And I'm in Boracay (day 1)

The long wait has arrived...I have booked our flight way back in July and finally we will go to Boracay. I got a lot of mixed comments from people who have already went there; some say it is not that beautiful because it's too commercialized while others say it's still splendid. I have to see it for myself plus I have to fulfill one thing in my bucket list which is to travel outside Mindanao.

So, THE DAY! November 15, 2012 we boarded a Cebu Pacific plane bound to Kalibo (thanks to them it's easier for us to go to Boracay).

this is us waiting for our plane to arrive

After arriving at the Kalibo airport, we rode a van to transport us to Caticlan Jetty Port. From there we were transported to Boracay island via pump boat (Note: aside from the environmental fee, they are also collecting a terminal fee).

my travel buddies at the Jetty Port

We rode a tricycle from the Jetty Port to our accommodation which is the Orchids Resort. This one is located at Station 3, the cheapest room is around 250/head (good for four people given that you have booked it early).

To be honest, we were really quite disappointed with what we saw when we were on our way walking to our accommodation, there are many establishments that looks like a barong-barong at Station 3. Our initial reaction was Samal Island was way better. Because we were quite exhausted, we rested for a few minutes and ate before meeting our tour guide Kuya Lanito..his number is 09292054738- he was recommended by a friend (note: do get your tour guide based on recommendation).

Our first activity in Boracay- ATV ride. We went there via the ATV company's van; they gave a briefing before the actual activity (600/person- I think you could find a cheaper rate because some blogs says that there ATV is around 400-450). They have two stops; there's the Butterfly garden and the Ocean view.

getting ready for the ATV

We skipped the butterfly garden because most of us are not into the butterfly garden stuffs :) Then, we headed at the Ocean View (50.00 entrance fee). When we went there, all our disappointments were banished, "This is why we went here, our trip was indeed worth it".  The view was super beautiful!

Boracay from above

We took a lot of pictures for a few minutes before heading back...

easy breezy beautiful

3...2...1...go!

After the ATV ride, we decided to chill at the beach. You could really see the difference as you walked towards Station 1; even though it's still commercialized, the establishments...the beach...everything becomes nicer.

Most books and journals would say that Boracay has the finest sand blah blah...but they are actually right!! Of all the beaches I have been, the sand in Boracay is way different. In addition to that, the sea is really clean. I can really attest to that, because when I go swimming on beaches I usually would have red marks brought about by planktons...but I didn't have any in Boracay. You could also see small fishes swimming even if you're just swimming near the shore.

us girls!

this is raki trying his best to get a picture of us four

Before the sun sets, we decided to get a henna tattoo. Of course, it's a must-do in Boracay!

My pick

And I didn't forget to take a picture of Boracay's beautiful sunset. See for yourself...

Love birds making this picture more romantic

After all those activities, we went back to our accommodation and got ourselves ready for dinner.

Posing while looking for a place to dine

When it comes to dinner, there are a variety of eat-all-you can stalls at the beachfront...our pick this night...Bugs Grill (300/ person). They served a variety of sea foods and it was delicious, got ourselves really full. After eating, we decided to stroll to take a look at Boracay during night time.

Fire dancers all over Station 2

funny faces at the "forest forest" (we just made this name up)

one Boracay locale artist

Last stop before heading back to our accommodation...Gelato ice ream!

yum yum!