Our Birthday Trip: Day 1 and Day 2 in Boracay

This is the first of two parts of my first Boracay getaway with the boyfriend, our birthday trip to be exact. You can read the second part here.

During the last four days and three nights, the boyfriend and I were in Boracay to celebrate our birthdays and give ourselves a break from the hustles and bustles of the city. We were happy that Boracay was enjoying nice weather during our visit. Two straight days without rain and just drizzles on our way back to Manila. We couldn’t ask for more.

DAY 1

We flew to Boracay via Kalibo with Zest Air on board an MA60 propeller plane (with scary history which we only learned after coming back to Manila, haha). We arrived in the island at nighttime. After depositing our stuff inside our freshly made-up Tans Guesthouse room, we managed to go out and grab some dinner from Andok’s at D’ Mall.

Clockwise: our plane, us on board, Edwin at Kalibo Airport, Boracay sand castle

We took a leisurely stroll along White Beach to kill time as our tummies digested our food. When our feet got tired, we decided to call it a night. But not before getting some food items from one of the mini-marts there. (We were afraid to get hungry in the middle of the night, you know.) It was at that time I realized that you could have everything you need in Boracay so long as you have purchasing power. No worries if you have forgotten your bikini or other beach essentials, you could always get them from one of the shops in the island catering to tourists of all nationalities.

Clockwise: Edwin at Andok’s-Station 2, our room at Tans Guesthouse, my first meal in Boracay

DAY 2

We signed up for a whole day activity a.k.a. island hopping after hearing the offer from the mouth of the guesthouse staff who prepared our complimentary breakfast at the roofdeck. We circled the island (the main beaches and the many private beaches) on board a tourist-laden boat. We paid P700 per head and that included a buffet lunch.

Clockwise: my island tour get-up, us by the Crystal Cove entrance, Edwin on the boat

The bangkeros (boatmen), along with a local tour guide, pointed us to each private beach and told us their names. All I could remember were Bulabog Beach, Phuka Beach (where the famed Phuka shells were in abundance!) and Boracay West Cove owned by no less than Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao.

Clockwise: front of Phuka Beach, a glimpse of Boracay Shangri-La, Manny Pacquiao’s Boracay West Cove, snorkeling couple

We snorkeled twice at two different spots (one was near Crocodile Island and the other near Bulabog Beach). We rented snorkels for P20 each. The last time I snorkeled was in Hundred Islands, Pangasinan in 2008. It took some time before I got used to breathing through the mouth again. Nonetheless, I enjoyed snorkeling. Spending time with the company of the numerous marine species (some of them even bit my arms) underwater was priceless.

Crystal Cove all around

One of our stops was Crystal Cove. Here, we shelled out an additional P200 per head as entrance fee. It was one of the private beaches there with nice wooden and concrete cottages where you could take pictures and a wide walking trail to exercise your lower torso. But other than that, the selling point of Crystal Cove are its two caves which open out to the sea, providing you with a pool of crystal-clear water for swimming.

We head back to White Beach where our hotels are located just before 5:00 p.m. After taking a bath, we went out and heard the mass at the Holy Rosary Parish, the only church in the island fronting the plaza. When dinnertime came, we decided to try the food at Ababu Persian Kitchen (Station 1) which were cheap but forgettable. Our drinks were courtesy of Jonah’s Fruitshakes. I had their famous Banana-Choco-Chocnut combo while the boyfriend played safe with his choice of plain chocolate. It was confirmed. People of the internet were right in saying that Jonah’s Fruitshakes are the best fruitshakes in Boracay.

the famous Jonah’s fruitshakes, my Ababu Persian kitchen meal, moi at Crown Regency Hotel outdoor grand staircase

After circling D’Mall and checking out some of the shops there, we took a leisurely stroll along White Beach again. This time I walked barefooted to feel the fine Boracay sand on my feet. I liked it very much I thought I could do it every single night.

Before going back to the guesthouse, we grabbed some chori burgers and isaw from one of the food stalls along the beach for our midnight snack. We also bought some mineral water and junk food.

my favorite junks, chori burger, isaw

Aaaahhh, this is the life. I love Boracay already!