Sometime around April 2011, I scored a cheap airfare to Kalibo for 2 via Cebu pacific for just Php1600 (two-way) with 20kgs each bag allowance (yes! OA. Ang kulit kasi ni Ches). At first I planned it to be a couple trip but then I realized it would be more fun to tag some people to join us on this trip!
I searched for a place where we could stay. There were lots of options there from cheapskate rooms to super high-end hotels, from beach front and the not-so, from ones with pool and ones without. Good thing Tripadvisor helped me find a good one. After considering the location, the amenities and the price, we decided to stay at Best Western Boracay Tropics. We booked for their dorm room which can accommodate 6 persons at Php 5850 per night which means less than 1k per person per night with breakfast! It already includes welcome drinks (Iced tea), cable TV, hot and cold shower, mini ref, mini bar, AC, wi-fi.. Good deal right?! :)
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| Top view of the pool. I like it's lighting drama during the night! |
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| I super like this shot. Nice background! :) |
Here's how their dorm room looks like..
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| Image source: www.boracaytropics.com/rooms/dorm Forgot to take a picture of the entire room but don't worry because it looks exactly the same |
**Tip: If you'll be coming from Kalibo Airport, there were lots of buses, coasters, vans, cars, etc. na pwedeng pagpilian na sasakyann papuntang Boracay. If you're on a tight budget you can ride a van -fare costs Php 200 with bangka na. (Pumili lang ng maganda at bagong van, pwede naman!) Kung may budget, mag coaster ka na - fare costs Php 300. You'll pay an extra hundred for a wider leg room. All you have to pay when you get to Caticlan port is the environmental and terminal fee. Tryk fare from Cagban port (Boracay) to your hotel costs Php 20 per person if willing to wait for other passengers (each tryk loads 6 passengers) and Php 100 for special/chartered trip. So all in all, you will spend around Php 300 from Kalibo to Hotel (one-way). It is way cheaper than the Php 600 - Php 800 airport transfers offered by hotels.
1st DAY:
We arrived at the hotel around 4pm. Pahinga ng konti then at around 6pm we decided to go out and find a place to eat. While walking around, Kuya Rene offered us Reef Walking and other water sports/activites. Nagstart ang price sa Php 450 but then my companions are really good at haggling so we got it at Php 300 per person with pictures and video on a CD na. We gave in to his offer so we agreed to meet him at 9am the next day.
Ches and I went to D'Mall to find a place to eat (kanya-kanyang dinner muna ang partners). I forgot the name of the place basta malapit sya sa Crocs store. I had sizzling liempo steak while Ches had pork tonkatsu..
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| Come Hungry. Leave Happy |
Sizzling liempo was OK. I just don't like their java rice. Maasim! Parang they put ketchup on it. While Chester's tonkatsu tasted good!
2nd DAY:
We had our buffet breakfast at Boracay Tropics. Food selection was not that wide but enough to satisfy our tummies. They have pancakes, fried and plain rice, omelette, corned beef, daing na something, pasta, congee, breads, cereal (corn flakes and coco crunch), puto, maruya, etc.
After breakfast, we were fetched by Kuya Rene (here's his number - 09278373785) at the hotel's lobby. We walked to station 3 where the speed boat which took us to the reef walking site was anchored. Yes there's a floating dock sa gitna ng dagat for all water sports activities. Para nga naman malayo sa mga nagsswimming. Btw, we overheared na yung mga kasabay namin was offered a rate of Php 500 per person for their reef walking! (Maganda talaga pag magaling ka tumawad :D )
In my opinion, this was the highlight of the entire trip. (Kung hindi lang maalon sa crocodile island nung nag snorkeling kami the second day!) It was F-U-N walking at the sea bed and trying to catch fish when you thought na ang lapit nila pero hindi naman talaga.
Pagbalik namin sa station 3 while Ches and I are browsing pictures from the camera..
Ches and I: (Nagkatinginan)
Ches: Lumindol ba?
Me: Baka nahilo lang tayo dun sa balsa ng reef walking
Ches: Hindi parang lumindol talaga. Nahilo ako.
Me: Ako din
Pagdating ng hapon Chester's mom are calling them asking if we're OK dahil lumindol nga daw.. So lindol nga pala talaga yun..
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| After we had our reef walking a.k.a. helmet diving |
For lunch we decided to eat at Mang Inasal located at D' Talipapa. After eating we went to Willy's rock and had some Jonah's shake.
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| Boracay at it's best (View from station 1) |
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| The famous Willy's Rock |
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| Jonah's Shake |
I tried one of their best sellers, Mango Banana. Uhm, for me nothing spectacular. Just enough to quench the thirst from the scorching heat of the sun! Is it good enough for Php 110? I guess so...
Around late afternoon, we tried sand carving! Not an easy thing to do and I'm really amazed with local kids who can do the craft very well!
**Tip: If you're not a fan of long walks (The white beach stretch is 4 kms long), you can ride a tryk from one place to another (station 1 to station 2). Just wait for a tryk to pass by and don't ride from the terminal as the fare is higher. I'm not sure why but tryks from terminals will charge you for Php 20 each while those passing by charge Php 10 only.
For dinner we just ate at yellow cab (boohoo! LAME!).
3rd DAY:
Same thing, we had our buffet breakfast. Same selection naging cheesedog, ham and adobo lang ang ulam (BTW, prior to our 2nd breakfast, sinabi ko kay Ches na ang ulam ay magiging hotdog and adobo! Haha!)
Then pinuntahan na namin yung bankero sa station 1. We scored our island hopping at Php 1300 (good for 6 persons for 3-4 hours) which is inclusive of snorkels.
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| West Cove Hotel. The alleged Pacman's resort. |
Yes, boatmen and guides say it's Pacman's but after doing some research I've found out that this was actually owned by a Crisostomo Aquino. Click here and here for more details.
UPDATE: Giniba na daw to. I'm not just sure with the exact reason. But it has something to do with DENR yata?
**Tip: Snorkeling is better near the Crocodile Island. Ang mga isda doon ay mga patay gutom. They will literally grab a piece of bread from your hand unlike dun sa malapit sa West Cove mailap ang mga isda.
Too bad the waves are too strong during that time. Ang hirap mag-snorkeling!
For lunch we decided to eat at Calirojan Restaurant and Picnic Area
Reasons why I won't recommend this place..
1. Echoserang order taker - pagkabigay ng menu nakaabang na sya agad at hinihingi na ang order namin. We said "Wait lang po. Wala pa kasi mga kasama namin (nag restroom)". And s/he keeps on insisting na umorder na kami dahil marami na daw customers maya maya. (So bawal mamili? Unang tingin gusto order na agad?)
2. Pricey - Sabi ni order taker all dishes are good for 2. When we asked for the price of their crabs, Php 850 daw isang babae na malaki. (Sa isip-isip ko kung sa Manila ako kakain nun mahigit isang kilo na yun-around 3 pcs. so hindi ako umorder) We ordered sinigang na baboy, calamares, tempura and adobong pusit (all priced at Php 200 per order). Their rice btw costs Php 25 pesos per cup. We asked kung madami ba yung tempura (because it's Ches' favorite). Sabi nya "yes", but when served,
3. Taste - Hindi ganun kasarap! Sakto lang. Not worth the price. Yun na!
I think the bangkeros get tips for every tourist they bring there because name based (Banka's name) ang pagkuha ng orders nila. Why not table numbers right?
Heading back to Station 1, Ches and I decided to chill at Starbucks Boracay. After that, I asked him if he wants to rent an ATV and go to Yapak where the highest point of Boracay is. You can actually see the whole island from the top deck. We got it at Php 350 each which is good for 1 hour. 20 mins going to Yapak, 20 mins stop over (You have 2 options of a place to go, either the aviary or the tower) and the other 20 mins going back to base. There's free shuttle from the main road to Red Coral Sea Sports base and vice versa.
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| Umaala- Jack and Rose |
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| Bulabog beach on the left side and White beach on the right |
After our ATV ride, we went back to station 1 to witness the majestic sunset..
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| We had crabs in spicy gata, baked and may sabaw na tahong, grilled liempo and porkchop, and calamares. |
Bought crabs for Php 350 (2 pcs). BIG savings for me!
We didn't had the chance to booze on our last night. Ches slept early and so do I.
4th DAY:
Woke around 6:30am to prep up. Had our breakfast and left the hotel at around 9am. We arrived at Kalibo airport at around 11am. (Just in time for our 12:40pm flight) We had some delays dahil jammed ang planes sa NAIA 3 - traffic dahil madaming umaalis at dumadating na plane (as per pilot's advice). Upon arrival at Manila, our plane flew around at nagpaikot ikot sa ere for the same reason.
At around 11pm, I'm finally home! We stayed at Ches' place pa kasi.
All in all, the experience was soooo great! Being with Chester and some people made the trip more fun!
Honestly speaking, Boracay was more stunning 6 years ago. At that time, boat stations 2 and 3 have wider shores (now only station 1 has a wide shore). Boracay island indeed had changed A LOT!!!
But if asked if I would like to come back there, well "DEFINITELY YES!" - I still have to experience Boracay's night life and parasailing!
Who would not want to be in Tripadvisor's 2nd best beach in the WORLD and the BEST in ASIA?!
Till we meet again.. :)
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