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ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION she talks about her animal sanctuary, I can see that Patricia is quite passionate about the little critters. And this is something she doesn’ t take lightly.”
some are hybrids, which are so fascinating to see. The goats are Aussies and one just gave birth to a little bambini.
Patricia loves horses, and they have four. Klaus is their favorite – a thoroughbred. They tell me that they plan to have a riding school that will be taught by a French champion rider. Nicolas jokes that there will be racing and betting.
The rain gets stronger and I decide to go to the café. I pass by what seems to be the secret garden. I feel romantic, like I’ m in a Jane Austen novel. I don’ t mind the little puddles as I skip pass them in my flip-flops. Pass hanging vines, and more glimpses of gardens here and there. I see the café with its cozy lights and spy the sight of perfectly aligned chocolate cakes, croissants, and baguettes.
Inside Nicolas offers me a banana split, the
The owners Nicolas and Patricia Moussempes talks about their Botanical Garden, as we enjoyed a banana split from their café.
most common of desserts, and the most comfy in this weather. As I indulge myself I ask about the café, thinking of what Pie Rivera our foodie writer would think about these French pastries. Patricia explains how she used to have a bakery in Hong Kong and had taught the locals in the island how to bake. I think,“ Thank Heavens! Finally a dessert in Panglao” which I’ ve been searching for the whole day.
We talk briefly about the place, about the tarsiers and the other animals and their future plans. v I recall a little argument with my mother a few years back about captive tigers( my favorite animal in the world). It was the first time I’ ve ever seen a tiger and it wasn’ t in a place I would want to see one. It was in a collar being pulled with a leash in Boracay Island, only months old. I told her that the reason I cried and wanted to yell at the owner – who is a prominent political figure by the way – was because that it wasn’ t showing any respect to the animal. I understand that in the world we live in now, that some endangered species have a better chance of surviving in captivity than in the wild, but the important thing is that those that are in captivity should at least be respected in a way. And that them being there should be for the education and aware-
The conservatory which can house 30 + people. The paintings are from Bali, while Patricia made the frames.
66 7107 ISLAND TRAVEL