Boracay Island Hopping

We only have one full day to enjoy some activities in Boracay.  Before our trip, we were thinking of doing island hopping, parasailing and helmet diving.  When we arrived in our hotel, someone approached us already and offered island hopping.  The rate was P600 per person (we were 4).  We will be joining a group tour which includes three islands - Puka beach, Crystal Cove and Crocodile island.  Buffet lunch was also included.  Since we were too lazy to check other options, we agreed to get the package and paid P200.00 per person for down payment.

The next day, we were picked up at our hotel at around 9am.  The island hopping tour was supposed to be at 9:30am.  Unfortunately, we waited for the other joiners until past 10:00am.  I don't know if they woke up late or something or the tour were still trying to fill in more people to join.

First stop, Puka beach.  I remembered when I first went to Boracay in 2006, this was the only island for island hopping.  It was so virgin like really an isolated island with just a few locals selling accessories.  I remembered how my friends and I enjoyed beach bumming and swimming in Puka beach because we practically had the whole island to ourselves.  Fast forward to 2017, there were a lot of people from different island hopping tours, a lot of nipa huts, benches which are owned by the shops or eatery in the island.  Sadly, we only stayed for 40 minutes which was not enough to enjoy Puka beach.

The next stop,  was at the lunch area.  We were expecting to eat sea foods since we were on the beach and based from our other past experiences in island hopping in Palawan etc.  Unfortunately, the only sea food in the buffet table was "daing na bangus" (milk fish).  They also served a small plate of calamares (squid) per table.  We had chicken barbecue, pork barbecue, vegetable, "pansit" (stirred noodles) a small banana and soft drinks.

The next stop was Crystal Cove.  Crystal Cove island is actually a private resort.  If you want to go inside and enjoy their amenities, you'll have to pay P200.00 for the entrance.  We decided not go inside anymore so we did not pay P200.00.  We didn't think it's worth it since we'll probably stay for about an hour or two.  We stayed outside the resort and swim by the shore.

The last destination was supposed to be Crocodile island but the boat man told us that the weather was not good to stop by Crocodile island.  Instead, our boat stopped by somewhere near Crystal cove for snorkeling.  We did not go snorkeling anymore but the other tourists did.  We noticed that the bread were floating so we were wondering if they even saw any fishes in the area.

Based from our experience, I wouldn't recommend island hopping when in Boracay.  We actually enjoyed the beach front more.  The fine white sand of Boracay is what makes it unique.  You don't have to go far to enjoy Boracay 😊😊😊

Boracay Sunset

Sunset in Boracay never gets old.  It is truly one of the classic beauty of the island.  A picture perfect view that doesn't need any filter.

Boracay 2017

I have been to Boracay three times.  The last time was last March 2010.  So when my friend told me that they just booked a Cebu Pacific promo round trip flight to Boracay for only P1,500.00 plus per person and invited me and another friend to come, I did not hesitate to go for the fourth time.  Unfortunately, I did not get the same promo rate as they did.  Mine was a little expensive than theirs's at P3,000.00 plus round trip.  Still not bad :).

So what's new with Boracay?

Caticlan Airport to Boracay
First of all, I was completely clueless of the new way to go to Boracay.  I just know that our route was via Caticlan and this is still the shorter way to go to Boracay (vs via Kalibo).  What I remembered from my previous trips to Boracay was that from Caticlan airport, there's a boat ride from the jetty port and you'll arrive at the Boracay beach front.  That wasn't the case anymore.
Since there's the new Caticlan airport runway, we rode an airport bus going to the old but renovated Caticlan airport.  From there, we paid P450.00 going to Boracay. Included were a short aircon van ride to the jetty port (around 5-10 minutes) boat ride from jetty port (around 15-20 minutes) and lastly, a multicab ride (also around 15-20 minutes) to Boracay beach.   When we stepped out of the multicab, we did not see any signs of the beach nor our hotel.  We had to ask a guard of an establishment where the beach front was. Turns out that we travelled on the main road of Boracay and we had to walk to a narrow path that leads to the beach.

Accomodation 

It's easy to get lost in choosing accomodation in Boracay.  The old rule was Station 1 is for the more expensive accomodation where it is less crowded and nearer to the famous landmark, Willy's rock and grotto; Station 2, for the party people where most establishments like restaurants and shops are located; Station 3 for the less expensive accommodations.  Although, generally, people refer to this as a guide, there are already 5 star hotels in station 3 and budget hotels in station 1.

I checked the reviews and ratings in Tripadvisor and Agoda and found Bluelily Hotel, which is located in Station 1.  It's a good thing that I thought of checking if they have a website and if I could book directly.  Luckily, I got a better rate when I booked directly in their website.  For 3 days and 2 nights, we paid P4,160.00 for 2 persons so that's P2,080.00 per person for 2 nights including breakfast.  It's a good deal considering that it's in station 1 and beach front.  I also think we got our money's worth.  Nothing fancy but the queen size bed was comfortable.  There's an extra bed for massage.  The bathroom is small but it has hot shower, toilet was flushing without any problems, it has enough hooks to hang towel and clothes, towels were replaced daily and no water interruption.

However, don't expect too much on breakfast.  They do no have a dining area except for the outdoor dining with the beach as your view.  It was raining on our first morning so we had our breakfast in our room.  Available breakfast choices were Filipino (silog) and American (toasts, cereals).

Rita's Gelati at Rita's Italian Ice, UP Town Center

There are several choices available at Rita's.  Unfotunately, I can't remember all of them!  I should really learn to remember to take more pictures for more details to post in this blog.

Anyways, we ordered Gelati - Italian ice topped with soft ice cream.

To order this:
     Step 1- Choose between Regular or Large size.  I chose regular for P130.00.
     Step 2 - Choose the flavor of your Italian ice.  Italian ice is basically frozen flavored water usually
                  from fruits or fruit juices.  I didn't bother to take a taste test.  I chose the most attractive
                  color to me which is red.  Red is cherry flavor :p
     Step 3 - Choose the flavor of your soft ice cream.  I chose vanilla, a neutral flavor, to balance the
                   taste of my Gelati.
     Step 4 - Pay for your order.

Step 5:  Enjoy your gelati and take selfies :p

Pico de Loro - Dining at Lagoa

While waiting for our room, we decided to have lunch at Lagoa, one of the available restaurants for the hotel guests, members and member's guests.

Dining with a pool view.

Beautiful blue skies and pool view if you chose to dine outside, alfresco. 

Right across Lagoa, you'll get to see the pool, lake/lagoon and condominiums.

Back to the food, we we're given a plate of nuts while waiting for our orders.

We ordered this roast beef because of the very attractive description in the menu.  It was described that the beef was roasted for 4 hours so we were expecting the meat to be very tender.  Unfotunately, the meat wasn't that tender though taste-wise it was good.  It would also be nice if there's a little bit more of the gravy or sauce.

My friend wanted to eat fish and avoid meat since it was Friday so she ordered this Fish (Bangus Belly) Bistek.  Anyways, we ended up sharing everything so in the end, she ate meat too (lol).

Decided to order Phad Thai too.  Unfotunately, I didn't like it.  

It was too sweet and less spicy and less peanuts.

If you are a hotel guest, you will have your breakfast buffet at the Lagoa restaurant.  Breakfast starts at 6am until 10am.  I wish I was able to take pictures of the food at the buffet table.  Anyways, I only had this for breakfast and felt full already.  So even if I wanted to eat more, there's really no room for it :(

After my pancake, bacon and eggs plate, I just had a plate of fruits, hoping that it will lessen the bloated feeling.  I just wished we had more time so I had taken advantage of the buffet breakfast hehe.  I love buffet breakfasts when on vacations like this!

Pico de Loro - Pico Sands Hotel

It was a tradition for my friends and I to travel on our birthday.  It started in 2003, when we first had our vacation in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on our birthday.  Since then, we made it a point to travel every year to a new destination.  Although, there were years when we either weren't on vacation on the exact days of our birthdays or we didn't get to travel, the tradition lives on. :)

This year, we decided to have an overnight stay at Pico de Loro in Nasugbu Batangas.

This is actually my second time in Pico de Loro.  My first time was in June 2013 with my family.  I organized it when my sister and her family went home from the US.  But that time, we rented a condominium unit of a Pico de Loro member so we were declared as guests of a member.

Last Friday, my second time, we stayed at the hotel, the Pico Sands Hotel.

Entrance and lobby of the Pico Sands Hotel

While waiting for our room.  

We arrived at around 12:30 but check in time is at 2:00pm.  We ate lunch first at Lagoa restaurant but when came back at the lobby at past 2:00pm, our room was not ready yet.  We waited for a few more minutes until around past 2:30pm we were given our room.

Our room at 612 with 2 queen size beds.

The room was quite plain.  Was maybe expecting a little bit more because it's quite expensive to stay for a night here.  There was an LCD or LED TV, a working table and a terrace.

Full length mirror and a cabinet.  There was a mini pantry where you can have hot water for tea or coffee.  The room was quite spacious though but really plain hehe.

The bathroom was also plain.  Contains just the basic lavatory, toilet and shower with towels and toiletries.  I like the shower though because the on/off switch or whatever you call it is located right when you about to enter the shower and not under the shower.  That means you can turn it on and not get wet :P  Too bad, wasn't able to take a picture of it.  Not sure if I described it enough for you to be able to get what I mean :p

Mountain view.  The less expensive view.  The more expensive view is the lake or lagoon view :p

That's me while waiting for my bathroom turn to change :p