the traveller & her thoughts

A GAZEBO OF JOURNEYS AND RANDOM THOUGHTS OF AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND WRITER. Life is a series of pictures. Some blurred, others vivid and sharp; some are panoramic while others are close-up views with tiny little flaws. You may be taken by a luxurious DSLR camera or a plain Point and Shoot Cam, but in the end, when all of the films are used up and all batteries empty, people all have one thing in common: what we leave are footprints in the sand, pictures in the album, and flashes of memories.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

SUN-sational ISLAND HOPPING (with SNORKELING)

Island Hopping should never be missed out when you visit this kind of paradise. It is one of the best way to explore more of the island's magnificence and this exciting activity allows our eyes to see picturesque landscapes or seascapes as we view the island from afar.

Tourists no longer experience any hassle in looking for a boat to rent because by the white beach of the island, you can see various stations and numerous "agents" who would willingly offer packages of different water activities.

My tip for tourists: NEGOTIATE. Really, you could end up paying the least amount of charges.

This is the outrigger we rented for our Island Hopping...

this small boat can be rented for only Php1200
(this is for the whole duration of water activities)

A glimpse of beautiful nature sceneries.

Here are some hotels you can see from afar..

Ambassador in Paradise Hotel

Boracay West Cove Beach Resort

Shangri-La de Boracay Resort and Spa

Unfortunately, we were not able to go to the CRYSTAL COVE which is another small island just across Boracay Island because the weather was not so fine at the time. (The wind was strong at that side). Our tourist guide told us that there are 2 caves to explore at Crystal Cove which adventurous tourists can explore for only Php 200 (entrance fee).
Well, I will visit that next time...

After the Island Hopping, you'll be free to choose the next water activity to be done. In my trip, snorkeling was our next stop...

happy because snorkeling is FREE! :)

Life jackets and Snorkeling gear are provided (others ask for Php 20 or 50 payment for the snorkeling gear... so just look for the right agent..NEGOTIATE.. and it will be free!)

COST:

Php 1200 for the outrigger or pumpboat

*these are LOW SEASON RATES (June to November) and are subject to change without prior notice

Smiling after Island Hopping (say cheese!!!)

WAVES OF FUN in BORACAY ISLAND

The best things in life are sometimes NOT free.

Just like a 100th birthday celebration.
Or a romantic honeymoon in Paris.
And my vacation in Boracay.

Yes, that's right --- MY vacation in BORACAY for three days and two nights!!! :-)
It feels bizarre writing it down because up to now, I still couldn't believe it happened. While we were on our way to the island, I kept on wondering if everything was just part of a vivid dream ...until I saw Boracay with my very own eyes...

The fine-grain white sand which creates footprints as I walk through. The crystal clear sea that sparkles with different shades of blue. The sailboats, speedboats and different water activities that can be witnessed from the shore. Whew! Those are just some reasons why I love Boracay Island.

GETTING THERE...

the ferry boat to the island

This paradise can be reached by three airports (arranged according to distance - Shortest distance first)
1. Caticlan Airport (3-minute ride to the jetty port)
2. Kalibo International Airport (1hour and 30 mins ride to the jetty port)
3. Iloilo Airport (5-6 hours to the jetty port)

the Cagban Jetty port

Well, in my case, I have booked a plane ticket from Cebu to Iloilo Airport. And the trip to the island paradise required the following costs (excluding the plane ticket):

Php500 for a taxi cab from the airport to the Tagbak Terminal in Jaro (45 minutes)
Php335 (Ceres Tour Bus - 6 hours) or 350 (Van - 5 hours) from the terminal to Caticlan Jetty Port.
Php25 - terminal fee
Php75 environmental and admission fee

*these are LOW SEASON RATES (June to November) and are subject to change without prior notice

Five FUN-tastic ACTIVITIES I did in BORACAY:

1. Helmet Diving

2. Banana Boat Ride

3. Ride the ZORB

4. Island Hopping and Snorkeling

5. Night Life and Fire Dancing

......
It may have been a 7-hour long ride which cost me a grand total of 835 pesos --- yet everything is still worth the taste of paradise in the beautiful sands of Boracay.

arriving at Iloilo Airport

A travel that satisfies the heart

and fills the brain with cherished memories.

This is TRAVEL-licious.

ZORB-ful of FUN!

This is the ZORB...

It is an enormous inflated ball with a space at the center that could fit in a maximum of 3 persons. But before experiencing FUN, the Zorb riders have to follow a series of procedures:

First, the rider/s have to weigh themselves at the station (since the ball's capacity is up to 70-80kg only). Consent forms will be signed after that. Riders must be prepared to get wet and they are asked to take off jewelries, clips, pins and other sharp objects that might pop the ball.

After doing the steps, the rider/s can finally hop inside the ball through a small hole to prepare for take-off. For the HYDRO Zorb ride, the staff will put a minute amount of water (approximately 1 pail) and then put a seal through the hole to close the it.

And now it will be ready to roll....

You can also enjoy being squashed by the ball. It won't hurt a bit! It will just feel like having a quick massage.

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The ZORB Ride was as quick as lightning, and as fast as the speed of sound.

But even so, it still spelled out F-U-N!

COSTS:

Php300/pax for 3 persons inside the ball

Php380/pax for 2 persons

Php450/pax for solo flight

*these are LOW SEASON RATES (June to November) and are subject to change without prior notice

Also available: the HARNESS zorb ride

HELMET DIVING (a.k.a Reef Walking)

This is the most awesome activity I experienced in Boracay.

On board the outrigger we rented for Php1,200 for the Island hopping, we were brought to a floating station in the midst of the sea. There, we met the staff who then gave us a briefing about important reminders such as:

HOW to EQUALIZE PRESSURE as you go all the way down:

1. Swallowing

2. Chewing

3. Blowing the nose while pinching it.

Hand signals the diver has to remember:

okay sign

thumbs up - wants to go up

thumbs down - wants to go down

stop sign

move over

Note: the following are not permitted to do this activity.
Children below 12 yrs old
people with heart problems

people with ear problems

In helmet diving, the diver will be wearing a 25-kilogram helmet that would weigh approximately 5 kg or less upon reaching the sea bed. This helmet is attached to the Oxygen tank at the station which allows the reef walker to breathe normally under the sea. (It felt like being a mermaid!). Diving footwear will also be provided to make way for a safe and convenient reef walking. Just be careful as you slowly descend because you have to equalize pressure recurrently.

Some people might reckon it is frightening, and this activity requires a person to intensify one's courage but just take the challenge and I assure you that as soon as you reach the sea bed, you'll reap the fruits of your labor.

For only 350/pax, one will have a memory that could last a lifetime.

*these are LOW SEASON RATES (June to November) and are subject to change without prior notice

A SPLASH-tastic BANANA BOAT RIDE

The banana boat is an inflated banana-shaped tire (as seen on the picture) which is attached to a speedboat through a durable thick rope. The total number of persons that can ride it depends on the size of the banana boat. When the speedboat starts to move, the boat will also be dragged along. The most exhilarating part of the ride is the time when the speedboat turns or suddenly changes direction. You could be thrown into the sea as the boat tips over. Well, the riders are obliged to wear a life jacket; so for those who possess no talent in swimming --- Hakuna matata!

I have tried riding in a Banana boat, but doing it in Boracay where the sea is crystal clear and the white sand shines before your eyes made it something new and much more exciting. Unfortunately, a 6-year-old girl (my sister) was with us at that time so the staff didn't let us be tipped over.

Still, it was an electrifying wet ride.

Splattering and splashing waves of fun!

COSTS:

Php 250/pax minimum of 4 persons in one ride

(but if you are less than 4, you can negotiate)

*these are LOW SEASON RATES (June to November) and are subject to change without prior notice

Saturday, October 8, 2011

MALAPASCUA ISLAND

A little paradise in the midst of the Visayan Sea, Malapascua Island is one of the hot spots in Cebu. With only 150 pesos, any tourist can reach this destination through a four-hour bus ride from the capital city of Cebu (go to the terminal and look for a Ceres tour bus) to the municipality of Maya. Upon arrival, one can choose any of the 30-minute boat rides that would take you across the island.

The ferry ride costs only Php 80/pax

The scorching heat would not matter as soon as you reach the island. For the beach lovers out there, this place is suitable for flaunting your body on those bikinis or bathing trunks while looking forward for perfect tan lines and a sun-kissed skin. The beach is lined with white sand accentuated with a mixture of pebbles, shells and left-over corals swept by the waves to the shore. The turquoise-colored sea itself clearly illuminates the blue sky as it seems to glitter amidst the sunny weather.

A British foreigner sun-bathing in a perfect spot at the beach.

The Malapascua Island is also renowned for its diving sports. More and more audacious tourists all over the world visit the island to enroll in PADI Scuba Diving Courses and have the opportunity to dive with the thresher sharks that swim around the surrounding sea. (for more information, visit http://www.malapascua-diving.com/DivingCourses.html)

Foreigners hopped into the little boat (Shark Divers) that would take them to the diving area.

WHERE TO STAY. Tourists no longer fret about staying overnight in the island because there are numerous hotels and houses for rent offering different kinds of accommodation with rates that would fit the budget. There are also various restaurants that offer a wide array of food and you can choose any cuisine according to your personal taste.