took an exciting walk all around a beautiful island.
Upon entering, I was warmly welcomed by a cute little dog that has a Shi Tzu breed, popular for its toy-like appearance.
It was lying in the sand and I was mesmerized by its dazzling eyes which stared to me with its tongue out. I could truly feel that it was smiling, and so, I touched it preciously with its owner smiling back to me.
Behind me is a relaxing massage by the island. Lying beds were prepared on the sand with the awesome massage therapists.
Even if it is nighttime, the blue waters were very visible. What a soothing place with the spectacular atmosphere while being massaged gently. One session for each massage costs more or less 30 dollars. I wanted to try it but I do not want to sleep early for all I wanted was to embrace a very cool ambiance at the heart if the island.
I noticed the fresh sea foods and ala carte ready to be grilled. When I asked how much each food costs, the salesman replied to me that it depends upon my choice and the value starts from 10 dollars up to more than 30 dollars.
There were unique tables and plastic placed beside the stalls and many tourists were having liquor drinking session as they enjoyed listening to life stories with a blend of mellow, jazz, rock, and pop musics.
In fact, what sounded more thrilling were the live bands with the bright faces of everybody I encountered.
I was very happy to witness a delightful evening and I felt very relaxed and healed for a moment.
The island was full of palms with the luminous lights all around.
While others were enjoying the night market and the night life, there were a lot of tourists who simply enjoyed walking through the beach with a light heart.
Panglao Island is well-known for its indigenous, hand-made crafts that were displayed in stalls.
Bracelets, necklaces, rings, and holders were made from local products.
They were were sold as low as ten pesos or 0.17 dollars, and they were really very colorful.
Another stall displayed an elegant design of bracelets, necklaces, rings, and holders made from seashells and each of the product was worth one dollar or more depending on the style and design but it was not expensive.
And here comes a serious man selling stickers and all body accessories.
Just like the other stalls, they have almost the same products but some items were made from stainless combined with indigenous and local raw products. The prices of the hand-made crafts ranges from one dollar to five dollars or from fifty pesos to two hundred fifty pesos in Philippine value.
Meanwhile, I came across various stalls that sold local crafts made from durable materials such as bags, coin purses, pouches, wallets, chains, holders, and shirts.
A variety of products were laid down in the sand and buyers will just have to collects and select.
The coin purses, wallets, holders, and chains were placed in the green plastic basins. They are not expensive for they all cost less than one dollar.
I so love this bazaar as it is not so busy and not as crowded as the other stalls, and in here I could freely choose what I want.
These bags were very elegant and attractive and they were all made from rattan and abaca.
And here is another group of bags from another stall of the same raw materials with a different style combined with the beach hats.
Each bag costs seven hundred pesos or more than ten dollars. But the ones made from rare raw products were sold for more than 30 dollars but they were really worth the price.
My ever favorite refrigerator or fridge magnets with different designs were also sold bringing the pride and symbols of Bohol, Philippines.
The cheapest ref magnet was sold at 3 dollars while the most expensive one was sold at 7 dollars.
Among the ref magnets displayed, my most favorite part was the one with the Tarsier design.
Dream catcher designs were also sold for two dollars and I so love the one with the baby pink color.
One stall near the exit sold magic stones at 3 dollars or less and t-shirts at more than 3 dollars.
I was also attracted by the design of this shirt with an embossed Tarsier design worth 4 dollars.
This attractive and elegant bag made from rattan and abaca was my favorite among them all. It is sold at 650 pesos or more than 10 dollars and it is in fuchsia pink color.
All of a sudden, I found a store selling native and real live animal stuffs. The native bags costs ten dollars and the stuff made from frogs costs more than ten dollars.
The coin purses were made from a live frog that was processed and it is sold at 560 pesos.
I was really amazed on how the frog coin purses were made. But it sounded horrible to me because I have phobia for frogs.
I did not go home without buying my most favorite souvenirs. Can you guess what are these?
I brought in the hotel where I stayed the locally-made products that I bought such as the product with my most favorite color, with the most famous symbol of Bohol, and they were made from rattan, abaca, shells, and rare raw products.
Seize the day with my brightest smiles in the night market plus night life in the heart of the island.
Before I went home, I had seen a glimpse of a wonderful view by the shore as I chased my very own shadow in between the seawater and the sand, and it made my day.
Disclaimer: All texts and photos are my own, unless otherwise stated.
