I’m taking a bit of a break from the construction planning and drama to bring you along for a relaxing day in Panagsama, Moalboal. Little Liam was incredibly excited to head to the beach for some swimming, so Jessa and I packed up the bike and made the trip.
Our day started with a quick lunch stop at a local spot in Moalboal. We went for some simple but delicious Filipino staples—pork, fish, and some vegetables. I even convinced Jessa to share some chicken feet with me, though I think I ended up eating most of them! It’s those small, cheap snacks that often make the best meals here. We weren’t looking for a massive feast, just enough to keep us going until we hit the water.
After lunch, we had a few errands to run. My motorbike was absolutely filthy, so we stopped for a quick wash. One of the things I love about living in the Philippines is how affordable services like this are—it cost me just 100 pesos to get the bike looking brand new again. While we were out, I also realized I had no slippers left, so we swung by Gaisano Grand Mall to pick up a new pair. I even spotted some tiny burgers for 25 pesos each and couldn't resist a little extra snack. I guess I was hungrier than I thought!
Once we finally reached Panagsama, I noticed how much the place had changed. It used to be a lot more charming, but now the nightlife has moved away from the water to the side streets, and it feels a bit different. I also had a bit of a "foreigner frustration" moment with the local prices. One store tried to charge me 100 pesos for a can of Coke, which is more than I pay in high-end restaurants in Cebu City! It’s not that I can’t afford it, but it feels like they’re taking advantage of tourists. With the internet, people know what things should cost, and overpricing like that just drives visitors away.
The main event, though, was testing out my new underwater camera. I’ve had some trouble with GoPros in the past—they always seem to produce green, messy footage—so I was excited to see the built-in color correction on this new setup. I headed out for some snorkeling while Jessa and Liam stayed closer to the shore. Even though I didn't spot any turtles or the famous sardine run this time, the water was beautiful, and the camera performance was exactly what I was hoping for.
Jessa, on the other hand, claimed she saw a turtle while she was swimming with Liam! I told her I wouldn't believe her unless she caught it on camera, but knowing Liam’s luck with animals, he probably had a blast. He absolutely loves turtles, so he was a very happy camper.
We wrapped up the day by just relaxing in our chairs, enjoying the quiet view of the ocean. It was the perfect way to recharge before heading back to Ginatilan. On the way home, we even stumbled across a small local traveling trampoline set up for a barangay occasion. Of course, we had to let Liam jump for a bit. It’s those spontaneous, simple moments that make life here so special. Thanks for coming along for the ride, and I’ll see you in the next one!
