BORACAY not BORA!

   Travel destination for every Juan! That's BORACAY. It's every bodies dream to go here in this beautiful island. For a pre-graduation treat to our youngest sister we decided to go here. Thanks to piso fare from cebu pacific airlines, travel fare is much more affordable. Boracay is a small island in the Philippines located approximately 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. (wikipedia)

touchdown to Boracay

    We got the first flight of the day since we our bound directly to Caticlan airpot we rode cebupacific's ATR72-500 plane which can accommodate 78 passengers. For this reason passengers are just allowed to hand carry 5 kilos instead of 7 kilos from other domestic destinations. Passengers need to weigh first upon check in since the plane is small.

first flight

few passengers on board

   The night before going to Boracay, me and my sisters flew from Davao to Cebu and stayed overnight at Hotel Cesario  located at Lapu-Lapu Cebu City. We decided to check in here since it is just 5 minutes away from the airport plus they offer free aiport transfer and buffet breakfast. We booked our hotel in agoda for 2000 php per night.

egzoited much...

      We arrived at Boracay airport passed seven in the morning and Mr. sun greeted us with a big smile. We drove a tricycle from the airport to the jetty port. It cost 100 php for each tricycle. We immediately paid 100 php for terminal fee, 75 php for environmental fee and 25 for the boat fare. After less than 20 minutes we arrived in the island of Boracay. We rode another tricycle from the port to D'mall, located at station two it is where restaurants and shops are located. 

can't wait to see the powdery sand of Boracay

skins bestfriend

   
  We started our adventure by filling up our tummy in Andoks, a very popular fast food chain since it is affordable. Right after eating, we change our outfits in one of the toilet in D'mall (5php toilet charge). After changing our clothes we went directly to island nook (located in station two), this is where we stayed two nights. Island nook is affordable and they offer free breakfast too. Since check in time is 2 o' clock in the afternoon we arrived so early, we cannot get the room until 2:00 pm. Good thing the hotel can accommodate guest for early check in, so even though there is no vacant room they still manage to save some place near the front desk for our bags.

breakfast @ Andok

   For the entire activities that we had in Boracay, we got kuya Ron a very popular guy in boracay who offers affordable rates for the activities in Boracay. He also owned Island Nook Hotel.First activity was island hopping for 1000 php for every boat good for 10 pax.

island hopping starts now

 
   Snorkeling gears are included in the tour and one boatmen for every boat. We also bought a bread that cost 20 php per pack for the fish feeding.

expensive hotels in Boracay

  
    During the island hopping you will be surprise to see a lot of vendors along the  sea. They were selling buko juice and even ice cream!

rock formations

ready to feed some fishes

color coding

snorkeling time

   The tour lasted for 4 hours but before we headed back to bulabog (other side of white beach), the boatmen asked us were we wanted to eat. So we headed in one of the island to have our lunch in M&E ihaw-ihaw restaurant. The foods are delicious for a reasonable price.

not a floating restaurant

 

ATV

   
   The second activity we did that day was All-terrain vehicle (ATV), it cost 350 each person. If someone would find it difficult to drive the atv they also have buggy car, a two seater vehicle perfect for couples. Buggy car cost more than ATV, it cost 500 for each car.

extreme adventure

jump shot at EVERLAND Aviary Farm

   
 The guest can choose two options, it's either they will have a one or two hour ride in their ATV. Of course riding it for two hours will be more expensive. We decided to get one hour ride since we thought it's just enough for our experience. 

a view from the top

  
  There were 3 stops as we drove along the island these includes: Mt. Luho (entrance fee 50 php), overview deck (free of charge) and EVERLAND Aviary Farm ( entrance fee 70 php).

with Mr. Albert Einstein

   
   After the one hour atv ride, we proceeded  to the trick art museum since we did atv then it's for free.

Uh Oh!

   My sisters and I had fun exploring the two storey building. Lucky for us since there are no other people aside from us inside the museum so we definitely owned the place.

knife attack!

sexy...

oppps sorry...

dreamland

  
  After doing all the activities it's time for us to go back to white beach for the sunset. Dreamland is a place  for kids and kids at heart. I read a blog before that it is owned by a Korean. Free shuttle goes along when you avail the atv. We asked the driver to drop us at station two to witness Boracay sunset and for us to go to the grotto which is one of the famous attraction in the island.

sunset in Boracay

  
  During our visit to Boracay I noticed that there are only few sand castle along the shore and one local said that it is prohibited since they are not paying a pax for doing this. Lucky for us we saw some sand art but donations are required when tourist wants to take a picture with it. 

sand art

jump shot during sunset

    

see you tomorrow Mr. sun ^__^

the famous grotto in station 1

  We certainly had a lot of fun during our first day in Boracay. We were so tired that we decided not to go out that night since we need to gather some energy for tomorrow's activity. 

Contact number:

1.  Island Nook Hotel Boracay

      Station 2, Boracay Highway Central
     Brgy. Balabag, Malay, Aklan
     Visayas, Philippines

     Phone Numbers: +63917-8906665 and +63922-8806665

     Email: inquiry@islandnook.com

2.   Hotel Cesario

     M.L. Quezon Highway, Pusok, 

     Lapu-Lapu City  Cebu City 6015

(

032 ) 340 0214

3. Kuya Ron 
    (affordable activities)
    09209060466

Must haves:
1. Money
2. Sun block
3. Water
4. adventurous heart
5. smile

EXPENSES	AMOUNT
Island Hopping	1000/3  = 333.33 php
Lunch	1200/3 = 400 php
ATV	350 php
Everland	70 php
Mt. Luho	50 php
Tricycle	100/3 = 33.33 php
Dinner	200 php
Bottled water	50 php
TOTAL	1,486. 66 php

Please spare some time to read the second part of this blog... BORACAY not BORA! (part 2)