Boracay Day 1 / April 5, 2009 – We Made It!!!

At 7AM April 5, we were finally off to Boracay. The trip was close to being cancelled or at least postponed for 1 day because our little daughter had high fever the early morning of the day we were going to leave.



Every Juan Flies
On our way to Boracay, the airline of choice was Cebu Pacific. It’s actually the cheapest for 4 pax so that pretty much sums up our choice. It was our first time to depart via NAIA Terminal 3. At long last, this highly controversial airport terminal was utilized after a long legal battle, tons of kickbacks and much, much more kickbacks. I wonder what they’d do with that much money. Poor Juan de la Cruz. Seems like our taxes are working against us.



Levi’s NOT in charge
Unfortunately, despite proper advise, the hotel failed to pick us up at the airport. Talk about impression. Our so called “savior” for the day was Mang Levi who we met at the airport. Seeing an opportunity, he said that he can bring us to La Carmela de Boracay Hotel for P400 per pax which is actually cheaper than what the hotel would cost if they did pick us up. So we said YES to Mr. Savior who made us ride a tricycle, then a PUB (public utility boat), then another tricycle ride to the hotel. Oh did I say that he made us walk for almost 1/3 of a kilometer. Not that there was a problem in walking nor riding a tricycle but we can pretty much do what he did for half the price. All the while, I thought that we’d ride a van from the airport to the port, then a PUB then another van from boat station 3 port to the hotel but no, we rode the public transpo end to end. What a rip off! Think, think, think DyLac?!?! So I asked for a BIG DISCOUNT. I was asking if I can just pay P800 instead of P1600 but I ended up bargaining and paying P1150. T’was not really a good deal but not bad one either. It was a win-win situation of sorts. He probably earned at least P500 that day but we saved that much amount by “availing” of his services. Oh well, lesson learned. I know what to do next time.



Awesome!!!
It’s my 9th trip to Boracay, my wife’s second and the first time for the two kids. They were in AWE of the white sand, powdery beach, jelly fish, sea shells on the sea shore. It’s just sad that our part of the beach in boat station 2 was “dirty” with sea moss but we have a plan b in place that will take effect on day 2. Lunch is at Smoke Resto in D’Mall for P200 per pax. That’s relatively cheap as the average meal in Bora is P300 to P400 per pax. Dinner is free or at least part of the package. Buffet dinner is by the beach front and choices include Thai style cooked chicken, grilled pork chop, fish fillet. Yum Yum!