The Philippines' Pride...Boracay Island

Finally, I have visited the most famous tourist destination here in our beloved country. It was a very tiring travel since from my place at dawn we drove all the way to Cagayan de Oro airport for almost two hours. Taken the first flight to Manila for a connecting flight all the way to Kalibo Aklan Imternationl Airport.  And another shuttle ride to Caticlan jetty port for almost two hours. And another boat ride for 15 minutes to reach the island with a long stretch of white sands. Whoa!what a trip! While on the boat approaching Boracay's jump off point, out of the stressful travel, crazy thought crossed my mind, upon stepping my feet on the glistening white powdery sands all I want to do is to roll over like a crazy dog:) uh...might as well pig:) hehehe but of course I still have some decency left on the darkest corner of my so stressed mind. Duh! all I see for the moment is a very ordinary island with a small road, vendors saturated area. Hello Bonbon  Beach is this you minus the white sands?:) And wtf! the tricycle ride from Yapak to Balabag cost P100 pesos, it's just a few kilometers away. I can't blame those drivers anyway they just want to earn much for a living to survive in the commercialized lifestyle of the island. On the sides of the small road are houses and establishments just a fence away from each other. And much to my dismay upon reaching the drop off corner of the small pathway that leads to La Carmela de Boracay, we were instructed by the trike driver to take a 'padyak' ride. We thought it is necessary for us to take the ride but when asked the driver how much is the fare, I can't help to drop my jaw in dismay, it's P50. We decided to take a hike instead of spending P50 for a 'padyak' ride. And no regrets because La Carmela is just 50 steps away:) 

After checking in the resort, we have decided to take our super late lunch after our scheduled activity, para sailing. We were fetched by the service vehicle of Diamond Watersports they take us to Bolabog beach. Well at least I felt better on the serenity of the beach not as crowded like the shores in Station 2. In the bay a speed boat waiting to take us to the standby boat. The crew give us some briefings while handling us the equipments. 

At first i felt butterflies on my stomach, I still have not totally overcome my fear of heights, it still makes me dizzy but i have to face it. It's like now or never, trembling but determined to do it. Whoa! it's like you're on top of everything, you can shout on top of your voice, you can scream all you want.  God is with us so nothing to fear, fearless me, waggling my legs as the wind blew harder and harder as we went up higher and higher. 

Imagining freaky thoughts like what if we slip away down to the azure ocean, but I ignored those thoughts right away. I want to enjoy the activity since it was my first time to try it.After 20 minutes of sightseeing up high, the crew pull us back down to the boat. It was really fun and exciting. Then we headed back to the bay having some glimpse of the famous paraws in Boracay. 

We went to the mall for our super late lunch and buy some stuffs in the grocery located in D'mall. Headed back to La Carmela to relax before exploring the renowned nightlife of the island. Just as we had arrived the hotel a heavy downpour of rain fell us to a sounded sleep. It was 9pm when we got awake, the fine weather outside and hungry stomach made us decided to roam around Station 2. It was a humid night but still the moon glistened its dancing reflection on the hotel's pool. As we stroll along the sprawling restaurants and cafes on the sandy road. 

I had enjoyed watching the vendors trying to attract customers to buy their products for souvenirs or dine on their restaurants. I was hoping to see a lighted sand castle on the shore coz I knew that the trip in Boracay will never be complete without a photo op with a sand castle. We even reached strolling Station 1 where party people enjoyed like there's no tomorrow:) Indeed, it was such a lively night, but we choose to go somewhere away from the noisy party musics. We ended having dinner in Mama Mia, just a light dinner to fill our hunger. 

Then headed back to the hotel.Waking up as early as 6am to had an early breakfast, La Carmela's sumptous buffet was really worth its rates. Right after having meal, we went to Station 2 to look for a pair of shorts to use for our reef walking activity later in the morning. Just in time we had bought nice pairs when the Diamond Watersports' staff pick us at the hotel lobby. Went to Bolabog beach again for Reef walking or commonly known as Helmet diving. A speed boat fetch us on the the shore of the beach and take us to standby boat. 

A few minutes of briefing was done before we climb down the ladder. I felt bit nervous but was relieved when 3 divers assist us. The 30kg helmet was real heavy but underwater it was so light. The diver gave us a piece of bread to feed the fishes with different sizes and colors as they will all surround us for photo op. It was amazing watching school of fishes right in our very own eyes, sometimes even touch them. After 30 minutes underwater we climb up the ladder smiling with the great experience. 
Then went back to the hotel to freshen up and went to the famous grotto at Willy's Rock. Just take some photo souvenirs and went back to the hotel to relax.We take our lunch at Mang Andoks since we will be spending more for dinner later in the evening. 

We had a reservation at Bamboo Lounge for my pre Birthday celebration, having dinner while watching performers on fire dancing. Our friend Badeth joined us for dinner and really had a great time. Right after dinner and chatting she take us to near Aria. She even gave me a slice of mango mousse cake as a birthday present:) It was a tiring day but had much 
fun. 

Again we woke up early for a buffet breakfast of La Carmela then went again to the D' Mall and look for pasalubongs for some friends in Manila and CDO:) Then watched beautiful Paraws sailing on the windy weather of the island. Right after lunch we headed to Yapak station to get back to Caticlan jetty port, rain started to pour out. The unpleasant weather almost canceled our flight back to Manila. 

We had waited for an hour in Caticlan airport for the transportation that will take us to Kalibo International Airport, since SEAIR's plane had a zero visibility on the area. After hour and a half travel to Kalibo we almost miss the flight but God is so good that He didn't allow it to happen. The water activities made our Boracay adventure memorable, and hoping someday to get back and try some more activities in the island that never sleeps:)