Taste of Paradise: Boracay Island

Early 2012, Boracay was named best beach in Asia and ranked second in the world from a travel website. Aside from this, July of same year when Boracay was also included in the 2012 edition of the U.S.-based magazine Travel + Leisure's annual "World's Best Awards." Boracay is ranked No. 1 in its Top 10 list of the "World's Best Islands" – One big thing that we Filipinos should be proud of.

Boracay Islands is situated at the north-western tip of Panay Island in the province of Aklan. This beautiful island is much like a bone-shaped terra firma with approximately 7 kilometers long white beach perfect for swimming, relaxing and water activities. Boracay has become one of the favorite amongst white beaches in the country and tourists from all over the globe visit our country just to witness its alluring beauty.

Boracay beach

Our group was lucky enough last February 2011 when we visited Boracay Island and experienced its beauty. Thanks to Cebu Pacific seat sale promo (Manila to Kalibo) we’ve been able to enjoy beach life in the wonderful paradise of Boracay.

There are 2 flights you can consider in visiting Island of Boracay. First, Manila to Caticlan which is the easiest way and Manila to Kalibo wherein you need to travel 1 and ½ to 2 hours by van to Caticlan jetty port (van fare is 200php including environmental fee and ferry ride).  From Caticlan jetty port you need to ride a motorized outrigger boat for about 15 minutes to the island. Arriving at the Island, there are shuttles and trikes that will take you to white beach or to any resort/hotel you preferred staying. Moreover, Boracay is divided into 3 stations to wit Station 1 where the high class & 5 star resorts are located, Station 2 a combination of high & middle class resorts where nightlife comes alive, and Station 3 where you will find good deal for some inns & budget resorts.

Kalibo International Airport with Cebu Pacific Airline

Motorized outrigger boat from Caticlan Jetty Port

And because we’re on a budget travel, we preferred staying at Ocean Breeze Inn in Station 3.  Aside from having a very affordable rate, they also offered rooms for big groups and allows you to cook in their centralized kitchen. Staying at OBI is like staying  in your own home with comfort and relaxing views. Their room amenities include air-conditioned Bedrooms, television, private bath and shower.  We also notice that in Ocean Breeze mostly their tenants are foreigners and backpackers, and we really enjoyed greeting them with Ola, Ciao and Bon Diorno, especially in the morning. Tourists keep coming back to OBI because they are enjoying the relaxing, peaceful place and the friendly staffs.


Ocean Breeze Inn : +639278518604; +63 36 2881680
Email: contact@oceanbreezeinn.biz

Ocean Breeze Inn room

white orchid on Ocean Breeze Inn garden

Cutesy Fuschia Flower on Ocean Breeze Inn Garden

Ocean Breeze Inn's friendly black cat.

Here is Ocean Breeze Inn’s pricelist for your reference:

Rooms & Prices Room Type (Rate for 2 guests occupancy)	Low Season June 1 - Oct 31	High Season Nov 1 - May 31	Peak Season Dec.15 - Jan 04 Jan14- Jan 26 March 31 - April 9
Nipa Hut Cottage Queen size bed, ventilator, Cable TV, radio, private shower/CR, balcony	590 PHP	890 PHP	1190 HP
Guesthouse groundfloor center room Double bed + double deck bed, Aircon, Cable TV, radio, hot/cold water shower	890 PHP	1390PHP	1890PHP
Guesthouse groundfloor smaller extension room Single/Sofa bed, Aircon, Cable TV, radio, hot/cold water shower	790 PHP	1090PHP	1490PHP
Guesthouse upper right room/s Double bed + double deck (bunk) bed, Aircon, Cable TV, clock radio, DVD Player, Safety deposit box, Refrigerator, hot/cold water shower. Sleeping room, bath room, living room + verandah	1190PHP	1690PHP	2090PHP
Guesthouse 1st and 2nd floor A room Double bed, Aircon, Cable TV, HiFi mini components, clock radio, DVD Player, Safety deposit box, Refrigerator, hot/cold water shower, balcony	1150PHP	1590PHP	1990PHP
Guesthouse 1st and 2nd floor B room Double bed or 2 single beds or single bed + bunk/double deck bed, Aircon, TV, radio, hot/cold water shower, balcony	990 PHP	1490PHP	1890PHP
Additional guests; (children below age of 6 years, no charge)
Nipa Hut Cottage	150 PHP	200 PHP	250 PHP
Guesthouse room	200 PHP	250 PHP	300 PHP

For other good resorts in Boracay Island, here are some of them:

Station 1

Waling Waling Villa

http://www.myboracayguide.com/resorts/boracay-hotel-Waling-Waling-Villa-278.html

Fridays - +63 2 892-9283; +63 2 810-1027 +63 2 810-2101

http://fridaysboracay.com/

Ambassador in paradise - +63 36 288-1541

http://ambassadorinparadise.com/ambassador-in-paradise/

Astoria - +63 2 687-1111; +63 2 910-0270  
Email: sales@astoriaplaza.com
http://www.astoriaplaza.com/

Boracay Beach Club - +63 36 288-6770

http://www.boracaybeachclub.com/

Royal Park Hotel Boracay - +63 36 288-6666

http://royalparkhotelboracay.com/home.html

Station 2

Boracay Regency - +63 36 288-6111 to 117
main@boracayregency.com

http://boracayregency.com/

Regency Lagoon - +63 2 353 7273

Email: manila@regencylagoon.com.ph

La Carmela de Boracay - +63 36 288 5423

www.lacarmeladeboracay.com

Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel – +63 36 288 3444

www.boracaymandarin.com

Red Coconut - +63 36 288 3758

www.redcoconut.com.ph

Boracay Garden Resort – +63 2 353 1111

Email: manila@boracaygarden.com.ph

www.boracaygarden.com.ph

Boracay Topics - +63 36 288 4034

www.boracaytropics.com

Boracay Holiday Resort - +63 36 288 4085

www.holidayresort-boracay.com

Station 3

Mandala Spa and Villas - +63 36 288 5858

www.madalaspa.com

Boracay Ocean Club - +63 36 288 5053

www.oceanclubboracay.com

Boracay Crown Regency - +63 36 288 1088

www.crownregencyhotels.com/boracay.ph

Tonglen -   +63 36 288 3457 or 5190

www.boracaytonglen.com

Tans Guest house - +63 36 288 6878; +63920 2481

Email: tgh_bora@yahoo.com

www.tghboracay.com

If you’re traveling on a shoestring like us, it is advisable to get a room with just basic amenities, perhaps you’ll go to Boracay for its beach and water activities. You need your room for just resting and sleeping. For budget food, there are food chains on station 2 (D’ Mall) that will suit your pocket including Andoks, Mang Inasal, and even Paluto restaurant in D’ Talipapa where you can buy your meat or seafood on wet market then let the restaurant cook it for you with minimal charges. You can also invite as many friends you want to lessen the contribution especially on room rates. Moreover, you need to watch out for best deal on airfare like Cebu Pacific’s piso fare for big savings. Just don’t forget to haggle on water activities particularly if you’re in a group that will lessen the price.  With an effective & efficient planning, you will surely enjoy your Boracay experience without hurting your pocket! So what are you waiting for? Plan ahead of time to experience this kind of paradise. Enjoy Boracay! ^_^

Side trip at Ogtong Cave with our new Korean friends

After much deliberation on where to go on a 4 days vacation last November 2010, we finally decided to explore Bantayan Islands in the northernmost part of Cebu province. Before reaching Bantayan Island, you need to travel 3 to 4 hours via public bus from North Terminal near SM Cebu to Hagnaya Port and another hour for Roro ride to Santa Fe wharf. After a long tiring trip we checked-in at Budyong Beach Resort which offered us not only a friendly rate for beachfront room but a beautiful place in the middle of huge coconut trees good for relaxation we longed for after spending hours on the road. Second day of our stay in Bantayan Island we got the chance to explore its neighboring island called as “Virgin Island.” If Bantayan Island boasts of long shoreline, white sand  and calm blue waters, Virgin Island has more serene, pristine white powdery sand and having clear blue-green waters. We really had a great time relaxing and exploring the island. It was a fun- filled day because we enjoyed the beauty of the place and we had a great time eating fresh seafood feast.  In addition to our wonderful experience was the chance to meet new Korean friends who are having their school break vacation in Bantayan Island  from studying English language in Bacolod. After having fun talking, swimming and playing volleyball in Virgin Island, Young, Sab, Daniel and Yelana asked us to join them on a side trip to Ogtong Cave resort which we agreed on. We then rode our respective boats and the fun continued as they waved their hands on us and signaled that they want a boat race, haha. After several minutes the waves started to pile up that caused panic to one of our friend that is why we decided to dropped off first our stuffs at Budyong resort and then went on to Ogtong Cave via pedicab. The pedicab ride costs us 100pesos for a 2–way ride and our driver patiently waited for us outside the gate of Ogtong cave. It was a hilarious and thrilling ride because of the “Amazing race” we insisted and every time there’s a sloped road we need to go down the cab. 

pedicab ride to Ogtong Cave

When we arrived at Ogtong cave resort, our Korean friends were already there enjoying the swimming pool. At the reception area we paid 100 pesos per head for the entrance fee and usage of their pool (strictly swimming attire is observed) and then we started to roam around the resort. Ogtong cave resort is a peaceful relaxing place with good facilities and a private house with pool for honeymooners. The main attraction at the resort is the Ogtong Cave that looks like a concave pit with small water lagoon. Unfortunately from the day of our visit, cave swimming is not allowed anymore because of some DENR issues. Instead of being sad, we then enjoyed the resort’s facilities together with our Korean friends. It was a pleasurable moment of non stop conversation and recreation we shared with them until dusk.

Ogtong Cave unswimmable

Honeymooners pad

relaxing hammock

overlooking the beach with sandbar at Ogtong Cave Resort

Before returning to our respective inns Yelena, Sab, Daniel and Young told us that they are overwhelmed with our hospitality, they really had a great time and they never expected to have Filipino friends like us. As a sign of gratitude they invited us once more for a karaoke night that we instantly accepted. 

After dinner, we have prepared ourselves for one hell of a karaoke night with the Koreans. We were very startled to know that as early as 7pm our Korean friends are already waiting outside Budyong resort so we immediately ran to the gate to take them to our cabana. They eventually came by surprise with two reasons: 1 is to inquire if there are available rooms so they can stay with us for one day and 2 is to fetch us to unwind at a local bar. Unfortunately we’re scheduled to go back in Cebu City the following day that’s why they cancelled their plan to checked-in at Budyong. Upon seeing our room they were amazed to know that we were like brothers and sisters sharing the same cottage and sleeping together which definitely shows true Filipino values and we're proud of it! After few minutes of story-telling and laughter we rode a pedicab to this creepy isolated Karaoke bar which was recommended by a girl named FC, native of Bacolod which we’ve met on Virgin Island. Good thing is our pedicab service waited for us just outside the bar if in case we need to go back immediately to our inns. Even though the place is somewhat weird and creepy we continued the fun and belt out some songs which our Korean friends really enjoyed doing. Yelena enjoyed singing Bed of roses with the help of our friend Eric while Daniel and Young having a fun conversation with us and Sab was delighted on a free English tutorial from our two boys, indeed it was one hell of a fun-filled night. 

Time to say goodbye and everyone is saying their words of farewell, “You always take care,” “Thank you!” We will surely miss you!” “Thanks for the good time!” these are the words that soared in the silence of the night. They’re so overwhelmed and thankful for making their vacation extra ordinary, likewise to us. Before parting ways, we exchanged contact numbers and email addresses assurance of a continuous communication in the future. They also invited us to tour in their country anytime we want and if in case they return from Korea they wanted to explore the Philippines more with us. Just recently, Yelena texted us that they already finished their English studies and ready to go back in Korea to pursue their respective jobs; Yelena as a nurse and Daniel as a businessman. It feels so good to have friends like them and until now every time we reminisce about our Bantayan Island trip we are still in awe knowing that we befriend them unexpectedly. This trip is incredibly wondrous not only that we’ve got the chance to see the beauty of the place, the adventure we made, the hospitality felt from Cebuanos, but the chance to know deeply Korean culture and tradition shared to us by Yelena, Sab, Daniel and Young; memories and true friendship we once created. 

For additional info please check this helpful sites:
www.ogtongcave.com
www.wowbantayan.com

It's more fun in the Philippines! part2

I got so addicted to this fun maker, creating your own fun memes as a contribution to DOT's tourism campaign "It's more fun in the Philippines!" Now. here's another batch of my little contribution, It's more fun in the Philippines?, here's why:

Calaguas Island in Daet Camarines Norte

My Bestfriend chasing the waves of Calaguas Island

Bagasbas beach - surfing capital of Bicol region in Daet Camarines Norte

Calaguas Island Camarines Norte

It's really more fun in the Philippines, isn't it? Now for you, why do you think it's more fun in our country? For me Philippines and its people why we're number one for FUN!