AMALAKBAYER!

BORACAY: YOUR DREAM-COME-TRUE VACATION

By: Amabel Palangyos

If you want to get the most out of your vacation in Boracay, I recommend that you schedule a five-day vacation. It is better to spend your first day in Kalibo. Not only that airfare is less expensive, you also get to visit the other tourist 
spots.

This is my first time to join Lakbay Backpackers. It is a group that arranges travels with others to have some people to travel with. It is a practical way of travelling without spending much especially for small groups or solo travellers.  So we became instant travel buddies throughout the travel. But be careful to join only reliable people.

We had a memorable half-day visit at the Sampaguita Gardens Resort to see the Christmas Village and Precious Moments Shop. The entrance fee was P50, but it’s consumable. You can use this to buy some souvenirs or food. In our case, we bought halo-halo for P60. 

I’m so sure your children will love the place as they play in this unique theme park with giant angels. The all-year Christmas Village is a must-see. You may also stay for a few hours for a dip in the swimming pool.

Then visit the Precious Moments Shop for some dolls, figurines, and souvenirs. The chapel is also charming. It gives a different feeling because of the paintings and murals on the walls. It became so homey especially for the children because of its artistry. The children at heart will also love to take time to pray.

We spent a night in the lodge after a big day. It really was a great accommodation that offers more than average amenities with WIFI, bath tub, air-conditioned room for only P1500 for my family. We just bought our food from the carinderia just near the lodge. Since the place also has a garden, there we had our dinner.

The next day, we went to Bakhawan Eco Park. We already arranged our van transportation with the lodge. Go there as early as 7:30 a.m. so you can spend the afternoon travelling to Caticlan or somewhere else. Pay an entrance fee of P20 and P15 for students.

This place is ideal for meditating, family bonding, dating, and reading your favorite book. It’s the perfect place for nature lovers, for those who want to rest and breathe some fresh air, and for those who just want to sweat out. Always remember to bring sunglasses, umbrella/cap, hankies, food, and water when going there. Enjoy more than a kilometer of mangrove eco-trail. You may have your lunch at the end of the trail. Lunch in Bakhawan is such a great experience. The best place to eat lunch is at the view deck. Eat your lunch at about 11a.m. so you can rest before walking back to the starting point. 

After this, we proceeded to Caticlan Port, which took 2 hours. When you arrive at the port, you need to pay P75 for environmental fee and P100 for the ferry that will bring you to Boracay Island.

It was a magnificent sight to behold! The water was sparkling turquoise and the sand looks powdery white. The sands are so fine and the water is really clear. There were mosses in the water and on the shore but the locals believe that these actually cause the sand to be white.

The island is filled with 2-star to 4-star hotels, but we opted to find an accommodation that won’t take much of our budget, so we choose to stay in Station 3. Contrary to the idea that Boracay is an expensive place, one can find ways to make a wise travelling experience. We bought some fish, fruits, and vegetables from D’ Talipapa, a small market in the island. We also used a sack of charcoal that we bought in Caticlan market. Since we were travelling as backpackers, we were able to do that. But you may also cook in the guesthouse’s kitchen for an additional price. They can lend you kitchen utensils as well.

To make your Boracay experience more meaningful, here are my 4 C’s:

Commence your Boracay vacation by appreciating the beach front at 5 a.m. One of my beautiful experiences in Boracay was being at the beach early in the morning. There were very few tourists and it was the perfect time for meditating and pondering upon things.

Create happy memories with your loved ones by frolicking and playing along the beach at sunset. Sunset is heavenly in Boracay. My kids and my husband had the time of their life playing in the sand. It was one of the most memorable family playtime we had.

The sunset is best in Boracay. People wait along the shore for the marvelous big orange sun to kiss the horizon.

Also, every night is a fiesta in the beach so you can also stroll and watch different shows offered by various establishments. Fire dancing is a popular show. You may also choose to go away from the noisy crowd and just bring your mat along the shore.

Complete your Boracay experience by going to Puka Beach, where the sand is really white and where swimming is blissful. Notice the stones with different colors here. These are used to create bracelets that the locals sell to the tourist at P50-100. Island hopping to this island costs P1500/boat because we were 15 in the group. You can haggle to get a lower price. If you wish to have other activities like banana boat riding, ATV, or parasailing, set aside some extra amount to maximize the fun.

Conclude your Boracay Vacation by going to Mt. Luau.This is where you can oversee the whole of Boracay Island. It is the finest part of the island to have some photo sessions too. If you want to buy some souvenirs or pasalubong for your friends and loved ones, cheaper items can be bought along the main road near D’ Mall.

Indeed, Boracay (not Bora) is one of the world’s renowned beaches. We should be proud of it. Although there were some scrupulous people destroying the image of the island for their personal profit, let us help promote one of our country’s finest. After all, this is a gift!

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Travelling Beyond Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves

I don’t know how to swim but I love the waters! Perhaps my inability makes me more attracted to places and to experiences that are associated with my fears. My cousin, Minnie, introduced me to this place called Anawangin in Zambales. What I discovered brought me to wanderlust to witness its mystery and quaintness. This marks my commitment to keep Lakbay Backpackers as my company and for those who wish to travel and explore with others without spending too much. Besides, "travelling isn't just about money but courage" (Paulo Coelho).

There were several attempts to organize the adventure to Anawangin, but to our disappointment, the weather did not conspire. It will be best to check the weather a week before your adventure.

This time, I made all the necessary arrangements, prepared everything that we should bring for the camping, and oriented my friends what to bring and what to expect. My heart was filled with great anticipation again despite the unfortunate events, so I kept praying that my stars will align for this adventure.

We left Baguio City at 1 a.m. After just one stop of the van we hired, we reached San Antonio at 6 a.m. We went straight to our boatman’s house where we had breakfast. We left San Marcelino at 7:30 a.m. The water was calm and the weather was not so hot.

We passed by Camara Island, the favorite shooting venue for moviemakers. Then we went to Capones Island. We were not able to go up the lighthouse, standing on a mountain of limestones, because we could not go across (Okay, we can’t swim!). So we just took some photos of the lighthouse that seemed looking down at the new guests.

Then off we went to the other side of the island. The water was aquamarine and there were big boulders. The pebbles were shiny, smooth, and white. We were told to see the mountaintop. 

When we reached the top, we gasped in awe. It was breathtakingly beautiful! The cove was sparkling in splendor against the rays of the sun.

  

While on top of the mountain, one can only close his eyes, smile, breathe, and enjoy the moment’s tranquility. It was majestic. We were the only ones in the island that time. We just feasted our eyes on the expanse of the horizon and the vastness of the West Philippine Sea. Tourists usually go snorkeling in this area. Just bring your own stuff.

After a few minutes, we can already see pitched tents from afar on an island with Agoho trees that look like Pine trees. Finally, we were about to land on Anawangin Cove!

Upon paying P50, we went to explore what was in the cove. It was an ordinary park as compared to what we have in Baguio (though Baguio parks are free of charge for everyone). Besides, for local travellers, P50/head is exorbitant when all you do inside is to take photos of the trees or just cool yourselves for a few minutes. Anyway, tourists have the option not to enter the fenced area. 

Since we did not really intend to stay in the cove, we decided to go to Nagsasa Cove. It was quite a long 45-minute boat ride. I was lulled by the cool breeze in the sea and the roaring sound of the motor boat. When I opened my eyes, I was bewildered by the sight of the green and yellow green mountains against the blue waters and accentuated by pristine sands that border the cove. It was picture perfect!

 After brunch, we walked around to explore the area. We were led to see the Nagsasa falls by 5 children, whom we met while they were swimming in the river. We were just enjoying traversing the river, walking through a narrow pathway with grasses even taller than we are, enduring the searing heat of the sun (when I checked my watch it was 11:40a.m), and just taking photos of the rustic environment. It was more than an hour of hiking, so it was exhausting.

 

 If you plan to go hiking, be in your proper attire, bring bottled water, umbrella or cap, and make sure you are physically fit. NO complaining or whining – it affects others’ spirit.

                                 

The place looks like a small basin of water that cascaded from the waterfall. It was teeming with fish. One of the children said they never catch the fishes because they believe these are guardians of the place. Out of exasperation and exhaustion, we underestimated and even mocked what we have just reached. Then something happened that made us realize how ingrate and rude we were. We were enlightened that we should give utmost respect for nature and everything in it – not only through actions, but also in words through an expression of appreciation and gratefulness to the creation and to its Creator.

After an hour, we went back to our place. It was unfortunate that my sandal got worn out. I really admired the skills of the children who made every possible remedy just so I wouldn’t walk unclad. They know how to live with nature and adapt with it. It gave me another thought: Life must be simple and be grateful for what you have.

People there have their communal meal. They prepare the food together and eat together. It was such a beautiful scene to behold. There’s no need to halt, take a photo of the food, and upload it on Social Networking Sites before eating, like most of us do just to feel gratified with our meal. It was indeed a banquet.

Nagsasa Cove is the best place for romantic hermeneutics. The sunset is a marvelous sight and calm down, take a deep breath, and delight in the beauty of colors.

At night, when all you hear is the barking dog, conversations, and footsteps, you don’t need to worry if it’s safe to just sleep in the tent. Just make sure your bonfire is away from the tent, your food is kept safe, and your trash is placed out of reach of dogs and cats.

  


Early morning coffee along the beach is a simple pleasure yet it’s incomparable. It’s like tasting the best coffee every time facing the shore with subdued colors of the sky blended with the fog on the calm teal waters. It’s a great new day! 

Strolling along the beach, we reached Camp Bira-Bira, the rocky side of the cove. A folk told us that the place was named Nagsasa because it was filled with “sasa” or local cogon grasses. But in the WWII, the place became a firing site of the Americans so it burned these “sasa.” However, until now there are still a lot of “sasa” submerged in Mt. Pinatubo ashes when it erupted. Even when you only intend to sit along the shore, you will be enticed to take a dip into the warm, clear, and calm waters. It was an exquisite moment. 

Going back to San Marcelino was another story. The waters started to get rough and frightened us as it shakes the small boat we were in. We were like riding on a horse that is unpredictable. All we did was pray that we reach our destination safe.

I felt like we were a small fish in a big sea. The only difference is that, even a small fish can swim but we can’t. I asked why the boat is too small. The boatman answered, the boat is used by fishermen, but not supposedly to fish tourists.

I bet there are other unpopular or hidden places in the country that are worth exploring. One down! Thanks, Nagsasa Cove!

Expenses: (2 Days 1 Night in 3 Islands; Good for 8 people): P2656.25/person

Van Transfer from Baguio to Zambales and v.v ------------- 9,500

Boat transfer (Camara-Capones-Anawangin-Nagsasa)------- 5,000

Tent, kitchen utensils rental --------------------------------      500

4 Backpacker Meals (drinks, fruits, fish, ice, etc.)---------  4,300

Entrance fees, tour guide fee ------------------------------   1,650

Cottage Rental ----------------------------------------------       150

Firewood ----------------------------------------------------       150

                                                                      TOTAL      P21,250