I’ve been putting off posting this because it’s just too darned embarassing. For a trip that has a lot of free stuff, it has been one expensive weekend.

Then again, if you have a penchant for eating out at fancy restaurants, you’d have to pay the price in the end. That and a terrible addiction to the Internet. Bah.

So here you go, an idea of how much you’d spend in Boracay if you’re careless with your money

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

Due to a couple of runway incidents at the Caticlan airport a couple of months ago, all flights to the small airport has been diverted to Kalibo, which has a longer runway and can accommodate bigger aircraft better. All flights, except Seair‘s.

Seair’s Dornier 328 next to an oil truck. Yes, the plane is that small.

Seair’s Dornier 238 and LET 410 are “aerodynamically designed in a way that it is capable of landing and taking off in about 750 meters with full pay load,” says Seair president Avelino Zapanta. The Godofredo P. Ramos Airport serves Seair flights from Manila, Clark and Cebu. This means Seair is your best option if you have limited time to spend in the islands, or if you’re just that antsy to hit the fine white sand beaches of Boracay.

Seair even makes it easier for you by providing free shuttles from the airport to the jetty port and tickets for the boat to Boracay island. It’s also the same going back to Caticlan — Seair reps are waiting at the Cagban port to give you your complimentary boat tickets, and would radio their counterpart in Caticlan to meet your boat. How’s that for service?

Godofredo Ramos Airport, Caticlan, Aklan

However, given the rains and strong wind that Aklan is experiencing due to the habagat (southwest monsoon) and the typhoons typical in the country during this time of the year, it is possible that your Seair flight to Caticlan will be diverted to Kalibo. When the wind or the rain is too strong to make a safe landing in Caticlan, the plane will be diverted to Kalibo. But not to worry, as Seair will also be providing shuttles from the Kalibo airport to the jetty port in Caticlan. For flights out of Caticlan, passengers only need to check in at the Caticlan airport for their flight, and they will be taken to the Kalibo airport, if the flight is diverted.

Other Seair news:

Daily Flights to Batanes as Winter Approaches

As Batanes winter approaches, SEAIR increases flights to this beautiful northern paradise from 4 times weekly to daily starting October 12, 2009.

Due to its proximity to Taiwan, Batanes experiences 4 seasons – spring, summer, fall and winter. As the year comes to a close the weather gets cooler and cooler to as low as 7 degrees Celsius.

Seair Resumes Direct Flights to El Nido on November 18

SEAIR resumes direct flights from Manila to scenic El Nido, Palawan on November 18, 2009. SEAIR flies Manila-El Nido-Manila every Wednesday and Sunday.

El Nido is located in the northernmost tip of Palawan and is part of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, the largest marine sanctuary in the entire Philippines. This group of islands is a perfect destination for divers and snorkelers as well as beach and island-hoppers with over 30 dive sites and more than 50 beaches and hidden lagoons. Aside from its diverse fauna, El Nido also showcases a striking geological wonder: limestone cliffs that were carved extensively from thick layers of coralline deposits.

Fly SEAIR and rediscover the joy of flight – speed, convenience, personalized service! Go to www.FlySeair.com for the best deals or call (+632) 8490100 for more information.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

From where I’m sitting…, originally uploaded by nina_theevilone.

…this is what I’m seeing.

The tail end of the typhoon that hit the Philippines has finally left and we woke up to spectacular sunshine in Boracay. The waves are still rough and the wind is still blowing hard, but that’s not stopping anybody from frolicking in the cool turquoise waters.

Seair recently increased their flights to Caticlan, with departures from Manila and Cebu. Currently, they are the only airline flying in and out of Caticlan, the jump off point to Boracay Island.

* Blogged via flickr

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

This is my fourth time in Boracay, and though I’m quite familiar with the island already, there are still some things and places that I’ve yet to experience.

Gloomy and windy Boracay

For once, we did not board the boat at the Caticlan Jetty Port. The Seair shuttle van (complimentary to all Seair passengers) took us to the alternate port — smaller, but has relatively calmer waters during the habagat season (southwest monsoon). From there, we rode for five minutes to Boracay Island’s alternate jetty port: Tambisaan. Like the alternative port in Caticlan, this port is smaller, and there’s some ways to walk to get to the tricycles that would take you to the three stations.

Zuzuni’s Pita Pizza

Coming to Boracay in the off peak season is also a first for me. The island is so different this time of the year than during my previous visits. The wind in the white beach is blowing really hard throughout the day that the shops facing the beach all have see through plastic along the beach and their storefronts to protect their customers and their wares. The waves are also the biggest I’ve ever seen in Boracay (though it’s still comparatively small to other beaches in the country). This is going to be an interesting trip.

Finally found Real Coffee!

Two more firsts: it’s also my first time to try Zuzuni and Real Coffee. As Seair passengers, Melo and I get 10% off our bill at selected establishments in Boracay. We had our fill of Zuzuni’s Z Burger, gyros, tzatziki, and pita pizza, and enjoyed the discount care of Seair. Real Coffee, on the otherhand, is a cafe that I’ve been wanting to try for the longest time, but haven’t been able to since I couldn’t find the cafe. Tucked inside an alley, it really *is* a hidden gem.

Seair is giving a great treat at the Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX. Buy 1 Take 1 tickets for Batanes, and discounts as much as 75%! Now you don’t have any reason not to travel.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

Seair, in celebration of their 14th anniversary on March 25, 2009, is offering a very special treat online. All online ticket purchases from March 25, 2009 to March 28, 2009 get P1400 discount per way, for all fare classes, for all seats, for all routes, and for all flights from June 15, 2009 to September 15, 2009. Just visit www.flyseair.com and type in the promo code iloveseair14 in the promo code field.

View from the Tukon Radar< Batanes

Also, starting this summer, Seair now flies daily to the beautiful province of Batanes. Visitors now have full flexibility on their itinerary and have more options on what day they want to go to Batanes and return to Manila. The flights utilize SEAIR’s Dornier 328 planes which take vacationers comfortably to Batanes in just 1 hour and 20 minutes. For packages please call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at (632) 8437308.

If you’re going to Boracay this summer, get special privileges at Seair partner establishments with your Seair boarding pass. Bolero in Station 3 and Fishbar in D’mall has recently signed up as a partner, and both restaurants give 10% discounts to all Seair passengers. To see the partner establishments check the hot deals boarding pass privileges ad in the Inflight magazine. To book flights to Boracay call (632)8490100 or visit www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

Boracay has changed a lot through the years. Construction of new buildings never seem to stop, be it in the beach front or in other beaches and coves in the island. One of the positive things about this development boom, I guess, is the food. There are now more restaurants in Boracay than ever. From cheap street foods to expensive exotic cuisine, Boracay is sure to have something for every budget and palate.

Gasthof breakfast

One of the well-known restaurants in Boracay is Gasthof. Proclaimed as serving the best baby back ribs in Boracay, it’s a title that’s well deserved. The ribs are marinated in Gastof’s special marinade, and grilled upon order. The ribs are serve at the table still hot, with a dollop of sauce and tender meat that’s practically falling off the bone. One order of ribs costs Php 550; pricey, but it’s a 5-piece rib that’s packed with meat, perfect for sharing.

I’ve only known Gasthof for their ribs, and was surprised that they serve a great breakfast as well. What you see above is the continental breakfast set. It comes with one sausage (Hungarian, Bratwurst or veal), two eggs (poached, scrambled or however way you want), a huge pancake served with butter and maple syrup on the side, a cup of tea or coffee and some tropical fruit. Pretty great deal for only Php 190, I think. (I was planning on having breakfast at Gasthof, but it was twarthed by me oversleeping and the complimentary breakfast I have at Tans Guesthouse)

Kasbah fresh pita bread

Relatively new in the island, though quickly becoming a favorite among locals and tourists is Kasbah, a Moroccan restaurant. Located way out in Station 1, right beside Discovery Shores. It’s a fair walk from Station 2, your progress made even slower by the soft sand. But the walk is so much worth it, as you take in the gorgeous Moroccan lamps that lit up the place, and you get a taste of authentic Moroccan cuisine. The kemias, the kebabs, the tagines, the tea… I loved them all! It comes with a pretty hefty price tag though, so be sure to bring lots of cash when you dine here — the ATM is a long walk from the Kasbah!

Cafe del Mar Chicken
Photo borrowed from Kainpinoy.com

I have been hankering for the dish I had at La Sirenetta in Coron. The restaurant in Coron was actually a spinoff from the Boracay original, Cafe del Mar. Decorated with the trademark mermaid pillar, this was no doubt the same restaurant. The food served had strong Western influence, while using locally sourced ingredients. I ordered the same dish as I did in Coron, the Cafe del Mar Chicken. Grilled (or was it fried?) herb seasoned chicken breast with a side of fries, salad with vinaigrette and a spicy, tangy dipping sauce. I also ordered the same appetizer we had at Coron, but this time, with four dips, instead of just hummus. The pita bread was fresh, soft and chewy. The dips were pretty good as well, and the chicken dish as I remembered it.

Cafe del Mar is a bit expensive, and though I’d love to try their other dishes, I’d probably only eat there again if I have friends with me to split the bill. The restaurant is located in Station 1.

Lemoni Cafe Lunch Box

The Lemoni Cafe (or Lemon Cafe as others say), is located right smack in the center of D’mall, across the Ferris wheel. The restaurant’s light and airy interior is inviting, and if that doesn’t lure you in, the dessert display will surely do.

They are offering a lunch box special, where for Php 450, you get the soup of the day, salad with their raspberry vinaigrette, your choice of sandwich and dessert. Yummy and filling, this is a great value meal for the price.

Jonah’s Choco Banana Vanilla Shake, a good book and a great view.
Photo borrowed from Kainpinoy.com

No, I did not forget about Jonah’s! I was merely saving the best for last. Jonah’s is a Boracay institution: you haven’t been to Boracay if you haven’t tasted Jonah’s shake.

The shakes at Jonah’s are the perfect for keeping cool under the sun. There are plenty of flavors to chose from — there’s one that sure to please the most discerning of tastes. What I like best about Jonah’s is that the shakes taste real. It doesn’t taste of artificial flavoring, but of the fruit itself. For only Php 90 for a tall glass of delicious shake and a spectacular view of the fine white sand and glistening blue sea of Boracay, Jonah’s is certainly hard to top.

Chori burger, barbecue and hotdog

Okay, so Jonah’s wasn’t the last on the list! Another favorite and a must try when in Boracay is the Choriburger. Short for chorizo burger, it is made with grilled chorizo in a hotdog bun and slathered with sweet or spicy sauce. It’s the perfect thing to munch on as you watch another spectacular Boracay sunset.

Choriburgers are sold along the beach road at the numerous grill kiosks that pops up late in the afternoon. Aside from choriburgers, you can also buy other street food favorites like barbecue, isaw (intestine), tenga (pig’s ear) and hotdog.

Seair flies daily to Boracay, with as much as 11 flights from Manila to Caticlan. Book your flight now by calling the Seair hotline at 849 0100 or book online through www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

With summer coming, people are no doubt looking forward to the holidays they’d spend out of town with friends and family. Where better to spend your summer vacation than in Boracay? (Well, there’s Palawan, Bohol and Puerto Galera, but Boracay is Boracay!) I’ve spent summer in Boracay before, arriving a week before Easter, and leaving shortly after. It was a wonderful two weeks of sun, sea and sand, and it was amazing seeing how the place change and get heavily populated as people come in by the plane and boat load to swim all day and party all night.

Fly Seair to Boracay!

But before you dream about the fine white sand of Boracay beach, you have to figure out how to get there first. If you’re coming from Manila, Boracay is 35-minute away onboard Seair’s Dornier 328. Going to the airport from my house takes longer than the actual flight to another island! Seair also flies direct from Clark (Pampanga) and Puerto Princessa (Palawan).

The smaller aircraft in the fleet, the 19-seater LET-410 takes longer, around 50 minutes (from Manila), but hey, I can live with the 15-minute difference. There are other local airlines that flies direct to Caticlan airport, which is closer to the Caticlan Jetty Port (the jump off point to Boracay island), but only Seair provides their passengers with complimentary shuttle transfers from the airport to the jetty port, and from the jetty port to Boracay island.

If you’re flying in to Kalibo airport, simply hop in on a van bound for Caticlan. The fee for the 2-hour ride is Php 150 per person. If you’re flying in to Caticlan (and not via Seair), take a tricycle to the jetty port. It’s a short ride away, and shouldn’t cost more than Php 50. Seair passengers should go to the Seair office right across the airport. Inquire inside about the shuttle, and the friendly staff will guide you to the next shuttle bound for the port.

On the final descent to Caticlan airport. That’s Boracay island near the top, and the many ships plying the route.

Once at the port, a Seair representative will give you tickets for the banca going to Boracay island’s Cagban port. The representative will also lead you to the counter where you need to pay for the environmental and terminal fee (Php 50 each). For non-Seair passengers, you need to pay for the banca, which is Php 25 each. If you’re clueless (like I was when I went to buy my ticket after going back to Caticlan from the Ati-atihan in Kalibo), the girl behind the counter might sell you the ticket for the fastcraft, which costs Php 30. For the Php 5 difference, you get a bigger craft and an airconditioned cabin. The problem I had with this craft was that there’s only one plying the route, and you’d have to wait for it to come back from its run to the island. Whereas if you take the banca, there are plenty of banca waiting to take passengers to the island paradise, so you’ll be boarded and out to sea in no time.

From Cagban jetty port in Boracay, you need to ride a tricycle to the town center. If you’re staying at one of the reasonably priced guesthouses in Station 2 (and you should!) tell the trike driver to drop you off at D’mall. If you’re renting the whole tricycle, the fee is Php 125. However, if you’re willing to wait and share the tricycle with other passengers, the fee is only Php 20 per person. When you get off at D’mall, just follow the throngs of people walking down the pathway and you’ll soon see the sparkling blue sea.

Another option of traveling to Boracay is to take the roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ship. It’s definitely cheaper, but it takes a lot longer. I’ve no idea how it’s like to take the RORO from Manila, but from a friend’s story, it’s a LOT of effort. Still, it gets you to Boracay. The RORO docks at the same jetty port in Caticlan, so if you’re headed to Boracay, you just need to pay the necessary fees and hop on the banca to Cagban port.

Ironically, this fastcraft is named City of Calapan.

To give you an idea how long the trip from the Caticlan airport to Boracay is, here’s a short run down:
Caticlan airport to Caticlan jetty port: 1 minute
Approximate time spent in the jetty port terminal (buying tickets, bag check, toilet breaks, boarding the banca): 10 minutes
Banca pulling out of the port: 2 minutes
Banca out in the open sea: 5 minutes
Banca pulling into the port and docking: 2 minutes
Approximate time spent in Cagban terminal (walking to the tricycles, haggling price, waiting for other passengers, etc.): 5 minutes
Tricycle ride to D’mall: 12 minutes
Walk from D’mall to the beach road: 6 minutes
Total time: 43 minutes

Isn’t it so obvious that I was bored? The times were actually taken on the afternoon I was flying back to Manila. It was on a Tuesday afternoon, and probably not as crowded as it would be in the summer, so times may vary. At the very least, it gives you an idea on how much time to allot when you’re going back to Caticlan to check in for your flight.

I hope this helps you in planning your trip to Boracay. I probably missed out some things or totally screwed up some facts (hey, it’s already 3:41 am!). If you see something amiss, or need clarification, just ask!

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

If you’re headed to Boracay this summer, here’s a guide that I hope would help you in planning your trip. Before December, I’ve always thought that the cheap accommodations in Boracay were all at Station 3. I was so glad to find out that there are reasonably priced rooms in Station 2, and near D’mall too!

Click here to download the bigger version
Obviously, this map is not to scale.

If you’ve been to Boracay before, you would probably be able to gauge the location of this alley. If you’re a first timer, don’t fret! I’ll be giving directions on how to go there, and a list of the resort’s contact numbers.

From the jetty port in Cagban (Boracay Island), ride a tricycle to D’mall. The driver will drop you off across the entrance. Head down the path between Julie’s Bakeshop and Budget Mart. You’ll come upon the Ferris wheel. Continue down the path between Lemon Cafe and Cindy’s, going on until you’re at the main beach road, between Aria and Cafe del Sol.

Soak in the sight of the turquoise waters and feel how fine the white sand is on your feet. Turn left, and walk down the road. You’ll pass Hey Jude (they have wi-fi) and Gasthof (they have the best baby back ribs in Boracay and awesome breakfast set). You’ll soon come upon this massage place that has a group of their female masseuse out front, chanting out their “cheer” to entice customers. When you pass Mango-Ray, look up, and you’ll see a sign for Sheena’s resort. Right beside it is the ES Pascual Store:

Right after the store is the alley. If you’re coming from Station 3, this is what you’ll see:

The alley itself looks like this from the beach road:

And there you have it! You’re in a place where you can get rooms for as low as Php 1,000 in the lean season (or even during regular seasons if you get a discount). Save for Sheena’s resort, all the accommodations in this alley are very affordable (Sheena’s rooms start at Php 3,000 per night for two).

To further assist you in your quest to find cheap accomodation in Boracay, here’s a list of the contact number of all the guesthouses in that alley:

Tans Guesthouse
Phone: (036) 288 6878 / +6336-288-6878
Telefax: (036) 288 3088 / +6336-288-3088
Mobile: (0920) 920 2481 / +63920-920-2481
E-mail: tgh_bora@yahoo.com
Website: www.tghboracay.com
Read my review of Tans Gueshouse

Taj Guesthouse
Phone: (036) 288-4628 (+6332-2884628)
Mobile: (0920) 919-6509 (+63920-9196509
Fax: (036) 288-5695 (+6332-2885695)
E-mail: tajboracay@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taj-Guesthouse-Boracay/121290147933020
Read my review of Taj Guesthouse

Namaste
Phone: (036) 288-5898

Villa Simprosa Resort
(formerly GP’s)
Telefax: (036) 288-3139
Mobile: (0917) 327-4076
E-mail: norpas1950@yahoo.com

Jejsellends
Phone: (036) 288-6982

Eriko’s House
Phone: (036) 288-3382
Mobile: (0928) 485-4100

Jerome Bungalow
Phone: (036) 288-3270

Madid’s Inn
Phone: (036) 288-5392

Sheena’s Resort
Phone: (036) 288-6120
Mobile: (0917) 994-2534 / (0906) 535-4209 / (0919) 642-4189

Again, here’s the video I took of the walk from Tans Guesthouse to the Boracay white beach:

In 00:03 you can see the staircase of Jerome Bungalow in between the pillars, in 00:04 you see Eriko’s House, 00:05 is Madid’s Inn and at 00:06 Jejsellends is at the right. At 00:12, see the palm tree? That’s Villa Simprosa, right across Taj Guesthouse, which starts at 00:15. At 00:26, the guy at the right is inquiring at Sheena’s reception desk, while across it, at 00:27 is Namaste. At 00:32, you can see a reception desk for Villa Simprosa at the ES Pascual Store. At 00:37 is the beach road and at 00:42 is Sheena’s Resort and Restaurant’s beach front. On the left of that is Tans Grill, which only opens at night. The beach proper starts at 00:52.

I hope this helps you in picking out where to stay in Boracay. Have a nice trip!

Seair flies daily to Boracay, with as much as 11 flights from Manila to Caticlan. Book your flight now by calling the Seair hotline at 849 0100 or book online through www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

I was looking forward to going back to Boracay, and staying at Taj Guesthouse, where we stayed last December. However, since Taj only had four rooms, it filled out pretty quickly. So I was left with having to find another place to stay in Boracay. I headed over to the place where I can get good recommendations: the Girltalk forums. True enough, in the many pages of the Boracay thread, I was able to find a place that still have a room for the weekend: Tans Guesthouse.

Tans Guesthouse was repeatedly recommended by Girltalkers who have stayed there before. It was easy to see why: the owner, Ms. Net is very quick to respond to e-mails and text messages. Not only that, she’s also very concerned about her guest’s needs and well being. This is also a trait that she was able to impart on her staff, who were nothing but accommodating to my questions and requests.

When I e-mailed Ms. Net, inquiring about room availability for the date of my trip and the room rate, I also mentioned that I found out about Tans at the forums. The forum member who has stayed at Tans before mentioned that Ms. Net gives discounts to forum members, and since I’ll be shouldering the cost of the room on my own, every peso off the cost is welcomed. True enough, Ms. Net gave me the deluxe single room – a room that normally costs Php 1,500 during the lean season and Php 2,000 during peak season – for only Php 1,000. That’s a Php 1,000 saving already! Included in the rate are my daily breakfast at the roof deck cafe, welcome drink and one cocktail. I can also enjoy the free wi-fi at the 4th floor deck.

Tans Guesthouse requires a 50% down payment to confirm your booking, a fact that didn’t register in my head until AFTER I deposited Php 3,000 into Ms. Net’s Metrobank account. Oh well, at least I didn’t have to worry about having enough money to pay for the room after my vacation. After paying, you’re supposed to fax the deposit slip to Ms. Net. Since our fax machine ran away from home last year (well, more like fax-napped), I texted Ms. Net asking if I can just scan the deposit slip and e-mail it to her. She replied, asking if I deposited the payment from the Taft Avenue branch or the EDSA Munoz branch. After I answered her question, she said there’s no more need to e-mail her the deposit slip. Five minutes after, she texts again, saying that the confirmation e-mail has been sent to my address.

Come Saturday, I got on the 8:30 am Seair flight from Manila to Caticlan. As soon as I turned on my phone when I got inside the Caticlan terminal, I receive a text message from Ms. Net, asking what time my flight is. I replied that I have just landed, but is thinking of heading to Kalibo for the Ati-atihan. Less than 2 minutes after, my phone rings. It was Ms. Net calling, encouraging me to witness the Mother of all festivals, and that going there from Caticlan is very easy. She also told me to text her when I’m on the boat to Boracay, because she might be able to pick me up at the Cagban port. Wow, I never had this much conversation with a hostel or guesthouse owner before.

Following Ms. Net’s order, I text her after boarding the fast craft to Boracay. She said they were still at the other end of the island, and won’t be able to pick me up at the port. It was no worry, as getting from Cagban to D’mall is very easy with the number of tricycles waiting to take passengers. She goes on to text me, asking whether I know how to get to Tans, whether I’m lugging a heavy suitcase, because she can ask somebody to meet me at the entrance to D’mall. I’m not used to this much attention, but I have to admit that it was great to have someone as doting as Ms. Net running the guesthouse.

I arrive at Tans, which is just down the same alley as Taj. There wasn’t anybody in the reception, and I text Ms. Net that I was already there. She responds quickly, saying that Pen, is on her way down to meet me. Pen welcomes me, and leads me to the third floor. There I finally met Ms. Net, who has just arrived from the island day tour with some of the other guests. She shows me room number 9, which was my home for the next three days.

The room was pretty straightforward: there’s a double bed, a closet and a clothes rack on one side, a TV and a ref in one end of the room. The toilet and bath is very roomy, not to mention very clean. Towels were provided — three actually. Pen joins us as I finish looking through the room, toting a glass of iced tea for me — my welcome drink. Ms. Net then hands me a necklace with pink and white shells, with a key to the room as a pendant. Cute!

I settled down on the bed and quickly surfed through the channels until I come across Discovery Travel and Living. As Antony Bourdain was learning about the culture of Saudi Arabia, I took out my laptop to test if my hunch was correct: the 4th floor was a wi-fi zone and since I was on the third, there was a chance that Kabuki, my laptop, would be able to get some signal. What do you know, I was right! For Php 1,000, I get a clean room that can comfortably accommodate two, free breakfast, a welcome drink, a cocktail AND wi-fi in my room! The connection was spotty at times, and slow when somebody was using the laptop at the roof deck cafe, but at the very least, I can check my e-mail, Plurk and upload photos on flickr.

I retired early that night, since I wasn’t able to sleep since Friday. I remember waking up at 5 in the morning, but since it was still dark out, I promptly went back to sleep. Much to my surprise, it was 10 am when I woke up — there goes the morning stroll at the beach! After checking my mail (and Plurk!), I went down to go to the beach for brunch. One of Ms. Net’s staff was there (whose name I wasn’t able to get ) at the reception, and told me that I missed breakfast. I was surprised that they even brought it up — most hotels, hostels or guesthouses wouldn’t care whether you avail of the complimentary breakfast. I explained that I overslept and promised to wake up early the following day. When I got back that afternoon, Pen asked me to fill in an order sheet for my breakfast the following day, and for the day after. She also asked me for my cocktail order, something that I totally forgot was part of the package. I told her I’d have the cocktail at 9pm at the roof deck cafe, but I got too engrossed with what I was watching that I forgot about it.

Shortly before 9, Pen knocks at my door, reminding me about the cocktail. I asked her if I can have it in my room instead, and she gladly obliged. The following morning, I wake up bright and early for breakfast. I headed up the nicely done spiral staircase up to the 4th floor. The roof deck was mostly covered, but there’s an open air area in the balcony. There wasn’t any spectacular view, for the balcony doesn’t face the sea, but it gives a nice out of doors feel to the cafe.

Ms. Net’s staff are very friendly and helpful. They listen to their guests, and takes notes on their requests. When my cellphone’s battery ran out, I asked if they have a Nokia charger that I can borrow, since I never bring mine on weekend trips (because I hardly use my phone, but for some reason, people kept on texting that weekend). Pen uses a different charger, but went over to the other guesthouse to ask the staff if they have the charger I needed. Talk about going out of their way to fulfill a guest’s request. She also asked me if she can clean my room, because I didn’t ask for house keeping on my 2nd day.

Now I know why the girl at the forums kept on recommending Tans and gushing about Ms. Net. And now you know why I am recommending Tans and gushing about Ms. Net and her staff.

Tans Guesthouse
Balabag, Boracay Island
Malay, Aklan, Philippines
Contact Person: Ms Net Sacapano
Phone: (036) 288 6878 / +6336-288-6878
Telefax: (036) 288 3088 / +6336-288-3088
Mobile: (0920) 920 2481 / +63920-920-2481
E-mail: tgh_bora@yahoo.com
Website: www.tghboracay.com
View map to Tans Guesthouse

Seair flies daily to Boracay, with as much as 11 flights from Manila to Caticlan. Book your flight now by calling the Seair hotline at 849 0100 or book online through www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

Four weeks after posting my Boracay budget from our trip last December, I’m once again posting another entry about how much I spent in Boracay last weekend.

I spent double of what I spent last December on this trip. That’s owing to the cost of the room, which I have to shoulder all on my own, meal expenses that could have been shared, the day trip to Kalibo and the extra day spent. Other than the trip to Kalibo for the Ati-atihan, I pretty much did nothing in Boracay — no island hopping nor water sports. I already did those things when I first went there in 2005. Besides, it’s no fun doing that all by myself

Boracay
January 2009
	Cost	Per Person
Air Transfers
Seair	PHP 0.00	PHP 0.00	1
Manila Domestic Terminal Fee	PHP 200.00	PHP 200.00
Caticlan Terminal Fee	PHP 20.00	PHP 20.00
Airport/Ferry Port Transfers
Manila (Two way)	PHP 420.00	PHP 420.00
Boracay (Two way)	PHP 40.00	PHP 40.00
Kalibo (Two way)	PHP 200.00	PHP 200.00	2
Ferry Transfers
Montenegro Fastcraft	PHP 30.00	PHP 30.00	3
Accommodation
Tans Boracay
Php 1,000 per night	PHP 3,000.00	PHP 3,000.00	4
Food Expenses
All meals and drinks	PHP 2,411.50	PHP 2,411.50	5
Miscellaneous
Environmental Fees	PHP 50.00	PHP 50.00
Ferry Port Terminal Fee	PHP 100.00	PHP 100.00
Internet	PHP 162.00	PHP 162.00	6
Chori Burger pasalubong	PHP 150.00	PHP 150.00	7
Batteries, tissue	PHP 82.75	PHP 82.75
	Total	Php 6,866.25
1 Thank you Seair!
2 I went to Kalibo for the Ati-atihan Festival.
3 As a Seair passenger, I get comlimentary transfers from Caticlan airport to Boracay. This includes the shuttle from the airport to the ferry port, and the boat ride from Caticlan to Boracay. Since I went to Kalibo, I just rode the shuttle to the port, then went to ride the van to Kalibo. So when I went back to Caticlan, I had to buy my own ticket. I unknowingly bought tickets to the fastcraft, instead of the usual outrigger boat.
4 For Php1,000 per night, I get an airconditioned room that can comfortably accommodate two with cable TV, ensuite toilet and bath (with hot and cold shower), a closet, a personal refrigerator and a small safe. This also includes daily breakfast, a welcome drink and a cocktail.
5 I actually only ate three meals a day, with an occasaional junk food. This includes a really expensive lunch.
6 I can actually connect via wi-fi in my room, but nooo, I still needed to go online in the Internet cafe
7 My friend’s only request is that I bring him back not one, but three chori burgers.

Download:
Boracay 2009.xls (Microsoft Excel File) – 81k
Boracay 2009.pdf (Portable Document File) – 65k

Seair flies daily to Boracay, with as much as 11 flights from Manila to Caticlan. Book your flight now by calling the Seair hotline at 849 0100 or book online through www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

When people ask me for hotel recommendations in Boracay, I couldn’t name any hotel because the first time I went there, I stayed at a friend’s house. This time however, I already have one hotel I wholeheartedly recommend: The Taj Guesthouse.

Tucked in a small narrow alley, Taj Guesthouse isn’t a beach front property. But that doesn’t matter, as the beach is only about a hundred meters from the shore. Another great thing about its location is that it’s in Station 2. Though not right smack in the center of Station 2, it’s a comfortable and pleasant walk to D’mall, where majority of the shops and restaurants are.

We didn’t make any reservations when we went to Boracay, so we don’t have any idea what kind of room we’ll be sleeping in that night. When we arrived at Taj, the simple facade looked promising. The rooms we got certainly surpassed any expectations: the beds are comfortable, the pillows fluffy, and the toilet is very very clean. There is even a TV, a place for storing clean and wet clothes, a mini refrigerator and even a safe. Best of all, the rate we were given for the room was only Php 2,000 per night. Since there were three of us sharing the room, that’s only Php 667 per person, per night! Budget was a big issue for us in this trip, so this price suited us perfectly.

There isn’t much in terms of amenities and facilities, but there is daily housekeeping. Towels are provided, and a small soap and a couple of sachets of shampoo in the shower. All the rooms are airconditioned and there’s a hot and cold shower.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Boracay, look no further than Taj Guesthouse. The rooms have a nice, clean design, have adequate space for 5 people to maneuver (we stayed at the Family room, which is good for 3-4 people) without bumping into each other, clean toilet and bath (always a big plus!) and it’s run by a friendly and very hospitable couple.

Disclosure: We paid for our first night’s stay in Taj. We were able to stay for free during our second night, in exchange for Melo taking photos of their rooms for their gallery.

Taj Guesthouse
Balabag, Boracay Island
Malay, Aklan, Philippines
Phone: (036) 288-4628 (+6332-2884628)
Mobile: (0920) 919-6509 (+63920-9196509
Fax: (036) 288-5695 (+6332-2885695)
E-mail: tajboracay@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taj-Guesthouse-Boracay/121290147933020
View map to Taj Guesthouse

Seair flies daily to Boracay, with as much as 11 flights from Manila to Caticlan. Book your flight now by calling the Seair hotline at 849 0100 or book online through www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

The first time I went to Boracay was in March 2005. It was also the first time my friends and I went on a long holiday together, and the first time I flew with Seair. That trip was easily one of the most memorable trips I ever had. The first views of the island from the air, the balmy sea air and the bright sunshine that welcomed us in Caticlan, the chori burgers, the D’Mall palengke, the Tekken tournaments, the steak night, the long walks from Station 1 to Station 3, the Holy Week parties, the aftermath of the Holy Week parties, the firedancers and the copious amounts of alcohol.

Boracay White Beach March 2005

As beautiful as the white beach (Balabag) is, we found it hard to appreciate it because of the layer of seaweeds that line the shore, and the trash that is left after all the parties. Since we lived halfway between the front beach and the back beach, one afternoon we walked through the narrow path and emerged in Bulabog beach.

Boracay White Beach December 2008

Bulabog is parallel to the white beach, though shorter. The wind here is much more fierce, making it the perfect spot for windsurfing and kite surfing. The sand in this beach is as fine, but unlike the white beach, the rubbish you see here are the ones that fall from the trees that line the shore.

Boracay Bulabog Beach March 2005

Seeing Balabag and Bulabog in December 2008, more than three years after my first visit, there’s still that sense of wonder and amazement. Sure, the D’mall has become extremely commercialized, but the beach remains as beautiful as ever. There are no seaweeds in the front beach yet, and there are more kite surfers in the back beach.

Boracay Bulabog Beach December 2008

Though my companions are getting sick of Boracay, I still find myself enamored with the island. Maybe it’s because it was only my second time back whereas they’ve been to the island more than twice already. Sure, we’ve seen other spectacular beaches, but for me, Boracay still has its own charm. I know I’ll always go back to Bora.

Seair flies daily to Boracay, with as much as 11 flights from Manila to Caticlan. Book your flight now by calling the Seair hotline at 849 0100 or book online through www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

I just got back from a fun, relaxing weekend at Boracay with my favorite travel buddies, Gail, Marc, Eric and Melo. We were all set to go to Romblon, when we found out that we ran out of tickets and we got re-routed to Boracay. Hey, we’re not complaining!

This isn’t our first time to go to this gorgeous Philippine beach, so we skipped the island hopping and other water sports, and just settled on exploring Bulabog beach, walking up and down the long beach road and gorging ourselves silly. This is the life.

Boracay
December 2008
	Cost	Per Person
Air Transfers
Seair	PHP 0.00	PHP 0.00	1
Manila Domestic Terminal Fee	PHP 200.00	PHP 200.00
Caticlan Terminal Fee	PHP 20.00	PHP 20.00
Airport/Ferry Port Transfers
Manila (Two way)	PHP 550.00	PHP 550.00
Boracay (Two way)	PHP 55.00	PHP 55.00	2
Accommodation
Taj Boracay
Php 2,000 per night	PHP 2,000.00	PHP 666.00	3
Food Expenses
All meals and drinks	PHP 1,998.00	PHP 1,998.00	4
Miscellaneous
Environmental Fees	PHP 50.00	PHP 50.00	5
Ferry Port Terminal Fee	PHP 100.00	PHP 100.00	6
Internet	PHP 140.00	PHP 140.00	7
Souvenirs	PHP 20.00	PHP 20.00
	Total	Php 3,799.00
1 Thank you Seair!
2 As passengers of Seair, we get complimentary transfers from the Caticlan airport to the jetty port in Boracay island, and from the Jetty port back to Caticlan. We just have to pay for the tricycle going to and from D’mall.
3 Taj Guesthouse is simply one of the best value accommodations in Boracay beach. We were able to haggle the price of our triple room down to Php2,000 per night. There were three of us in the room so the cost was divided into three. We were able to get the next night free after some more negotiations.
4 Damn, we ate a LOT in three days.
5 A Php 50 environmental protection fee is charged to all incoming tourists at the Caticlan port.
6 Both the Caticlan and Boracay ports charge a Php 50 terminal fee.
7 Our lives revolve around the Internet. Sad.

Download:
Boracay 2008.xls – Microsoft Excel File (82k)
Boracay 2008.pdf – Portable Document File (66k)

Seair flies daily to Boracay, with as much as 11 flights from Manila to Caticlan. Book your flight now by calling the Seair hotline at 849 0100 or book online through www.flyseair.com.

Copyright 2006-2011 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org | Let’s build the Blogger House with Habitat for Humanity!

February is just ending, but I can’t stop myself from thinking about the coming summer season. The heat lately has been getting worse, making me worry how much hotter it’d get when March and April rolls in. On hot sunny days like these, the best place to be is the beach. And when you say beach in the Philippines, the first that comes to mind is Boracay.

More than usual high rise

 
The first and the last time I went to Boracay was way back in March 2005. It was the best two weeks of vacation that I’ve ever had. The gorgeous beach, the fantastic food and the company of great friends. What more can you ask for?

Round and round it goes. Sean the Canadian firedancer shows off his talent.

 
One of the more memorable part of this trip was the plane ride. SEAir‘s 19-seater plane can only accomodate two crew, so the flight attendant had to demonstrate the safety procedures while we were still on the ground. When she’s done, she disembarks and leaves us with the two pilot.

www.flyseair.com

 
It was weird to be inside such a small plane. Unlike the Boeings and Airbus I rode before, the cabin wasn’t pressurized (the pilot even opens the cockpit window) and it feels as if you can easily drill a hole through its sides. And oh my god, the ear pressure. That has to be the worst I’ve ever experienced.

Isaw?

 
Ear pains aside, the view from the plane was spectacular. Unlike the bigger aircrafts, SEAir flies at a lower altitude, giving you a glimpse of the Philippines from above. This is definitely much better than just seeing clouds at 20,000 feet.

Bye bye Boracay

 
The 35-minute plane ride from Manila to Caticlan is SEAir‘s biggest edge over its competitors. Since SEAir flies direct to Caticlan, you’re just one tricycle ride away from the ferry port to Boracay. Though SEAir can be more expensive than the other airlines on the same route, the shorter time you have to spend in transit makes it worth it.

That’s a tiny plane

 
Get a chance to try SEAir‘s new 32-seater Dornier 328, courtesy of Ivan About Town. Ivan Henares is giving away a FREE Manila-Caticlan-Manila ticket to one lucky blogger. All you have to do is write a blog entry about SEAir, and why you deserve to win the contest. Why do I deserve to win? Because I’ll most probably write an entry about my Boracay trip, thus resulting to more publicity and inbound links

Cebu Pacific will be receiving their first ATR 72-500 turboprop plane in February 2008, just in time for the coming summer holidays.

Cebu Pacific to fly 10 times daily to Boracay, fares start at P688!

Visit one of the world’s best beaches, renowned for its four kilometer stretch of powdered white sand and sparkling blue waters.

Be among the first to fly Cebu Pacific’s brand new ATR 72-500 to Boracay starting February 29, 2008!

CEB will initially operate its Manila-Boracay (Caticlan) service five times daily effective February 29, 2008. Effective March 28, 2008 CEB will increase its frequency from five to nine services daily and also begin daily Cebu-Boracay (Caticlan) operations.

Source: Cebupacificair.com

Daaang. I hope my credit cards bills have been paid. Can’t miss this one!

[edit] I just checked the fares, and if you managed to get the Php688 fares for both leg of the trip, the total fare comes up to Php 3,842.72. Not bad, not bad. Taxes for this segment amounts to Php 2,466.72 (round trip).

Flight schedule are taken from the Cebu Pacific website and valid as of October 29, 2007.