It has been a while since my last snafu, so of course…we ran into one of the biggest snafus getting from Bohol Island to Boracay Island including breaking down on the freeway and needing to flag down a new taxi on a freeway! I’ve added all the gory details on my snafu page – see snafu #6 for this painful experience.
After what felt like the longest and most painful travel day ever….we woke up to a sunny and gorgeous beach and our breakfast spot was right in front of Willy’s Rock…so not a bad way to start every day!
Willy’s Rock
Willy’s Rock is a large piece of rock that has been shaped by volcanic activity and it juts out over the waters near the beach. What makes it unique is that it virtually becomes a mini-island when the tide is low. When the tide rises, only the upper part of the rock is shown. Willy’s rock is very dark in contrast to the white sands that surround it. It’s really the tourist site that everyone comes to see and take pictures of.
Willy’s Rock at low tide
Willy’s Rock at high tide
As our hotel, and breakfast area, sat right out front the rock, we would watch all the tourists come and take photo after photo of the rock. We also saw all the couples and groups using the “selfie sticks” to get a photo of themselves in front of the Virgin Mary that sits on top of the rock. These selfie sticks were very popular in Boracay as everyone was using them and all the locals were trying to sell them. I think they were being sold for about $1 US and Teresa and I were joking when we returned that we should have bought some to sell in the US at a profit. I later walked into a store in Los Angeles when I returned and saw a selfie stick for sale for $25 US. Oh well…wasn’t worth the effort to bring them back and sell.
The Amazing White Sand Beach
Boracay is famous for the miles of amazing white sand beach and it really was gorgeous and like none I’ve ever seen. Words really can’t do much…so here are some of my favorite photos.
Some guy remade this sand sculpture every day (with the new date). We had to support him and made a donation!
Island Hopping Trip
Teresa and I wanted to get out and see more of the island and everyone under the sun offered some sort of island hopping trip and we signed up. Of course, there was drama and while some people were worried, I found it more comical. Some people on our trip thought there were too many people booked on the trip and the boat was overloaded. There was one girl in particular that was very vocal yelling at the captain and crew about there been too many people and this being unsafe. She kept asking how many people were allowed for capacity and the answer was exactly what we had. I looked around and it was a full boat, but I didn’t think it was over capacity (plus many of the passengers were so small and weighed about 100 pounds and the normal capacity would be fore heavier people. So anyways, she didn’t want to get off (and they offered her). I’ve been on many similar boats for my scuba and I felt safe. Drama….but in the end, we chatted with this girl a lot and she was very nice and was trying to rally support to make sure it was all safe.
Crystal Cove
Anyhoo….the island hopping trip was going to stop at a few islands. The first stop was called Crystal Cove and this was a nice little island we were able to walk around, swim in two swimming holes (including climbing through a tiny tunnel/cave to the backside of the island and swim.
Great day at Crystal Cove
The little tunnel/cave we crawled through to reach the swimming area
More views from our stop at Crystal Cove
I also liked this sign for a bird. Guess too many people have tried to feed or poke the bird and maybe lost a finger?
Could that bird really take my finger?
Snorkeling
After we sailed further around the main island, we stopped for lunch, where we had to sample another local mange shake. Sadly, this was one of the worst as way too much ice. Afterwards we did get to go snorkeling. There were some pretty fish and this pink coral which I liked. I also started laughing as when our boat was stopped and most snorkelers were back on board, some local man came up with ice cream in a cooler. Guess he had a hopes of making a little cash.
Some of our snorkeling finds
Selling ice cream to snorkelers…that’s a new one!
Puka Beach
Final stop on our tour was at Puka Beach which was another beautiful white sand beach.
More views from our stop at Puka Beach
Scuba Diving
I figured I had to get one more day of scuba diving in as this may be the last diving opportunity for a while. As I went out in the pouring rain, we were rewarded with a few large sharks and some other unique fish. I also liked these broccoli looking plants. Not sure what they are, but it looked like an underwater broccoli garden which was new to me.
Found a sea snake
This coral reminds me or broccoli and an underwater broccoli garden
Main Beach Drag of Boracay
The main beach drag was located at “Station 2” which was a 10 minute walk from our hotel at “Station 1”. The beach was divided into Stations Station 1 was known as the best sand and nicer hotels, Station 2 is where all the bars, clubs and most of the restaurants are….so the beach is still nice, but it’s much noiser and busier. The main walk way on the beach was lined with little shops and along the water there were all these wind shields to protect the shops as the wind really could pick up.
The “main drag” walking down the beach front
We laughed every time we passed this sign for “Husband Day Care” – at the fun bar right on the beach. Guess you could drop your husband off, go get a massage or shop and then come pick him up later and everyone is happy.
Great sign by a bar – drop your husband off to drink and the ladies go for a massage or shopping!
The beach had these wind barriers up to protect the stores behind
I just loved watching these little kids playing in the water
Mango Shakes and Daiquiri’s
We loved Johah’s shakes and of course they were the most famous on the island. So we got them in the day and at night and they had these cute to go bottles as well.
Jonah’s shakes are the most famous on the island and quite delicious!
Famous Jonah’s shakes (in TO GO bottles), with booze, on our way out for the night
More mango daiquiris in Boracay
While I enjoyed our time in Boracay, we didn’t find as much activities. There were some other day trips we wanted to go to, but in the off seasons, they weren’t offered. Plus…we had some weather issues. Some days were gorgeous and we took advantage of the sun when we could, but other times it was pouring rain. So the on and off again rain put a little damper on the week, but we still managed to have fun and make the most of it.
Enjoying the sunset with our floaties!
Leaving Boracay
Luckily – our departure off the island was much smoother as we were able to fly out of the close airport. So we were off to the close airport and it was very easy. At the airport, Teresa and I got to play a little game with our bags. We were only allowed to check 10 kilos as this airport has a weight limit. So once I got there and weighed my bag, I found out my bag was at 25 kilos. It was going to be really expensive in overage charges, so I sat on the airport floor and pulled out 13 kilos, loaded up TWO carry on bags and only paid a little more in overage charges. It was so funny as my big bag was almost empty and so light! Why this airport has these baggage weight limits is beyond me as in the end, all the same items came on the flight and they weighed everything (checked bags, carry on bags and people). Yes, I had to get on a scale with my bags so they knew the total weight on the plane. You may think it was a tiny plane, but it wasn’t….there were 60 people on the plane. Oh well…it’s just different at some airport.
So off to Manilla…
Logistics:
Hotels:
Willy’s Beach Club Hotel – This hotel was beachfront and right in front of the famous “Willy’s Rock”. It’s on what is called Station 1 beach, which is the nicest of the mile long beach (Station 1 is the nicest, Station 2 is ok and has most of the stores and restaurants, and Station 3 is more of cheap accomodations and dirty beach. Reasonable prices in the offseason and great location on the beach and easy to walk to everything you need. – www.willysbeachhotel.com
Dive Center
MILKY’s Dive Center – Very friendly staff and brand new gear. I would dive with them again as they were highly recommended and it showed with safety, knowledge and equipment.
Helpful website – with all things Boracay and logistics planning: www.boracaywhitebeach.com
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