This year was my first time to visit the island of Boracay and what did I do afterwards? Wait for a month to go back!Ü This time, I went there with some of my office friends, namely, Ice, Joems, Doods with his girlfriend Shey, Jun-Jun, Berns, Lew, Boss Gholda and Boss Amel. We stayed at Fat Jimmy's Resort. Feedback regarding this resort: The place is clean and nice (Speaking from my experience with our room. Not sure about the other room the others occupied.). The staff were accommodating enough. My only negative feedback is its location. The resort is far from the beach, even farther than Club Ten plus its entrance is near a garbage bin. Before you reach the beach you'll go through the a wet market then through D'Mall. We were just pressed for time to reserve a resort on a very short time that most of the resorts closer to the beach were already full. All these can be ignored just because I had fun with my friends.Ü
Some photos during our first day
Our second day was spent taking a boat ride tour of Boracay. As usual, we went to Crystal Cove, went snorkelling near Crocodile Island but this time, we went to Puka Beach. Wasn't able to take pictures of the place. I was busy accompanying Karen while she was shopping for Puka shells. Thought she might need a "shopping conscience".Ü
At the entrance to Cave #1 of Crystal Cove
Kodak-an on the boat!
Group hug back at the resort
Some sunset and sky shots
The usual tourist shot by a sand castle
With the recent troubles going on with the Boracay resort owners and the goverment, I hope by next year the place would be much better and the island be well kept. Just in time for our return.Ü
This year's summer was my busiest so far! Hey, I'm not complaining. It was a summer that I had so much fun that I was only held back by my obligations in the office and my budget (I wasn't born with a silver spoon you know!Ü).
Destination #1: Batangas
Batangas is becoming my own province since I've been going here more often.Ü Although this is Karen's province (mother-side), I have never gone to a province so frequently than Batangas whether its to visit Karen's relatives or to go to the beach. Quite frankly, I am enjoying the frequent road trips here. Maybe some day I can have a tour of Batangas!
We stayed at the Blue Coral Beach Resort. The sand is nice and the cottages are very close to the beach. Even though we got the pool side room, the beach is just a few steps away so it does not really matter to me if we got the pool side room. The only downside we experienced was the jellyfish. It was like migration time for the jellyfishes that you wouldn't be able to swim. It was even hard to just wade because a jellyfish will be right next to you in practically all directions.
Karen and Arbi figuring out how they can enjoy swimming in the beach
A couple of the jellyfishes that were already washed ashore
Taken by the beach
Pool shots
Before retiring to bed, I went around the resort to do practice some night photography.Ü
The following day, the jellyfish were no longer in sight. Not sure what happened or what the resort people did but Karen and Arbi were happy to be back in the water.Ü
Group Hugs!Ü
Destination #2: Cavite
After a week, all for of us again headed south for another road trip. This time its somewhere a little more relaxing and cold, where else but in Tagaytay! Of course, a visit to Tagaytay is not complete without eating at Leslie's Restaurant. I really think that their Bulalo tastes better in Tagaytay. Mas masarap higupin ang sabaw kapag malamig ang paligid (Warm soup is suited when in cold places).
The balikbayan Kay with Arbi taking a "kabataan" shot
Halo-halo in Tagaytay
My favorite! Sizzling bulalo!Ü
Karen and Kay listening intently to the singing group
A big round of applause from Kay and Arbi for the singing group Ü
After our delicious lunch, we went to Sonya's Bed and Breakfast for a little more RnR. It was my first time there and unfortunately, it was drizzling when we got there so I was not able to take much pictures of the place. I just enjoyed the massage and to be honest, I would come back for another massage! I really felt relaxed afterwards. Here are some of the pictures I took there.
Curtain beads
Walk this way..
Arbi in limbo
Destination #3: Bohol
Another first for me and Karen. It took us quite some time in planning for this trip because we arlready running low on resources. If you want to save your money on fares to go to Bohol, then the best option is to get a plane from Manila to Cebu then ride a ferry from Cebu to Bohol. It's a lot cheaper compared to taking a direct flight to Bohol. It can be compared to Boracay's Manila-Kalibo-Caticlan-Boracay Island trip which takes about 3-4 hours but the travel time is way shorter. The ferry ride is about 1hr and 45mins, give or take a few minutes. That's not bad if you really are on a tight budget and want to save some money to be able to spend while you're on your vacation. I would also suggest you allot a day or two in Cebu since you're already there. It can make the ferry ride a lot less stressful plus you got to enjoy Cebu! We'll do this next time.Ü
We got our reservation at Lost Horizon Resort thanks to Joems who suggested the place. Its a nice cozy place to stay if you're on a budget. The food they served was awesome but be prepared to pay for what you ate. The food is quite expensive but I still would recommend the place to friends. I guess we are just unlucky during this summer. This time, it was so hard to swim in the beach because of the strong waves. We were not able to go snorkling and see the dolphins because of the strong waves. We still managed to have fun when we took a tour of Bohol.Ü (Note: Some facts about Bohol were taken here.)
Kampai! (At the blood compact site)
Baclayon Church (one of the oldest churches in the Philippines a.k.a. The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)
Inside Baclayon Church
Bohol's Longest and Biggest Python in Captivity
With the owner
Cute little tarsiers!
Loboc Church (The second oldest church in Bohol a.k.a. The Church of San Pedro)
Loboc River ride entertainment
Kay, Karen and Arbi enjoying the boat ride after a hearty lunch
A tour of Bohol is not complete without seeing the Chocolate Hills
It was really fun being with Karen, Kay and Arbi. My only regret was we were not able to join you on your Ilocos trip.Ü
