Boracay April '10

We have been planning to go to Boracay Island since 2009. We were supposed to go in July but there had been limiting factors like weather, schedule and budget. Our family had an international trip to Macau and Hongkong in March 2009. We cannot find a good schedule for July. School year has started and the kids can't easily go off from school. Moreover, July is rainy season and the weather will not be favorable for the photo sessions, our passion!

February 2010 came as we tried scouting the domestic airlines. There were lots of promotions but we also found difficulty booking our flights. After so many trials, calculations and finding the best-fit schedule, we finally booked our trip to Boracay on April 28 to May 1 with ZestAir Airlines.

This is our first time to go to the well-known beach in the Philippines. We have no idea on how to go about the Island and how much budget to prepare. Getting information from online travel blogs, reviews and discussions helped. And take note, I got the exact van fares, boat fares and terminal fees!

During the departure @ Manila Domestic Airpport


Our flight to Kalibo was at 2:50pm. As early as 1:15pm, we were already at the old Manila Domestic Airport. We encountered no hassle at all and we departed on time. At around 4pm, we were at the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan. By the way, we have an option to land at the Caticlan Airport but during the time that we booked our flight, all Caticlan flights were being diverted to Kalibo. Besides, there is no available flight with ZestAir going to Caticlan--- the reason why we landed at Kalibo.

Ati-atihan at the airport

After taking some pictures, freshening up and picking up our luggages at the Kalibo Airport, we proceeded to Caticlan, Aklan where the Jetty Port is. Men kept on offering van rides to Caticlan but we were actually undecided whether to take the bus or the van going to Caticlan, a 1.5-hour land trip from Kalibo. I read from blogs that bus and boat fares are at PhP 160 and P25, respectively per head. The men were offering van rides at PHP200, inclusive of boat ride from Jetty port, Caticlan to Cagban port. I think that is fair enough because how do we value the PHp15 loss with the comfort the van gives during the long travel? And so we took the van, along with 9 other people at PhP200 per head.

After the long trip of exactly 1.5 hours of smooth travel along town roads, mountainside and seaside, we finally reached Jetty Port. We paid the driver then he went to the counter to buy boat tickets for us. And take note, the ticket costs PhP30! The van fare of PhP200 is fair! Ü

We left Jetty Port for the 10-minute boat ride to Cagban Port at around 630 pm. Uponhopping off the boat, we proceeded directly to the tricycle terminal. Bringing the 4 of us at Station 3 cost us PhP 100 for the private trip.

Boatride - Jetty port to Cagban Port @ PhP30 per head

Finally, we're at Boracay! The La Isla Bonita Hotel was not difficult to find though. It is exactly at the left side of the Station 3 entrance to the beachfront. Along with our luggages, we encountered no hassle in finding the hotel at all!

La Isla bonita Hotel, Boracay

Our first night at Boracay started with unloading our luggages, walking along the beachfront to find a good place to eat, picture taking, of course, and ended with a splurge at the beach! Dinner was taken at a buffet restaurant by the beachfront. The cost was PhP 250 per head with the 2 kids free of charge! After those activities, we rested at our homey room to energize ourselves for the next day.

Boracay Day 1

First night swimming @ Boracay


Our day 2 at Boracay started with a heavy breakfast at the rooftop which is just adjacent to our room door. After cleaning up, dressing up and fixing our things, we went for a boat tour around the island. The boatride costs PhP 1800 for a 3-hr trip. However, we managed to negotiate at PHP 1500 for a 4-hr trip. The boat trip was a combination of sight-seeing, overview of the famous spots in the island, snorkling, fish feeding, swimming, and of course, our photo sessions! :)

The Crocodile Island (left) and the Puka Shell Beach (right)

Shangrila Hotel, Boracay

Pound for pound King, Manny Pacquiao's resort in Boracay, still being built

We asked the boatmen to drop us off at Station 1 for us to see the entire island. Reaching Station 1 by noon, we took a free lunch. Yes, it was Astoria but we were never deceived by their offers!

Photo Sessions @ Station 1

After the long conversation with the Astoria agent, we plunged onto the beach under the dark sky. Yes it was cloudy and about to rain but it was good enough for our swimming comfort. The sunset was not so nice due to dark clouds. Rain shower started to fall so we found our way back to our hotel in the afternoon.

It was a long walk to Station 3 but you wouldn't notice the distance. You would see lots of things around... food, restaurants, souvenir items, henna, permanent and glitter tatoo kiosks, hair braid kiosks, activity kiosks and lots and lots of people around! Kaira and Keziah actually had their glitter tatoos from one of the kiosks as we walk on our way back to the hotel. We also bought some hotdog on stick and some barbecue at PhP 25 and PhP15, respectively, as we came along an old lady selling some ihaw-ihaw.

Kaira and Keziah's glitter tatoos

Dinner was taken at a nearby restaurant. Still buffet but with free iced tea, we paid PhP300 per head with Kaira charged half the price at PhP175 and Keziah eating for free.

There were not much people on our Thursday night. The sky was dark and you won't see lots of people walking around. Probably it was not peak on thursday night, or the weather was not really good that day. Tired from the whole day activity, we went immediately to sleep upon cleaning ourselves up after the dinner.

Boracay Day 2

We were waken up the following day by a very bright sunshine. The previous day was cloudy but today, we were blessed with a very bright sunshine. Our day started with a heavy breakfast on the rooftop area. After packing things up, we went downstairs to do our next activity... Helmet diving!

As we walk around, the normal thing happened... Men kept on approaching us offering different activities to do around thd island... para-sailing, banana boats, ATV rides , buggy rides, helmet diving, boat rides , island hopping , snorkling , etc. Of course , we tried to get the best deal!

There were lots of offers for helmet diving since day 1. Price ranges offered to us were from PhP 400 to 700. Some say the cheaper ones use compressor instead of the normal oxygen tank--- the reason why they could give a cheaper deal. They say it's unsafe.

What we did was to deal with the ones offering a higher deal but tried to negotiate with him. Guess what?! The man offered helmet diving at PhP 700 per head. Lem tried to negotiate at PhP 600. The man agreed but I further brought it down to PhP 500. This is inclusive of photo and video CD. At first the man was hesitant but later on he accepted the deal. I am also good on bargaining sometimes! :)

After the good deal we proceeded to the office to sign the 1- page waiver form. A speed boat then brought us to the diving spot. We waited for a while inside the barge-like boat then a short briefing was carried out for us as the other groups descend to the seafloor and enjoy their turn for helmet diving. Our turn came and the 30- minute encounter with the head creatures was a very worthwhile experience.

Marine Walk - Helmet Diving

Right after the dive, the service speed boat brought us back to the shoreline. We paid our bill and the video and photo CD was picked up on the same day. Actually we picked it up before dinner!

Our second noon at Boracay was supposed to be spent with an ATV or buggy car ride going uphill to see the entire island during sunset. However we decided to stay at the beachfront and wait for our last sunset at Boracay for a photo shoot by the beach . It was a good decision though. Our photos show why. Ü

After the whole day activity, we took dinner by a nearby restaurant---sizzling seafood this time. We were very thankful that we experienced both the cloudy and the sunny weather at the island, at least not to burn our skin too much but have well-illuminated photos at the same time.

Boracay Day 3

The last day was spent shopping for pasalubong. We were lucky that the souvenir stalls were just along the entrance of Station 3, a few steps away from our hotel. We were not in a rush that we still managed to take a walk and had Kaira and Keziah's hair braided . We checked out from the hotel at exactly 12 noon.

The port was just 15 minutes away by tricycle. We secured our boat tickets, this time at PhP 25 per head, and paid the terminal fee of PhP 50 per head. There were many people in the port and waiting time was less than 5 minutes for the 10- minute boat ride back to Jetty port. We took a van back to Kalibo international Airport. This time, it costs PhP 175 per head only as no boat tickets were required.

At exactly 3pm, we were at Kalibo International Airport. Our flight was supposed to be at 4:50pm but upon checking in, we were advised that our flight will be delayed for at least 2 hours. Still not having taken lunch, we crossed the airport street and took lunch at the homey restaurant just in front of the departure gate of the airport. Still too early after eating native chicken tinola, kinilaw na tanigue, rice and halo halo, we decide to take a tricycle to explore the Kalibo town proper.

We did not see much at the Kalibo town proper. We just visited Gaisano Mall but were able to purchase a few native delicacies from the wet market. One thing we observed, tricycles dominates the mode of transportation at Kalibo . The degree of competition is too high. Tricycle drivers will really approach you and almost force you to ride their vehicles. Good thing was that the tricycle driver who serviced us from airport to town proper left his cellphone number with us. He volunteered that he'll be the one to bring us to the airport so that we will not be taken advantage by the drivers. Honestly he charged us lower so we have him some tip upon bringing us back to the airport.

We reached the airport at around 6pm, still too early for the projected 2 hours delay in departure . We immediately proceeded to the counter to pay our terminal fee which costs PhP 50 per head.

Finally we were at the boarding gate waiting area. There were lots of people inside. There were not enough seats and people almost sit on thd floor. We were there waiting for announcements for our flight. Many planes gate left and we were still there waiting ... being given the chance to get seats at the waiting area.

Seven pm came and finally, there was an announcement---an announcement that there is still no final details on our departure time but we'll be provided with done 'to make us for the inconvenience. '

We were given the opportunity to claim our food and guess what we've got?! ... One-piece Jollibee chicken joy with rice and gravy plus a bottle of mineral water each. Though we're not yet too hungry, we immediately ate our food, thinking that our plane may arrive soon. We were done eating but there was no announcement yet. Good thing there was television and the waiting area is air-conditioned.

After waiting for almost 2 hours, finally there was as announcement---that our departure time will be at 9 pm! That means that thd flight was 4 hours delayed and that we need to wait for another 1.5 hours! Kaira and Keziah started to feel sleepy but their attention were shifted to the kids playing in the area , also waiting for their flight departures. Finally another plane arrived and there was announcement that we can already board after unloading the plane. Finally, after 4 hours of flight schedule delay, we're off to go back to Manila!

The entire family enjoyed the trip. We were all tired but what we gained were memorable experiences. Quality time and sharing wonderful moments with your family is always the best gift for them! :)