But I have never come across one that can actually blend the two together. Plantation Bay is everything that its name implies.
When I think of a PLANTATION, I am reminded of expansive vistas, open grounds, large tracks of land, home cooked meals, a patrician family, genteel times, all these in an very relaxed comfortable environment.
When I think of a BAY, I think of water, sunrises and sunsets, long leisurely walks. Words like slow, gentle, restful come to mind.
In Plantation Bay, I had all these and more (forgive the cliché_. I once asked a foreigner who settled here in the Philippines why he chose our country and he said “You Filipinos are probably the friendliest people on earth.” He must have stayed in Plantation Bay for the longest time-or is it just the Visayan way. The smiles of the people in this resort can melt the most frigid of hearts.
The Plantation Bay experience starts at the airport. Arriving in Cebu, the first thing that greets you is this mini structure, right inside the arrival area, what looks like a rent is actually a welcome lounge as you wait for the resort’s van. With a couple of uniquely designed inviting Filipino inspired chairs (I was to find out later that the same chairs were all over the resort), one is given bird’s eye view of what can be expected from the resort. After a 20-minute ride from the resort’s private van, I was greeted by the expansive lobby where I could get a glimpse of the entire resort. There was this large open area that was all water. It was the gentlest blue, a most calming azure that immediately put me at ease. Making my self at home in one of the lounge chairs, the same one in the airport lounge, I could have been lulled to sleep because of the breeze that kept wafting through the open lobby.
Plantation Bay is most unique not only because of the lagoon that dominates the landscape; it is made all the more charming because of the architecture of its rooms. Except for its lone boathouse, all the rooms are built in two-storey structures scattered around the lagoon or around the two other bodies of water around the periphery of the property. Low rise and unobtrusive, all the rooms, without exception, have the plantation blinds that add to the charm and appeal of the resort. As for the way the structures have been positioned, every room either has a VIEW of a body of water, NEXT to the water, ON the water, even IN the water. So what ever your pleasure is, there is one that will satisfy your fancy. There is even one that has four structures with its own swimming pool, and enclosed pavilion. Its your own mini village and no one can go inside except for your own party. My room was in a newly built wing called the Piazza Palermo. Done in the Tuscan manner, its main feature was a swimming pool that had three lion heads spewing water reminding me of the fountains in Italy (they are actually part of Italy’s aqueduct system). Hemmed-in by two identical buildings, the arches in the façade of the buildings, lend that Tuscan influence. With two-queen sized beds in my room, it can hardly be called small.
Exploring the grounds of the resort, they have apparently prepared two kinds of guests – the active ones, and the passive ones. For the active ones there is this whole area where one can choose from a slew of activities. There is archery, wall climbing, a mini golf course (the resort can arrange for a full golf course within the vicinity) even a fringe range. Let’s not forget tennis and even a children’s playground. Much as I think I’m more of the passive guest, I wanted to taste the adage, “It’s like riding a bicycle, and you’ll never forget it. “Well, I went to the billiard area and signed myself a bicycle. After ehmmm number of years not riding one. I must say, you may not forget how to balance your self on a bicycle, but believe me you will have to re-learn how to maneuver one.
THE MOGAMBO SPA
As for the more passive pursuits, Mogambo Springs will provide you very imaginable way of relaxation. Do you want to be massaged inside a whirlpool; in your own private mini spa with an open air ambience? Or do you want more private room, maybe even in your room? How about just your feet? Or maybe you want to relax in cold water instead of warm. And if you have not tried a multiple shower head, Mogambo is where it’s at.
Being a “spaholic”, I decided to try their own unique Mogambo massage. I apparently choose the right one because it is a light massage and apparently good for those with high blood like me. For an extra P500.00 I rented the private spa. It was really indulgent of me because the area was like a small living room with its own whirlpool under open skies that can accommodate maybe even seven adults comfortably. The best part was the caress of the gentle breeze as it added to the calming sensation of a very gentle massage. Impressive was the fact that my blood pressure was taken before and after the massage just to make sure I was doing o.k. Normally, massages cannot be done on people with high blood because it actually promotes circulation, which in turn raises the blood pressure. In this case my blood pressure went down 10 points both for the diastolic and systolic. That, I guess is my testament to how relaxing it was in Mogambo Springs.
Mogambo Springs is one of the main expansion sites in Plantation Bay. Come June or July of this year, there will be 18 additional rooms including 3 live-in spa rooms. I guess my tribe is growing.
A DAY IN THE PLANTATION LIFE
As for special activities Plantation Bay has currently come up with a laudable activity dubbed Summer Frolix 2007: Pinoy Laro. Pinoy Laro basically re-introduces Filipino games taken from the perya and the town fiesta. It features games like pulot, tirador, takyan, sa pula sa puti, even the carera ng daga. It also has caught the pig and even a mock sabong. I personally think it is a very enviable idea because it promotes the Filipino culture at the same time having fun.
But everything has been said and done, it undeniable that activities on the ocean cannot be left out. Despite that fact that Plantation Bay has a very short shoreline, they were, nonetheless, able to maximize the water activities. Depending on what one looks for in a beach, the 300-meter drop just a few meters from the beach can be a boon or a bane. For divers, it is indeed a boon. How nice it is to be able to dive with the dive site a mere walking distance from the shoreline. No hassle having to take a boat and waiting for the dive site to appear, it right there in front of you. Now if you don’t dive, there are other activities above the water that one can engage in. for the more active guests, there is parasailing, jet skiing, hobie cats, pedal boats even tow rides. As for the more passive kind, I’m sure they will enjoy the sunset cruise and the island adventure tours. Food is packed and ready to be eaten during these activities.
DINING AT THE PLANTATION
Speaking of food, Plantation Bay has four basic outlets. And I must say, home cooking is never far away at this bay. Their major hub is called complimentary breakfast. All I can say it is between the ensaymada coupled with their chocolat-e, they may have the best breakfast yet (yes, I drunk my ensaymada in the chocolat-e). And their spicy sausage was a great counter balance to the rice, or even the pan de sal. Of course there were the choice of other breads, cereals, and fruits and vegetables.
If you’re craving for your city-breed burgers and fries, then Savannah is the place to be. Structured like a “turo-turo” where you drag your tray, Savannah serves succulent meats like burgers and hotdogs. I tried their chili con carne and it was delicious. Being a gourmand, I wasn’t exactly sure about the source of the curry tasting ingredient. But it was an added dimension to what I am used to.
Their fine dining restaurant is an Italian inspired affair complete with candlelights and murals-on the ceiling. Seeing how formal looking the appointments were, I decided to wear at least some pants and a Hawaiian shirt. As I sat down to order I noticed, there was really no dress code. Guests were coming in in their shorts, flip-flops and sleeveless shirts. Apparently is in encouraged that guests be as comfortable as they can be even in this very decorous atmosphere. As for my sea bass, it was grilled to perfection. The taste was simply superb. With the right ix of seasoning, it brought out to the succulent taste of the fish. The red wine I ordered was completely to my taste. It was light, it was fruity, and it was a perfect compliment to the fish. One more thing that I have to complement them for is their knowledge in serving wines. The wine was obviously given time to breath, thus letting the tannins settle before it was swerved, thus eliminating the tangy taste of the wine.
On my last night, I decided to have dinner served at the peninsula. It’s a patch of sand in the middle of the big lagoon. As I got closer, I could here samba music and lo and behold, I was greeted by dancing chefs. I immediately know this was going to be one fun night. The area was dancing of the chefs. How they sis not burn what was on the grill was a feat in itself. Having settles just on salad, the dancing of the chefs was so infectious that other guests started dancing with them and having photos taken with the chefs. It just added a different dimension to the entertainment for the night.
The resort has also lined-up different culinary delights like a Filipino Fiesta Buffet near the beach every Monday, A Nite Rhythm at Savannah, live entertainment at the Pizza Palermo, and their newly launched Korean Dinner Buffet also at the Peninsula. It is obvious that this resorts bends over backwards in order to keep their offerings dynamic. In fact even for their breakfast, there is a different theme cuisine EVERYDAY. But dynamic as its food selection is, so is their staff.
PLANTATION PEOPLE
One of the Plantation Bay’s assets is its people. Maybe it’s just inherent in every Filipino to be friendly. But the people in Plantation Bay make it look like effortless. From every minute I walked in, I am greeted with the sincerest smile by those who work in the resort. Why, even the hotel representative was very friendly. And then there were the personnel at the front desk, the drivers of the shuttle, even those that tend the gardens. They all have a ready smile for and a warm hello. A lot of people say that it’s the sunshine that affects our warm mien. If that were the case then there is a lot to go around in this tropical country. But indeed, in Plantation Bay there is a certain ease that can be felt. Maybe it’s the water that is consistently around, or maybe it is indeed the sunshine. Whatever it maybe, this bay evokes the genteel, relaxed, unharried lifestyle a plantation is all about.
It’s about living life according to your own place.
