Day 4 to 7 - Boracay Island
1) White Beach
5 minutes from our hostel is the most crowded beach in Boracay, the White Beach. It offers lots of activities ranging from banana boat to parasailing. The waters here are calm and suitable for families. The place is crowded even under the unforgiving sun at 12. For lunch we look for something to eat here at a budget of less than PHP 100 per person. Mango shakes can be found as cheap as PHP 50 here. Take a walk to Jonah's Fruit Shake at Station 1. It offers many types of super-rich fruit shakes at about PHP 100.
2) Puka Shell Beach
A one-way tricycle trip to Puka Beach is PHP 150, regardless from where. The waters here are deeper but cleaner. Water sports activities here are limited. Come here for a serene spot to watch sunset. Avoid coming in the afternoon as there are few shades (but they are usually free). Bring enough water and some snacks since drinks are expensive (PHP 200 for a mango shake) and food are virtually non-existent.
3) Bulabog Beach
Located just some footsteps from MNL Hostels is this quiet Bulabog Beach, where some surfing and diving academies are at. We came here for the sunrise at 5 AM (if you saw my previous post, that the sun rises much earlier in the Philippines).
4) D'Mall
This open space commercial area is a collection of a few rows of shop lots. Postcards, dried mangoes and trinkets can be bought as souvenirs from D'Mall, apart from some of the variety of food offered. There's a small mart where you can buy most of what you need.
1) Smoke Resto
This humble restaurant tucked away in a corner inside D'Mall was run by locals. Come early before 7 to secure a seat. Food was usually cooked by one lady so serving time is pretty slow during peak hours. If you suffer from confidence issues with foreign food, start with Smoke Resto's famous Bulalo (beef shank soup) as a side to a bowl of piping hot rice. My only complaint was it's too salty! (This wasn't my first experience with salty Filipino food as I have also tried fried vermicelli, called pancit in another restaurant, and it was too salty for me to finish.) Other food at the place looked promising. I have ordered its cheese omelette rice which was decent, and my husband tried its adobo served with mango and rice, though the adobo was also too salty for us.
2) Jonah's Fruit Shake & Snack Bar
Jonah's has earned its reputation throughout the Internet and earned a spot on the Boracay map. I believe it has more than 2 outlets. The one that I've tried was on the street to Puka Beach from D-Mall, not located beside the beach. The shakes we had - Avocado Milk Shake and Mango Milk Shake, were outstanding. At PHP 100 each, they cost more than many milkshake stalls, but you would know it's worthwhile from their super dense shake that is jam packed with fresh fruits and milk. The avocado shake left me so bloated and I struggled to finish the whole thing. If you love fruits, don't leave the island without trying Jonah's!
3) E-Mall
There's a less known E-Mall which less resembled a "mall" than the open-spaced D'Mall. Here, there are shops selling the typical souvenirs but with far less tourists. There's a stall selling a coconut shake (Buko shake) that we liked a lot. Too bad the spot is far from our place and we couldn't go back for another bottle. The picture above was taken at the jetty terminal leaving Boracay, which was no match to the one we had at E-Mall.
4) Halowich
If you have yet to try halo-halo, Philippines' must try dessert, but you're skeptical against the version offered by the local fast food chain, visit Halowich at D'Mall. They offer many mango based desserts such as this ice cream that we have ordered, and the shop was nearly always full house. You may have to wait for a seat out in the heat. The desserts served were of appropriate portions and the shop was air-conditioned. Like the ice cream we had was just nice for two person sharing. They also served sizes suitable for family or couple.
5) San Miguel Flavored Beer
Fan of fruit cider flavored beer? Then you should get sipping on this local brew. We bought this at PHP 30 at the pizza shop downstairs (which will be introduced in point 6) but you can get them at any convenience store.
6) Lola's Pizza
Since husband and I were on a constrained budget, Lola's Pizza (Road 1-A) for dinner automatically became an attractive option, though it was considered the least known pizza parlour in Boracay. While the prices were not dirt cheap, they were gentle on our wallet. The pizzas were priced from PHP 100 to 200 for sizes 9" and 12". We would have bought some deep-fried fish balls before Lola's and get two pizzas for actual dinner. It's conveniently located beside MNL so we would place our orders, go get a quick shower and go back to pack our dinner and enjoy them at the rooftop. Lots of the hostel residents did the same.
Our trip was not done on a packed itinerary, and from what you can see, we did not take on any water sport activities (that's because we overspent due to the missed flight). Overall, we have spent less than PHP 2000 (about RM 1800 back then) for a 4D4N two person trip (excluding flight).
Honestly speaking, we haven't explored half the island as many more attractions are secluded, such as the Spiderhouse and Mount Luho. Despite the pushy vendors and thieves, we feel there is so much more potential the island could offer. I'm missing the place.
It's been 3 months, our skins are still tanned from spending a long time under the Philippines sun.
Manila Day 2
On day 3, we took a flight by Cebu Pacific Air to Kalibo Airport from Manila. We actually missed our Air Asia flight (ticket cost about RM 300/pax) and ended up on Boracay very late at night.
Luckily Cebu Pacific came up much cheaper (less than PHP 2500/pax after deducting airline travel insurance).
Luckily Cebu Pacific came up much cheaper (less than PHP 2500/pax after deducting airline travel insurance).
During the 1 hour flight, the air stewardesses were promoting the round trip offered by Southwest Tours straight to the doorstep of the hotel at PHP 900 per pax - which we signed up for. This includes door-to-door transfers, environmental fee (PHP 75) and terminal fee (PHP 100).
Upon landing we boarded a bus to the jetty terminal nearby Caticlan. During its 2 hours journey the bus will make a stop at its own rest station that has a mini market and washrooms.
Arriving at the jetty, we had to wait a while to board the ferry, which would take another 10 minutes to reach the island. Here's a heads up, you will be asked to leave your luggage outside the cabin because the seats will be too narrow to accommodate the bigger sized bags.
Make sure your belongings especially bags that weren't locked stay by your side at all times. Our friend left his backpack together with our luggage (locked with password) and his cash got stolen.
At the island, mini vans were used to transport passengers to their respective guesthouses. This could take another 10 minutes to reach, depending on which station you are staying.
Boracay's white beach has 3 stations:
1) Station 1 is more secluded. This is where most of the 5 star rated hotels are. It is near to the Puka Shell Beach.
2) Station 2 is highly crowded with tourists and bustling with commercial buildings and activities. D-Mall is located here. Lots of food variety, ranging from budget to expensive.
3) Station 3 is mostly occupied by locals. Wet markets and police station are found here.
We stayed at MNL Beach Hostel sharing a 6 person dorm room. You can opt for mixed or female only dorms. (However, washrooms are mixed.) The place is lively especially over the weekends, on the rooftop bar where you can chill and drink with other backpackers or the friendly employees.
We stayed at MNL Beach Hostel sharing a 6 person dorm room. You can opt for mixed or female only dorms. (However, washrooms are mixed.) The place is lively especially over the weekends, on the rooftop bar where you can chill and drink with other backpackers or the friendly employees.
Places we went
You can choose from travelling by foot or by tricycles. Tricycles charge a standardized fare over here so don't worry about swindling.
Willy's Rock at Station 1.
Sunset at the White Beach.
1) White Beach
5 minutes from our hostel is the most crowded beach in Boracay, the White Beach. It offers lots of activities ranging from banana boat to parasailing. The waters here are calm and suitable for families. The place is crowded even under the unforgiving sun at 12. For lunch we look for something to eat here at a budget of less than PHP 100 per person. Mango shakes can be found as cheap as PHP 50 here. Take a walk to Jonah's Fruit Shake at Station 1. It offers many types of super-rich fruit shakes at about PHP 100.
2) Puka Shell Beach
A one-way tricycle trip to Puka Beach is PHP 150, regardless from where. The waters here are deeper but cleaner. Water sports activities here are limited. Come here for a serene spot to watch sunset. Avoid coming in the afternoon as there are few shades (but they are usually free). Bring enough water and some snacks since drinks are expensive (PHP 200 for a mango shake) and food are virtually non-existent.
3) Bulabog Beach
Located just some footsteps from MNL Hostels is this quiet Bulabog Beach, where some surfing and diving academies are at. We came here for the sunrise at 5 AM (if you saw my previous post, that the sun rises much earlier in the Philippines).
Inside D'Mall.
This open space commercial area is a collection of a few rows of shop lots. Postcards, dried mangoes and trinkets can be bought as souvenirs from D'Mall, apart from some of the variety of food offered. There's a small mart where you can buy most of what you need.
Foods & drinks we tried
Honestly speaking, it was a hard time for us to find budget food here. Although not impossible, the heat often hindered us from going farther for more choices. It's good to know that D'Mall does offer good food at reasonable prices. It remains a regret that we did not try D'Talipapa ... Where you can buy your own food (seafood, especially) and get them cooked at nearby restaurant.
Bulalo from Smoke Resto in D'Mall.
Adobo rice and cheese omelette rice.
This humble restaurant tucked away in a corner inside D'Mall was run by locals. Come early before 7 to secure a seat. Food was usually cooked by one lady so serving time is pretty slow during peak hours. If you suffer from confidence issues with foreign food, start with Smoke Resto's famous Bulalo (beef shank soup) as a side to a bowl of piping hot rice. My only complaint was it's too salty! (This wasn't my first experience with salty Filipino food as I have also tried fried vermicelli, called pancit in another restaurant, and it was too salty for me to finish.) Other food at the place looked promising. I have ordered its cheese omelette rice which was decent, and my husband tried its adobo served with mango and rice, though the adobo was also too salty for us.
2) Jonah's Fruit Shake & Snack Bar
Jonah's has earned its reputation throughout the Internet and earned a spot on the Boracay map. I believe it has more than 2 outlets. The one that I've tried was on the street to Puka Beach from D-Mall, not located beside the beach. The shakes we had - Avocado Milk Shake and Mango Milk Shake, were outstanding. At PHP 100 each, they cost more than many milkshake stalls, but you would know it's worthwhile from their super dense shake that is jam packed with fresh fruits and milk. The avocado shake left me so bloated and I struggled to finish the whole thing. If you love fruits, don't leave the island without trying Jonah's!
3) E-Mall
There's a less known E-Mall which less resembled a "mall" than the open-spaced D'Mall. Here, there are shops selling the typical souvenirs but with far less tourists. There's a stall selling a coconut shake (Buko shake) that we liked a lot. Too bad the spot is far from our place and we couldn't go back for another bottle. The picture above was taken at the jetty terminal leaving Boracay, which was no match to the one we had at E-Mall.
4) Halowich
If you have yet to try halo-halo, Philippines' must try dessert, but you're skeptical against the version offered by the local fast food chain, visit Halowich at D'Mall. They offer many mango based desserts such as this ice cream that we have ordered, and the shop was nearly always full house. You may have to wait for a seat out in the heat. The desserts served were of appropriate portions and the shop was air-conditioned. Like the ice cream we had was just nice for two person sharing. They also served sizes suitable for family or couple.
5) San Miguel Flavored Beer
Fan of fruit cider flavored beer? Then you should get sipping on this local brew. We bought this at PHP 30 at the pizza shop downstairs (which will be introduced in point 6) but you can get them at any convenience store.
9" Hawaiian Pizza from Lola's. Sorry for the unsightly and high flash exposure photo, it was taken at the roof deck of our hostel with little lighting.
6) Lola's Pizza
Since husband and I were on a constrained budget, Lola's Pizza (Road 1-A) for dinner automatically became an attractive option, though it was considered the least known pizza parlour in Boracay. While the prices were not dirt cheap, they were gentle on our wallet. The pizzas were priced from PHP 100 to 200 for sizes 9" and 12". We would have bought some deep-fried fish balls before Lola's and get two pizzas for actual dinner. It's conveniently located beside MNL so we would place our orders, go get a quick shower and go back to pack our dinner and enjoy them at the rooftop. Lots of the hostel residents did the same.
Our trip was not done on a packed itinerary, and from what you can see, we did not take on any water sport activities (that's because we overspent due to the missed flight). Overall, we have spent less than PHP 2000 (about RM 1800 back then) for a 4D4N two person trip (excluding flight).
Honestly speaking, we haven't explored half the island as many more attractions are secluded, such as the Spiderhouse and Mount Luho. Despite the pushy vendors and thieves, we feel there is so much more potential the island could offer. I'm missing the place.
It's been 3 months, our skins are still tanned from spending a long time under the Philippines sun.
See my travelogue in the Philippines:
Manila Day 1Manila Day 2
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