Mabuhay Boracay

Mabuhay Boracay!  Mabuhay in Tagalog means Welcome/To Life/Live Great/Hello. We went to Boracay on 19 September 2015 for 7 days and it was a marvellous vacation.

I have been checking air ticket fare  since December 2014 till February 2015 and it cost around RM700.00 to Boracay.  In March the rate has started to go up. These rates were without any baggage check in and insurance cover. So finally I have booked our ticket in April 2015 as I have already got my accommodation booked and paid. Since Air Asia has only one direct flight per day to Boracay, I thought the rate will not go further down as is also a school holiday week.

In August 2015, I checked the ticket prices again, a month before our departure date and the air fare has gone down 50% of what I have paid for! I guess it was off peak season.

No worry if you are not buying in advance the land/sea transport from Kalibo airport to Boracay.  As I have read is cheaper if you purchase upon arrival, even if you purchase onboard Air Asia is more expensive.

First time we tried KLIA transit from Putrajaya Sentral, 20 mins away to KLIA2 for RM6.20 one way per pax.  Discount 30% for senior citizen 55 yrs and above. We had our breakfast at food court at level 2 just 30 mins away to departure gate. We departed from KLIA2 at 1030 hours arriving Kalibo at 1435 hours via Air Asia AK608.

The arrival hall at Kalibo airport was a small one. Two custom officers did the passport stamping. Right outside the airport, you could find booth selling data plan 7 days for Php300. Opposite, you could see few booth selling land transfer Php250 land & boat. We got Php900 for return door to door service. We were asked to pay Php2000 in advance for 4 pax. On return only, we paid another Php1600.   We were ushered by our van driver, which van could fit in 11 pax. Thank God, it was clear blue sky as we told last week it was raining.

Kalibo to Caticlan Jetty took about 90 min. Caticlan Jetty sailing to Boracay station 3 was merely 5 mins. We left Kalibo airport about 3 pm,  50 mins down the road, we reached Ibajay, another 10 mins to Nabas, a hilly road.  By 4.30 pm we reached Caticlan.   Along the way, I could see majority motorcyclist were not wearing helmet.  And lots signage with the word Todo Asens, just wonder what it meant.  By 4.55 pm we started sailing in a Bangka (Fit for 40 pax) but it only took us 5 minutes to reach jetty in Boracay. If you were to take an electric car, I was told from jetty in Station 3 to White Beach Station 2 will be Php150 for 4 pax.

We took a tricycle arranged for by Van driver to Boracay Regency hotel, washed our face and off we went to D' Talipapa. Electric car can fit up to 8 pax. Here you will be spoiled by choices with so many fresh live seafood to get from this wet market. For our first night dinner we bought crab, clam and scallop . Out of our 7 nights there, we had 4 nights of fresh seafood at D Talipapa for dinner. We had green lobster, oyster, prawns, squids and fish. The oyster was really fresh even me and mom loved it.

Boracay Regency, the hotel we booked through RCI is under Hennan Group of Resorts, strategically located in the middle of White Beach.  The name Hennan which interestingly caught my attention is combination of the syllable of Henry and Anna.  The chairman of the Group, Henry Chusuey and her lovely wife Anna with the assistance from their children, Alfonso, Karl and Christina have managed their group of resorts well. By end of 2015, Boracay Regency will be renamed to Hennan Regency. With its strategic location at Station 2 White Beach, is just merely 5-10 minutes walk away to Station 1 or Station 2.  This hotel also have few restaurant namely Christina for fine dining, Mesa for Filipino food, Hap Chan serving Chinese, Sea Breeze Cafe for buffet and Lobby Patisserie.

Sunset

In D Talipapa, you could get a packet of 200 gm 7D dried mango manufactured in Cebu for export quality but different shop price varies from Php123 - 150 per packet. However from the beach, there was a lane going to D Talipapa, where you will find a row of shops.  Look for a shop named 7d Mangoes Store.  They are selling at Php120 for the 200g dried mango and Php62 for 100g. Not much difference if you were to get a packet but if you are buying plenty as a souvenir, look for this shop.

You may have your meal along the white beach, D Mall or D Talipapa. The other side of the island will be Bulabog.

We checked out the activities price at boracay adventures a shop opposite craft supermarket and My Boracay Guide, a counter adjacent to Crafts supermarket. Their prices were on the higher side. Along the White beach, there will be agents selling the sea activities at package price, you will get a good price depending on your bargaining power.

This island was my best relaxation place, doing what I want. Waiting to check on daily sunset, everything is so convenient that I could go anywhere i want, be it shopping, massage, hair braid, sea activities or just eat and sleep! 

Lets hope another vacation in Boracay soon!

White Powdery Sandy Beach