Boracay - the best beach in the World
Trip Start
May 31, 2009
1
11
16
Trip End
May 25, 2009
Where I stayed
Boracay Courtyard Hotel
Borocay, Aklan, Philippines
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Generally on this trip we were making reservations etc early, but because we were unsure of the numbers we didn't this time, so when we went to book our two hotel choices were already booked.
We ended up booking at the Courtyard Boracay, which is also owned by La Carmella, our first choice.
We got to Caticlan and the Boat Jetty and decided we would take the "Fast Ferry" rather than the Banka boat. Instead of a 30 minute ride its a 5 minute boat trip. We got to the Boracay dock and rented another smaller multicab to take us to the hotel. Our hotel is not on the beach this time, but in one of the alleyways that run from the beach to the main road.
The multi-cab dropped us off, and we wandered around a bit looking for the hotel, but we couldn't find it. We did find out that we weren't in the right alleyway though. The one our hotel is in would not take vehicles. We took a side route and got to our hotel and checked in to the Boracay Courtyard.
Our room was small, kind of smelly and a bit threadbare, but since we were not planning on staying in our room much we didn't care. We had a short rest and unpacked and went out to the beach. We did a great beach walk and checked out the changes since last time we were there.
Noticed a few things. The great sandcastles are now all sponsored by a hotel or restaurant. There are some new places, including Starbucks on the beach. Our fav coffee place has moved into the bar Summerplace.
We decided that we would bring the famiy to Starbucks...this was the most expensive coffee they had ever had, and they looked a bit guilty about drinking it. While we were there a downpour occurred, so we stayed about 45 minutes until it let up. It was a soaking rain.
After our coffees we headed back to the hotel and waited out the rain. When dinner time came it was pretty much stopped so we headed up the beach to Shakey's a pizza chain that is also new to the beach. We got a famiy meal that included a pizza, big platter of spaghetti, fries and calamari. Pizza on the beach was very nice.
After dinner we walked back slowly along the beach walkway and hit the sack early. After fiesta the night before and being up late, travel and all, we were tired.
However, around midnight our aircon started making a terrible screeching noise, so we turned it off and tried to sleep in the heat, and it was miserable.
Next morning we headed to the desk and they moved us to another room, a bit bigger, cleaner and much nicer.
Day Two in Boracay was sunny and restful. We took a long long swim after getting moved, and after swimming I sat at a beachside bar for a while and enjoyed Happy Hour.
We walked around some more looking at the tourist items and had lunch. Later on we took the family to dinner at a Japanese Restaurant. They had never had Japanese before, and it was a nice place, so in Philippine terms, fairly expensive...dinner for 9 came to $75.00 Canadian!!
While at dinner there was a fireworks display off the beach, apparently someone at the bar next door was having a birthday celebration and had rented the entire bar. They even had a famous filipino rap star performing...but it was a private show.
After the family went to bed, we headed over to LaCarmella for a drink and found that the server we liked so much two years ago was still there, a handsome guy, and very nice too.
Day three was a bit cloudy, but after breakfast we headed to the beach to swim and had a good swimming time.
We then booked a boat for a tour around this island. Our goal was to see Crystal Cave and also Puka beach. We went around the island past the jetty and then headed to Crystal Cove Island. This is a small island that is designed as a tourist attraction, and has nature walks, and two caves. It was fun, but not quite what we expected. We got back in the boat and headed over to the fish feeding area, and fed Nemo and friends. While there a guy came up in a small boat and sold us raw coconuts, which he cut into and put a straw into, so it became a fresh coconut drink.
It was a bit windy and wavey - the girls were screaming as we crested every wave - so we headed back the way we came, instead of going over to Puka beach. we toured where some of the high end resorts are, and then headed back to the beach.
The family headed back to the hotel, and Allan, Andoy and I went for a walk, and when I heard the Guess Who playing in a bar, we had to go in, and it was still happy hour. It started to rain at the same time, so we were in a beach front bar with beers and classic rock, couldn't ask for more.
After a few drinks we met up with the family for a low key dinner at a beach front fast food place. I had a hamburger and fries.
After dinner we went for a long walk up to Station 1 and back - and then to La Carmella to end the night with a couple more drinks.
Next morning we were up and packing, it was time to go. We had to run to the travel agent and bank first and pay for the week, and then we were into the multicab back to the jetty, and ferry back to the mainland.
A 90 minute van ride and we were back in Lezo, relaxing from the weeks trip.
Comments
It is great for relaxing, but also great for activities..