(Non) Summer in Boracay 1: "Morning-scape"

You say “Philippines”, and “beaches” won’t be far behind. And when you lump the two words together, what’s the most common name that comes to mind? Yes. Boracay.

This is another one of those “major throwback” posts which I am blogging about because (1) I had three of the awesomest fangirlfriends for company; (2) I wish it’ll happen again (post-Yale, Jane?); (3) Hey, it IS Boracay; and (4) this is where I discovered that humans and lobsters are separated by merely a few hours in the sun (sans sunblock); and (5) it was HELLA. FUN.

Boracay comes to roaring life during the summer. You may have heard the coined term “LABORACAY” more than once already. It’s when Boracay bursts at the seams during Labor Day Weekend in May. Parties everywhere. Beach bodies all over the place. And who would forget how it becomes crowded during the Holy Week? You’ve seen the pictures; there isn’t a vacant patch of sand anywhere.

I’ve only been to Boracay twice in my life. The first was when I was in high school (it’s polite not to ask how many years ago that was) for a national competition. I remember a pristine island. Relatively untouched. Not a lot of hotels and resorts. I doubt Stations 1 and 2 even existed back then.

The second time was on a long weekend in August 2012 (told ya. #throwWAYback). I took a night bus trip from Baguio to Manila, hooked up with Nicole and Jane (who flew in from Singapore) at the airport, took a flight to Caticlan – the “gateway to Boracay” and met up with our other friend, Chelli, who went there a couple of days early.

Understand that Philippines has only two seasons: wet and dry. August is smack in the middle of the wet season, so typhoons and monsoon rains are the norm. But you see, it was the month where us working girls have a long weekend to spare, and it is also Chelli’s birthday month. No-brainer, eh?

Now, since Boracay is pretty much one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, info on how to get to Boracay is posted everywhere online. Take a plane either to Kalibo or Caticlan (the latter is preferred since you’d still have to travel from Kalibo to the Caticlan port, and that takes about 1.5 to 2 hours). This banner welcomed us when we landed at the Caticlan Airport (official name: Godofredo P. Ramos Airport).

 

From the Caticlan Airport, you have to ride a motorized tricycle (Php50.00 per trike, with a maximum capacity of 4 passengers) for a 5-minute ride to the “Tabon Port”.

 

At the Tabon Port, you’d have to pay Php175.00 (Php100 terminal fee/boat fare and Php75.00 environmental fee). I’m not sure if the rates are still the same or if they’ve increased. You will then get to ride on a banca or a pumpboat to get to the island of Boracay.

 

 

After 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the (mercy of the) waves, you will arrive at the Tambisaan Port in Boracay. (Major shout-out to Boracay Stories for clearing a couple of errors I made. 🙂 )

 

We took another trike to take us from the port to where we are going to be staying (and where Chelli is waiting). It’s the Residencia Boracay, located north of Boat Station 1. This beachfront resort is quite a distance away from where D-Mall and other shops are, so it’s perfect for those looking for privacy but not complete isolation. (It also happens to be owned by Chelli’s bro-in-law.) Check out the Residencia Boracay official website here, and like them on Facebook.

We literally dropped our bags, had a late breakfast, and lazed around at the beach with our books and music. And dozed off, again, hence the lobster reference.

Boracay in August is serene and idyllic. Less crowded. What little crowd there is, you can simply ignore. Not too hot, although we still got burnt, hence the lobster reference I made earlier. (I still have marks to this day). Needless to say, this is the trip where I learned the most valuable lesson of all when it comes to sun, sea and sky, and that is WEAR SUNBLOCK AT ALL TIMES.

The following photos were taken at around 10 in the morning.

 

Here are some more early to mid-morning scenes at the beach.

 

We also have a distant view of Willy’s Rock, which is arguably the most recognizable landmark in Boracay. It is a volcanic rock formation that is large enough to qualify as an islet. When the tide is low, people can easily climb the rock stairs leading to a grotto, or statue of the Virgin Mary. When the tide is high, you can still go up, but you’ll naturally most likely have to swim.

And I just have to post these: our lunch – nay, feast – at Residencia during the first day. Chili Crabs. With Sinigang na Hipon. And Green Mangoes with Bagoong. PURE.WIN. *nomnom*

Compared to my first trip decades ago, this Boracay is very different. But one thing remains the same: it’s still as beautiful as ever.