First Timers In Boracay: Summary Of Our Trip

OUR FINAL ITINERARY:

April 6, 2013 (Day 1)
10:00 am – Meet-up at Pedro Gil, Breakfast, Travel to Dau
11:30 am – Arrival at Dau Terminal
12:00 pm – Boarded shuttle going to DMIA
12:20 pm – Checked-in at DMIA, ate take out lunch
2:15 pm – Boarded flight going to Kalibo
3:20 pm – Arrived at Kalibo Airport, Travel to Caticlan
5:20 pm – Arrived at Jetty Port in Caticlan, ferry to Boracay
6:00 pm – Arrived at Boracay
7:00 pm onwards – Dinner, stroll, explore

April 7, 2013 (Day 2)
7:00 am - Wake up time, breakfast
9:00 am - Explore the beach to look for cheap helmet diving deals
10:00 am - Met Kuya Ariel, went to Station 3 for helmet diving
11:00 am - Helmet diving!
12:00 pm - Back at Station 1. Swimming
12:30 pm - Back at hotel to freshen up
1:30 pm - Lunch at Bite Club
2:30 pm - Headed to Real Coffee for Calamansi Muffins but it was out of stock
3:00 pm - Siesta time at hotel
4:30 pm - Explored the beach. Waited for sunset. Swimming
6:30 pm - Back at hotel
7:00 pm - Dinner at Don Vito
8:00 pm - Explored Station 1
11:00 pm - Sleeping time

April 8, 2013 (Day 3)
7:00 am - Wake up time
8:30 am - Met with Kuya Ariel for Parasailing
9:00 am - Start of Parasailing
10:30 am - Back at Station 1
11:00 am - Explored around. Food trip. Lunch at I Love Backyard BBQ.
2:00 pm - Back at hotel to rest
4:00 pm - Swimming near Station 1
6:00 pm - Back at hotel to freshen up
8:00 pm - Souvenir hunting
9:00 pm - Dinner at Manana Mexican Restaurant
11:00 pm - Sleeping time

April 9, 2013 (Day 4)
6:00 - Wake up time
7:00 am - Last minute souvenir hunting
11:00 am - Travel to Kalibo
1:00 pm - Arrived at Kalibo Airport. Lunch
3:45 pm - Flight departure
4:50 pm - ETA at Clark Airport
5:00 pm - Travel back to Manila


OUR FINAL BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES:

April 6, 2013 (Day 1)
Mcdo Breakfast – 107php
LRT ride - 20php/person
Bus - 140php/person
Jollibee Lunch -79php/person
Shuttle to DMIA - 100php/person
Terminal Fee - 150php/person
Water at airport - 40php
Van+Ferry Package - 250php/person
Environmental Fee at Jetty Port - 75php/person
Terminal Fee at Jetty Port - 100php/person
Trike to Stations - 20php/person
Pan-Grilled Chicken - 140php
Coke - 50php
Pan-Grilled Beefsteak - 140php
Total Groceries - 351php
Tip for Sandcastle Makers - 15php
Coffee Ice - 140php
1L Water - 65php

April 7, 2013 (Day 2)
Helmet Diving - 600php/person
Tip for Kuya Ariel - 50php
Burgerella - 185php/person
Potato Wedges - 75php
Iced Cafe Mocha - 140php
Banana Muffin - 50php
Meat Lover Pizza - 350php
Carbonara Pasta - 320php
Service Charge for Don Vito - 67php
Mango Shake - 95php
Choco Banana Peanut Butter Shake - 110php

April 8, 2013 (Day 3)
Parasailing - 800php/person
Tip for the Kuyas in Parasailing - 50php
Starbucks Dark Mocha Frappe - 200php
Spicy Chicken Wings - 195php
Rice - 30php
Mati Chocolate Sin - 275php
Mango Sunset Mojito - 275php
Mango Strawberry Surprise - 225php
Nachos - 270php
Chicken Quesadillas - 319php
Chori Burger - 45php
Lugaw - 35php
Magnet - 80php/piece
Keychain - 20php/piece

April 9, 2013 (Day 4)
T-shirt - 180php for 2 pieces
Dry Bag - 600php
Hot Fudge - 35php
Tricycle - 20php/person
Terminal Fee at Jetty Port - 100php/person
Boat + Van Package - 200php/person
Lunch at airport - 305php
Airport fee - 40php/person
Peppermint Dark Choco Frappe - 90php
Flavored Barquillos - 44php/piece
Shuttle to Dau - 50php/person
Bus to Pasay - 150php/person

SUMMARY OF CONTACTS:

Tans Guesthouse
Contact Person: Net Sacapano
Mobile Nos: 09177234570, 09209202481
Email address: tgh_bora@yahoo.com

Kuya Ariel
Mobile No: 09128229594



WHERE WE'VE EATEN:

Smoke Resto
Market Strip D'Mall, Station 2, Boracay
D'Mall (behind Andok's), Station 2, Boracay
Contact No: +63-36-2886014

Halowich
D'Mall, Station 2, Boracay

Bite Club Grilled Burgers
D'Mall, Station 2, Boracay

Real Coffee and Tea Cafe
Station 1, Boracay
Contact No: +63-36-2885340
Opening Hours: 7am to 7pm

Don Vito Ristorante Italiano
Ground Floor Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Beachfront, Station 2, Boracay
Contact Nos: +63-36-2884999, +63-36-2885999

Jonah's Fruit Shakes
Station 1, Boracay

I Love Backyard BBQ
D'Mall Plaza, Station 2, Boracay

Lemon I Cafe
D'Mall, Station 2, Boracay
Contact No: +63-36-2886781, +63-36-2886782

Zuzuni Greek Restaurant
Station 1, Boracay
Contact Nos: +63-36-2884477

Beach Hut Bar
Station 1, Boracay

Manana Mexican Restaurant
Station 1, Boracay

Read more:
Day 1 in Boracay
Day 2 in Boracay
Day 3 in Boracay
Day 4 in Boracay

Read More»

First Timers In Boracay: Day 4

This is the fourth part of our 4-days-3-nights stay in Boracay Island.

Our last day in Bora started off, again, with our late breakfast. After that we had our tshirt souvenir hunting. Almost all of the stores are offering a buy 1 take 1 shirt for 180php. You just have to have lots of patience in looking for the perfect design. I also got to buy a dry bag for 600php (huli na nakabili haha).

We will miss this view

Bloopers in Bora

We bought hot fudge sundae from mcdo and note to everyone, mcdo in Bora is more expensive. Their 25php value meal is 35php there. Only in Bora haha.

More expensive savers meal

At around 11am, we sadly departed the wondeful world of Bora. Our flight was at 3:45pm in Kalibo so there was enough time for travel. We got a tricycle going to the port which costs 20php each, again don’t forget to tell the driver its individual to save on fare. At the port, you have to again pay a 100php for the terminal fee. We got a smaller boat compared before plus van transfer to airport which costs 200php. This time around, our trip to the airport was fast or maybe it’s because we were just asleep the whole way.

Smaller boat compared to the ferry

Upon arriving at the airport, we had our lunch in the restaurants in front of the aiport which was still a bit expensive. We had rice and lechon kawali for 305php. The airport fee was 40php per person. Their airport is a bit small considering its an international airport and it’s a bit of a challenge to find seats although they do have available seats on the 2nd floor. Luckily we scored some seats near this coffee booth. We just ordered the Peppermint Dark Mocha Frappe for 90php which was not yummy at all haha. We also bought some barquillos for pasalubong at 44php each. Flavors are mango, chocolate, ube. Again, kudos to Air Asia for a “right on time” flight. The shuttle was also available outside of the airport going to Dau terminal which was at 50php each. Then from there, we boarded a Victory Liner bus going to Pasay at 150php. And that concludes our most awaited Boracay trip and first ever blog write up! =)

Jam-packed Kalibo Airport

And finally, after so many years, we have an answer to our question of the Bohol beach vs Bora beach. The winner (in our opinion) would have to be Bora. We were just a bit hesitant at first due to some parts which are lumot-infested but if they remove that, you could say that without a doubt, Bora beach is better than Bohol beach. But if you do want a quiet, secluded experience, then Bohol is the place for you, which also boasts a great beach =)


Summary of Expenses for Day 4:
T-shirt - 180php for 2 pieces
Dry Bag - 600php
Hot Fudge - 35php
Tricycle - 20php/person
Terminal Fee at Jetty Port - 100php/person
Boat + Van Package - 200php/person
Lunch at airport - 305php
Airport fee - 40php/person
Peppermint Dark Choco Frappe - 90php
Flavored Barquillos - 44php/piece
Shuttle to Dau - 50php/person
Bus to Pasay - 150php/person
TOTAL for Day 4: 2,855php for 2 persons


Total Expenses for the Whole Trip: 20,853php for 2 persons including air fare, hotel, etc.

Read more:
Day 1 in Boracay
Day 2 in Boracay
Day 3 in Boracay
Summary of our Boracay Trip

Read More»

First Timers In Boracay: Day 3

This is the third part of our 4-days-3-nights stay in Boracay Island.

The next day we contacted Kuya Ariel again for our Parasailing adventure. He gave it to us at 800php/person which was a bit steep but since we really wanted to try it we said yes. During non-peak seasons though, it can go down to as low as 500php/person. Anyway, we told the staff to deliver our breakfast at around 7am since we would be meeting Kuya Ariel at 8am for an early start but as usual the food arrived late. This time I ordered the Hotsilog, which was my favorite, and my friend ordered the Cornsilog which was just a standard tasting corned beef.

Hotsilog, my favorite of all the breakfasts

Cornsilog

We started the parasailing at around 9am so that it wouldn’t be too hot. We had one foreigner on board and we got her to go first since we were really scared hahaha. It was an exhilarating yet very very scary experience especially for someone like me who has a huge fear of heights. But it was also a fulfilling thing because I got to conquer my fear. But if asked to do it again, I won’t hahaha. The parasailing lasted around 15mins.

The speed boat for the Parasailing

Safety Harnesses

Exhilirating experience!

Up, Up, and Away!

When we got back we headed straight to Real Coffee to see if the calamansi muffin is available but, alas, it will be available the next day at 4pm. Our flight was at 3:45pm so no chance at all of tasting it. Note to Real Coffee, if you guys know that its peak season, why don’t you just bake many batches of your bestseller food! We ended up buying dark mocha frappe at Starbucks which costs 200php, normally at 160php here in Manila hehe.

For our lunch, we tried out the I Love Backyard Bbq. We ordered the spicy chicken wings (195php) plus rice (30php). It was not that yummy and the chicken was just full of flour and no spiciness at all. Although, the interior of the place was good for picture taking purposes.

I Love Backyard Bbq

Interior of the place

Spicy Chicken Wings

Not that spicy at all haha

After, we passed by the Lemon Café to try another “must-try” food which is the Lemon Muffin. It was good, a bit sour since it is made of lemon haha. They also offer various deserts but we did not try it.

Lemon Muffin

Other deserts available

After that we headed to Zuzuni to try out the Mati Chocolate Sin for our 2nd desert haha. As the name implied, it was really sinful. At 275php, you can share it with a friend if you don’t really have a sweet tooth. It was amazing, but I don’t think I could finish it by myself.

Mati Chocolate Sin

Oozing inside with chocolate. Really sinful.

We then headed over to the beach near station 1, the one near the hut where you could avail of the beach services. The area there wasn’t that moss-infused since there were nets all around. We had a really great time swimming in the beach of Bora and finally, we got to see the clear water and the powdery white sand beneath.

Powdery white sand. I even tried eating it to see if it melts, it doesn't haha.

Not so white underneath haha.

Not that moss-infused in this area

The area beside this is the nice area of the beach

Another beautiful sunset

Beautiful Beach

For our evening adventure, we had our souvenir hunting. This is where your haggle skills get tested haha. We were able to buy a magnet for 80php each, keychains for 20php each.

Various Magnets

Various Keychains

After that, went to Beach Hut Bar to redeem our 2 drinks careof a Cashcashpinoy voucher. We were able to buy it at 275php for 2 drinks. I tried the MangoSunset Mojito which was very refreshing and the alcohol was not that overpowering. My friend tried the mango Mango Strawberry Surprise which was also delicious. Honestly, we enjoyed it more than the Jonahs shakes but it is more expensive though.

Beach Hut Bar located along the beach

Beach Hut Bar Menu

Cool bottle. You can bring this the next time you order and you get around 70php off your drinks!

So with drinks in hand, we headed to Manana for our next food to consume (food trip galore!). We ordered the Nachos (270php) and Chicken Quesadillas (319php). The nachos were amazing! There chips were different than the regular nacho chips. You don’t even have to dip it in sauce because it already has a flavor of its own. The quesadillas were also worth the money. So for really authentic mexican food, go to this resto.

Manana Mexican Restaurant

Yummy Nachos!

Quesadillas

After eating, we walked along the beach to burn off all those calories. We got to watch some fire dancers near station 1. And even though my tummy was about to burst, I still tried out the Chori burger since all the blogs I've read says that we should try it. After that we retired to our room.

Chori burger cart found along the beach

Summary of Expenses for Day 3:
Parasailing - 800php/person
Tip for the Kuyas in Parasailing - 50php
Starbucks Dark Mocha Frappe - 200php
Spicy Chicken Wings - 195php
Rice - 30php
Mati Chocolate Sin - 275php
Mango Sunset Mojito - 275php
Mango Strawberry Surprise - 225php
Nachos - 270php
Chicken Quesadillas - 319php
Chori Burger - 45php
Lugaw - 35php
Magnet - 80php/piece
Keychain - 20php/piece
TOTAL for Day 3: 3,444php for 2 persons

Read more:
Day 1 in Boracay
Day 2 in Boracay
Day 4 in Boracay
Summary of our Boracay Trip

Read More»

First Timers In Boracay: Day 2

This is the second part of our 4-days-3-nights stay in Boracay Island.

We started the day bright and early. The room package we got had free breakfast but the problem is they serve it by delivering it to your room so it usually arrives late. So if you have a plan to go out early, it will be ruined by the late breakfast. On our first day, we really forced them to allow us to eat at their resto. I had the tapsilog which was too sweet for my taste and my friend got the tocilog which was delicious.

Tocilog

The very sweet Tapsilog

After that we walked by the beach to look for the cheapest helmet diving we could find. And here is where we met Kuya Ariel. We got the helmet diving at 600php/ person which we think was cheap considering it was a peak season, but we heard stories that you could get it for as low as 350php/person on non-peak days. We went to station 1 for the starting point of the dive but unfortunately they were fully booked so we went back all the way to station 3, so in a way we got a short, fast tour of Boracay haha. Kuya Ariel was very accommodating and nice and he even offered to pick us up after the dive and pick up our CD pictures after.

Kuya Ariel, best tour guide!

The helmet diving was fun! It was a bit scary at first because of the pressure going down causing your ears to pop but at the bottom it was ok. There were some fishes and corals but I think they were just placed there for the tourist's pleasure. Nothing still compares to the reef of Palawan. The whole dive was supposed to be 15 mins, but since we were the last one to go down, we only took around less than 10mins, madaya. It was a fun experience but I wouldn’t repeat it again unless it’s in Palawan.

The drop-off site of the dive

The 10kg "helmets"

Sample of a picture included in the CD

After that we swam at the beach but it was irritating because there were a lot of moss in the water. It ruins the beauty of it. I really hope the local government would do something about it because a lot of tourists are complaining about it.

The lumot-infested beach. Smelled like Lagundi syrup haha.

We had our lunch at Bite Club located at D'mall. We ordered the Burgerella plus potato wedges which costs 260php. It was a great burger! Really juicy and the bun was soft. You can even choose the sauce to add on it, for example you could have the mozzarella or the peppersteak sauce. It was probably the best food that I ate in our whole stay.

Potato Wedges

Burgerella. Yummy.

After that we went to Real Coffee to experience their famous Calamansi Muffin but it was out of stock at that time. They should bake a lot since it is peak season and there are a lot of tourists. It was really frustrating. We ended up ordering the Iced Mocha (140php) and a Banana muffin (50php). The muffin was a bit dry and I didn’t enjoy it that much because I was really looking forward to the calamansi muffin. Anyway, after that we went back to the guesthouse to just rest. We did not try out the island hopping because there were some feedbacks that it wasn’t that fun, and also because we already had our huge share of island hopping in Palawan.

Real Coffee

Iced Mocha. I don't recommend it.

Banana Muffin

In the afternoon we tried out swimming in the beach in front of station 2 but again we got turned off fast by the moss found in the shore. They were literally everywhere. So we just enjoyed the sunset and took some pictures.

The famous Bora sunset

Moss even in the sand

Playing with shadows of the sunset

McDonald Symbol

Everyone was taking pictures haha.

We had dinner at Don Vito Restaurant. They serve mostly Italian food. We ordered the Meat Lover Pizza (350php) and the Carbonara (320php). The carbonara was delicious, very creamy. Watch out for their huge service charge though haha.

Meat Lover Pizza

Carbonara Pasta

After that we went out to explore Station 1. Our goal was to find The Sitio. Unfortunately, we were already at the end of station 1 and we were not able to find it. We found out the next day that it was located at the back near the road haha. So, a tip in exploring Bora, bring the map given to you at the port, it is very useful.

Sand Castle in Station 1

Fire Dancers along the Beach

Anyway, we ended up trying out the popular Jonah's shakes. No offense to anyone, but I don’t think it’s the best shake in Bora. Or maybe we just got there at a bad time. My friend tried the mango shake which was too sour, and I tried the Choco Banana Peanut Butter shake which was too sweet.

Jonah's Shakes

Mango Shake and Choco Banana Peanut Butter Shake

It’s also very fun to explore station 1 at night because the beach is at high tide, so you would suddenly find yourself walking in the water almost knee deep to reach the other side haha. We also saw the Cocomangas bar which is known for their 15 shooters and illusion shaker. I really wanted to try the 15 shooters but when we got there, the place is packed with people so we opted to not go in (anti-social kami eh haha). After a very long, tiring walk to the end of Station 1 and back, we collapsed at our bed for the next adventure to come.


Summary of Expenses for Day 2
Helmet Diving - 600php/person
Tip for Kuya Ariel - 50php
Burgerella - 185php/person
Potato Wedges - 75php
Iced Cafe Mocha - 140php
Banana Muffin - 50php
Meat Lover Pizza - 350php
Carbonara Pasta - 320php
Service Charge for Don Vito - 67php
Mango Shake - 95php
Choco Banana Peanut Butter Shake - 110php
TOTAL for Day 2: 2,642php for 2 persons


Contact Persons:
Kuya Ariel
Contact No: 09128229594

Read more:
Day 1 in Boracay
Day 3 in Boracay
Day 4 in Boracay
Summary of our Boracay Trip

Read More»