My Boracay Tour

ATM Machine in Boracay

2009-05-24T07:07:00.000+08:00

One good thing about Boracay is the availability of ATM machine, which it is logical since so many local and foreign tourist needs to have the availability of this ATM machines.

But sorry if I have only taken two pictures of ATM machine (BPI and Allied Bank), I was not thinking then of taking pictures of even ATM machines : ).

"BPI Express Teller" at Station 1, along the beachside

"BPI Express Teller" at D Mall

"Allied Bank"

D Mall at Boracay Part 7

2009-05-10T07:07:00.000+08:00

Here is my Part 7 Pictures in "D Mall" in Boracay

"Rudy Project"

"Fishbar"

Another Steakhouse

"Bysshe Corp Drug Store"

"Bysshe Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Laboratory"

D Mall at Boracay Part 5

2009-05-02T07:07:00.002+08:00

This is Part 5 of my pictures in "D Mall" in Boracay

D Mall Sign Board

Local Folks at the Mall

However I found them peaceful and does not show any intimidating actions towards tourist, as the way the local government wants Boracay to be kept that way.

"Jammers", "Silver Shop" and "Colors"

"Koda" and "Funkie Lighting"

"Fruitas" and "Ice Monster"

D Mall at Boracay Part 4

2009-04-24T07:07:00.000+08:00

Here is Part 4 pictures in "D Mall" in Boracay

"D Mall Entrance"

"Ole" (besides Cindys)

"Mang Inasal"

"Caterpillar" and "Itti"

D Mall at Boracay Part 3

2009-04-16T07:07:00.000+08:00

Here is Part 3 of my Pictures at " D Mall" in Boracay

"Palawan Pawnshop", "Express Pera Padala" and "Money Grant"

"Big Mouth"

"Seair" Office and "Titania"

"Boracay Bookings"

D Mall at Boracay Part 2

2009-04-08T07:07:00.000+08:00

Here is Part 2 of some Pictures of establishments that I have taken at the "D Mall" in Boracay.

"Crocs"

"Ralph's Wine and Spirits"

"Island Souvenir"

"Bacardi's Rumba" Bar

I will have another post of other pictures I have taken in "D Mall".

D Mall at Boracay

2009-03-24T16:23:00.000+08:00

Since this was my first time at Boracay (December of 2008), but however I still plan to go back on my next plan vacation. I was quite amazed on how the island is already commercially filled with lots of business establishments. And it's my first time to see this place near station 1 which they call 'D Mall', on which so many establishments and different kind of stores are found. By the way this place 'D Mall' is already near Boracay public market and i'll be creating another blog post particularly for this one.

Here you can find stores that sells lots of souvenir items.

Oh what do you know, a "Lotto" outlet.

Remember the commercial - "Cindy's" is the place to be!

Hey "Smokey's" and "fruits in ice cream"

Well I'll be putting more pictures on my Part 2 of this blog post

Some Boracay Memoirs

2009-03-06T09:36:00.001+08:00

I came up with a news story on the internet on what Boracay looks like in it's early days of it's discovery. The days when majority part of the island have no electricity yet and there is not so much commercial establishments along the shoreline.

Quite fascinating to imagine what it would have look like during those days. Maybe I'll try to look out in the net for other blogger or website wherein they have this old pictures of Boracay.

As I imagine,one good thing about those early days, is that mostly of what you can see on the shoreline of Boracay is purely nature itself, as in just the clear waters, the coconut trees and the long stretch of white sands. Not unlike today that too many commercial establishments are now popping out like mushrooms, and also the rabbish trash problem that the local government is now facing, as part of the maintenance of the tourist island.

However change and improvement as well as development is all part of this fast changing world and the only thing we can do is to minimize the impact of too much commercialism, to the point, of loosing out the mere purpose of Boracay, which is the Nature beauty of it.

You can read the rest of the stories on this link.

BusinessWorld Online (Opinion)

Another airport to be built near Boracay starting April 2009.

2009-03-04T04:47:00.002+08:00

It's another good news that they will be building another airport near Boracay, this way there will be more options for local and foreign tourist. But however the construction will merely start at April this year and the question is until when it will be expected to be finished : ). Hope that the local as well as the national government will be really serious about this project, though however we understand that sometimes they need to attend to a more serious matters both financially and policy wise, but however hope that this project will also be one way to address the local tourist improvement to further help in the development of the country which would address to those things.

I tried to locate at Google Map this place called the Carabao Island, located in San Jose which is located and found this site on Google Map.

View Larger Map

I found out that it is in the North part of Boracay Island, however since the airport is an International one so that is the reason why they needed a bigger land and space like the Carabao island.

I think that there will be a need for a Ferry and/or 'Banca' travel going to Boracay island since it is separated by water but however it is more nearer compare going there via Kalibo airport.

You may read the rest of the story on the link below:

Source:

GMA News TV website

Tricycles in Boracay

2009-02-27T07:07:00.012+08:00

Well who could miss this locally custom-built 3 cycle vehicle that is very famous in the Philippines called locally as 'Tricycle'.

After reaching Caticlan airport, you will travel around 5 minutes to the port area wherein you need to ride a 'Banca' or a motorized boat to reach Boracay island itself. Depends on the package deal you had with your travel agency if you need to pay the port terminal fee and the 'Banca' ride separately.

But for those who just travel and it's not under package travel, you need to pay the terminal fee and the fees for the 'Banca' ride in crossing the island. It would only take you 5 to 10 minutes for the 'Banca' ride, depending on the weather and the speed of the 'Banca' and the motorized boat. After you arrived at the Boracay island busy port, there are this 3 cycle vehicles or what they called locally as 'tricycle' that will bring you on the famous tourist beachside of Boracay.

However the fees is quite high, as I observed, majority of them will charge you a minimum of P 100 for the 10 - 15 minute ride. Each tricycle is capable of 4 people. However we did not take a tricycle ride since our travel package deal includes their own Van Service from the port going to our lodge. However just enjoy the tricycle ride if you ever need to take a ride :).

Boracay News: Latest Peace and Security in Boracay

2009-02-23T20:50:00.003+08:00

Well I can attest to this news that there was really effort on the local government in Kalibo to maintain the peace and security of Boracay as well as make it a safe haven for local and foreign tourist.

This is good news for everyone who wishes to go to Boracay whether they are frequent visitor to the island or planning to go there for the first time.

And the proof of this endeavor being done by the government is written in this news about some award given to the local police station in Boracay.

Please read the rest of the news below:

2 Aklan police stations get citation from US Embassy

02/20/2009 | 08:37 PM

KALIBO, Philippines - The Kalibo and Boracay police stations in the central province of Aklan received plaques of recognition from the US Embassy on Friday.

The awards were handed over to the Aklan provincial police director, Senior Superintendent Clarence Guinto, and Gov. Carlito Marquez. The US government cited the two stations for completing the Model Police Station Development Program-Tier Two.

Separate plaques were received by Chief Inspector Arnolito Laguerta, Kalibo police chief, and Superintendent Arnold Ardiente, Boracay police chief, during the 18th anniversary celebration of the Aklan Provincial Police Office on Friday.

"The Government of the United States of America wishes to recognize the accomplishments of the staff of the Boracay Special Tourists Police Office (and Kalibo PNP) for their hard work and dedication toward the fulfillment of the training requirements and development objectives that composed the Model Development Police Station Development Program-Tier Two," read the citation in the plaque, which was signed by Ambassador Kristie Kenney.

"These personnel have demonstrated their commitment to professional growth and to the critical responsibilities of law enforcement. Their efforts contribute greatly to the ideals embodied in the Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Plan and thereby enhance the professional standing of the PNP in the international law enforcement community," the citation added.

Guinto said the Model Police Station Development Program is conducted with the assistance of the US Department of Justice International Criminal Investigation Training Assistance Program, with funding provided by the US Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau. - Jun Ariolo Aguirre, GMANews.TV

Source:

GMANews.TV

Grocery / Department Stores and Tindahan

2009-02-20T07:07:00.001+08:00

Another best thing in Boracay is the presence of this small and large Groceries and Department stores as well as small stores, located along the beachside which they locally called 'Tindahan'. However the large grocery store is quite far from the beachside,and you have to do a little walk, going across the public market (called 'Palengke' locally), and quite near the roads.

Well if you want to save a little budget and want to eat,snacks,drink some beers or wines etc. etc., you can always buy it cheaper on this small stores (tindahan) or the nearest groceries stores. And the good thing about the grocery stores is you can also buy some and majority of things that you needed
: ).

Local Roads and a Safety Environment for Tourist

2009-02-17T11:04:00.000+08:00

I think the local as well as the national government had already realize the big role and influence of Boracay to the tourism industry specially to hundred of thousands of both local and foreign tourist who make their vacation to Boracay all year round.

However I can say that the local infrastructure like the roads are really being taken good care of, since we did not encounter any rough road when we went there. Regarding the security well base on our experience, we never encountered any unfriendly or untoward incident, though I heard one or two story from some friends who also went to Boracay for a vacation, that they experience loosing some personal items and gadgets while just leaving their baggage on some public wooden chairs on the beach side on just a short time.

But from the Caticlan port experience that we had, since we could not find the representative from the Lodge that we will be staying, a man with a radio, gladly assisted us and I think he even tried to contact tru his radio the representative that we are looking for. For this one, I think it's a commended experience on our part and merely shows that the local authorities do really value the tourist safety and as well as assistance being offered. W might have different personal experience, however things might differ on the next trip to Boracay. But I still hope the safety and assistance thing still the same.

The other side of Boracay Island

2009-02-02T18:47:00.000+08:00

Personally before I actually went to Boracay, I thought it was really an isolated island as I think of it before. But now there are already some large numbers of family, communities and barangays that already settled their lives on the island itself. Most of them already have some fix job and source of income on the island. However after we have this Island hoping thing, they brought us to this place where the food was served, and this place is on the other side of the main tourist spots.

But on this side the waters are not calm compare on the other side of the island. You can see that it's really windy and the waves are really larger. However still you can appreciate nature, with all this clear waters, trees and nice clean air. Its still part of Boracay.

With the local children on the other side of Boracay Island.

Some strong wind and waves with only 1 banca that can be seen here

How to go to Boracay Island tru Air Travel

2009-01-31T11:35:00.000+08:00

If you are a foreigner, the very first thing you have to do is to either book a flight going to Cebu or Manila, wherein the only part of the Philippines wherein majority of the International Flights could be made.

However there are also some flights going to Boracay coming from different provinces.

Here are some useful websites that you can check for current real time rates from different airlines that have flights going to Boracay:

Cebu Pacific
http://www.cebupacificair.com

Zest Air
http://www.asianspirit.com

Sea Air
http://www.flyseair.com

Philippine Airline
http://www.philippineairlines.com

Most of the Boracay flight destination is directly to the newest airport in Caticlan, which is just a few 10 meters away from the Caticlan port that you need to take around 5 minutes 'Banca' boat ride going to Boracay port.

But please do take note that when their is some disturbing bad weather condition, they usually divert the flight destination to Kalibo which is about 2 to 3 hours bus travel before you can reach Caticlan port.

Well base on experience I do suggest that you make your plan and schedules flexible for such delays and divert flights which is majority chance that will happen and looks like a normal thing already for people going to Boracay.

For package travel, usually the port terminal fee is already paid by the travel agency as well as the fee for the 'Banca' boat ride and lastly the tricyle fee that cost and that they charge around P100 (pesos) from Boracay port going to the famous beach resorts.

Please do remember that starting the month of March until June of every year is is the peak bookings of all flights and accommodations in Boracay and as I walked through and inquired with some hotels,lodges,inns and resorts particularly those at the beachsides said that the cost would go as high as 3x the normal rates. So it would be better to book earlier and plan your vacation ahead of time so that you can make that right budget.

Andok's Litson (Manok-Liempo) and Dokito Frito in Boracay

2009-01-26T17:39:00.000+08:00

Well it's good thing there is this 2 Andok's Litson and Dokito Frito branch that is located in beaches of Boracay, one on station 3 and the other is on inside 'D Mall' on station 1.

Maybe for foreigners they will kinda be more on being curious about on this establishments but for the local Filipino or Pinoy, who can resist the irresistible smell of those chicken and pork cooked in those specially built-in charcoal grills with special seasonings stuffed inside the chicken that they are the only one who know that tasty ingredients.

Oh by the way, chicken cooked this way is locally known as 'Litson Manok' or chicken cooked in charcoal or burning wood. And the good thing about this establishments is they also serve beers, soft drinks and other local food stuff that you will go along eating that 'Litson Manok'.

Why not try it, and have a good local food experience with you in Boracay.

Andoks Litson (Manok-Liempo) and Dokito Frito in Station 3

Andoks inside 'D Mall' Station 1

Result of our Island Hopping (December 2008)

2009-01-23T17:16:00.000+08:00

Result of our Island Hopping (December 2008)

Yes it was really fun to doing this Island Hopping thing, however in our case,sad to say we did not get the chance to go to the different island. Yap you read it right haha, Island hoping and no island reached haha.

The boatman really tried to beat the large waves that was really coming all over on the front part of the small motorized 'banca' boat. But our tour guide said that it will really be dangerous to push through and battling the large sea waves and they can not afford and take risk that something might happened to us. Though we are very much saddened about it but we however understand the situation that he is trying to tell us.

But however we already spend some time snorkeling and thus made us go hungry haha.

So our tour guide just offered us that we could take our lunch already. But since our lunch site is at the other side of the island on which we can not go there through our boat because of the big sea waves. Our boat merely park on the nearest port and we just travelled to the lunch site through a local tricycle on the island that they hired.

After the lunch, we just went back on the boat and do another snorkeling and ended up around 3pm.

Snorkeling

Rocky side of the island

Local and Foreigners in the Boat

Some scenes from the open Sea

Some island scenes

Preparing for Snorkeling, some wears those floating equipment.

Just watching the small islands nearby

Park Banana Boats on the Shores

2009-01-13T15:41:00.000+08:00

Here are some park Banana Boats on the shores that is being use on those adventerous Banana Boat Rides on the waters of Boracay. Usually 4 or more people seats on each slots on the boat while a motorized boat is pulling it with a strong rope with varying speeds, thus enjoying a different kind of water adventure : ).

Island Hoping - December 2008 Rate

2009-01-09T17:14:00.000+08:00

Most of the time, you will really enjoy to walk along the shores, and you might notice that there are lots of people majority of which are vendors and middle man that will greet you and offer you different local items like necklace (made in pearls), shades (local one), clothes etc. etc. and others are beach adventure packages like Banana Boat ride,, Parachute adventure and the one we tried which is Island Boat Hopping.

This Island boat hopping cost us P 1,700 or around $ 35.91 in US dollar (convertion rate is as of December 2008 http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter?a=1&s=USD&t=PHP) and this already include a bafuet lunch of which you can eat until you can. However you need to close the deal with this middle man or through their small roof-desk located along the beach sides and make the payment. Since the island hopping activity will start on the next day, first thing at 9am in the morning. It will be a whole-day activity.

By the way, Snorkeling is included on the package and the boat usually stops in some deep clear waters and will allowed everyone to do a Snorkeling. However you have to pay some P 20 (Pesos) for the goggles and snorkeling equipment which is not included on the fees that you already paid.

Also not included is the entrance fee for some island cave since they say that it is being paid for the caretaker in maintaining the cleanliness of the caves. It will cost you around P 50.

Here are some of the pictures of the island hopping and snorkling activities.

Palengke in Boracay

2009-01-08T15:42:00.002+08:00

As I traveled on the strech of the shores from station 3 to 1, along the beach, you really ought to discover so many things, most particularly the different establishments that I would never thought could also be found in Boracay.

Well what the heck,since it's really a very commercial place already, so definitely don't be shock to find out that some establishments (particularly famous Bars and Restaurants) on big malls like in SM (Shoemart), Robinson etc.etc. could also be found in Boracay : ).

However I was quite glad to find this small public market place or what they locally call 'Palengke' almost on the inner part side of this 'D Mall' but not actually part of it already. You just tried to explore more of the place.

For a local 'Pinoy' to have an accessibility to such kind of place is really something helpful specially when you have a tight budget. Why? since foods are more cheaper on this place, and same with some of the things that vendors sells inside the 'Palengke' (public market).

If you are staying on a place where you can do some cooking, well you can try to buy fish and/or meat and cooked it the way you like it. This is good specially if went to Boracay with your whole family : ). It can save you some budget for foods.

Boracay shores

2009-01-06T11:43:00.000+08:00

Really spending some time on the shores of Boracay beach is already very relaxing. You tend to forget some office work and other things that is circling inside your brain. Now I understand how it feels that once in while our body and minds needs to relax to physically with nature is one thing that guarantees some form recharge and relaxation.

Just the sight of the blue and clear waters is really an amazing work of God. Although I had pictures of this sights, but being totally there is a really different experience. The clear air, soft and sometimes strong nature wind is some way of cleansing your internal oxygen.

Maybe you want to try it : )

Philippine Dreams

2008-12-30T18:01:00.000+08:00

Philippines is a country located in South East Asia and is composed of large and small groups of islands, which make up the whole archipelago. It is made of 3 large group of Island called Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The country is really rich in natural resources and with different and rare kind of species could be found specially on the countryside.

The country has lots of beautiful beaches that is really world-class and reserve forests. Nature trips and adventures is really fun.

Travelling in the Philippines is one of a kind adventure and the good thing is it' will not cost you that much compare to some other travel spots in the world that have the same features.

If you want more about travelling here is a link the can help you out more on travelling in the

Click link Below:
Philippine Dreams. Guide To Living, Traveling, And Everything You Need To Know About The Philippines

Diving in Boracay

2008-12-26T16:08:00.001+08:00

Like so many of the famous resorts, how can one will miss out the opportunities to be with nature specially the corals, the clear blue waters, the different species of fishes and alike found underneath those waters.

And yes there are plenty of those diving establishments and different orgs that caters to those diving adventures whether you are a novice or a professional diver.

Though I haven't tried it yet, but on my next trip to Boracay, I think I should consider doing this one. At least I know that I still have some activities that I have not done yet that makes me feel excited about it.

Here are some pictures of some diving establishments found in along the many establishments along the beach of Boracay. Forgive me if I miss any, however you can also submit yours if you believe you miss out in my pictures. Please send it to this email address: boracaypictures.share@blogger.com, and it will automatically appear on the Blog http://boracaypictures.blogspot.com Content itself.

Victory Divers

Sea World

Ocean Blue Dive Center

Adventure White Tip - Dive Supply

Asia Divers

Lapu-Lapu Diving Center

Fisheye Divers

SSI - Scuba Schools International

Scuba World

Free Willy Diving

SEAGAIA

Where could you find a Big Picture of the Bocaray Island Map?

2008-12-20T18:29:00.000+08:00

Guess where you can find this Big Boracay Island Map picture in the island. Though I think there would definitely one of this in the Tourism Center found in the area, but I'm sure you you would prefer to easily get to that big map.It's not really a big informative as it is, it's just a simple drawing on the wall of this small establishment found in the 'D Mall'.

Well just go to this 'Fish Bar' inside the D Mall and have some good meal while looking at it : ).

What a Paradise Indeed

2008-12-18T20:21:00.001+08:00

Boracay is a really place wherein you can consider as one of God's fine work of art. The clear water, beautiful corals, nice people, and friendly foreign visitors that we met on the island is really one experience that one can not forgot. It's the reason why I want to share my Boracay Tour, so that you my dear blog readers can have an idea, specially those who have not been there, on how you can go there, what you expect to see in there, establishments, different ways to travel to Boracay whether you are in budget or you can afford to spend a little more.

I only had my first time to travel to Boracay, but since I already started it, I might as well come back to it in some coming days or months.

Hope you enjoy reading some of my post and I'll do my best information I can give regarding my Boracay Tour.