SATIATED TUMMY in BORACAY

For sure, tourists will have barrel bellies after every meal because no one could resist the appetizing food that the restaurants in the island offer. 


From Japanese cuisine to French cuisine, from noodles to hamburgers, from the appetizers to the sweet desserts --- all from different Nationalities would definitely be satisfied after a day full of activities. Everyone can fit in. Every food craving can be answered.

the exterior of the restaurant.

a Japanese cuisine menu

But what really catches most of the tourists' attention is the Seafood market found in the heart of D'Talipapa market. The sight of fresh lobsters, shrimps, crabs, fish still squirming is subject to the interest of a seafood lover. Aside from the freshness, the marine creatures are also very affordable which makes the market a favourite spot for hungry visitors.

After purchasing the fresh sea food, you can now eat it raw. (oh, just kidding!) There are eating places along the market that offer cooking services with cooking styles you can choose from.

the prices are based on the weight of the seafood.

Prawns that are to die-for! :)

When we dined at D'talipapa market,
here are the prices of some seafood and the cooking:


php300/kilo fresh prawns
php100/kilo fresh fish
php250/kilo fresh squid
php200/kilo for adobo prawns
php200/kilo for grilled fish, pork and squid


*prices are at low-season rate and subject to change without notice.

MY BORACAY ITINERARY

Before I share my itinerary in Boracay, I would like to impart three things I learned from my Boracay trip. These are tips for newcomers/first-timers/foreigners planning to have vacation in Boracay:


1. NEVER book a flight to an airport that is faraway from your destination. (a seven-hour ride is not really exciting) So for a Boracay destination, Caticlan and Kalibo International Airport would be just fine.
2. NEGOTIATE. BARGAIN. HAGGLE MORE. In tagalog, "tawad". In Visaya, "hangyo". There are so many persons offering Packages and Activities in Boracay so choose the one offering the lowest price. Be clever! and don't be fooled.
3. TRAVEL LIGHT. If I say that, I mean it literally. D'Talipapa market and D'mall in the island sell a lot of things from swimsuits to dresses, from food to toiletries, and all other basic things needed by tourists. (Next time I'll go there, I'll just bring my wallet and camera. Hahaha, kidding!)




Day One -- Nov 20, 2011
MALLING AND STROLLING


11am       arrival at the la carmela de boracay hotel (rest for a while)
12noon    lunch at d'Talipapa Market
1pm        strolling at d'mall, hotels sight-seeing
2pm        check-in the hotel, bath and change
3pm        Road trip at Boracay
6pm        fire dancing and bar hopping


Day two -- Nov 21, 2011
WET AND WILD (water activities)


6am        wake up call (early bird catches the worm!)
7am        free breakfast at the hotel
7:30am   on board the outrigger
8am        start of Island Hopping + Snorkeling
9am        Helmet Diving
10:30am  Banana Boat
11:30am  Lunch at Mang Inasal
1:30pm   Ride the Zorb
4pm       Sunset watching, Swimming
6pm       dinner
8pm       Shopping at d'talipapa market for souvenirs (pasalubong)


Day Three -- Nov 22, 2011
BYE BORACAY (But I shall Return)


4am       wake-up call!
5am       took the first trip to Caticlan Jetty port
(7-hour travel to Iloilo Airport)
1:05pm the plane took off...

my flight details

BORACAY, I'll be back soon... <3

LA CARMELA DE BORACAY

This hotel is situated at White Beach Station 2.

The facade...

the small pool at the front

the executive wing is at the front

at the reception area

The pool..

Let's take a peek inside the room..

MY EVALUATION:

Location 5/5

It's near restaurants and bars at D'mall and D'Talipapa market. Also has a beach front.

Accommodation 4/5

compared to other hotels, this is just mediocre. But for a practical person like me, who is certainly looking forward for activities and just needs 4-5 hours of sleep, why would it matter? The room we booked was good for two with 2 separate medium-sized beds, a mini-refrigerator, cable TV, hot shower, aircon and security-locked vault. 

Food 4/5

The breakfast set was okay for a person with a small appetite and who's on a diet (like me!). But I heard their buffet is extravagant and affordable too!

Affordability 5/5

The price is just right! Well actually, we booked it through a discounted deal online at agoda.com and besides that, November is one of their low season months so I guess we payed less.

BORACAY ROAD TRIP

Before trying the tour along the white sands of Boracay, we decided to take a tour through the main road. That's why, we hired a cab...

php 200 only for the whole trip!

You will see lots of houses and the residents in the island as you travel along the main road.

Also, you'll see people from different Nationalities walking around or jogging.

Our ultimate stop was the PUKA BEACH.

kids enjoying the beach in their own way

small stores along the beach

yey! me!

We were not able to go the caves (since it is a very steep and long way) and the Shangri-la Hotel (the tric
 I didn't really enjoy the road trip. If I had known it, I would have driven through the road myself through the ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) which I have seen passing by. Grrrr.. well, I would try that next time I come here. :D


SNAPSHOTS>

ILOILO STOP-OVER

Iloilo is a province that lies on the Southeast area of Panay Island, in Western Visayas. Well, our sole purpose of visiting the place was just to inquire something at WVSU (west visayas state university). Anyhow, since we were already at the place, we decided to take a little tour around. 

When a tourist arrives at Iloilo Airport, a station at the arrival area (probably brought about by the provincial tourism office) answers queries of every visitor and also provides free brochures! 

Iloilo is famed for old churches and infrastructures that manifest the marks of Philippine culture and heritage. As we travelled, we noticed a lot of old houses along the way, which attest the Ilonggos’ (the people in Iloilo) value and conservation for art and history.

Our first stop, Jaro Cathedral..

Built in 1864, the church remains sturdy and contiues to be a  place of prayer for Catholic devotees.

the miraculous shrine of Our Lady of Candles

the center isle of the church

the altar

side view

The Jaro Belfry (belfry = bell tower) which is located just across the Jaro Cathedral stands still and strong despite bearing the 1984 earthquake. 

looks like a place in Paris!

Next stop was the MUSEO ILOILO...

Entrance fee: Php 25

opens from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

As we rode a jeepney (costs only 7.50 pesos!), we took a peek at the Philippine American Cemetery, Magdalena Jalandoni's residence an Nelly's Garden along the way. (Sorry, but I don't have pictures because we didn't have the chance to stop)

ILOILO at NIGHT

...at Plazuela de Iloilo

_________________________________________________

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well I guess in Iloilo, Santa Claus is already in town! 

and Christmas is in the air!

"He's makin a list and chekin it twice, gotta find out who's naughty or nice... "

A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

TRAVELLING FRENZY: BORACAY FOR FREE!!! :)

TRAVELLING FRENZY: BORACAY FOR FREE!!! :)

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FIRE DANCING through the NIGHT

As the day comes to a close.. and the sun sets in..

     
         Boracay Island remains to be a place of terrific fun and excitement. 

      The sunset in the island paradise presents us an overwhelming sight, conveying a message of peace and tranquillity. The scene depicts the strong power of nature that has been taken cared of and preserved well.

 

After an eventful day of island hopping and other water activities, everyone must still be alive and awake for a night of bar hopping. Bars and restaurants stationed at the white beach rouse the tourists with their different drinks and music. Others have live acoustic bands performing on stage while some entertain their guests with energetic fire dancers.

If you are not a fan of night swimming, you can enjoy strolling along the beach or shopping at D’mall. Or if you’re on a tight budget, d’talipapa market nearby which closes at 10pm is just the right location.

Don’t forget your “pasalubong” (bring home gifts) for your family and friends at home.

Boracay printed shirts and sando, bracelets, arm bands, key chains, bags and many more are available at different sizes, colors and prices.

Translation: Our sand is white here in Boracay.