Discovering Boracay's 'D Mall

On our second day we decided to explore 'D Mall. From Station 3 you can ride a tricycle for twenty pesos per head or you can walk to the main road and from there you will only have to pay ten pesos per head. We had no idea where to go and we just told the driver that we were heading to 'D Mall and the good man dropped us in this place. He pointed to us the blue sign board and upon seeing it we happily went for it.

We were expecting to see a large building with various restaurants and shopping centers inside but then we were wrong. What we saw were lines of shops and restaurants on each side of a street called 'D Mall avenue. This set up reminded me of Singapore (the set-up of shops along the street) but this one ended on the beach.

We roamed around trying to look for some restaurants that I read from the blogs. There were lot of corners along the 'D Mall avenue that was why I ended up asking people around. The mall was clean and energy friendly since no air-conditioner were needed. This could be the cheapest mall when it comes to maintenance and should be the easiest to maintain too. But we may not enjoy shopping here on rainy days.

This stall below caught my attention. What a funny name for a food shop. If only I was a fan of burgers then I would be buying one and took a selfie with my biggest bite right in front of this shop. I would be the proud hungry monkey on the mood for exotic food trip. Haha, so business names should be this creative to attract more customers. Well done!!

Another shop that triggered my curiosity was the "yellow submarine". I wander what was inside. The store was still close when we passed it. It opens at 10 am just in case you are interested to try. Hopefully they will not let you eat while wearing that yellow suit.

Along the street was a restroom. I took a photo because this is important to all visitors.

I also took a photo of what was inside.

There were waiting areas in between the street, where shoppers can rest and kill time.

There were also playground where children can play. But it seemed that they were more interested in the beach rather than stay here. I cannot blame them because I, too, would prefer the beach. We will just have to wander a little bit to satisfy our curiosity. 

Finally, we saw Thor in the corner. He is in Boracay too and we were lucky to have a photo taken with him.

Boracay's Famous Talipapa

We arrived in the afternoon around 2 PM. We decided to take a rest first at the hotel before we will start to roam around the island. After that, we will search the famous talipapa and tried the paluto dining experience.

We decided to start looking at the beach. And we were happy to see this corner. We followed the crowd and move inside but then all we've seen were souvenir items. We realized that we were lost so we asked one of the vendors. Most vendors here were Muslims. The kind lady told us that this talipapa had a big letter D and we should find the talipapa with small letter "d". She patiently instructed us the direction on where to go to find the 'd Talipapa where we can dine.

The information we had earlier was not enough for we passed this passage way (photo below) until we asked a security guard in one of the beach front hotel. We head back again until we finally find this corner. The opening was small and can be easily miss. We even hesitated at the entrance but then we were lost already so it will not matter if we will lost it again. We can always asked questions and so far the people around were very helpful.

But this time we were at the right place and what a relief! After a long walk we finally find our way!! 

There were plenty of sea foods for us to choose from. Giant lobsters, crabs and different species of big fishes, shrimps, squids, etc. were all over the place. Our group was health conscious so we go for fishes. All around the talipapa were dining places where you can request your food to be cooked for fee. The charges were per kilo depending on how you wanted it to be cooked which ranges from P 150.00 (simple dishes) to P 250.00.

While we find some space on this busy restaurant, my sisters shop on the talipapa. Buy the way talipapa is a local term which means market. The fishes here are fresh and have excellent quality. It was pricey but as the blog says they are far cheaper compared to those served at beach front restaurant. 

There are also plenty of fruits and vegetables around. The mangoes here are from Guimaras and they are so sweet and tasty. They are the best mangoes in the country and I super love the taste even if mango is not my favorite fruit. After tasting the famous Guimaras mangoes, it is now at the top of my list of favorite fruits.

Finally, here comes our soup. I apologize for this is the only food photo I have here. We had been on the road from 6AM to 2PM. Plus the smell of the food makes us hungrier than ever so we forget the perfect photo moment. Fresh fishes taste sweet,ultra delicious and greatest ever. You should try this place if you have longed for it and eagerly want the experience again.

This place may not looked like a fine dining experience but it was. We were super "busog" (full tummy) and satisfied with the food. We were grateful that we were given the opportunity to dine here together as a family. Our family bonding experience continues in Boracay and I will be sharing more of it in my upcoming blogs.

                                       

The Sunset of Boracay Island

One of my wishes finally came true. A sunset beyond the seas! I failed to see it in Camotes because I never knew that it will. Before going to Boracay, I checked and confirmed it in the blogs that I read. Can you imagine how happy, inspired and excited I was? That is why I am making sure that I will not miss the opportunity by making it part of our itinerary. All my life, I am looking forward for it. Thanks God! This is it!!

On our first day, we were busy looking for the d' Talipapa for our very first family dinner on the island so we were not able to see it yet. It rained on the second day so the thought of missing it again started to torture me again. I prayed for a good weather during the third day since it was our last afternoon in the island. Prayers heard and at exactly five o'clock in the afternoon we started walking on the beach together with the other visitors who were also waiting for the sun to set.

During this time, the sun's rays were not painful anymore but it could still irritates our eyes. Since the sun was facing the beach, there were no shades from the trees were we can retreat. But we found refuge on the shadows from the sailboats used in paraw sailing parked on the beach. For a moment, we were happy with our new found shield but then the paraw boats get hired and left us exposed to the sunlight again.

The beach was splendid. There was no need for us to adjust our cameras to make our pictures beautiful. But I still wish that I am good on photography. Someday I should try to study and improve my photos to make my blogs more presentable.

My father too sits on the sand for a souvenir photo. Coco palms along the white beach was a perfect background. Now there are two places that he wanted to visit all over again. Before he only mentioned Baguio City. The beauty of Boracay Island is beyond comparison so loving this island is beyond control.

Every minute, the sunlight weakens and the color changed. The sun started to set and we were sitting down there celebrating the blissful afternoon. Seeing and admiring it with my loved ones, was my wishes and it came true that day. I was more delighted because it made them happy too.

This natural phenomenon happens everyday and it's beauty differ depending on where you are. I love it when the sun sets over those mountains crowned with bamboo trees. I love seeing it too beyond the endless rice fields and hills. Sunset is very special event to me but I am not seeing it everyday anymore.

The sailboats were blocking our line of sights. But the combination was still grand, splendid and glorious to look at. There were so many tourists on the beach. Most of us were taking photos and enjoying this sunset at the same time. This is a proof that God loves us so much because at the end of each day He shows us the sunset to make us smile, to remove our stress and to make us hope for a brighter tomorrow.

That small clouds just above the blue water spiced up the sight. The drama was witnessing the sunset twice on that day. Firstly, it completely covers the sun and then slowly the sun shows up again. Secondly, was when the sun fully sinks yonder the horizon.

After the sunset, the people started leaving the beach and walk towards the bars and restaurant for dinner and partying. Some remained with us to play with the sand and enjoy the little sunlight left.

I was beyond happy. This is joy! I will be back again. I will enjoy this sunset again.

Exploring the Beach of Boracay Island

What are we waiting for? It is time to explore the white beach. Ready, get set, go!

The beach is not that busy in this area. You seldom find the beach quite. There are so many people since Chinese New Year is in the air.

Look at the sand. This is just wonderful and the fact that you can walk over them under the noon time heat of the sun is a mystery. Yes, the sand is cool even if the day is so hot. 

While most of the tourist prefer to expose their bodies under the sun, we are staying under the shades of the trees. There are plenty of coconut trees that can protect us from the piercing sun and besides we are the only one needing it. Haha!!

The beach here is super busy with adventurous activities that most tourist really loved. We can only afford the swimming part so we have to walk further where we can enjoy the sea to ourselves. 

And here comes the four sisters, roaming around to find the perfect place to swim. Enjoying the sand with your barefoot is another wonderful experience we had on this bountiful island. I will never forget it and someday I will be walking there again and again even in my dreams.

This place is amazing. The island is a paradise. The water is so cool and refreshing even at noon. We started giving theories and hypothesis on why the water is so cold even if the sun was smiling hot over it. We came to a conclusion that a river is flowing into the sea. This can be the reason why the middle part of sea between giant Panay and islet Boracay is rough even on a fine weather. That should be because the river is flowing on that area. The water is not that salty compared to other seas that we swam and it should be because the sea water is mixed with fresh water. We all agreed into this. What do you think?

We are really sisters. We were actually five but she is with her children and she is the one taking this photo.

Yay, Off to Boracay Island!!

Boracay Island is the no. 1 beach of the world and is located in my country, Philippines! Yes, that is how lucky I am but unfortunately this is just my first time to visit the island. Imagine in my three and a half decade life, I've never been there. I only saw it on TV, read about it in newspapers/internet and heared it from almost everyone.

Now is the perfect time to see the island myself. Together with my family, my sisters and my father specifically, we boarded the Cebu Pacific's plane at Mactan International Airport. We were not able to avail the peso fare promo because the original plan was to go somewhere nearer. When my plan backfires, I crossed my fingers and go for it. At first, I am not sure if I can afford it but the tight budget that I implemented on my daily spending is working so here we are.

Our flight was suppose to be at 10 o'clock but then they only boarded us on the plane that was on standby for more than an hour, I guess. The captain told us that he was waiting for a go signal from the Kalibo Airport to fly in. He further explained that Kalibo Airport could only accommodate three planes at a time. We got hungry and the flight attendant started selling food but we were on budget, OMG! We did bought some snacks because of the two children we were with. Can this be part of their marketing strategy? Just thinking...

The first thing we did upon our arrival at Kalibo Airport was to find a restaurant or an eatery. Whatever as long as there were food to eat. We end up at Bagobos Resto Grill just across the airport. I will tell more about it in a separate blog.

While we were dining, agents kept on dealing with us. They offered transport fees from the airport to Boracay at Php250.00 per head. We checked around and another group was able to close the deal with them at Php175.00 per head but this is up to Caticlan Jetty Port only. Their group is bigger than us so we agreed at Php200.00 per head for adult but the child was free of charge. The perks was that the V-hire will depart immediately even if not full.

The ride took us about an hour and half. At the Caticlan Jetty Port, we paid Php25.00 per head for the boat fare but we also paid terminal fee of Php100 per head, environmental fee of Php75.00 per head. The terminal fee was quite high and was very disappointing.

The boat ride was very short, about ten minutes. The tip of the island was so near from the main island. But the water in between was rough even in a sunny noon. But the sight of the two shores lessen all our worries. From the port, we took a tricycle ride to the white beach.

Finally, we are here!!! Seeing the breathtaking shores of the island is worth all the hassles and the long travel we had for that day. Another day to be thankful to the Almighty Father from keeping us safe! Amen!!

Boracay Trip: Statement of Expenses (Feb. 2015)

                                      

A close friend told me to include the expenses incurred in my blogs. Most readers would be more interesting on how much the trip will cost. I agree with her because I, myself, relied on the blogs that I read when it comes to trip expenses. No one will want to end up out of cash during trips.

For this trip, here are the expenses we incurred. We are on a tight budget so we only spend for the basic which includes transportation, food and accommodation. Our main goal is to swim the Boracay waters as long as possible. We are a group of seven and the spending per person are as follows:

Feb. 19, 2015:
Accommodation (3 nights at Villa Romero)	1,500.00
Airfare (Cebu - Kalibo; Kalibo to Cebu)	2,184.24
Terminal Fees - Mactan Airport	none
Lunch (Bagobos Resto Grill - Kalibo Airport)	195.57
Transportation (V-hire) - Kalibo to Caticlan	175.00
Environmental Fees	75.00
Terminal Fees (Caticlan Jetty Port)	100.00
Boatfare (Caticlan to Boracay Is.)	25.00
Tricycle Fare (Jetty Port - Station 3)	20.00
Dinner ('d Talipapa)	172.85
Bread, Bananas, Mangoes and Coffee	50.00
Feb. 20, 2015
Breakfast at Akira's (Station 3)	70.00
Tricycle Fare ( Station 3 - Station 2)	10.00
Lunch at Smoke (D Mall)	160.00
Tricycle Fare (Station 2 - Station 3)	10.00
Dinner at Andoks	121.00
Bread, Bananas, Mangoes and Coffee	50.00
21-Feb-15
Breakfast at Andoks	79.00
Tricycle fare (Station 3 to Station 1)	10.00
Fruit Shake at Jonas	120.00
Lunch at Andoks	123.00
Dinner at Andoks	130.00
Bread, Bananas, Mangoes and Coffee	50.00
Feb. 20, 2015
Tricycle Fare (Station 3 to Jetty Port)	20.00
Boat fare (Boracay to Caticlan)	25.00
Terminal Fees - Boracay Jetty Port	100.00
V- Hire (Caticlan to Kalibo)	175.00
Breakfast (Bahay Kubo at Kalibo Airport)	130.00
Terminal Fees (Kalibo Airport)	150.00
Home at last. My brother picks us up at the Mactan Airport. Thanks Big Bro!
Total Spending  Per Pax                                              6,030.66

Hopefully, this blog will help the readers in preparing their budget. It was our first time and we have no idea where to go. But then the way to Boracay is easy to find. Enjoy your trip!