Boracay Beaches & Grand Dame Manila T1 getting a facelift..

[jetlagger]

Thought I'd refresh the subject & put my unpleasant incident of Manila behind me..

After several days in the "jungle" of Manila, I thought I would take the short ride to my favourite island of Boracay..

Have been visiting this treasure since last century.. late 90's as I recall.

It is an absolute gem of a place far enough from the despair of the metropolis to savour the real delights of PI.

Short 1 hour at best flight from Manila to Caticlan, notoriously short runway & so the good old ATR is most suited.

Nowadays it is one of the busiest airports in PI, constant flow of traffic to oil the tourism machine of Boracay.

How it has changed since the early days of this once quite airstrip, as I recall various poultry & livestock used to frequent the runway & at one stage viewed the ATC watching a basketball game on TV whilst an aircraft was on approach, with an impending storm!

The best situation with this "modern" facility is that it is just a short 20 min boat ride to the Island.

So after paying the environmental levy, terminal fee & boat ticket, one will board the 30-50 seat ferries to the main Jetty of Boracay

From here I was met by the resort & a short ride later was checking in..

.
Up the long drive From the pool A wonderful view

I have stayed at various places around the Island, this one is probably the best for the spacious apartment style rooms & best of all the view..

With a short drive to the famous White Beach of Boracay..



This is where most of the action is, affording a brilliant sunset view most days..

 

[jetlagger]

Re: Boracay Beaches & Sexy Sunsets...

So it is here along this beautiful stretch of beach, without motorised traffic, without hawkers peddling their wares that I always find such enchanting sunsets..

Have spent many of sunset here trying to get the "prize" shot..

Just a few from my good friend's paraw, or sailing boat.




A view @ sunset..


This is one of the best times along this stretch of beach, as after the sun goes down out comes the delicious varieties of fresh food on offer from the restaurants, hotels & resorts scaterred along the beach.

Fresh seafood is in abundant supply at reasonable prices where you can dine "eat all you can" buffet or al a carte at a comfortable table on the sandy beach where the gracious filipinos can serve & serenade you all evening..

 

[Sprucegoose]

Where did you stay in borocay?

Good pics btw. Best time to travel is?

 

[jetlagger]

Where did you stay in borocay?

Good pics btw. Best time to travel is?

Hi Sprucegoose,

This time I stayed at Lingganay Resort.

Not my usual haunt, but gave it a whirl..

Best time to travel is questionable..

Had over 10 visits at varying times of year, though "low" season between July - October can get a little windy & slightly choppy seas.

Had some great times for all visits though at times of recent, can get a little crowded during Philippine holidays & long weekends, & the ever increasing popularity from China & korean tour groups.

The best situation is the island is large enough to find tranquility..

If you require any further info, you are welcomed to PM me.

Cheers JL

 

[Alanslegal]

Nice photos; Boracay has been on my radar for a while but never found myself to be there always diverting to coughet or Koh Samui. Guess I'll have to make some time to visit after seeing these photos.

 

[jetlagger]

So time to revert to original TR as heading explains..

My time on Boracay was most enjoyable, I certainly never ever tire of the almost utopia ambience for the water sport activities availed here, & for this visit the weather gods were ever so kind.. I have thousands of photos & sunset shots, just don't want to bore the obvious tho!

So it is time up stumps & head off the island via the short ferry boat ride to the mainland of Panay returning to the ever so enchanting airport of Caticlan & back on to the trusty ATR for the short & sweet 55 mins flight back to the "jungle" of MNL.

An element of surprise always exists in this city, after being on a quite island for ten days, to return to the polluted, noisy city & for this time lucky it's only a transit point.

So after a short taxi ride with the opportunist driver trying his luck at bluffing me with his 'rate sheet" displaying prices in USD... WTF?

Responded & explained to him politely in fluent tagalog that & suggest he utilise the official meter rate in pesos & for his benefit I am feeling generous today to offer an tip.

"Speedy Gonzales" then proceeds short 20 odd mins ride to the Manila International Airport with further fuss, & I settle the required amount with an additional 100 peso gratuity loading plus a bonus of a $1 USD note as a souvenir for his safe driving manner & "charm". Sure.. that should get him thinking

With a glance of my faithful pocket watch, I realised I was making good time, so I proceeded to the entry point of terminal, luggage in tow, with the standard offering of security attempting to align the passengers in a single file, no offering for a jump queue for a 500 peso "donation" this time around..

Passing through the first Xray, Interestingly enough I was queried about the contents of my luggage... "Oh, just a few samples & souvenirs" & waved on..

Well, with all the controversy surrounding this terminal recently. I can certainly see some sort of improvements happening..

Always seem to coincide with the Qantas departure flight, where there is always 200 odd pax queue snaking through the terminal.. Luckily.. This time SQ, & my favourite check in angels are working the desks for an express service with a smile..

I proceed through the donation channel & pay my dues to "Philippine Improvement Funding" or Departure Tax, with a much improved immigration process, bypassing the lounge on this occasion & onto the departure gate to await the trusty SQ bird to send me back to Changi.

I realize that there is an ongoing improvement for this area of terminal & with new facade covering the once decrepit ceiling & walls.. Wow.., So on a short note..

Congratulations to Manila for a concerted effort of improvements, nice work & shall be offering a most improved T1 terminal trophy next time round!

The short ride from MNL/SIN is an event I am grown accustomed to, however the oldish 777-200 used on this leg are really starting to display the well worn tag.

For this sector the value & offering in the J cabin, in my view just doesn't cut it, with mostly the regional seat configaration. For this time in Y with a well loaded evening flight, I am starting to question the ability of SQ to hold on to the outstanding airline title.

For service & product I am finding that SQ is not as it use to be, or once was.. Have they become complacent or is it just that I have become more fussy & expect premium in every class?

The problem I observe with SQ, is that there is no consistancy in hard product. You can transfer from a brand newish a/c to an old regional clunker that's done 10 years or more of hard core service, & it shows..

For the service level of SQ, for me it always wins hands down, & for the on time & scheduling factor, it's has been a major consideration in my preferred SQ choice.

However lately, I've been randomly "peeking over the fence" at other options of late, but I have committed to give SQ another run for it's top shelf money for a J trip next month.

Well, that's it for this time round.. Back on terra firma in GC now & lovingly reminisce of the brilliant Boracay island hopping sunset trips.

 

[Grogan]

Great trip report, I will be traveling to Boracay in February next year. Any recomendations for a hotel in Manila near the airport for a 1 night stay?

 

[jetlagger]

Great trip report, I will be traveling to Boracay in February next year. Any recomendations for a hotel in Manila near the airport for a 1 night stay?

Marriott is a nice property close to airport in MNL, alternatively Sofitel.
You will enjoy Boracay.. & let me know if you require any further info.
cheers,
jl

 

[Grogan]

Thanks for the quick response, the only other question I would have is; Flying into Manila on Jetstar and to Caticlan on Philippine Airlines, How long would it take to get from the international terminal to domestic? I have 3 hours 40 inbetween flights.

Cheers

 

[jetlagger]

Thanks for the quick response, the only other question I would have is; Flying into Manila on Jetstar and to Caticlan on Philippine Airlines, How long would it take to get from the international terminal to domestic? I have 3 hours 40 inbetween flights.

Cheers

The average journey time from T1 Jetstar arrival to T2 Centennial Terminal - for PAL flights is around 20 - 25 mins, though can vary greatly with traffic & at times airport congestion. In theory - 3 hours & 40 mins connection would suffice.

 

[petermac123]

Hi Jetlagger,

When did you visit Boracay? I was there in late June and from the photo's you definitely had good luck with the weather! Given we were there in the off-season, I'd had to think how crowded it would be in high season. Highlight of the trip for me - became acquainted with the local that owns the horse-riding stable. We all went trail bike riding (!) on the mainland - great fun off the beaten track. I'd like to give Boracay another try, my experience wasn't that great, but the consistent rain didn't help.

I'm up in Manila every month, so slowly trying to tick off the must-do's in PI - I loved Sagada - but oh so far....

Cheers,

Pete

 

[jetlagger]

Hi Jetlagger,

When did you visit Boracay? I was there in late June and from the photo's you definitely had good luck with the weather! Given we were there in the off-season, I'd had to think how crowded it would be in high season. Highlight of the trip for me - became acquainted with the local that owns the horse-riding stable. We all went trail bike riding (!) on the mainland - great fun off the beaten track. I'd like to give Boracay another try, my experience wasn't that great, but the consistent rain didn't help.

I'm up in Manila every month, so slowly trying to tick off the must-do's in PI - I loved Sagada - but oh so far....

Cheers,

Pete

I usually venture to Boracay at least few times a year.. It has changed since my first visit in the 90's - As for the weather, sure it is somewhat like a lucky dip- At times when it is supposed to be dry, it's wet & vice versa..
It's been raining plenty in various parts of the Philippines of late, so have delayed my next visit till October..
The horse riding is a wonderful experience - even though not the largest horse variety!
I have some wonderful friends in Boracay & the familiarity always helps.
Anyway, I'm also in MNL also very often, so PM me & if time permits, catch a drink.
Cheers,
jl