Since about a week I've been on Panagsama Beach, part of Moalboal in the Philippines, conducting a PADI IDC at PADI 5* IDC Center 'Neptune Diving Adventure'.
Breakfast view
The moment I arrived here from Cebu City, I liked it here. The vibe is good, it's relaxed and very laid back. If you've been to the Philippines, you know already how friendly the local people are and if you haven't visited this country yet, it's about time! Here in Panagsama beach, the local people are very friendly indeed.
The local internet shop
The actual village of Moalboal is about 4km away, about 40.-PHP on a tricycle. There's no real need to visit there though, it's too cozy on Panagsama beach to even consider leaving.
Souvenir shops
There are plenty of good restaurants ranging from Italian, Mexican, seafood and international fare locations to local barbecue places, a bakery that only opens during the weekend and a handful of bars.
Convenience shop Philippine style
Beers can still be had for 35.-PHP in a bar (try to find that in a bar in Thailand for a similar price) and mango shakes are thick, tasteful and cheap, coming in between 80 and 90.-PHP.
An old Jeep, a chassis where all the Jeepneys originate from
It's Sunday evening now, and there was an influx from locals Filipinos for the weekend, mainly from Cebu City but as far away as Manila.
Road near the beach
The diving is also excellent here, with a house reef within walking distance of the dive center. The house reef hosts a 'sardine run'; Millions of sardines moving in the same direction or changing direction at the same moment, very impressive and if you just hang there and watch, it's just like a living picture.
Don't forget that the Philippines are catholic, a big change compared to Thailand and yes, this is the main road in Panagsama beach
For non divers there's not too much to do, although various kind of trips are being offered, like swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, adventure treks and some other local sight seeing points.
If you like a sleepy little village with some fantastic diving, Moalboal can be just what you're looking for. I know that I enjoyed my time here and am looking forward to coming back!
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Camille
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