Since 2009, my husband and I have been talking about and looking at travel and tour packages for Palawan. Despite all these, we found ourselves up early last Saturday morning to commute from Tanauan City to the NAIA Terminal 3 to make sure we have plenty of time for our flight to... Boracay!
Yes, it took just one suggestion from my husband saying he'd like to go the so-called island paradise and I sent a message to my friend who operates a travel and tour agency. She was able to get us very cheap tickets for PAL Express flights via Kalibo, Aklan. Nine (9) months later, there we were waiting at Terminal 119 of the airport to board our flight.
I will limit this post to reflect on what I have experienced over the course of our 3-day getaway. I'll dedicate another post for the food, the hotel, and another for tips on traveling on a budget.
Yes, it took just one suggestion from my husband saying he'd like to go the so-called island paradise and I sent a message to my friend who operates a travel and tour agency. She was able to get us very cheap tickets for PAL Express flights via Kalibo, Aklan. Nine (9) months later, there we were waiting at Terminal 119 of the airport to board our flight.
I will limit this post to reflect on what I have experienced over the course of our 3-day getaway. I'll dedicate another post for the food, the hotel, and another for tips on traveling on a budget.
Cliche as it may sound, we just found ourselves going for it. Yes, we had purchased tickets almost a year in advance. Yes, we booked at a familiar hotel (Microtel) two (2) months in advance via booking.com. Yes, I researched on what to do, where to eat, how to get there, etc. Still, we found ourselves financially unprepared for the trip... and I was not able to shed the fats off the tummy area so I can boast of a Boracay-ready body in Boracay. But still, we just went for it. Here are photos of me / us boarding the plane bound for Kalibo International Airport and the boat to cross over to Boracay Island. |
Prior to this trip, I kept my expectations low. I've seen pictures of concrete hotels and apartments constructed side-by-side in Boracay via the agoda.com and booking.com websites... and that's not my idea of a vacation. I've seen pictures of Boracay filled with people during peak season... and that's not my idea of relaxation. I've heard and read about other people's disappointment over how Boracay's beauty has been diminished over the years. On top of that, I'm not a water-loving person. I'd rather go up the mountains and stay in a log cabin and just enjoy snuggling under the pillows and blankets on cold mornings.
My husband has seen pictures of Boracay too and he has also kept his expectations low. Still, there is one thing we look forward to: the seafood buffets!
So, after checking in Microtel Boracay (which is a concrete structure, but is situated in Diniwid Beach, in a cove which it shares with Nami, Spider House, Boracay West Cove) and resting after our almost 10-hour travel, we walked along the cove and the concrete path to Station 1. and this is what we saw:
My husband has seen pictures of Boracay too and he has also kept his expectations low. Still, there is one thing we look forward to: the seafood buffets!
So, after checking in Microtel Boracay (which is a concrete structure, but is situated in Diniwid Beach, in a cove which it shares with Nami, Spider House, Boracay West Cove) and resting after our almost 10-hour travel, we walked along the cove and the concrete path to Station 1. and this is what we saw:
So, we proceeded to walk down Diniwid Beach up to Station 1, where we had the "mandatory" pictorial at Willy's Rock and at the famous beach of Station 1 as we waited for the sun to set.
And here's the sunset... It's not the best sunset at Boracay captured, but, we had a windy/cloudy Saturday. Still. Breath. Taking. Nonetheless.
The next day, we went helmet-diving and these are the shots taken by the diver of us as I gripped the handle of my helmet so hard and with my I'm-afraid-but-I'm-not-showing-it smile plastered on my face.
The next day, we went helmet-diving and these are the shots taken by the diver of us as I gripped the handle of my helmet so hard and with my I'm-afraid-but-I'm-not-showing-it smile plastered on my face.
Amazing! God's creation is beautiful. It's such a stark reminder for all of us how beautiful Creation is when you've come to appreciate the wonder of God that is Boracay Island.
On our last day, we visited Spider House again... and thank God! The sea was calm and we were blessed to see this...
On our last day, we visited Spider House again... and thank God! The sea was calm and we were blessed to see this...
Over, under... in windy and cloudy... the beaches of Boracay has reminded me to appreciate the tiniest powder of sand, the clear waters... respect the power of the water as it shapes the island... and welcome the sun for its warmth and assurance of better days ahead.
I find it just awesome how God can turn the wind and water into instruments in slamming the rocks and corals against one another to leave the very fine powdery sand on this island's beaches. It is also a wonder how in Diniwid beach, there are large deposits of seaweed and sea debris every day while in just the adjoining beach, Station 1 and 2, it's all clear.
I felt God's goodness and power at the same time as I basked on the beach, feeling the waves slam against my back. I felt his compassion as I scooped a handful of sand and examine its particles wondering how He knows me and cares for me and loves me even if I'm just a particle in the vast number of particles in the sand.
I find it just awesome how God can turn the wind and water into instruments in slamming the rocks and corals against one another to leave the very fine powdery sand on this island's beaches. It is also a wonder how in Diniwid beach, there are large deposits of seaweed and sea debris every day while in just the adjoining beach, Station 1 and 2, it's all clear.
I felt God's goodness and power at the same time as I basked on the beach, feeling the waves slam against my back. I felt his compassion as I scooped a handful of sand and examine its particles wondering how He knows me and cares for me and loves me even if I'm just a particle in the vast number of particles in the sand.