Monday, December 4, 2017

Boracay, Philippines.

YouTube (Vlog): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ESuLFfpt0

Travel Period:
6D5N

Travel Mode, Time & Cost:

KL - Kalibo - KL
Flight: Air Asia
Flight Duration: 4 hours
Cost: RM 1,222.05 inclusive of hotel / pax (Booked via Air Asia Go)

Kalibo - Boracay - KL
Bus / Private Cab: Southwest Tours and Boat
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Cost:
i) Bus - 300/pax/way
ii) Private Cab - 1000/car/way (At arrival, there will a whole lot of service providers and you will be offered a good 1000/car/way. However, return private cab will costs you more as you will have to walk in to the individual service providers.)
iii) Boat: 25/pax/way
iv) Terminal Fee: 100/pax/way
v) Jetty Port Tax: 75/pax/round-trip

Accommodation:

Lingganay Boracay Hotel Resort
Remarks: Not recommended. It is peaceful but very far from central and the free shuttle service provided does not arrive timely. It's just frustrating. For our standard room, pillows were not comfortable with rather old furniture and fittings, room lights aren't bright enough and while the room was huge, amenities is just not up to expectation. There is no proper bathroom amenities available (i.e toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel etc) Not to mention, WiFi connection was terrible in the room.

Visa:

Malaysians travel visa free.

General Remarks:

i) Bargain your price by at least half for any open ended bargains (especially for water sports and guided activities).
ii) There are 2 other supermarket/grocery stores nearby (and slightly cheaper) besides D'Mall. With D'Mall being the centre point, further up there's one and opposite (at 3 o'clock direction) by the small alley, there's one. Get all your food souvenirs here!
iii) Indulge in seafood and roast pork! They are relatively cheap even for MYR poor currency.
iv) It's common that the further you walk away from central (Station 2 - D'Mall), the cheaper the things/food/services will be.

*Conversion rate of MYR 1 = 12.14 PHP as of November 2017.
*Please note that price may vary for activities and subject to negotiation. Just work around the price and find the balance between budget and being a reasonable tourist.

Activities:

Day Trip (10 AM - 5 PM): Arial Point - Cliff Jumping
Cost: 2,500 PHP (MYR 206)

Package includes:
- 5m, 8m, 15m cliff jumping
- Free flow of rum, beer, soda and water
- Buffet lunch
- Kayak
- Stand-up Paddle
- Snorkelling

Book directly from Arial House Station 1.
Always land feet straight and not butt first (sitting position) or else;
Still, the best highlight for my Boracay trip. Must do!

Do request the following water sports from Stingray. In my opinion, they are more established and have better equipment although you pay slightly more for their services. Beware that some agents may offer you lower price and you may end up with terrible service (i.e shorter time for your activities, longer waiting time for parasailing etc)

Parasailing
Cost: 1,000PHP (MYR 82)
Be prepared to get wet on your way down ;)
Jet Ski
Remarks: You get to rotate the drivers after 15 minutues (3 big rounds)

Cost: 1,300PHP/pax/jetski for 30 minutes (MYR 82)
Helmet Diving
Remarks: Suitable for family with toddlers as it is only 5 ft deep.

Cost: 500 PHP (MYR 41), inclusive of videos and pictures
ATV + Boracay Ocean Tower
Remarks: This ATV ride is on mountain tar road which ends at Boracay Ocean Tower where you get a pit-stop of climbing the tower and a perfect view of the entire island before riding back from where you came from. Alternatively, there is beach ATV.

Cost: ATV- 500 PHP (MYR 41) + Boracay Ocean Tower - 120 PHP (MYR 10)
Food & Others:

Best Roadside BBQ: Station 1 - Merly's BBQ
Expected damage:
*Highly Recommended - Chori's Burger (Pork Burger): 50 PHP (MYR 4)

Pork Sausage: 50 PHP (MYR 4)

Pork Skewers: 15 PHP/stick (MYR 1.20)
You can find them in front of Free Willy Diving School (Station 1). You're welcome.

Best Sit-Down BBQ Restaurant: Station 2 (D'Mall) - I Love Backyard BBQ

Expected damage: Price varies. Expect around 300 PHP / sizzling good BBQ meal. (MYR 25)


Remarks: Good portion and their pork belly is just amazing.

Best Fruit-Based Dessert: Station 1 - Jonah's Fruitshake / Station 2 (D'Mall) - Halomango
Remarks: Yes, I am undivided for both stores but if you hail mango, I believe the name tells you who's the winner.
Station 1: Jonah's Fruitshake
Station 2 (D'Mall): Halomango (Pardon my messy hair)

Best Cakes & Pastries: Station 2(D'Mall) - Lemoni Cafe

Expected damage: Price varies. Expect around 180 PHP / good fulfilling bite of chocolate or cheese cake (MYR 15)

Remarks: Pricey but worthy if you are a pastries lover.
Best Massage Parlour: Station 3 - Yasuragi Relaxation Spa
Expected damage: 1000 PHP/pax for 1 hour Yasuragi Signature Massage (40% for walk in booking)
Remarks: Comes with shower, lounge time and complimentary drink on top of the top notch massage service. Super clean too!

Lounge view, after massage with a complimentary drink of your choice.


Best Resto Bar: Station 1 - Ohana Niu
Expected damage: Price varies. Expect around 360 PHP / small size seafood pizza that is huge enough for 3-4 pax. (MYR 30)
Remarks: The small size pizza was surprisingly huge. The tides were high that day and perfect for their bean bag setting just viewing the starry nights and have a feeling of being so close to the water, without actually getting wet.
2 of us was too full to even finish a small size seafood pizza which was good at one go.

Best Value Tour Guide: Rolly de Jose

Remarks: Rolly was my personal tour guide for most activities I had at Boracay. I did compare his rates with few others and he definitely gave the best rates. Service was efficient too.

Quote 
'Recommended by Jessy' to get the best deals! Pick-up from airports available.

You can find hair braiding services along the stretch of White Beach. Do note that the further away from central (Station 2 - D'Mall), the cheaper the services. On average, I pay 150 PHP (MYR 12) for my day-to-day braid.
Lastly, I wouldn't be able to share with you all these wonders without https://yourwifi.com.sg/. Connect with your love ones even when you are away; worry-free of exorbitant roaming charges!
Never too old to do something youthful.


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