Fly to Boracay!
Me and my family went on a trip to Boracay last February 2-4, 2012. We traveled from Manila to Caticlan via plane through Cebu Pacific.
I was petrified with the landing. I have been riding the plane for a couple of times, but this definitely got into me. The flight was smooth, and all that, it was just the landing. Turns out the runway in Caticlan is very short. I figured it would take a good pilot to handle the landing. The good part is we are safe, knowing the fact that due to this small runway there were already 2 or 3 plane accidents. Whew!
Getting our check in baggage wasn't easy. The planes going to Caticlan is usually the small ones, so it couldn't really carry a lot of baggage in one plane, so our baggage wasn't with us all along. It was still in the next flight, so we had to sign some forms for them to deliver our bags in the hotel we are staying. We arrived around 9am, and we had to wait like 12 noon to get our bags. The airport was also small, and their conveyor belt was also busted that time. Flights are like thirty minutes interval only, which means there's too many people going to Boracay, to think that it was only February. I couldn't imagine the number of people going there during summer.
Anyway, straight from the airport we had to ride a tricycle going to the pier. We paid Php 60 just to get there, and it's not quite far from the airport. As soon as we got to he pier we had to pay a little less than 200 bucks for each person for terminal fee, environmental fee and the actual boat ride which you only pay going to Boracay Island, because you only pay the boat ride on your way back. It'll be very practical though to just get the package the airport is offering. It is a little cheaper.
As soon as we arrived at the pier on Boracay Island, we then have to ride another tricycle going to our hotel. We originally plan to stay at La Carmela de Boracay, but they don't have any available room on the day we were there. We got that deal through Ensogo, which I don't recommend that you purchase for things such as accommodation. You may get them at a lower rate, but then the problem will be the availability. Also, they are even more expensive than the actual promo of the hotel itself. Given that we opted to reserve at Bonzai Resort in between station 2 and 3 which was our last minute resort for an accommodation that we booked 4 days before we arrived, because the poor customer service of Ensogo just kept us on hold or pending with La Carmela de Boracay without any advice that it would be best if we book another hotel, so again never purchase those for these things, it is highly not recommended not unless you book a hotel first and then book the plane respectively. Our accommodation only costs us 6k for a 3D2N stay, which is very cheap since there's 5 of us in the room.
It is my first time to go to Boracay, and boy it almost has more foreigners than the locals. It is filled with so many tourist at this time of the year when it is not yet officially summer. We took our first dip at the beach in the afternoon after we arrived, and the beach is really beautiful, plus you really have to give credit to what is Boracay known for their powdery soft white sand.
There's too many business establishments along the strip of Stations 1-3. If you wanna go find some affordable souvenirs and something to eat you go to d'talipapa. They also have what they call d'mall. Both are all within Stations 1-2.
The following day my sister and I get to try out activities within the Island. We got a deal from Groupon for both Ride the Zorb and Helmet Diving. Now, this I am recommending. Even if it was just 3 days reservation before the actual ride we were able to get a slot. No worries at all.
We get to try out the Zorb first. Before we even get in and try the actual ride, we first tried being ran over by the ball itself. It was so fun, you'll never know how it will turn out until you get to try it. It was just like a massage. Next we get to ride. The first put a little water inside the zorb and then locks it with a small cork that'll fit the opening and then they vacuum it. The ride was so fun! I get to ride all the way from the top of the hill to the ground.
After the zorb we went to Helmet Diving. You have to take a speed boat ride to go all the way to their spot somewhere in the middle of the sea where they have a "balsa". They then orient you on what to do while submerged in a helmet under water then you get to wear a foot gear, I'm not sure how they call it and then of course the helmet. They take shots of you while underwater feeding the fish.
Boracay transforms during the night time. It's like a party Island during the night with lots of buffet. Bars are opened and live bands are everywhere. It's a party on the beach. I personally waited for the Fire dancing which is famous in Boracay. It is usually situated somewhere in Station 1. The dance is very amusing. I personally enjoyed it.
Next stop was souvenirs before we go home the following day. We opted for d'talipapa.
The following day which is our third day is pretty much just packing and preparing to leave. Our flight is in Kalibo Airport this time, so we have to ride the boat going to the pier and travel by van to Kalibo with a one and a half hour travel time. This time the plane was the usual size. We boarde Airphil Express since we couldn't find any affordable price through cebu pacific. The flight was smooth and we even arrived in Manila ahead of time.
I was petrified with the landing. I have been riding the plane for a couple of times, but this definitely got into me. The flight was smooth, and all that, it was just the landing. Turns out the runway in Caticlan is very short. I figured it would take a good pilot to handle the landing. The good part is we are safe, knowing the fact that due to this small runway there were already 2 or 3 plane accidents. Whew!
Getting our check in baggage wasn't easy. The planes going to Caticlan is usually the small ones, so it couldn't really carry a lot of baggage in one plane, so our baggage wasn't with us all along. It was still in the next flight, so we had to sign some forms for them to deliver our bags in the hotel we are staying. We arrived around 9am, and we had to wait like 12 noon to get our bags. The airport was also small, and their conveyor belt was also busted that time. Flights are like thirty minutes interval only, which means there's too many people going to Boracay, to think that it was only February. I couldn't imagine the number of people going there during summer.
Anyway, straight from the airport we had to ride a tricycle going to the pier. We paid Php 60 just to get there, and it's not quite far from the airport. As soon as we got to he pier we had to pay a little less than 200 bucks for each person for terminal fee, environmental fee and the actual boat ride which you only pay going to Boracay Island, because you only pay the boat ride on your way back. It'll be very practical though to just get the package the airport is offering. It is a little cheaper.
As soon as we arrived at the pier on Boracay Island, we then have to ride another tricycle going to our hotel. We originally plan to stay at La Carmela de Boracay, but they don't have any available room on the day we were there. We got that deal through Ensogo, which I don't recommend that you purchase for things such as accommodation. You may get them at a lower rate, but then the problem will be the availability. Also, they are even more expensive than the actual promo of the hotel itself. Given that we opted to reserve at Bonzai Resort in between station 2 and 3 which was our last minute resort for an accommodation that we booked 4 days before we arrived, because the poor customer service of Ensogo just kept us on hold or pending with La Carmela de Boracay without any advice that it would be best if we book another hotel, so again never purchase those for these things, it is highly not recommended not unless you book a hotel first and then book the plane respectively. Our accommodation only costs us 6k for a 3D2N stay, which is very cheap since there's 5 of us in the room.
It is my first time to go to Boracay, and boy it almost has more foreigners than the locals. It is filled with so many tourist at this time of the year when it is not yet officially summer. We took our first dip at the beach in the afternoon after we arrived, and the beach is really beautiful, plus you really have to give credit to what is Boracay known for their powdery soft white sand.
There's too many business establishments along the strip of Stations 1-3. If you wanna go find some affordable souvenirs and something to eat you go to d'talipapa. They also have what they call d'mall. Both are all within Stations 1-2.
The following day my sister and I get to try out activities within the Island. We got a deal from Groupon for both Ride the Zorb and Helmet Diving. Now, this I am recommending. Even if it was just 3 days reservation before the actual ride we were able to get a slot. No worries at all.
We get to try out the Zorb first. Before we even get in and try the actual ride, we first tried being ran over by the ball itself. It was so fun, you'll never know how it will turn out until you get to try it. It was just like a massage. Next we get to ride. The first put a little water inside the zorb and then locks it with a small cork that'll fit the opening and then they vacuum it. The ride was so fun! I get to ride all the way from the top of the hill to the ground.
After the zorb we went to Helmet Diving. You have to take a speed boat ride to go all the way to their spot somewhere in the middle of the sea where they have a "balsa". They then orient you on what to do while submerged in a helmet under water then you get to wear a foot gear, I'm not sure how they call it and then of course the helmet. They take shots of you while underwater feeding the fish.
Next stop was souvenirs before we go home the following day. We opted for d'talipapa.
The following day which is our third day is pretty much just packing and preparing to leave. Our flight is in Kalibo Airport this time, so we have to ride the boat going to the pier and travel by van to Kalibo with a one and a half hour travel time. This time the plane was the usual size. We boarde Airphil Express since we couldn't find any affordable price through cebu pacific. The flight was smooth and we even arrived in Manila ahead of time.
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