pretty panglao
Overgrown
Ester A. Lim Drive, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Lat year I was lucky enough to travel the beautiful islands of the Philippines with my bestie, where we island hoped on an incredible 3 day 2 night tour, biked around and bimbled our way across the country. The Philippines had always been a place I was desperate to visit and in some places it certainly didn’t disappoint.
What is OVERGROWN?
Atmosphere and aesthetic is very cute and super instagramable with an inside outside feel. Big trees, flowers and large windows to let in the natural light which is all complimented be a delicious smell of coffee and cakes. There is plenty of seating both in and outside but inside as A/C (VERY needed for peak summer sun in the Philippines and to avoid smokers). Its boho and shabby cheque and in all truth the prices reflect this. If you march on down to a local coffee shop and or a local restaurant you won’t be spending more than £2 for a coffee and potentially a small snack/treat. OVERGROWN is clearly something social media has got its hand on and therefore its popular with the tourists… hence the price spike. Don’t get me wrong it is less than a coffee would be in the UK however, expensive for the Philippines.
OVERGROWN is situated just south off of the main road (anos fonacier circumferential rd) that goes all the way around Panglao island. It is along a smaller dirt track with millions of tuk tuks and bikes to dodge, but had plenty of parking for mopeds or a few for cars just outside.
The bun
This bun was super surprising to me as it looked so embarrassingly dry but it truly didn’t taste half as dry as it looked. Some would say deceivingly moist (only I would say this).
It has perfectly defined swirls due to the density of each swirl piece, and was fairly coated in a lovely butter cream, of which it really needed more of to bump it up my ranking system. Although the bun was tasty you could tell that this batch was not fresh (not made in shop), and it was clear they had heated it up in the café moments before serving it to me.
This was a nice and needed touch Overgrown provided however, I think when lightly heating up a cinnamon already bready cinnamon bun amplified that this bun was maybe 24+hs old. The consistency of the bun was very similar to bread dough, leaving no stodge to be detected but the cinnamon to bread ratio was spot on. Although the bun was small it was packed full of cinnamon flavour complimented by their delicious butter cream and only at 80php (£1.10) it was a solid purchase. Overall, it was a very mid pack bun, not a head nodder or a “wow banging” bun, I was certainly not blown away nor would I hurry back to get another one.
The Toppings
The butter cream was lovely! If anything, it was the best part of the bun and most flavourful bit however, there just was not enough of it! I wish they had put at least double the amount of cream on the bun than there was, then it would be rated a lot higher. It was sweet, but not too sweet and It was creamy and smooth everything you expect for your classic/traditional cinnamon bun topper. All in all good bun, they just need to invest in some more dough to make that bad boy bigger and HEEEEP loads more of that buttercream then they would be on to a winner.
Go get one but ask for more buttercream, then report back to me!
Texture 6/10
Taste 4/10
Appearance 5/10
Overall 5/10
Philippines
Panglao/Bohol
Moped/bike hire
Renting a small moped or bike in the Philippines is a popular and convenient way to explore the islands, but there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1. Requirements:
- Driver’s License: You’ll need a valid driver’s license. A local or international license is often required, especially for renting a motorbike. If you’re only renting a bike (pedal-powered), a license isn’t necessary.
- Age Requirement: Renters are usually required to be at least 18 or 21 years old, though it may vary by rental shop.
2. Rental Cost:
- Mopeds: Prices generally range from ₱300 to ₱600 for 24hs, depending on the type and location.
- Motorbikes: Bigger motorcycles can cost ₱500 to ₱1,000 per day.
3. Insurance:
- Some rental shops offer insurance, while others may not. It’s a good idea to ask about coverage in case of accidents or damage. You may also want to check your own travel insurance for coverage. PLEASE WEAR A HELMET – you do not look cool when you aren’t wearing one and also your insurance won’t cover you if you aren’t wearing one.
4. Fuel:
- Mopeds and motorcycles usually require you to pay for fuel, which you can refill at nearby gas stations. Many rental services provide a full tank when you pick up the bike. There are workers there that will fill it for you and know what needs to go in it, all you have to do is be polite and pay them
5. Safety Gear:
- Helmets are required by law when riding a motorbike, and many rental shops provide them for free or for an additional charge.
6. Road Conditions and Traffic:
- Be prepared for narrow, sometimes rough roads and heavy traffic, especially in urban areas. Always drive cautiously, as traffic can be chaotic, and road signage may not be clear in some locations!
Tarsier sanctuary – Address: Tarsier Sunctuary Rd, Corella, Bohol, Philippines
The Tarsier Sanctuary in Bohol, Philippines, is a conservation area dedicated to protecting the Philippine tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world and when I say small I mean tiny tiny. Located in the town of Corella, it provides a natural habitat for these nocturnal creatures. The sanctuary focuses on preserving the species and educating the public about their conservation. You can see the tarsiers in their natural environment, but the sanctuary emphasizes the importance of keeping a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the animals and being extremely quiet. The sanctuary also works on research and rehabilitation efforts to ensure the survival of the tarsier species. There is a small entrance fee of 150php (£2) so its totally worth it as they’re adorable and only need about 45mins of your time.
