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Published: November 30th 2008
After a long night of travelling, connecting in Manila airport, we arrived at Caticlan airport, which is the closest airport to Boracay. The luggage reclaim at Caticlan was a real experience, all the luggage was put on a shelf, in front of this shelf was about 50 people trying to push to the front to get their luggage. Steve was at the front of ques doing a pretty good job getting our bags.
From Caticlan we took a nerve racking tricycle ride to the harbour where we had to buy three tickets, all in different places; One for the environment, on for tax and one for the boat. The boat trip to the island was very nice and quick, but it no longer stops at the different boat station, nowadays the boat only stop at the top of the island, then you have to take a trike to your hotel. (This is to earn more money from the tourists).
The trikes are sidecars welded to motorbikes which we were a bit weary of at first but we're starting to enjoy them!
The first look at our hotel was a bit of a shock, the road leading down to
it was like a swamp with crazy pigs on either side, but then when we came in to the actual complex, it was really nice. Traditional Nipa Huts built around a bar, all raised up on levels to avoid flooding in the wet season.
Frendz resort has turned out to be perfect for us so good in fact we've decided to extend our week on Boracay to two weeks! The owner is a Australian guy who has really made us feel at home and given us loads of good tips and advice which have helped make our first week perfect.
A big thanks to Steve, Rose, Adela, Ray and the gang if you're reading this! We were really happy to be invited to a traditional Aussie/Filipino seafood BBQ here on the second night, and again last night when we had the best Chinese buffet meal prepared by Ray...what a chef!
Steve's daughter Kristina and husband Francois have been here on honeymoon who we've had a great time hanging out with! They've just left but we've promised to meet up in Newcastle, Australia, for some surfing lessons...can't wait guys!
Everyone we have met so far in the
Philippines has been soooo friendly, their service and hospitality (and food) is top class. Everywhere we go its "hello sir, hello ma'am, have a nice day sir, have a nice day ma'am" its so unusual.
The island of Boracay is amazing, the most beautiful place we have ever been to (so far), the beach stretches as far as you can see, with fine white sand and palm trees lining it and the water is crystal clear.
Me and Steve spent the first couple of days just lazying on the beach, drinking hugh fruit shakes for about 50 pence.
The food is super too, you can get anything from greek to mexican to phillipino, everything taste really really good and only costs from 1 to 3 pounds. The Mexican food is especially good! Drinks are cheap, a beer is 50 pence and cocktails around a pound, so it is very easy to have a cheap old good time, but we are on our best behaviour after a long day at the beach a couple of drinks is enough in he humidity.
We've already had a few 10 pound days, trying to recoup some of the budget from
Hong Kong, but even at 10 pound a day we're living like kings haha.
Thirsty Thursday was an open night at the islands golf course which is an exclusive world class complex with helicopters flying in and out, a game costs over a hundred pounds but this night it was 200 pesos (about 2 quid) for free drinks, snacks and even a ride home. We couldn't believe it when we arrived, the pool bar there was high up overlooking the tip of the island. It was like something out of a movie, really beautiful...a top setting!
Anyway we can only think that Thirsty Thursday isn't advertised very well as we were the only ones there together with Kristina, Francois, Steve and Simon (another Aussie guest at Frendz). We had a really good night and defiantly got our moneys worth! We finished off the night with a good old Indian Curry on the beach!
Steve played beach football the other night with a mix of locals and tourists which he really enjoyed. Half way through the game a fierce storm started coming over from the mainland (look at the photo), this was like a curtain of rain that
quickly came right on top of us like we've never seen before with thunder and lightening! This didn't stop the game however, what an experience!
One day we took a boat trip around the island. With about 20 others we jumped aboard a banca and made our way across to 4-5 different island where we snorkeled which way fantastic. The coral was mostly dead but there were loads of tropical fish, the angel fish were the best. Still searching for Nemo though!
We had a nice traditional lunch on a beach close to Crocodile island which we were pleased to hear was called that because of its shape not its inhabitants! While we were pulling out a bunch of local kids jumped on board and were diving off for coins thrown by the tourists. This sounds a bit sad but it wasn't they were really happy and made us all laugh!
The next day we went to Pucka Beach at the top of the isalnd and were the only ones there. We didn't expect to be on our own a tropical beach, lined by palm trees, it was amazing! We don't have many plans for this next
Lunch time
over looking the beautiful White Beachweek other than learning to scuba dive!
We're splashing out on a four day PADI open water course, starting tomorrow. We're really looking forward to this after hearing the stories from a Spanish guy staying here, it sounds cool. Its a mix of practical and classroom lessons with a test at the end. We thought it would be good to get this here as the diving around the Philippines is apparently some of the best in the world, plus this will allow us to dive in every other country we are visiting!
We'll, hope you enjoy the photos and are well as always!
We'll check in again soon and give you a low down on the diving.
Lots of love, Maja and Steve x
P.S Check out our updated photos from Hong Kong on the last entry
P.P.S Unbelieveable, we haven't met any english people all week and two have just moved into the cottage next ours...from West Vale in Halifax!
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Anna
non-member comment
Wow that all looks amazing! Glad you're having a good time guys :) Carry on with the search for nemo!! :) Anna xx