2012 Dec : Lazy Vacay at Boracay

this is now prohibited, but here we are!

Normally, I am hesitant to visit a place twice, but sometimes, I do consider if I'll be going with a different company/group. Although if I do, I won't normally do the same adventure or activity. So when some friends decided to purchase tickets for a Boracay getaway last December 2012, Labsy and I decided to join them and visit the island for the 2nd time, but will have a lazy vacation this time. That means minimal adventure, which goes without saying that, we won't do snorkeling and island hopping this time. Perhaps merely swimming and hanging out with friends.

good morning Bora

The group has a mini group of two, I and Labsy, Ate Nilda and her daughter Ote, Yayang and Jojo, Dixie and hubby Miguel, and Levi with friend Cris. So it was me and office mates with our plus ones. Tickets were purchased earlier that year, so the excitement grew every waiting day.

Crown Regency Resort & Convention Center

December came and each couple looked for a place to stay during our escapade. Me and Labsy, decided to stay in Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center in Station 2. While the rest stayed at La Carmela de Boracay. What's also nice about the group, is that we are a group of ten (10) individuals, so computing the financial contributions for a fee was effortless. :)



Day 1: December 15: Davao - Kalibo - Caticlan

At the Ferry

We arrived at 8:35 AM in Kalibo via Cebu Pacific Airlines. After securing our bags, we looked for a van for our transportation, going to Caticlan Port. We ended up in a Php 250 per person fee, for the two-hour (almost) van ride from Kalibo to Caticlan Port and the ferry ride to Cagban Port. If you'll purchase the ferry ride at Caticlan Port, it's only Php 35.00 but since it's a bigger vessel than the usual motor boat (which costs Php 25.00), the waiting time was discouraging.

Other motor boat

We waited for about an hour, before the vessel started to make it's way to Cagban Port, which only took around 10-15 minutes. The wait was longer than the actual ride. But, we weren't really in a hurry, since check-in time in our hotels is at 2:00 PM, so we enjoyed taking pictures and having some snacks inside the ferry.

As we arrived at the hotel

Well, eventually, we arrived at Cagban Port and took a multi-cab to take all of us to our hotels. Labsy and I arrived too early for check-in, so we had lunch first at the hotel and then guided by a Club Ultima agent for a tour. After a quick tour of the hotel, we made time to enjoy its lazy, resort ambiance, then checked in and took a couple of hours to rest.

the minibar...

After settling in our nice room, which also covered our need of an internet access for Labsy to be able to somehow do some office work done, we prepared to go out. Well, I'd rather have Labsy joining the vacay and do a little work than being on a vacay without Labsy. But of course, it would have been better if Labsy won't be working.

Cris and Levi

Anyway, we then went out for a quick walk in the beach and had some siomai at Master Siomai. We bumped into Levi and Cris along the way and hanged out for a bit. Then we went to D'Mall to buy a few groceries, some water and stuff then went back to the hotel, changed and got ready for dinner.

Dancing Fountain at the Resort

As we went out of our room, we stayed at the lobby for a few minutes to enjoy the dancing fountain. It was refreshing.

Mint Bar

We had a buffet dinner at Canyon de Boracay. It's a member of Canyon Woods family of Hotels and Resorts. After a sumptuous dinner, we reunited with the rest of the group at Mint Bar, located at Station 1 and also just along the beach. We had fun time listening to the band and participating in a loud night of music and laughter.

Cris, Gig night? :)

And to keep the night more fun and interesting, Cris jammed with the band, did some stunts, which made the crowd in awe and sang with him as carefree as can be. Great times!

Labsy and I retired ahead about a little past 12MN and called it a day. Well, for me, it was. Labsy, was still pushing some keys for a work related stuff before going to bed.



Day 2: December 16: Surviving the Waves and ATV

playing, jumping & fooling around

Early morning the following day, we went out and had almost an hour of playing with the sand, cottages, beds and the huts along the shore. We watched the remnants of the night that has been, it's like there was no trace of a whole Island of Friday Night Partying that we witnessed a night before. That morning, whole beach was visible, people walking along the shore, tourists taking pictures and the green algae (lumot) that made Boracay beach their home for the season.

Andoks at Station 3

Along station 3, we noticed Andoks and we started feeling hungry. We went in and bought some food to go. We ate our breakfast in the hotel. We had our coffee and drinks on our minibar and in the refrigerator, and we don't want to waste them. Most especially, the adobo I made.

The wave with me, Ote & Yayang

After breakfast, the group visited us in our room and decided to swim in the hotel's pool. Yang and Ote joined us as we survived and conquered the awesome operated waves of Crown Regency.

Labsy and the wave

I have tried the wave pool of D' Leonor in Davao, but this one's way better and head over heels more satisfying. I have been caught by surprise on countless times, arms and legs got muscle pains and my nose definitely hurts. But those made it more exciting and challenging, you'd want more.

having tuna sandwich in out room

The group had lunch together at D' Mall and talked about what to do in the afternoon. We decided to ride on an ATV. We went for a little walk and caught up with Ace (09192281108), the one Labsy and I talked with a day before regarding activities we can do in Boracay, and so far has the lowest price among all of those offering the same stuffs.

The group w/ Ace (4th from right)

We decided to go for it and went with Ace to the Happy Dreamland theme park for the orientation and to get the wheels rolling. It was my first time to see the park and thought, why didn't we go here the first time we visited Boracay?

At Dreamland

I wanted to stay and have fun in the park but since it's gonna be dark soon, we went straight to the ATV parking garage right after we gave our Php 300 per person agreed fee to Ace.

Buggy Car (not the one we used)

Most of the ATVs are still in used, so they offered us the buggy car instead. Usually, Php300 in a buggy car for 2 people, but this time, we got a buggy car each. Although Dixie and Miguel were on the first two returned ATVs. Well, we went on for a ride! Driving a buggy car is not difficult, because it's like a no brainy thing (considering all parts are working well), but you have to be careful with the road. Some part got cliffs on the side and a few blind curves, so it's still better to be safe than sorry.

Race to the top!

After a safe and swift ride to the mountain. We went from driving to hiking. We conquered the steps to the highest point of Boracay, where you can have an overview of the Island. It was really not a very long journey, but the steps were steep and enough to get us all sweating and exhausted. Felt like I just had a good exercise with absolutely some great company who didn't say no to a little sacrifice for a great view waiting for us at the peak.

The view from the top, disturbing. ;)

When we reached the top, the wind itself, won us over. We loved that we went for it. The view was refreshing and the feel of the wind makes it more rewarding. We stayed for a few minutes and took a lot of fun pics together.

It was dinner time when we went back to the beach, so everyone was hungry. I was craving for some street bbq, so we all went separately as we looked for a place to satisfy our starving selves. There were many available place to dine in. If you want a restaurant ambiance, you can have it inside the hotels. If you'd rather have a buffet setting on the beach, they have a few as well.


There were a lot of place and food to choose from. If you're into fast foods, Boracay has Mc Donalds, Shakeys, Yellow Cab, etc. right along the shore of the Island. If you want a cool and soothing music atmosphere, Boracay have tents, with food and bands in it. Whatever you need, they've got it. You just have to be patient enough to stroll along the beach and take your pick.

Well, since I was craving for some BBQ, we ended in Eskinita Grill. We ordered pork BBQs, some grilled chorico, rice and softdrink and we came out full and craving-satisfied.

On our 2nd night in Boracay, we went to the same bar and hanged out with Ate Nilda, Levi and Cris. Ote, Yang, Jo, Dixie and Miguel retired earlier that night. I guess they had enough for the day. ;)



Day 3: December 17: Caticlan - Kalibo

Kalibo Hotel

Labsy and I decided to have a lazy vacay and that's what we did. So no more adventure besides the ATV/Buggy Car thing we did. That only goes for us. But for Dixie, Miguel, Cris and Levi, they have high spirits to do more and confirmed an appointment for parasailing. It was offered 750-1000 by some, but for Ace, it was just Php 500. So they contacted Ace and scheduled their trip that same morning.

2 Queen size beds at 1,600

Ace also took care of getting us a multi-cab for our ride from our hotels to Cagban Port for Php250 (same fee from the terminal) and assisted us with our luggage until Caticlan Port. He also settled a van for us from Caticlan to Kalibo for Php1,500. With Ace's discounts and kindness, we gave him an extra Php 200 tip for his service and assistance.

at Kitty's Kitchen

The van lead us to Kalibo Hotel formerly Beachcomber Inn. Which we got a room for Php 1,600 good for 4 persons. We took it, and we settled in. We rested for a while and then went out to grab some dinner. We went to Kitty's Kitchen BBQ Ribs via a tricycle for Php8.00 per person per trip. We ordered their best sellers and had good times trying to finish our dragon fruit shake. It was too much I think, but we managed to consumed all of it. We went out full and somehow, sleepy. :)

We didn't have our usual night out while in Kalibo, so we all headed back to our hotel and stayed watching TV for the rest of the waking time.


Day 4: December 18: Kalibo - Davao

New morning at Boracay

Our flight to Davao is at 9:05 AM. The same van that took us to the hotel was the one we rented to take us to the Kalibo Airport the following morning for Php 300. The driver picked us up at 7:00 AM and off we went to the airport. We arrived a little past 10AM and we went separately to our respective homes.

The experience heightened not only because we were in a place with a beautiful beach, but we had a great company to experience the place with. Sometimes, it wasn't the place that makes our day, but the company we are with in spending that day.

A Boracay getaway with Labsy will not go out of style. We'd love to have it over and over again. And Labsy insisted, we'll stay on the same hotel next visit. Crown Regency made our vacation worth the stay. Although the hotel wasn't beach front, felt like you don't have to be, the resort took care of a relax and free-spirit feeling within. Me, I just love the wave pool. :))

Glimpse of what has been... (me and Labsy's)

• Taxi: house to airport = 200

• Terminal Fee = 200 each

• Van and boat transfer to Boracay = 250 each
• Environmental fee = 75 each
• Terminal fee = 100 each
• Cagban terminal to beach / multicab = 250
• Hotel (3D/2N at Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center, Station 2): c/o CU
• Snacks at Master Siomai and some drinks = 125
• Grocery on the first night = 200 (at D' Mall)
• Breakfast: 4 rice = 48 (I made adobo in case we're stuck somewhere, which we weren't able to eat due to a free lunch at Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center, and a free dinner at Canyon de Boracay, so it was our breakfast the following day, plus some newly cooked rice from Andoks)

• Lunch: Andoks, D' Mall branch = 232
• ATV = 300 each
• Entrance Fee at the Dreamland = 50
• Dinner: Eskinita Grill = 195 plus Gelato ice cream = 200
• Grocery on 2nd night = 179 (at Price Lite, at the lobby of our hotel, which we wished we knew earlier that we could buy supplies there, convenient location for us)
• Drinks at the Bar: = 110 (We just had shake, so we only paid this much... Well, Levi and Cris had some beer)
• Lunch: Shakeys = 650
• Hotel to Terminal = 250 multicab (25 each)
• Terminal Fee = 100 each
• Boat transfer = 25 each
• Tip for Ace = 200 (20 each)
• Airport Terminal Fee = 40
• Airport to hotel = 300
• Dinner: = 380 (steaks and dragon fruit shake)
• Tricycle fare = 32 (this is for 2 rides for 2 persons, Php 8.00 each ride)
• Hotel = 800 (room was good for 4, for 1,600.00 which was for me, Labsy, ate Nilda and Ote)
• Hotel to Airport = 300 (van transfer, 30 each)
• Terminal Fee Kalibo Airpiort = 50