Boracay Day One - Journal of A First Timer

Boracay on September??
You might ask me. Why go to Boracay on September? Well, after reading my entire 5-day post, you will realize that not only is Boracay beautiful in the summer but, it's much better on the lean season -- like September!

My trip is entirely sponsored by WOW Philippines Travel Agency because I was blessed to win their online contest. My 5-day travel package includes:
> Roundtrip airfare for 2 via Air Philippines (me and my brother)
> Hotel accomodation at Le Soleil Boracay for 4 nights with breakfast buffet
> Complete land and sea transfers (to and fro) via Southwest travel
> 5-day Lunch and Dinner (A mix of restaurants)
> Island Hopping, ATV and Horseback riding
> 5,000 pesos spending cash

Last but not the least (maybe the best): The pleasure and privelege to be toured around by the owner of WOW Philippine Travel agency. His wife, Mary Jane P. Bangga St. John,  grew up in Aklan. They gave away this package to give back to the community that has been generous to them. I hope most companies/ travel agencies does this too. This is the first travel agency I've encountered to do such a generous thing.


Departing from Manila to Caticlan

Air Philippines Q300 Bombadier taking off NAIA Terminal 3

We arrived at the airport earlier than expected because from QC to NAIA terminal 3, it only took us 30 minutes! It was drizzling a bit so were a bit worried about the weather in Boracay. Checking-in the airport was a breeze. By around 620am, we were already inside having our breakfast.

NAIA 3 Breakfast
The only unoccupied seats was the one in front of Go Nuts Donuts. We bought something from them even though my real target was getting the Mount Pinatubo Jamaican Pattie across their stall which doesn't have their own chairs. So, I went on and ordered iced tea from go nuts donuts. I'm pretty sure that I was one of the first customers that ordered iced tea because I saw it with my own eyes that the attendant got my iced tea inside the refrigerator (left over from the night before?). I didn't complain because I was in a good mood but I made sure that I will write about it. I think their drink concessionaire was Vin Vin's Cafe.I know this because the cup looks familiar. This was also the concessionaire in our school canteen way back 2000.

Vin Vin's Cafe's Cup

Upon sitting down, I sipped my Php 40.00 iced tea and immediately decided not to finish it. It tasted weird. Bad weird. Prevention is better than cure and I don't want to have LBM on my first ever Boracay trip.

Departure
Our original flight was supposed to be at 5:20am. Our flight was rescheduled to 820am weeks before our departure day. I think this has something to do with the internal problem of Philippine Airlines.

Boracay arrival



 Air Philippines Q300 Bombadier


Godofredo Ramos Airport Arrival Area (Caticlan)

We landed 25 minutes ahead of schedule at Godofredo Ramos Airport (Caticlan). It was easy claiming our luggage. The Q300 Bombadier of Air Philippines can only accommodate more or less 50 passengers. Upon exiting the airport, we were immediately met by the representative of southwest travel and escorted us to their van.

Toyota Hi-Ace van of Southwest (Cagban Jetty port on the background)


Air Philippines landing on Godofredo Ramos Airport in Caticlan

Boracay transfers

Suzuki APV of Southwest

Van to Cagban jetty port (5 minutes)
Cagban Jetty port to Boracay island port (15 minutes)
Boracay port to station 2 entrance (10 minutes)


On the way to the resort on board a Suzuki APV owned by Southwest

You will have to pay an environmental fee of 75 pesos per person and 50 pesos for the terminal fee. A total of 125 pesos per person.

Le Soleil Check-in
I was surprised that when we arrived at the hotel, the staff were lined up, gave us welcome drinks, seashell lei and a warm towel. I was greeted by Mr. Rick St. John and one of his staff, Andrea. Check-in took no more than 5 minutes.

The room

Le Soleil Pool Area

First reaction? Room with pool access!!! Cool!!! As in, walk out of the door and in less than 10 steps, you're in the pool! Amenities-wise, it has all the basic necessities you can ask for --  Toothbrush, tissue, shampoo, soap, conditioner, hot water kettle, lemon tea, complimentary bottled water, vcd player / mini component, cable tv, towel rack, an outdoor lounge area with 2 lounge chairs and a table and most importantly, lots and lots of power outlets!


Le Soleil Pool Side Rooms

First look at Boracay beach

Wind breakers along the beach path because they were expecting "habagat" (Monsoon)


All alone. Doesn't look like the usual "party tropical island" Boracay 

Wow. Really. WOW! I never knew I am missing this much by not going to Boracay despite being blessed to be able to travel to other places. Le Soleil (and most of the hotels along the beach path) has a private beach front. Le Soleil in particular, has a security personnel that looks after your belongings while you are taking a dip in the shores of Boracay. While sitting there, Bong (guard on duty that day) shared to us some stories about the island.Great guy.

First lunch in Boracay
We ate at this restaurant beside our hotel. Boracay De Paris. We got the set meal and boy, was it worth it! I wasn't able to finish my chicken curry meal. Included in the Php 190 are the following:
 
Appetizer (Soup/ Salad)

 
Main Course - Chicken Curry

 
My Brother's main course - French Meal

Dessert (Crepe/ Ice Cream) - No photo
Mineral Water costs Php 45.00

First afternoon in Boracay

We have a scheduled impromtu (yes, scheduled impromptu) interview at 3pm and horse back riding at 4pm. After the interview, we took a dip in the sea and decided to stay there for the rest of the afternoon. We resheduled our horseback riding the next day.


After swimming, we had a massage before dinner. Le Soleil's in-house massage was great. It was one of the best I've ever had. At 400 pesos an hour, I'd say that it's definitely worth it! 

We missed the sunset because the Php 400 per hour massage rate is until 6pm only. From 6pm onwards, it's Php 500 per hour.

Dinner buffer at Bamboo Hotel (Beach Area)


Our first buffet with Rick St. John and Andrea  on the island. Bamboo Beach Hotel is located in Station 3.



We then strolled around from Station 2 to Station 3 up to the last hotel -- Asya Boracay Resort. He shared to us information and facts about the island. I didn't expect him to very passionate about the island. We went back to station 2 and checked out 'D Mall - A girls haven. (spell s.h.o.p.p.i.n.g.)






Walking around 'D Mall at Night

After Dinner Meal
After that walk, they went on to continue working (shooting videos around D Mall) and my brother and I decided to go back to our room so I can work/rest. On the way back, I chanced upon the talked about Chori-Burger and decided to try it. Verdict? Overrated. In fact, I didn't like it so much that I didn't even finish 25% of it.






Grilling the Choribuger

Late night walk
We walked a bit to look at the parties and live bands nearby. After 10 minutes, we returned to our room to hit the sack and call it a day.
 
First Day Tips and Comments:
Boracay Internet Connection via Broadband - I brought with me 3 mobile broadband sims for backup because I need to work badly. Since Globe and Smart 3g/GPRS sucked badly at Boracay (Note: Not even loading). I had no choice but to use my Sun Broadband 3g to gain access to the internet, slowly but surely.

20 Pesos - Have a lot of 20-peso bills in your wallet. You will need them to give as tips to the guy carrying your luggage to and from land and sea transfers. I know this is optional. I'm just looking at it in another way -- I'm helping the locals there even in a small way.


Don't litter, PLEASE - While walking towards station 3, we saw paper cups and other trashes by the shore. This is just sad. Where did my 75-peso environmental fee go then?

Watch out for more posts! I will be blogging about the tips/ tricks to save money in Boracay and the other days I was in Boracay soon.

Check out:
WOW Philippines Travel Agency Website (Best Boracay Packages, Guaranteed!)
WOW Philippines Travel Agency Twitter Account
Le Soleil De Boracay Resort

Do you also want to win a free vacation packages? Go to the site below.


-Cheftonio