Sunday, December 02, 2012
Sunset at Boracay
Here are a few pictures I took of the sunset at Boracay. The combination of sails, surfers, the grotto, and, of course, the sunset, is just wonderful to capture.
Early morning at Boracay
Day 4
Nov 11, 2012
Boracay
I, Susanne, and Reg woke up early the next morning to experience a different Boracay - peaceful and deserted.That was exactly what we got at 6 am in the morning - a Boracay I actually prefer.
After about an hour of picture taking (including a brief rain shower), we headed to Lemon Cafe for some hearty breakfast. I ordered the cafe's omelette hoping to find one that can match Real Coffee's and I was not disappointed.
Estimated expenses:
3038 PHP - round trip air fare
1199 PHP - La Carmela de Boracay (voucher for 3 nights)
100 PHP - terminal fee
75 PHP - environment fee
300 PHP - Transfer to hotel (from Kalibo airport)
25 PHP - tricycle (hotel to dock)
30 PHP - fast craft to Caticlan
185 PHP - shuttle from Caticlan to Kalibo
100 PHP - terminal fee
300 PHP - Zorbing
500 PHP - helmet diving
700 PHP - para sailing
1800 PHP - Food (600 PHP per day)
========
Nov 11, 2012
Boracay
I, Susanne, and Reg woke up early the next morning to experience a different Boracay - peaceful and deserted.That was exactly what we got at 6 am in the morning - a Boracay I actually prefer.
After about an hour of picture taking (including a brief rain shower), we headed to Lemon Cafe for some hearty breakfast. I ordered the cafe's omelette hoping to find one that can match Real Coffee's and I was not disappointed.
Estimated expenses:
3038 PHP - round trip air fare
1199 PHP - La Carmela de Boracay (voucher for 3 nights)
100 PHP - terminal fee
75 PHP - environment fee
300 PHP - Transfer to hotel (from Kalibo airport)
25 PHP - tricycle (hotel to dock)
30 PHP - fast craft to Caticlan
185 PHP - shuttle from Caticlan to Kalibo
100 PHP - terminal fee
300 PHP - Zorbing
500 PHP - helmet diving
700 PHP - para sailing
1800 PHP - Food (600 PHP per day)
========
8352 PHP
Helmet Diving at Boracay
Day 3
Nov 10, 2012
Boracay
Early the next morning, our 3rd day, a few of us went to Real Coffee and Tea Cafe for breakfast. I ordered and ate the tastiest omelette ever. It was definitely a must-try. The place is also quite known for its calamansi muffins which tasted good as well.
Later on, we all tried helmet diving where we were able to
walk a few feet underwater wearing helmets. The experience was worth
it, but I wished there were more to see than a few unimpressive corals
and just 2 fish species.
We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the white sand and crystal clear water of the beach. One thing I discovered this trip was just how beautiful the sunset was in Boracay (more on this on another post).
On the way back to the hotel to freshen up, a few of us tried having henna tattoo. I was not sure what design I liked so I let the tattoo artist decide on this:
For dinner, we went to I Love Backyard BBQ at D-Mall. We ordered mixed seafood platter and chicked bbq. Everything was just delightful in the restaurant.
Nov 10, 2012
Boracay
Early the next morning, our 3rd day, a few of us went to Real Coffee and Tea Cafe for breakfast. I ordered and ate the tastiest omelette ever. It was definitely a must-try. The place is also quite known for its calamansi muffins which tasted good as well.
 |
| Colorful kitchen of Real Coffee and Tea Cafe |
We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the white sand and crystal clear water of the beach. One thing I discovered this trip was just how beautiful the sunset was in Boracay (more on this on another post).
On the way back to the hotel to freshen up, a few of us tried having henna tattoo. I was not sure what design I liked so I let the tattoo artist decide on this:
For dinner, we went to I Love Backyard BBQ at D-Mall. We ordered mixed seafood platter and chicked bbq. Everything was just delightful in the restaurant.
 |
| mixed seafood platter |
Adventures at Boracay
Day 2
Nov 9, 2012
Boracay
We spent our 2nd day at Boracay with a few adventures. First stop was Parasailing, one thing I wanted to do for so long but did not since I knew it to be quite expensive (2,000 PHP) for a 10-minute ride. I was surprised to find out it was actually cheaper - only 700 PHP per person. While the view of Boracay from top was really good - I finally realized just how long the beach really was - the ride was unfortunately a bit uncomfortable. I felt that the vest was too tight - I felt like throwing up during the whole time (and an hour after) I was up there.
For lunch, we went to the nearby wet market to buy some seafood then asked one of the many restaurants to cook them for us. Too bad nobody wanted to buy the expensive lobsters so we settled for the shrimps which were cooked to perfection.
After lunch, a few of us tried the zorb ride. I was disappointed at first to see that the drop would not be that steep and that the pathway was too short. Nevertheless, the ride was actually enjoyable even if it ended quickly.
Later that night, we ate dinner at Hawaiian Bar-B-Que, one of the best restaurants in Boracay, though I am biased as I love everything with pineapple or ripe mango. I ordered sun-ripened mango chicken BBQ and mango crumble for dessert. As an added bonus, there was a fire dance performance nearby which was really impressive, and judging by the number of people who requested their pictures taken with them, the show was a success.
After dinner, we tried the night life at Boracay. We went to Epic Bar for a few drinks and a game of truth and consequence because no one seemed to like to hit the dance floor.
Nov 9, 2012
Boracay
We spent our 2nd day at Boracay with a few adventures. First stop was Parasailing, one thing I wanted to do for so long but did not since I knew it to be quite expensive (2,000 PHP) for a 10-minute ride. I was surprised to find out it was actually cheaper - only 700 PHP per person. While the view of Boracay from top was really good - I finally realized just how long the beach really was - the ride was unfortunately a bit uncomfortable. I felt that the vest was too tight - I felt like throwing up during the whole time (and an hour after) I was up there.
For lunch, we went to the nearby wet market to buy some seafood then asked one of the many restaurants to cook them for us. Too bad nobody wanted to buy the expensive lobsters so we settled for the shrimps which were cooked to perfection.
After lunch, a few of us tried the zorb ride. I was disappointed at first to see that the drop would not be that steep and that the pathway was too short. Nevertheless, the ride was actually enjoyable even if it ended quickly.
Later that night, we ate dinner at Hawaiian Bar-B-Que, one of the best restaurants in Boracay, though I am biased as I love everything with pineapple or ripe mango. I ordered sun-ripened mango chicken BBQ and mango crumble for dessert. As an added bonus, there was a fire dance performance nearby which was really impressive, and judging by the number of people who requested their pictures taken with them, the show was a success.
 |
| sun-ripened mango chicken BBQ |
 |
| mango crumble |
 |
| fire dancers |
After dinner, we tried the night life at Boracay. We went to Epic Bar for a few drinks and a game of truth and consequence because no one seemed to like to hit the dance floor.
8 hours to Boracay
Day 1
Nov 8, 2012
Boracay
After 7 years, I finally was able to go back to Boracay. My friend and former teammate Lara (and her boyfriend Wes) went back to the Philippines after almost 2 years in the US and a few of us - Marianne, Susanne, Migs, Milton, Jay, Reg, and myself - decided to join her vacation in Boracay.
Our Zest Air flight was supposed to leave at 12:10 PM but we were only able to board the aircraft at 3:45 PM. And to make the matter worse that it already was, it took another hour before the plane took off. It was already 8 PM when we checked-in at La Carmela de Boracay resort hotel at station 2.
It took us the whole day to get to Boracay but we were not about to call
it a night. After dinner at Andok's, we decided to head to station 1
for a taste of the renowned Jonah's shakes so we can tick it off our
list of the top 10 things to do in Boracay. If we knew how far Jonah's
in station 1 was from our hotel, we probably would have thought twice - I
have never imagined the stretch of Boracay was that long. But the shakes were good (a bit too sweet actually) so I guess it was worth the 30-minute walk.
Nov 8, 2012
Boracay
After 7 years, I finally was able to go back to Boracay. My friend and former teammate Lara (and her boyfriend Wes) went back to the Philippines after almost 2 years in the US and a few of us - Marianne, Susanne, Migs, Milton, Jay, Reg, and myself - decided to join her vacation in Boracay.
Our Zest Air flight was supposed to leave at 12:10 PM but we were only able to board the aircraft at 3:45 PM. And to make the matter worse that it already was, it took another hour before the plane took off. It was already 8 PM when we checked-in at La Carmela de Boracay resort hotel at station 2.
 |
| La Carmela de Boracay |
 |
| standard room at La Carmela de Boracay |
 |
| the gang at Andok's |
 |
| Jonah's |
 |
| the sweetest mango shake @ Jonah's |
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Coron Island Ultimate Tour
Day 2
Oct 20, 2012
Coron
We booked the Coron Island Ultimate Tour from the Calamianes Expeditions Ecotours, an organization that supports communities and environments thru sustainable tourism. It was nice to be able to support its cause just by booking one of its many tours.
With 6 other tourists in the boat (total of 12 in the boat), the tour first brought us to CYC island where everyone enjoyed the crystal clear water of the beach.
We then headed to Twin Peaks Reef and Coral Garden to snorkel. The underwater scenery was amazing with all the colorful fish and beautiful corals.
It was around noon time when we reached Isla Bulungan. It was here where we ate our lunch which was included in the tour package. We were served grilled pork chops, grilled fish, seaweeds, and bananas.
We then went to see Kayangan Lake, which was judged to be the cleanest lake in the country. It was on the quick trek going to the lake where we got to see the most photographed view in Coron.
Our last stop was at the part-warm and part-cold water of hidden lagoon.
It was just past 4 PM when the tour completed. We decided to head back to the hotel to freshen up, but only after eating halo-halo at Tita Esh eatery. For dinner, we went to Kawayanan Grill for some seafood.
It was a very brief vacation, 1.5 day to be exact, and it felt like we only had a preview of Coron. I will definitely be back here to take the Sangat WWII Shipwreck tour (sounds exciting!) as well as Mangrove kayaking and nature trekking package.
Estimated expenses:
3496 PHP - round trip air fare
1800 PHP - accommodation(1800 PHP per room good for 2)
300 PHP - airport transfer
250 PHP - day tour
150 PHP - Maniquit Hot Spring
650 PHP - Island tour
1000 PHP - Food
========
7646 PHP
Oct 20, 2012
Coron
We booked the Coron Island Ultimate Tour from the Calamianes Expeditions Ecotours, an organization that supports communities and environments thru sustainable tourism. It was nice to be able to support its cause just by booking one of its many tours.
With 6 other tourists in the boat (total of 12 in the boat), the tour first brought us to CYC island where everyone enjoyed the crystal clear water of the beach.
 |
| CYC Island |
We then headed to Twin Peaks Reef and Coral Garden to snorkel. The underwater scenery was amazing with all the colorful fish and beautiful corals.
It was around noon time when we reached Isla Bulungan. It was here where we ate our lunch which was included in the tour package. We were served grilled pork chops, grilled fish, seaweeds, and bananas.
 |
| Isla Bulungan |
 |
| View from Isla Bulungan |
We then went to see Kayangan Lake, which was judged to be the cleanest lake in the country. It was on the quick trek going to the lake where we got to see the most photographed view in Coron.
 |
| On the way to the lake... |
 |
| a quick stop for the most photographed view in Coron |
 |
| Kayangan Lake |
Our last stop was at the part-warm and part-cold water of hidden lagoon.
It was just past 4 PM when the tour completed. We decided to head back to the hotel to freshen up, but only after eating halo-halo at Tita Esh eatery. For dinner, we went to Kawayanan Grill for some seafood.
It was a very brief vacation, 1.5 day to be exact, and it felt like we only had a preview of Coron. I will definitely be back here to take the Sangat WWII Shipwreck tour (sounds exciting!) as well as Mangrove kayaking and nature trekking package.
Estimated expenses:
3496 PHP - round trip air fare
1800 PHP - accommodation(1800 PHP per room good for 2)
300 PHP - airport transfer
250 PHP - day tour
150 PHP - Maniquit Hot Spring
650 PHP - Island tour
1000 PHP - Food
========
7646 PHP
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