Showing posts with label Boracay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boracay. Show all posts

Wednesday, 6 January 2016

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







Saturday, 3 October 2015

Boracay -Spa & Massage Treatment

Pampering should be one of to do list in any vacation.  After all, we have been working so hard, right? From upscale pampering to budget treatment, there are plenty choices you will come across along White Beach or Bulabog beach.

If you prefer five star, there are Regency's Kai Spa, Mandala Spa and Tirta Spa among others. I consider Khan Spa, Sands Spa, Merry Heart Spa, Yasuragi as medium range whereas if you are on a tight budget, there are lots along White Beach under the open air and sea breeze.

We tried Khan Spa  (Korean owned) at Station 1, White Beach on our second day there. Theirs are combination of Swedish (gliding) and Shiatsu (finger pressure).  Nine private rooms, each with 2 beds. As for foot reflexology, the seats will be all seaview. 

For an hour of massage: Dry Php600, aroma oil Php800, aroma oil include facial Php900.

Khan Spa




On our last evening there, we tried Sands Spa at Sands Hotel, Station 3.  If you are in a group, go after 4 pm as prior to that only one therapist is available. After 4 pm, there will be four therapist. However, theirs with no private room but 10 beds separated with curtains.

For an hour massage: Sandstorm (combination of Swedish and Shiatsu technique), Swedish or Shiatsu, Hand & Foot Reflex Accupressure or Foot massage at Php450. 

Foot Scrub with massage Php600. Deep Tissue or Thai massage at Php650.  My hubby was satisfied with his deep tissue massage where he had requested the therapist to concentrate only on his shoulder and neck.

If you are at Bulabog, try Merry Heart or Lim Spa.

Merry Heart Spa caters to mostly Koreans USD15 per hour massage. Lim's Spa is a beautifully designed Spa.  These two are located at 1A Main Road, Bulabog.

Lim Spa

Kai Spa

Khan Spa
Station 1
Tel: 036 288 2440/288 2441
Open 10 am - 12 am
Php 600 onwards

Sands Spa
Boracay Sands Hotel
Station 3
Tel: 036 288 4966/4967
Open: 10 am - 1 pm
Php 450 onwards

A few others that I have came accross:

Mandarin Spa
Mandarin Island Hotel
Beach Front Station 2
Tel: 63 36 288 3444/4999
Php1,100 onwards

Kai Spa
Regency Beach Resort
Beach Front Station 2
Tel: 63 36 288 6111 local 426
Php1,300 onwards

Tirta Spa
Tambisaan Jetty Port Road
After Sabong arena
Php2,000 onwards

Palassa Spa
Station 1 Main Road
Palassa Building

Yasuragi Spa
Hotel Surfside
End of Station 3 (if you are coming from Station 2 or 1)
Tel: 036 288 5320
Open: 10 am - 11 pm
Php500 onwards

All treatment 50% off from 11 am - 3.30 pm

Merry Heart Spa
Road 1-A Bulabog
Tel: 036 288 2575

Lim Spa
Road 1-A Bulabog