All Soul's Weekend in Boracay

The first and only time I was in Boracay, was way back in 2006. The magazine I was working for then, was setting up a shop at D'Mall. 

Aside from fixing the small shop that was meant to sell beauty products, our activities consisted of  swimming and sunbathing, visiting Puka Beach, enjoying a shake from Jonah's -- and sleeping promptly at 10 pm.

I haven't been back to Boracay since -- the see-and-be-seen vibe of the island has never appealed to me. I don't like the idea of being accosted by enterprising locals who would offer this or that boat ride, and the thought of walking around in a bikini in front of everyone and their brother mortifies me. 

More so now, when most of my (former) students have come of age, and are dominating Boracay's shores.

I guess I've always been more of the reclusive type -- always happier with my books, my family, or a few close friends. I like my beaches secluded, undeveloped, and hard to get to. I love Caramoan, and Bantayan, the secret beach in El Nido, and the uninhabited island in Pinagcastillohan. I like the emerald pools of Hong Island in Krabi, and I dream of the lovely low-key beaches of Mozambique and Anguilla.

Phra Nang or Princess Island, off the coast of Ao Nang in Krabi, Thailand 

But this October, I've booked a ticket to Boracay. This is because during the All Soul's long weekend, my boyfriend will be in Baguio for a retreat, and my entire family is going to Boracay.

So I was faced with two choices: join my family in Boracay or be left home alone. I also found out that my four-year old niece would be going. And you know what, nothing in the world will make me  miss the opportunity to see that pudgy little girl in a bikini.

Manlawi's secluded sandbar in Caramoan, Philippines 

So what does Boracay have for a family trip and a lola like me? I guess I'll find out. In meantime, I would appreciate suggestions. 

Resort Review: Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin

Location and Reception 

This resort is just a 10-minute drive from the airport (see map for relative location). The grounds of the resort are quite lovely, with a well-tended lawn in between the nipa hut-rooms, and swaying coconut trees dotting the grounds.

The reception area features an interesting ceiling installation made entirely of halved coconut husks, prompting our guide to exclaim, "Ilang bahay kaya ang hindi nabunutan dahil dyan?"

There's also a proud photo display of celebrities who have stayed in Bahay Bakasyunan. They also included the celebrity's room number, so you can say you can stay something like,"I stayed in Christian Bautista's room!" 

Rooms

Bamboo bungalows  line one side of the resort while newer A-frame cottages, line the other.  

The "Cluster A" rooms are the ones with the best ocean views from the mini porch, and they are nearest to the pool area. I stayed in Room 120,  which was right beside the mini Day Spa.

It's a deluxe room,  with walls made of rattan, and it had a single bed and a double bed, with the usual hotel amenities -- cable TV, telephone, and hot /cold shower.

There are several wifi networks scattered throughout the resort, and their different passwords are thoughtfully provided on the room's desk.

The nearest network to my room was the one at the Mini-Day Spa, and though it worked fine, it was a tad slow.

If you're a light sleeper, there's a good chance you'll get roused from sleep by the unholy crowing of the roosters in the wee hours of the morning. While I usually don't appreciate waking abruptly at 3 am, this time I actually welcomed this, as we had a 5am call time for our White Island adventure.

Food

We ate here twice. First was for lunch, which was served al fresco on a long table facing the ocean. They served surol (native chicken in coconut milk, with oregano, and chili),  squid, fish, shrimp and vegetables. 

We ate the buffet breakfast one morning -- pretty basic fare -- eggs, longganisa, fried fish, rice and fruits for dessert. I didn't like that their orange juice is powdered, but I did love their sikwate (hot chocolate).

Facilities

There's a cute mini Day Spa located in a hut, and there are basic  gym equipment also inside a hut. A pool table is also available at the game room.

Tours

The hotel can fix up a tour for you, which include Katibawasan Falls, the hot and cold springs, and other top Camiguin sights. 

They can also facilitate an island hopping tour which includes White Island and Mantigue. But if you would rather go at it on your own, you motorbikes and bicycles for hire are available too.


To check the room rates and make other inquiries, here are the contact details of Bahay Bakasyunan:

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin

Balbagon, Mambajao, Camiguin

Tel. No.: +63 (88) 387-0131

Mobile: +63 (917) 721-2798

Website: www.bahaybakasyunan.com

Email: camiguinbbc@gmail.com

White Island, Camiguin

White Island, Camiguin

White Island in Camiguin was one of our stops at the media tour organized by the Philippine Tourism Board. For four days, I toured Camiguin, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro along with other writers, bloggers and photographers. It was a wonderful way to spend the week. 

Will be posting stories and photos soon, about our Northern Mindanao adventure. 

El Nido, Palawan: Day 2

Our wake-up call was 4 a.m. Thankfully, coffee and hot chocolate awaited us at the pier, which did wonders to ward off the early morning chill. Feeling very much like commandoes with our cool black lifejackets, mega-watt  flashlights and powerful speedboat, we sliced through the waters to Pangalusian Island, five kilometers away. Our mission? To catch the sunrise form the Pangalusian view deck. But first, the Pangalusian trail.

Every Breath You Take

"I-gasp!-need-gasp!-to rest!" For the first few steps of the mountain trail, I jauntily walked right behind the film crew doing a Palawan documentary. But mid-way through the climb, my legs felt like jelly and I was breathing hard through my mouth.

The trail wasn't exactly difficult -- a 2 km trek that took us deep into the lush tropical mountain forest. But boy, was it hard to keep up with my group's seemingly superhuman pace. Plenty of stops and a bottled water later, I stood on the view deck just as the sun tiptoed on the horizon. Mission accomplished.

Photo courtesy of El Nido resort