Boracay in July

Boracay is too beautiful to be rushed! And it's true... It is now July. The summer season just ended and according to the news, a low-pressure area has just been spotted. But, we are already resolved to go to Boracay.  

                 

After inquiring with various travel agencies in the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, we opted for TravelPros' promo of three (3) days and two (2) nights stay for P1500.00 in Boracay. We took a lot of effort in canvassing which travel agency can give us the best value for our money. Since it is July and already a lean season, we expected that traveling to Boracay would not be that expensive. Since there are seven (7) of us in the trip, even just a hundred peso savings is a lot. TravelPros' promo of P1500  each person which includes accommodation at the Grand Prix Hotel in White Beach, boat and land transfers, but excluding the airfare, appears to be reasonable.

After confirming our trip with the said travel agency,  two of us flew with Philippine Airlines while the rest with Zest Air. After a forty-five (45) minutes plane ride,  we landed at the Kalibo Airport. A representative of TravelPros was there to meet us. This is the advantage of having a travel agency to assist you during your trips. Everything appears to be organized. After a few minutes, we're off to Caticlan on a TravelPros' Bus. A two (2) hours bus ride with a ten-minute stopover for nature's call took us to Caticlan. The bus ride gives the tourist a perspective of Aklan's sceneries. Next time, however, I intend to take a direct flight to Caticlan.  The bus ride may be enjoyable and relaxing for first-time tourists yet it is a butt and back-breaking experience.

Upon reaching Caticlan, a thirty (30) minutes ferry boat ride brought us to Boracay. It was not the end of our struggles as we need to endure another fifteen (15) minutes on a TravelPros' van before we can finally set foot on Grand Prix Hotel. Thank God, it is already check-in time! We really need to get some rest after riding a plane, bus, boat and a van just to be here. What is wonderful is that the sun is shining brightly! It is as if we are given a preview of Boracay in summer. 

After a few moments rest, we all needed to eat. I can feel my stomach yelling for food! We needed to get out and walk and find that nearest restaurant to satisfy our cravings. As we are in quandary between eating and swimming on this famous beach, we all decided to be in our swimwear attires and after partaking in a restaurant be done and ready to swim. 

The very beautiful beach of Boracay beckons as we walked to the nearest food stop. We ended up in Gerry's Grill. I really do not know if this is the best choice, but hunger chooses none.  We ordered what is familiar and thereafter its time  for the beach. All I can say is nothing but spectacular. The place indeed is world class! It is the heaven combined sand, sea, and clear blue waters that make Boracay a place to behold. 

This place is uniquely blessed with this powdery white sands envied and desired that continually lures local and foreign tourists. It is the sands that make Boracay apart from other beaches. With the horizon of bluish hue as a backdrop, the endless sea of sparkling turquoise was transformed into a very large swimming pool. Swimming in Boracay's waters is not only enjoyable! It is fun to the highest degree. Imagine,  the Manila Bay used to have clean waters such as this before it was turned into as Metro's sewage center.

I really hope that we all do our part to preserve Boracay to what it used to be - clean, clear and pristine. I am really dismayed every time I see pieces of plastic and trash floating in the water. This place is very beautiful! If we lose a place like this due to our unhampered disregard of the environment, no amount of technology can bring it back. I really cannot help picking those pieces of plastic on the water and dispose of them properly.

The footprints created by the many who walked on its shores may be fleeting, but the memories of those who have been to Boracay will forever be indelible. The myriad of people - tourists foreign and local, the multitude of peddlers and merchants, vagabonds and even the mendicants all savored anything that is Boracay. This place is picturesque in summer as well as in July.

The various merchants offering a different kind of activities to local and foreign tourists remained numerous.  Even with the onset of the rainy season, the usual activities in summer can still be experienced as long as the sun shows itself.  It is expected however that the prices have gone down from how it skyrocketed in summer.

After much negotiation with peddlers, we decided to go island hopping, snorkeling, and the helmet diving.  Island hopping shelled us P 2,800.00 for a boat that can sit ten (10) persons. I do not know if we got a bargain. At least, we enjoyed activities. The boat ride gave us a glimpse of the scenic islands and beach resorts in Boracay. I remember that our boat also passed by that controversial resort of white coat.

We are fortunate because the weather cooperated.  The sun revealed itself almost throughout the day. Thus, it was ideal for snorkeling.  The clear waters made us appreciate underwater life more. The beautiful fishes and corals of diverse colors are a delight to see. I even saw a sea snake banded in a combination of black and white. Next time, I would not forget to bring an underwater camera.

What startled us is that there are fishermen selling coconut and ice cream in the sea where we were snorkeling! Coconut and ice cream are even cheaper here compared to the resort. The vendor laboriously paddles his small craft in the hope of selling his wares. With the sun shining intensely, the coconut and ice cream are selling like pancakes.

After snorkeling, we proceeded to Puka Beach. With some time left, we tried helmet diving. Some opted to experience how it is being on air on a parachute.

Nightlife continues to thrive in Boracay even in July. The crowd however as expected dwindled in number. There are live bands of assorted genres in bars scattered along the beach. The fire dancers flaunted their stylistic, yet dangerous manipulation of fire to the delight of spectators. We enjoyed their every performance. Boracay is one venue that provides different forms of entertainment for the general public.

Boracay is too beautiful for just three days and two nights stay. It cannot be rushed. Just walking on the beach from station to station to look at the sights, check out bars and restaurants, buy souvenirs, or do a lot of stuff would really take a lot of time. The key is to walk slow and leisurely.

We do not want to say goodbye to Boracay. The place is stunning in whatever months of the year. Summer in Boracay is not part of the season. It is always summer in Boracay! We thus promised to come back...