Boracay Day 1: Arrival

Been There: Hey ya Boracay!

It was december I think, when my sister encouraged me to book for a flight to Boracay since we've been to Panglao, Bohol on April of 2011. Well, she has a great influence on me, and with the excitement that it brought me, I agreed and booked for our flights. I spent more than 3,000 pesos each for our tickets back and forth. My sister always go with convenience instead of savings or which ever matters if there's no huge difference on it. It was her who did all the research from accomodations, activities etc.. Credits to ate for being such a good researcher! haha..  

It was her.. lady in white. (just landed at Boracay Airport)

Top| Candies
Shorts| Unknown store
Bracelet | from a friend
Hat | from Bohol
Shades | Pacific Blue

 Our flight schedule from Manila to Caticlan was around 9:35am. I came from my boyfriends' house as they are just 5 minutes away from Naia Terminal 3. Since it was just my second time travelling, and with my sister telling me that we only have 10kgs alloted for the flight, me and my boyfriend just brought one luggage for both of us. Haha! I was so afraid to go over my baggage allowance as it might cause delays and what not. Well, everything we need fitted on our luggage so I find it very much stress free as I don't have to worry about big bags and carry it everywhere. While waiting for our flight, and for my sister as we can't proceed with check-in because our ticket's with her, Daryl (my boyfriend) and I ate at Kenny Rogers inside the airport's mall. Ate texted me that they arrived so we went to check-in counter and of course, took pictures of everything! (as usual!). Here's some photos we had while waiting: 

(from left to right) Gelo, Ate Fraulene, Thirdy, Lalai and Mama

Here's my soon-to-be-husband Daryl.. :)

We paid the terminal fees then proceed to scanner. While we're on the line, ate called me and whispered: "Bebe, si Stef presscott oh!" I looked and unconsciously said, "Steff! Pa picture naman oh!" My sister's eldest child uttered, "Oh my gosh!" Haha.. She was starstrucked! We took pictures with her. She was pretty but not as tall as what I can see on T.V. On the other hand, we went straight to departure area and waited for almost 10-15 minutes and yey! it's boarding time! Finally! We had the Airphilippines Propeller which I find a little bit scary all the way to Caticlan. 

Her she is.. She looked very simple yet pretty! 

We arrived at Caticlan Airport after an hour, we landed at 11:30am which was just enough to eat  lunch yet the Carinderias outside the airport sell expensive food so we decided just to eat at hotel when we arrive. I didnt even had an opportunity to take picture of myself at runway because the Kuya guard was so strict! Grr.. yet I understand as the runway was too small which why it's only for propellers and anything outside of their schedule would definitely cause air traffic if incase. 

There are tricycle lines outside the airport. We rented 3 tricycle drivers  as we meet up with Aphol and Win which was my sister's sister in law and the husband. We asked them to take us to the port. I'm not sure how much it costs. I think it was less than 50 pesos though. Then from the port, we choose the airconditioned boat to take us to Boracay Island. It was called the Montenegro fast craft if I can reckon it correctly. We paid the environmental fees and other fees they can think of.. hehehe! In total I would say it is more or less 100 pesos for the ferry. 

It was a 5-10 minute boat ride and yes! I had officially set foot on Boracay Island. We haggled for the fare and asked tricycle drivers to bring us to our hotel at Cohiba Villas. We rented 3 tricycles again. We've seen D'mall and D'Talipapa on our way to hotel and seen some of the hotels we choose from and found out that they are not literally beach front. There are probably 2-3 minutes walk to white sand and the beach. Our hotel is almost on the tip of the mountain really on the other side of the island which is called Bulabog. Tricycle drivers should be wise enough or else, you would stop in the middle of the road as it was very steep. We've finally set foot at the hotel. It was too hot that day. When everything has been settled with the receptionist, we went straight to the 3-bedroom Villa which Ate reserved online. She requested a room on lower ground floor because she has kids to watch for. Good thing, she choose the right room as we've figured out that the hotel lobby is on the upper ground floor and the infinity pool is on the lower ground. When we saw the pool, we were so speechless. It is overlooking the Bulabog beach, the wind was perfect and the rooms were great! This is one of the best hotel I've stayed so far. Here's some photos of the hotel: 

As we arrived, my boyfriend and the kids went straight to the pool to swim. As I said it was too hot that day. I opt not to join them, it was too early to get tanned. We've decided just to order at hotel's cafeteria for lunch. It was very expensive still. I didnt find the food worth the money. Aphol, Win, ate and I went to D'mall to buy other goods we need for the day like mineral waters, cooking oils etc.. We've chosen a room that has a kitchen to save money from buying food. We overheard that Boracay's food are expensive. We planned to cook breakfast and dinner only - for lunch, we'll eat anywhere. We hired tricycle again to bring us to D'mall because we're out of van's schedule. Cohiba allotted vans for their guests who would want to go to white beach and D'Mall yet it was every 2-3 hours. They would discuss it to you anyway upon arrival. 

We've spent our day in the hotel. Swimming, picture taking and enjoying the day away from the city. One thing I loved about Cohiba is that, it is away from crowded and noisy white beach so you really have time to relax, fill your lungs with fresh air and get inspired with how Bulabog beach was made. 

Since our first day didnt have any activities planned, we swam all afternoon and took pictures underwater. 

from ate's underwater cam

Swimwear | Tomato

Later that night, ate and mama cooked for our dinner. I cant remember what we ate that night though. But surely, we ate what we brought from Manila. We had some canned goods and some foods that are easy to cook. Then, Goodnight Boracay! Need to have a good sleep as our activities would start next morning.