Boracay, Philippines - A Guide towards a Sunny Vacation

BORACAY, PHILIPPINES!!- ASIA's very own Hawaii!!
(some opinions may differ)
Yet again, like all my usual trips, this trip was not planned very well in terms of cost in airplane tickets. lol #impromptutraveller 

​However, as a warning, traveling to Boracay should only be limited to a few days as they aren't any activities that can be done without it seemingly repetitive. Beach, alcohol, food,beach, alcohol, food. Of course for the more adventurous travelers the activities thcan be done are very much wider then other normal travelers or travelers on a budget.  

I for one do not regret this, as Boracay was a breath of fresh air and was very welcoming, enough to de-stress from thinking over past expensive flights purchases.
On my first sight of Boracay's famous white sandy beach, I remember feeling my heart dropped. Everything was on super filter mode, my only regret was I didn't have a good camera back then to capture the beauty for me to bring back home. Besides, one would have a sense of gratefulness to the Lord himself for giving one the chance to experience such beauty. i promise.
Especially for travelers on a budget as EVERYTHING and I repeat EVERYTHING in Boracay is expensive! (unless you are local or unless you can pull off being local or unless you can charm your way through a discount)  COCONUT= 100 pesos appox RM8! WTF!

But then again, tourists can't stop coming here albeit the extortion of product prices. I suggest travelers to not purchase unnecessary things. An unlike any many Asian cultures, Boracay services expect tips. (ONLY 20 PESOS AND ABOVE ARE ACCEPTED PER SERVICE, IF NOT THEY WILL DECLINE THE TIP).
I blame western tourists who spoil them with tips.

How do we get there??
In general, Boracay Island itself does not have an airport. The only available airport is on the Panay Island -Godofredo P.Ramos Airport for domestic flights and Kalibo International Airport for international flights.
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​FLIGHTS
I am a Mirian by locality, so it was wiser and cheaper for me to fly from Miri - Kota Kinabalu via Airasia, then continue on from Kota Kinabalu-Manila- Caticlan via Cebu Airlines. 
However, Airasia recently released flights enroute to Boracay via Kuala Lumpur  2 years ago. But the flight lands in Kalibo Airport instead. 1-2 hours tops (by bus) away from the jetty towards Boracay -more travel time
Plus the Philiphines are right above the SabahSararwak region, so why the need to reverse all the way to KL, when I'm already half way there, right?
*Godofredo P. Ramos Airport aka Caticlan Airport

EXPRESS FROM THE MAIN LAND TO THE ISLAND
On arriving the main island, there will be taxis/buses/private cars/ motorized tricycles (something like tuktuk) available to rent towards Caticlan Jetty Port. From Caticlan Airport, it only take a while - few minutes tops towards the jetty. Your destination of interest will be CAGBAN JETTY PORT or TAMBISAN JETTY PORT (Depending on weather) - Both port are on the same island-no worries.

Upon arrival at Caticlan Jetty Port, passengers will need to get 3 different types of ticket. I know its weird.
1.Environmental Fee
2.Terminal Fee
3. Ferry/Transporation Fee (OF CHOICE- Bangkas or A Ferry)​

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One thing about Boracay though, sure the beaches are a wonderfully orgasmic sight for the eyes, sure the seawater is great, BUT WHEN A PLACE GETS CROWDED ENOUGH TO THE POINT OF ANNOYANCE, IT JUST ISN'T AS GOOD ANYMORE. - but like i said, i didn't regret coming here. Any experience bad or good is much welcomed  in my book.
I did manage however to sneak in a few shots before every human on the island decides to barge onto the beach or into my image view.

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Early morning on the beach-the only time when its pretty enough to look like all the googled pictures i found.
We also apparently went during monsoon season and was NOT the critical season for tourists to fly over here.

​The beaches are no doubt on super filter mode all the time but the tremendous amount of people on it makes the experience taking pictures and being at the beach altogether not very good. :( 

D'Talipapa Market
​A market that sells almost everything a tourist would want to use/eat/drink/wear/give away when abroad in someone else's country.  Basically, its a market that's meant for tourists. (then again, all of Boracay is meant to attract tourists in general) And in it, there was a fish market.
This is by far the only FISH MARKET that I actually had fun shopping at.
All the exotic seafood/sea animals. MAIGAD. - most I never seen or heard.
Colorful beyond imagination~ I was doubtful half of the time about weather if any of it were edible

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D'mall - Center of Boracay
The center of Boracay- the only open air mall on the island. It was pretty refreshing experience as this was the first open air mall concept that i went to. More like a congregation of stall, with an expensive rentals i bet. There's even a Ferris wheel in the the middle of the stalls

Sail Boating - Bangkas
This I recommend highly! Best experience EVER
 2 pax on both sides! We took the package that gives us an all around the island trip and got to experience and see how blue and clear the ocean is up close! Magnificent!
However, if this is not for you, you could always opt for a beach hopping sesh in a bigger more stable boat. But where's the fun in that?!

Beach Hopping Sesh- one beach after another and all were super blue and mind blowing.

NIGHTLIFE
Rainbow Shots on the House!!
Nightlife in Boracay, holds one of the best beach nightlife in the world- as googled. Fun activities, performances, food, and drinks are all equally unique and never seem to surprise me every night that i stayed here.
However, being the semi introverted person that i am, i got sick of all the discounted seafood buffets, colorful shots, mind-blowing street performances in just a mere 3 days of not stop partying. I needed my quiet time.
But hey, those who LOVE to party, party yourself  to the brim and hard! This is the best place for you!
On the first night, i got my rainbow shots on the house cause i told the bartender it was my first night here.
Well, the bartender also happens to be the owner- so free shots it is! :)

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Those who love to shop: Feast your eyes on this!
Throughout the sides of the beach, stalls upon stalls will line up for all to browse at their convenient time - just make sure you know how to bargain your way to a decent price
so shopping can be done here till the wee hours of the morning! 
Braiding service available- if you're into that kinda of thing.

One of the few views while having dinner   <3

SEA
Swimming here in my opinion is the best part of Boracay. These chilled seawater is the best  after a whole day in the hot sun- whether you were sun tanning or just plain warm, a jump in the ocean will ease you immediately. 
And i'm someone who does not easily jump at the idea to swim in the sea- unless it's the deep sea (some weird nonsensical hygienic issue) 
Unfortunately, after three days of our arrival on the Island, The sea became infested with thick , mucky, light greenish algae. It wasn't poisonous or anything, but the sight of these fungus sticking to your hair or random parts of you body just doesn't tickle my bones.
Plus- remember i had the hygiene issue? with being all the sewerage goes to the sea and all  *sewerage water  may have been treated before going to the sea but still, my imagination can run wild-eg: mutated body parts  & etc*
so..These were the few things i manage to do. However, upon googling things to do in Boracay-one can actually do a whole more activities when in the Philippines. you just need to think out of the box!
I recommend you ask your friendly hotel receptionist or better yet Uncle Google!
Unless you're into winging things like me :)

To end this post, here's another pretty sunset i manage to take before a crowd of humans decided to pass in front of my camera. :)