Boracay! More than Just a Beach!

         I conducted a survey with 20 of my officemates in Toshiba of which beach in the Philippines they think is the best, of which 16/20 or 80% thinks that Boracay tops their list on a must see beach in the Philippines. From the 16 who voted Boracay as their top choice, only 4 actually visited the place, for those who did not, I ask them, Why they thought that Boracay is the best? They said that from what they were informed, Boracay has the whitest sand and the water is crystal clear, and ……… and (I waited for their next answer) then they say,,,, that’s it.

When I ask them again if when is their plan of going to Boracay? They stared at me, and exaggeratedly says – It’s too expensive and there’s nothing to do there than to swim!

That’s when I got inspired to write about this article!

       Let me tell you this - Boracay is one of the cheapest destinations with numerous activities to choose from! Boracay as part of the island province of Aklan, but despite its location, getting there is just as easy as counting 1-3. I personally prefer using the airplane as the best transportation medium going there. (I love Cebu Pacific!) The ticket prices ranging from 400 pesos to 2000 pesos roundtrip, since airline companies is giving promo the whole year round, it just depends from what season are you going( low, high, etc. I will discuss this on my next article).

       You also have the option of going to Kalibo, in mainland Aklan or get the direct flight to Caticlan. What’s the difference? If you are flying via Caticlan route, you can only bring a hand carry baggage up to 10 kls only, while for Kalibo, up to 15kls, likewise it seems that the fare in Kalibo route is somewhat a little bit cheaper than the Caticlan. I personally choose Kalibo since I can bring additional stuff like swim wear, etc., just be sure that your hotel provider includes the van transportation from the Airport to Boracay Island and vice versa. From the airport, it’s a two hour van drive to the port, from there you will ride a ferry around 30 mins to the island’s port. From then, you will again ride a coaster for 15 mins that will bring you straight to your hotel.  

Hotel selection is not a problem, since there are endless to choose from. From the Posh and 5 star Hotels in Station 1 to your budget friendly inns in Station 3. There is a room for every budget. I love Hotel La Carmela de Boracay located in Station 2. It has a feel of a luxury hotel, but for a reasonable price.  If you still thinks its quite expensive, then I have good news to you. Last time we went there, we have stumbled upon its sister hotel Boracay Courtyard which is just 3 mins walk away from Carmela, the room is cheaper from 900/person, and yet you can use all the amenities of La Carmela such as pools, its buffet restaurant and the likes.

Now we are settled in our Hotel, its time to explore Boracay!

As simply as it may seems, Boracay has the best beach!, I love its powdery white sand especially in Station 1. The beach is long and wide, and you can just lie there and relax. Yes, Boracay gets pretty crowded at times of the year but it makes the island a fountain of colors and race.  If you are looking for a fun, exciting and vibrant get away, then Boracay is a place to be.

I love Helmet Diving, its quite scary at first, but as you sank into the ocean floor and interact with the fishes, your worry will be gone and wish you can stay there forever.

Who said that Banana Boat Ride is already extreme? Then try Fly Fish in Boracay! I had the most fun and embarrassing moment in the fly fish,, (I can’t tell you why, it’s a little bit censored! J)

Then if you are looking for a serene and quiet place, then snorkeling and island hoping is for you. You can eat lunch in one of these islands.Fresh seafood is being cooked right before your very eyes.. and the islets surrounding Boracay is exuding with peace and tranquility, ideal for those mending a broken heart.

I tried this all for just 1000 pesos. Love it! Always remember the rule, more you are in a group is the cheaper your individual payment will beJ

Nightlife in Boracay will never be left behind even those we had in the metro. As I love Island Hopping, Bar Hopping is a must in Bora, There are bars for every music genre, for every age bracket for every wallet that you have. As you stroll around , you can even spot a fire dancer that will make you stop for a while.

Aside from what I have mentioned above,choosing your desired activities is equally tiring for the actual activity itself because the possibilities are endless, there's jet skiing, surfing, para gliding, para sailing diving, atv ride, and so on and so forth?

I just wish I can extend my 3 days vacation just to experience it all. But don’t worry, soon I will be back!

Let me remind you again that for my 3 day stay in Boracay I only got to spend 6500 pesos (including airfare, hotel, food and activities).

Now, who said its expensive to go to Boracay?  Nahhh.. Its just a myth!

Boracay, More than Just a Beach!

Important Note: As I writing this article, issues such as overpopulated tourist draws more problems in the island such as local prostitution, excessive garbage and deterioration of corals among others.  I personally would like to encourage my fellow Pinoys to visit Boracay, but as we visit this amazing place, lets observe proper waste disposal, avoid engaging in the local prostitution, and be an advocate not to damage corals especially during snorkeling and diving activities.Lets take care Boracay not just for ourselves but for our children as well to see this wonderful creation of God.

Twists of Revisiting Mt. Batulao

“A mountain even how many times you have climbed it, will never fail to give you new twists each time you will try to conquer it!”

I have proven this cliché once again as we had climbed Mt. Batulao for a quick day trek last Sunday- Sept 1, 2013.

Since I personally believe that Mt. Batulao is ideal for beginners, I persuaded my team members in Toshiba which are all first timers to join me in this trip, and they are Mye, Cel and Jen. We also joined by two of my facebook friends Janice and Fredda for this climb. A day before our climb, I was informed by Fredda that one of her Italian friend- Diego who just arrive in the Phillippines would like to go with us, and we gladly said yes, and I thought that this will be 1^st Twist of this Climb!

 

As the team leader, I have some apprehensions at first if its just okay to climb with a foreigner (a complete stranger) whom I haven’t met before considering that all my team members are girls and newbies. But from the moment we started to mingle with each other from 9 am until the wee hours that night that we have separated, I realized that Diego is a wonderful person. Since he was travelling around the world for 5 successive years, he shared to us enormous and viable information about what’s in and out in the backpacking activity. Would you believe, we have to speak in English the whole time because of our new friend Diego. Actually we have an internal joke that its not just our feet is sore but also our nose,, due to nosebleed in speaking English.(hehehe).. This is the 2^nd twist of this Climb!

Back at the hiking activity, we started our trek at 11: 30 in the morning. The sun is already scorching hot but we bravely fought the sun ray’s by applying sun block lotions and wearing protection gears. After an hour we arrived in the peak 1 which is situated near a small hut of which we rest for a while.We resumed our trek after 10 mins of rest, from there the trail gradually increases its height and the sun continues to heat up, major factors that contributed to exhaustion and dehydration. It was then after our 1^st major stop, 2 of our three 1^st timers had reached their maximum potential and decided that they cannot proceed anymore and they are just willing to wait for s after we come back. This is the 3^rd Twist of this Climb!

From 7, we are now just 5 who decided to take on full course to the summit. After an hour, we arrived safely in the summit. And of course what to do in the summit aside from the non-stop photo shoot, drink the famous ice cold “Mountain Dew” sold by the locals. Indeed in Mt. Batulao you can taste the mountain dew literally and figuratively.

We just stayed in the summit for around 30 mins or so  because the clouds is starting to get darker and we can almost feel the rain drops in our face, and as if on cue, as we started our hike down, the rain rigorously pour as of theres no tomorrow. We did not have time to prepare ourselves nor to secure our things. Its  just so hot and sunny in one hour and wet and cold the next hour. This is the 4^th Twist of this Climb!

But contrary to what we had thought, we enjoyed the whole rain experience. Its like we are trekking in another mountain, because the trail is covered with fogs with occasional thunder and lightning that adds up to the dramatic effects of the mountain.

As Mt. Batulao is a favourite destination for mountaineers from Manila, you can just imagine how many mountaineers flock this mountain last Sunday, and just as expected, we are like a member of a large band roaming around the barangay as we head back to the road. But the 5^th twist of this climb is that the road is not cemented thus it turns to be very muddy!

Since we have girls in our team and so as the other groups, you can almost hear a scream every now and then because they get slipped in the muddy road. There are portions of which the mud extent up to knee level that can cover your whole shoes. But what’s interest me most, is that during our whole ordeal with the muddy road, I have never seen a single mountaineer with a sad face… all is smiling and laughing their hearts out. And the locals are looking with us in such amusement in their eyes causing us to laugh with ourselves a little bit more.

Due to our lost battle with the mud, our initial plan of going to the amusement park Sky Ranch as our side trip becomes just a plan. Since it was already past 6 when we took the jeepney going back to Tagaytay, we decided to end our trip with a sumptuous dinner and indulge ourselves to the famous food now in Tagaytay, what else but BULALO!

As I coiled myself to sleep, few hours after we have separated from each other. I have learned another thing.

“A mountain even how many times you have climbed it, will never fail to give you new twists each time you will try to conquer it!”