Day 1 - Manila
Thank God Boracay is incredibly beautiful because the hassle of getting there made me question whether or not it would be worth it!
Shannon and I landed in Manila for an (a-hem) “overnight” stay before flying to Cataclan the next morning. I use the term “overnight” loosely since we landed at midnight, got our bags, taxied to our modest accommodations, showered, slept for 2 hours, and then got up to head back to the airport. Seriously, did we need a hotel for a nap in between flights?
As for our accommodations in Manila, let’s just say that “modest” is being generous. The remote control for our TV was given to us with our key (and had to be returned upon checkout), the shower was a curtain around a drain in the floor, and there was no comforter on our double bed to share – just sheets. Needless to say, it was clean, and I ended up spooning with Shannon to stay warm with my wet hair from the shower!
Day 2 – Boracay
After standing in line at the airport for over an hour waiting to be checked in (by hand since a new computer upgrade occurred the night before), we were finally leaving Manila for Cataclan, where we caught a small boat to Boracay. Then it was time to take a “tricycle” to the hotel. (The tricycle was a moped with a makeshift sidecar attached with benches meant for Oompa Loompas.)
Though our resort was modest (in a truer sense than in Manila), the service was fantastic. The staff were so helpful and friendly and made our stay a pleasant one.
After the 2 hour “overnight” stay, Shannon and I rested our weary selves for a few hours in the hotel room before making our way across the street to the beach.
Talk about breath-taking! The sand is fluffy and white, almost like flour, and the water is so clear and blue-green that you can see the bottom quite easily in shallow depths.
We made friends with Fria, our waitress at Heather’s, after ordering drinks and food to snack on while on the beach. In exchange for our patronage, we were able to use their beach chairs to enjoy the sun.
After a little shopping at “D’Mall,” we settled on the beach to dine at Café del Mar. We found the food to be quite delicious, and the view and atmosphere couldn’t have been better. Palm fronds swaying, waves rolling in, and a gentle breeze all added to the gorgeous sunset.
After dinner we went to D'Mall for a foot massage.
Day 3
We met up with Kent, Hanrich, and Mary Kipp at their resort to lay out and relax. Though it was cloudy, we enjoyed conversation and reading. Again, we dined at Café del Mar, but this time we enjoyed smoking from a Shisha. The tobacco was very smooth, and we shared flavors of grape and honey-banana. Though I don’t think it had much “effect” (since we’d already had some wine), it tasted wonderful and was again appreciated beachfront.
Day 4
Another day in the sun. Kent and Hanrich (mostly Kent) wanted to eat at The Hobbit House for lunch to enjoy the “little people” that the signs boasted, and we then took a sunset sail with a bit of wine, cheese, and chocolate. What more could one want?
We returned from sailing to shower and then head out for some good Greek food with additional friends, Danka and Ryan.
Day 5
Shannon and I met up with Kent, Hanrich, and Mary Kipp to enjoy a day of island hopping. We enjoyed exploring caves on Crystal Cove and snorkeling near Crocodile Island. The fish were gorgeous!
We ate a fresh seafood lunch (they literally served us a whole white snapper with the head and all!) and played on the beach and in the water on a private island.
After returning to the hotel, we were too tired to go back out, so Shannon and I decided to have Swedish massages in our hotel room. It was fabulous.
Day 6
We met up with Kent and Hanrich for a smoothie and did some last minute shopping before checking out of our hotel.
At the airport we met Mitch, an American (though he’s lived in China for 20 years) on our flight, who ended up being quite interesting to talk to and helpful in terms of our return stay in Manila.
Knowing that we weren’t incredibly enthused about our first night’s stay in Manila and that we had a much longer time to be in the hotel, Mitch offered to help us get a room in a more modern part of town in a nicer hotel. Though not upscale, our hotel tonight is MUCH better than the one we had prearranged.
Tomorrow we head back to Shanghai via Hong Kong, where we have a 3 hour layover. Just a bit longer and perhaps we could have done some sight-seeing!
1 comment:
Sounds like the fun in Boracay was worth the hassle of getting there. Glad you had a good time (at least for most of the trip.
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