The original plan was to get a package tour via tour agency however they don’t have the package deal that we like because it’s only a month and a half before our chosen travel date. So we considered doing a D.I.Y tour in Boracay since we have a friend who is a regular tourist in Boracay. We already booked our flights but we could not find a hotel that can accommodate us. Most of the hotels are fully-booked on our chosen date. So I kept on searching and then I found a travel agency which offers a land arrangement in Boracay. As I was hesitant to transact online and they are a bit of a slow responder on online queries, I decided to go directly to their physical office in Festival Mall, Alabang. The land arrangement includes the roundtrip airport pick-up/drop-off, land and sea transfer (excluding the port fees) and beach front hotel accommodation. The land arrangement is a good deal so we decided to get one for a hassle-free travel.
Our flight is 1:00 PM so before we got on board, we ate some snacks at Cafe France. There are only few choices to dine in Terminal 2. So this is the best choice we got there.
Ready to fly!
Our plane was able to take off at around 2:00PM after 1 hour of waiting. (The planes are actually in line and waiting for their turn to take off)
Boracay here we come!
Upon arrival in the airport, all we did was to look for the booth of Island Star Express. We just gave the voucher from travel online and they gave us a sticker on the booth so their staff would recognize us a part of the group that they will take to the port and drop to the hotel.
Their staff guided us from where we should fall in line upon entering the port, to where we will pay the required fees and present our travel documents. After settling the payment and scanning of QR codes, they gave us our boat seat number. From Caticlan Jetty Port to Boracay island, it only took us 30 minutes and additional 10-15 minutes going to our hotel.
Boracay sunset <3
Fortunately, we got a room just a few steps away from the beach front. We requested this upon booking, but they informed us ahead of time that they will try to provide us the requested room but they can’t guarantee it because it will depend on the availability.
Day 1: Dinner at Island Chicken Inasal located at Station 2 inside D’Mall.
We had to wait for almost 30 minutes before we got a table here because they are in full capacity when we arrived. I can say that it’s worth the wait because the food is delicious.
After dinner, we went to Coco Bar at Red Coconut Hotel to claim our complimentary drink c/o Travel Online. The place is nice and chill and we were able to play jengga as we drink.
Supposedly, we are going to bar hop on our first day but since my friends are still tired we decided to go back to our hotel to have a rest. On our way to the hotel, we bought some desserts at Halomango (Station 2)
Day 2: Buffet breakfast at La Carmela de Boracay
I had to jump several times so that I can have my foot print on the sand :D #Lightweight problems
Speedboat ride going to the platform for Helmet Diving and Jet Ski.
I got surprised because they have a platform for riding Jet Ski. So I asked the instructor, why it’s not located near the shore and I was told that there was an incident before that two jetskis had a collision so now there is a platform away from the shore to avoid such incidents from happening again.
Station X
Lunch at Nonies (Station 2)
Enjoying the beach front view :)
So my friend recommended Real Coffee Muffins. It’s a must buy when you visit Boracay. I enjoyed the mango flavor.
Dinner at Barlo Two Seasons (Station 1)
Beach front sunset dining experience.
Epic
Never miss out the night life in Boracay!
So our original plan is to have a drink in epic, then transfer to OM bar then Wave. But we had a blast in Epic that we decided to stay there the whole night till dawn!
Day3 : Breakfast Buffet
It’s our last day in Boracay, this morning, most seats are occupied so we got to share our table with one of the tourists. It’s nice to have a chit chat over breakfast with a random tourist like us.
Beautiful <3
If only I could stay here for a bit longer, I would. But I gotta go back to reality and work my ass off again.
Thank you to Island Star Express for picking us up on time to drop us to the airport just in time.
Supposedly we are going to shop outside the airport for our “Pasalubong”. Though we already bought some on the island from day 1 to 3. But most of it are souviner items and I only got one food from the island, which is the muffins. I was looking for more food to bring home. However, we got a bit dizzy during our sea transfer. So we decided to buy inside the airport and this is what we found.
This time, our flight going back to Manila was moved to an earlier time. But guess what? Upon landing to the airport in terminal 2, we had to wait for 30 minutes before we were able to go out the plane :D
We were so thankful that during our travel we didn’t encounter any major problem at all. This is my first time in Boracay, and now I understand why a lot of people kept on going back to that beautiful place. :)
“You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” . . #woogoph #itsmorefuninthephillipines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #philippinediscoveries #philippinestravel #travelphotography #travelgrams #travelph #travelguide #philippines #wheninphilippines #wheninmanila #whenindavaocity #tourismphilippines #tourismphilippines #pinasmuna #pinaswonders #pinastravel #travelpinas #mountain #grass #pinoygram #pinoydiscovery #pinoymountaineer #pinoytraveller #travel #whenindavaocity #travellingpinoy (at Arakan Valley, North Cotabato) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8n_O0hh3xK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
I had an operetion when I was 16 y/o. it took 4 doctors 13 continues hours just to finish my surgery. from that, I now have this huge scar from my belly up to my chest and another one in my back. I never had the courage to take off my shirt because of that. but then I realized that this is a great reminder of how strong i was back then. so now, I dont really care if people stare at them coz I’m a proud that im a survivor! . . . . . . . . . . #AbaraiTravels #wheninphilippines #LU #launion #travelingpinoy #pinoyako #pinoymen #menofoutdoors #pinoy #igersasia #pinoyigers #igerspinoy #chinito #igerph #igersph #grammersph #instapinoy #pinoystyle #asian #byahero #lakwatsero #pinoytravel #pinoytraveler #pinoytraveller #fotografiaunited #forumtraveller #forumsession #smokinfeatures #_PayitFUrward (at La Union Philiphines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIF_C-MnRKx/?igshid=rhl7f4y3ml2p
Cordillerans are rich of diverse culture. I can name a lot but let me introduce you to one of the most popular and inevitable practice of the Cordillerans, the “watwat”
‘Watwat’ is an Igorot term which mean to share the blessing of a feast. It could also mean to distribute because the practice is giving slabs of pork to the entire guest. It is done when there is a ‘Cañao’ which can be categorized as weddings, birthdays, graduation, or any blessings needed to be celebrated. It is also observe during death of loved ones.
‘Watwat’ maybe perceived weird by others who haven’t tried it but to us Igorots, it is one of the joyous and respected practice in our locality. Our families would come together only for that one special occasion. The men would cook and the ladies would be preparing the tables while chattering about the happenings in their lives. Children would be seen running around with their peers while youngsters will be assigned to do chores or help accommodate other guests. It is one ‘bayanihan’ (communal unity and cooperation-wikipedia) in Igorot land.
If you happen to visit our place and see people lining up while others are already carrying a paper plate or plastic bags with large portion of meat, that is ‘WATWAT’. Welcome to Cordillera Region.