PRACTICAL TIPS TO ENJOY BORACAY

April 7-11, 2012............. the return of the comeback of YAJERO in the paradise... BORACAY ISLAND!

Reminder:

it's BORACAY not BORA......

This vacation served as my advance birthday gift for myself.... but during this time, I planned to just spend 4 thousand pesos, ofcourse the plane tickets were already brought. This is a challenge for me because if I will not do this, I might not be able to go back home in Cavite and at the same time so I could share some information for those who want to go to Boracay but have small budget.


I was able to book a flight going to CATICLAN through Cebu Pacific again when they had seat sale last feb 25. The problem during that time was, there's no sale for the flight going back to Manila.

I waited for a month, but still, there's no seat sale until I discovered this 2GO... (RO-RO) that travels from Batangas port to Caticlan and vice versa. I told myself, this is it... I will finally be able to ride a ship. So I booked a trip from Caticlan to Batangas port, it costs 760php.

Note: According to the personnel, the price of ticket varies from time to time. I heard also from her that there's also a PISO FARE, because she told it to her co-worker, but I am not pretty sure if it applies also for public. Visit their site: http://travel.2go.com.ph/

After booking the ticket, I called the office to confirm it and asked the things that I should when I get to Caticlan port.

When I arrived at the Caticlan Airport, I paid an amount of 150php, that's for the cab, environmental fee and boat fee.

At the Caticlan port, before riding a pump boat going to boracay is;and, I thought that I should already purchase the RO-RO ticket in 2GO office so I will not have problem anymore. So I went there, it's just near, you just need to find their PINK AD.

After getting my ticket I headed to the terminal, paid 50php for the terminal fee and finally rode a boat.

Tricycle was the next ride.. going to FRENDZ Resort and I paid 100php for the fare.

I stayed in FRENDZ resort for just 1 day, because that's the cheapest accomodation so far and after that I will be trasfering to a more convenient room.

Frendz Resort is not a beachfront hotel. They have a lobby where you can play billiards, access free Wi-Fi and eat some snacks. They also have a free welcome drinks.

It was EASTER SUNDAY when I went there, so the accommodation in other hotels were still expensive, that's why I stayed in FRENDZ first. I occupied a 4-bed male dormitory, 600php per night. In short, I was there in the room together with 3 other backpackers. It's only a fan room and the room is quite big.

Advantages:
1. Cheap.
2. You'll get to meet other travelers/backpackers especially foreigners.
3. It is located in station 1.
4. The receptionist is very kind, approachable and accommodating.

Disadvantages:
1. My primary concern was my personal belongings, since I am not the only one in the room. FRENDZ has a vault where you can ask them to keep your things, like a baggage counter. Unfortunately, I was not informed and I did not notice that claiming of your things will be only until 7pm. During the first night, I returned around 10PM after eating, strolling and etc. Then the guy and night-shift receptionist told me that the key to the vault is with Rose (the female and day-shift receptionist). I was not able to use my phone a lap top for the whole night because of that.
2. I saw a big rat inside the room. I think it smelled my chocolate brownies. The room is made of bamboo, like a nipa hut.
3. There's a common bathroom for everyone.
4. You need to endorse the key to the receptionist if you have and you will leave the room especially if nobody's there.

Just had two hours of rest, but I cannot sleep, so at around 5pm, I went to the beachfront and had a walk. This was the time also that I started planning things, finding cheap but good things to eat and to do. I was just a little disappointed because the beach was not that so beautiful that time. There were a lot of algae... LUMOT!

Bought my favorite BUKO SHAKE.....

I decided also to have a HENNA tattoo.... for 100php... it's quite in demand there..... it seems that you're not in if you don't have one!

Saw this one in station 1, made by children. You just need to give them coins once you decided to pose there...

The view of the beach the next morning!

It was really a hot day! I bought a hat for 130php and a snorkeling tools (sorry, I forgot what do you call it) in preparation for a swimming session....

Since I want to really follow the plan, I went to the main road and scout the place for some carinderias. Luckily, I found 5. In just 50php, you can have already a FINE MEAL... hehhehehe fine only for me..

I also decided to go to BOLABOG BEACH... and I was surprised to see the kite surfers.. It's fun to watch them. The place is also relaxing because it's windy there compare to the whitebeach.

See this guy preparing and helping a foreigner to set up the kite. 

I tried also trekking BOLABOG BEACH the next night. As in it was super dark and you can only see few people in the area. There are also some bars there.

To get there, you just need to go to the main road, find the arc with the sign BRGY. BOLABOG if Im not mistaken beside the small lake. Just walk straight until you reach the other side.

On my second day, I transferred to BONZAI RESORT and will be staying there for the next 3 days. I stayed also there last year. There was a promo that's why I got the room for just 750php., with aircon and cable tv. It is located in station 2, near La Carmela. It is not also a beachfront hotel but it is very near. 

One of the beautiful shots that i took is this one... :-0

Since I am fond of walking... I continued walking and trekking station 1 until I reach the end part. I saw some people going there so I imitated them. There you can see station 1, 2, 3 and the beach at my back.

After getting some information to some people, I finally decided to go to PUKA BEACH on the third day. I went there around 4pm. The place is okay, the sand is off-white, few people are in the area but what I like most are the waves!

Sunset in PUKA BEACH.

Going back to WHITE BEACH, rode a tricycle even though I was very wet.

Last day in BORACAY!

Featuring......... the RORO! That was my first time to ride a big ship, but as they say, the roro is still small compared to other ships like super ferry. 

Note: You must be very patient... it will really take time and there's a lot of people.

Finally boarded at 730pm. Just look at the picture for you to imagine the set up inside. There's also a BAR on the upper part of the ship. 

Looking at BORACAY ISLAND while in the ship.

EXPENSES:

Fare: going to MIA ROAD                           42
Taxi                                                              50
Terminal fee                                                200
Cab, envi fee, boat fee                                150
Terminal fee                                                  50
Tricycle( going to hotel)                               100
Frendz resort accomodation (1 day)            600
Bonzai resort (3 days)                                2250
Mang inasal dinner                                       100
Buko shake                                                   65
Food (2nd day)                                           250
Hat                                                              130
Goggles                                                        270
Food (3rd day)                                             250
Fare (to PUKA beach)                                   80
Food (4th day)                                             250
Tricycle (to Cagban port, not special)             30
Terminal and boat fee (to caticlan)                  75
Fare (Roro)                                                  760
Van and jeep (back home)                            180
                                                           _____________
                                                                   5882                            

PUERTO PRINCESA PALAWAN TRIP

February 23-26, 2012

Good day!
This was my first time to visit PALAWAN! I was attracted due to the good reviews and at the same time with regard to the recent news that the UNDERGROUND RIVER is already part of the 7 WONDERS of NATURE.

Of course to get there, you need to book a flight or through ship.

I got an PHP888 prom from Cebu pacific, it costed around P2000 for the round trip (I booked this flight because during that time, I really wanted to go there). But there will be cheaper trip, you just need to wait and be more patient.

Day 1
Arriving at the PALAWAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT....

 After arriving, I took a short time to rest in the inn where me and my buddy stayed. It costs 600 per night, not bad. We stayed there for 2 days and 3 nights.

From the room, we decided to roam around. My buddy had a friend in Puerto Princesa, the source of all the information that we have.

Take note, we did not avail a tour package... since we wanted to save money, then we took the risk of planning our own vacation/itineraries.

At night, we went to the so called bay walk of Puerto Princesa. I think it's a 10-minute  tricycle ride worth Php 20. There were only few people there. It was also quite hot and not windy knowing that it's near the sea. There were food stands also there where you can buy cheap foods.

After strolling, we decided to go back to the dorm. For our dinner, I told my buddy that I wanted to taste the lechon. We bought half kilo for 160php and ate it in a resto near our dorm. We just ordered rice and softdrinks... solve....... burp!

Day 2

We woke up early because that was the day of our underground river tour. We met also the friend of my buddy who will guide us. We shouldered also his expenses since he did it for free.

We rode a cab, going to the terminal of van going to Sabang. 10Php i think for the fare.

I got distracted by this signage... anyway the terminal is at the back of this. Ride a van going to SABANG

By the way, you cannot just go there in the terminal without reservation because you will not be prioritized. Unless, there's a passenger who will not show up, then you can get a slot. The trip is not also good for 24 hours, the last trip will be at 2pm if I'm not mistaken. We took the 7am trip. You can also ride a jeepney but for sure it will give you a bumpy, slow and a hot ride. If you will be riding a van, it will take 2 hours, but if jeepney, more than 3 hours. The fare costs 160php.

Reaching Sabang!. Our guide, Glenn, went to the office where he used his connection to get a underground river permit tour for the three of us . While waiting, we took pictures of the place. The sand is brownish in color and the place has a very beautiful scenery as seen in the photos.

Unfortunately, Glenn said that they cannot provide a permit because it's already fully booked. My buddy and I were very disappointed because we did not expect that it will happen, We came all the way from Bayan so it seems that our time and money were wasted.
REMINDER: Do not go to SABANG unless you already secured a permit.

Since we cannot do anything about it, then we decided to go back and pursue ISLAND HOPPING in HONDA BAY...
We rode a jeepney, but we waited for 1 1/2 hours. I promised myself that I will never ever ride a jeepney there again going to puerto princesa from sabang. Good thing, we reached HONDA BAY at 2pm, 30 minutes before the last trip.
Renting a boat costs 1200php. Since we're only three, so it will be 400 each. We just waited for some tourists and luckily, there were three beautiful girls who will do island hopping as well. So we just formed one group and paid 200 each.

The boatman said that we cannot go to snake island because it was under maintenance during that time. So we just visited Pandan and Starfish Islands.

It was so hot, but who can stop us from visiting those islands...
Starfish island is just ok... not so beautiful for me...
Pandan Island is much better, I snorkeled  here and fed some fish! It was an awesome experience!

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You need to pay 50php for each island. It's like the entrance fee. Bring food and water with you. There's no store in star fish island, while in Pandan it's quite expensive!

I bought 10php worth of bread that I used in feeding the fish in Pandan island.

Though we were not able to visit the other island, I can say that it is just ok. It's worth it! Time to go back in BAYAN and eat dinner. We have a sudden change of plan. We were informed that the permit will be granted on Sunday. My buddy cannot have it anymore for he is leaving at 12noon. We talked and planned things out for what is the best thing to do. The situation may look tiring and it stressed us out! But that's the exciting part, decision making. That everything is based on our decision and not from others.

Day 2

CITY TOUR.

We rented a tricycle worth 700php that brought us to the different places in the City. 

Crocodile Farm. There's an entrance fee, but I forgot how much it costs.

Butterfly Garden. Entrance Fee: 50php. It's so nice to walk on a garden with a lot of butterflies flying around you. The garden showcases also the life cycle of butterfly. You will see cocoons and even the newly-hatched ones. They also have collection of some insects like scorpions, millipedes and beetles.

________ Ranch. I forgot the exact name. No entrance fee. The place is good for picnics.

Baker's Hill, One of the most famous place in the city. The best place to buy pasalubong. The store is located just infront. There are a lot of restaurants also inside. If you are an animal lover like me, then you'll enjoy this place because there's like a mini zoo inside.

We bought lots of bread stuffs like hopia, chocolate crinkles etc.

We went back to the city proper to eat lunch and then back to the dorm.

Since the flight of my buddy was 12 in the afternoon and mine is at 5pm, we decided that I will pursue my underground river tour.

Day 3

The next day, I went again to Sabang, got the permit, talked to the personnel in the office and waited for my turn. After few minutes, I was called told me that I'll be joining a group. We rode the boat and travel for around 30 minutes.

I saw this rock formation, I thought that this was the underground river...

After getting off the boat, I took some pictures on the shore. They really have a strict rules here so you need to comply.

Finally.......

Before going there, you need to register and pay a certain amount. You need to listen to your tour guide as well.

After this, you need to follow the trail leading to the place where the tourists are waiting...

While waiting for our turn, we grabbed the chance of taking pictures in the area.

Woooo it's my turn, I joined this group.. I don't know them. Good thing I was seated on the last part, next to the boatman...

The boatman was so funny and he had lots of jokes... our trip inside was fun because of him! I will not post pictures inside the cave... It's for you to find out...

Done with my underground river tour, one last pose before going back to sabang.

I took the 1pm trip going back to Puerto Princesa.. take note you need to reserve for you to make sure that you have a slot.. You can get the number in the terminal itself or just simply approach a driver for he will lead you to the person in charge of it.

I stayed for 2 hours in the city, sight seeing, before I went to the airport to catch my 5pm flight. The flight was delayed for more than an hour, so I arrived Manila around 8pm already....

That was a terrific experience.. If I will be given a chance to return, I will surely visit EL NIDO.

Airplane fee: 2000

Money spent in Palawan: 5000

Overall: 7000