Boracay Island!!

Hey readers, how've you been?! ;)

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So recently we went on a short vacation to Boracay Island located in Philippines! 

It is a really small island. You can easily get to each station by tricycle (it's their taxi) or even walking.

Was a short trip lasting from 11 Aug to 16 Aug; we went ahead despite the rainy season. (After a research online the best time to travel there is from Dec-Feb where it is sunny, but it can get really crowded)

Our flight arrived in Kalibo on Sun, 5pm and return flight was on Fri, 8AM, so we only spent 4 days there, which was quite enough to sightsee & do the activites as the island is really small.

* Boracay pronounced as: bo-rah-kai (It is Tagalog, not English)

 Took TigerAir as it was the cheapest we could find. & because it is low-peak the seats as you can see are rather empty & the plane took off with less than 20 passengers- Peaceful!

 So after around 3 hrs, we arrived at Kalibo Airport at around 5pm. A really small airport!

Once we got out of the airport, we took a mini van headed for Caltican & then took a ferry for about 5 mins to Boracay. The entire journey lasted for about 3 hrs.  (250pesos, without terminal fee)

Alternatively you can take the Southwesttours bus if you wish for a more comfy ride: http://www.southwesttoursboracay.com

Note: Personally feel that it is super scary/ dangerous to travel after it gets dark, as their roads are really dark & the drivers has a craze for speed. So try to travel when it is still bright! (It starts to get dark at like 5+ in the evening & is totally dark at 6+)

After arriving at Boracay, we had to take a tricycle (for 100pesos) from the jetty to our hotel, Dive Gurus, located at White beach station 3. 

Our humble room. For just S$50 a night its a good deal! As the beach is just downstairs and their service is excellent.

However, it is rather inconvenient to get to Station 1 or D-mall at station 2, where all the shops, nightlife and food are located at. You can take a 10-15 mins walk while enjoying the sea breeze or take a tricycle (for 60pesos).

Before a storm. There was intermittent downpours for the first 2 days of our stay due to a typhoon in Manila. Guess you just have to take a chance for the rainy season.

 Our walk from station 3 to station 2.

D-mall to the right! There are many stalls along the beach too which sells same items as the ones in D-mall, at a cheaper price.

Strong winds.

 Starbucks along Station 2.

DAY 2- ATV, Bird Park, Helmet Diving

Our first activity, ATV. Our guide led us up to get a great view of Boracay.

Our package includes: ATV, Helmet Diving & bird park for 3000pesos/person. (We later found out that we were cheated by about 1000pesos :< )

Mini butterfly museum included in our package.

The mini bird park.

Our boat ride out to Helmet Diving.

It was a really fun underwater experience! (& the helmet weighs a ton even underwater)

Willy's Rock at Station 1!

Eggs Benedict at Lemon Cafe in D-mall. REALLY GOOD, A MUST TRY. (880pesos for this, lemonade and some vege rice)

 A walk along the beach.

Made by me :D

The jap food there is expensive and isn't nice at all, though it looks delicious. (costs around 1100pesos for 2, with sushi, chawanmushi, tori, tepanyaki)

Bright and sunny morning.

And suddenly... A huge rain coming.

Was cheated along the way into buying raincoats at 200pesos for 2, and the rain stopped. Seek shelter at D-mall while stopping by for lunch.

DAY 3- Island Hopping, Snorkelling, Jet Ski

Our Island hopping boat + snorkelling - just the 2 of us, the boat man and our guide. 

This time we took a tricycle (for 75pesos) and went straight to Bullabog beach where all the activities were located at.

Got our Island hopping, snorkelling & jet ski at 4500pesos altogether for 2 person. (From Diamond Water Sports) It was really worth! 

Time for JET SKI!!! It was really exciting and fun. But rather scary at full speed :O

With a guide for the first round.

Our food at Lemon Cafe again. 750pesos altogether. The sandwich wasn't that great though.

The beach at 5+ in the evening. (The day ends early as there isn't really anything much to do at night besides drinking & chatting. So we woke up rather early to enjoy the beautiful beach)

The next morning.. with the bright sun!

Our lovely breakfast by the beach. (Breakfast included in hotel fee)

DAY 4- ARIEL'S POINT

Woke up with the sun on our side (thankfully!)- we knew it was a great day for Ariel's Point! 

Wanted to take a tricycle to Boracay Beach Club (BBC) where we initially thought that was where we had to book. Luckily, after checking with our hotel, they were able to book for us too. 

 So at 10.30am we took a tricycle (for 60pesos) to Ariel's House, it was opposite BBC at Station 1.

Together with about 20 others, we headed off to Ariel's Point at 11am! The journey was around 30 mins & stayed there till 4+pm or so.

Package of 1600pesos/person includes: Boat to and fro Ariel's Point with unlimited drinks, Unlimited jumping, BBQ lunch that is disappointing, snorkelling, kayaking (waves were too rough to kayak that day).

*However, it costs 1400pesos if you stay at BBC, a little cheaper

The boat that fetched us to Ariel's Point.

I <3 BORACAYYYY

My very brave boy jumping at 5M, and later 8M and 15M!!!! I didn't even dare to do the 3M jump as I was afraid of heights :/

The waves were rather strong and water was blue as it seems, but was cloudy when snorkelling.

For the love of travelling.

Kalibo hotel lobby.

On our journey back, we took a ferry and then an Island Star bus to Kalibo Airport. (for 500 pesos)

A man was waiting for us at the airport with his tricycle (costs 150 pesos)- it was arranged by our friendly Dive gurus hotel staff.

Our Jap friends which was on the same flight/ bus and stayed at the same hotel as us! Coincidental!

Macdonald's Meal. A short walk from Kalibo Hotel.

Outside Kalibo Hotel, where we stayed for a night as our flight was at 8AM the next morning.

Flying back to SG.

Check out my first video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQxa5YBEbBI&feature=youtu.be

* All photos taken with my iphone5*

& Till then.

XOXO