The owner


Thursday, June 26, 2014

Refreshing my memory in Boracay Stanza 1

4 hrs and 30 mins of flight torture from Malaysia to Kalibo, Philippine. Finally we had the chance to stretch our muscle cells! Upon reaching, we quickly formed a team of 7 (it's good if you've found somebody to haggle for the price), the more people you gather, the cheaper price you will get. Finally, we picked KIATA, they offered us quite a reasonable price, with 400 pesos (including the terminal fees, environmental fees and boat fare!) Hence, another long journey began, with 2 hrs van to the port and 20 mins of boat heading to the mesmerizing island. The boss of KIATA, Alan,an electrical engineering student, rather be a driver instead of an engineer. Couldn't agree more to his decision, be a boss is far far better than be an inferior! And his driving skill is crazy! Imagine a city without traffic lights, but I can't spot any traffic lights in the town though. 

After the 2 hrs 20 mins, we've finally reached Boracay! And yet we have to take another 10 mins tricycle ride to our hostel. The hostel I'd chosen located in between station 1 and 2, they charged us 120 pesos/tricycle. After this final ride, yeah, we were here for MNL beach hostel Boracay. Do book online and get the discounted price, and enjoy the facilities. This was the best hostel that I've ever stayed, nice environment, nice people and with a nice breakfast provided =). I'm in love with the design of the room, I'd use chambers to describe, we stayed in six-chamber room! 

The front desk of MNL


The six-chamber room we stay! Awesome design , right ?

On the first day, we departed in the morning, and reached at night. Totally exhausted. Since Boracay is famous for sunset, without hesitation, we went for our very first water spot for only 150 pesos/pax. Sadly, we din't manage to see the sunset due to too cloudy. The boat sailing for 30 mins and basically we just get our feets and butt wet and back to the shore. After the disappointing sunset, we went to seek for some local delights, and ends up eating in a non-local cafe for a huge pizza. What we enjoyed the most in the cafe was ...photo taking section! We took for almost an hour just for some nice photos. 

Photo capturing the photo

Whole face is too mainstream? Half face will do.

A very happening island at night, even happening than in morning. For those who love night life, this is a great place indeed.  Not to forget about the white beach. The most popular tourist spot. I have to emphasis on the sand of the white beach, just imagine your feets are socked in flour, so powdery. And do build your own sand castle or whatever creatures you could, it was fun. Our first night was ended with fire dancing, sea breeze and some childish games by the white beach.

We took this a day before we leave Boracay

The day arrived early, and all of us get up early to secure our breakfast. MNL Hostel provides self-service breakfast with breads and eggs ready, the non-stop working toaster and variety of jam for you to pick. A simple breakfast to kick-start our day to the beaches! 


Looks delicious, spot the egg, wonder whether it's duck egg?

The weather was seriously killing, without a proper sun-blocking, the chances of getting sun-burn were 200%. Second day was well spent with island hopping. Hops for three islands in total and just cost us 800 pesos/pax with buffet lunch provided, and hop for six hrs. We depart for quite rush as we been dealing with too much of locals, they offered a very low price, in reluctant way. In order to enjoy like a king and queen, we opted for the expensive one, and we did enjoy! First island, hmmm, coves to be exact, name as crystal coves island, we have to pay for the entrance fee (20 pesos/pax) to just for photos taking and get ourselves hydrated.


One spot one photo starts

A lot of statues placed inside and it was just like a day museum. Of course we not to forget to capture some nice photos there, as we paid for that! 



Well, the Korean is out tour-guide for the day
The cove was small, with only one-way spiral staircase to get into the cove. Upon entering, the water is crystal clear, chill and with high buoyancy. The water is very salty and hence, can be easily floated without any moves. 
See the water! Ensuring this kiddo not to be drawn in the salt water
We spent quite some time here, for swimming course purpose. Haha. And we headed to another cove after an hr, and the distance was far apart. A 5 mins walk under a hot sun was killing still. Cove 2 looked abandon, never know hiding so much of people inside until we walked inside. Cove 2 is shallow, reachable deep, and is good for underwater photo-taking. The time frame they allowed us to stay in this island was just 1.5 hrs, and we were the last to return back to the boat, but, who cares? 

The next island was crocodile island, couldn't spot any crocodile, or elses I'd not be sitting and writing this. The shape of the island in certain angle looks like a crocodile, and since then they named it crocodile island, perhaps. 


On the way hopping to another island, crocodile island
We did snorkel in this amphibian island and do remember to steal some breads from your hostel, it benefits you in fish-sight-seeing. They do throw breads into the sea, enticing the silly fishes, and we were happy for that, or else we were just seeing the immobile coral reefs, the ugly sea urchins and big chunks of rocks. After a short session of snorkeling, finally we can have our buffet lunch in another anonymous island.  They served variety of food, and with unlimited supply of cokes, pepsi or beer. The best thirst quencher no doubt belong to the cokes and pepsi, replenish our glucose depletion state. 

Puka beach was the last island we visited before heading back. This island famous for the shells, the sand is coarse, and it's a great place to escape yourself a while from the crowd. People sun bathing here, picnic here, and seeking for shells here. No water sports in PUKA, just a place to relax and savoring those moments with friends.

Welcome to PuKa

Isn't jump shot is the best for photo taking, you need not to think of your posture!
6-hour of hopping, cells were exhausted and it was time to back and get a good rest. In short, island hopping with only 800 pesos were awesome! It worth the prices! LoVe it so much! 

Dinner of the day


-- Stanza One --