I survived my first day and first night in the island. One afternoon down with no sunset and that is not good. I woke up in dorm earlier 7AM as expected since i slept around 12MN last night. The Arab-looking guy is already up fixing his things while others are still sleeping.

Many people thought of travelling alone is not enjoyable. They will not have any travel buddy to talk and laugh with and most of all no one will ever take their photos for them. Many of my friends have the same mind set when talking about that topic and they are surprised when they heard of anyone who have done it.

But for me being aware of backpackers, reading their blogs and adventures, and watching Departures and already saw A Map for Saturday, travelling alone is no surprise to me. I love to meet some backpackers and hear their road stories. That is the main perks of going solo on a travel. Gain experiences and most specially new friends along the way.

The Arab looking guy left, i think he'll be checking out since he already had his bags with him. But he already got a replacement - Shlomi the first dormmate i met. He's from Israel and have been backpacking for 6 months already (---envy).  After i asked him if he want to tag along with me to go to Puka Beach and a morning beach walk, i also met Sheila and Carol. Two solo backpackers from Ireland. 

After some short introductions with the Irish girls, Shlomi and I left for the early beach walk and to go to Puka beach at the northern park of the island.

With my shots above -Willy's Rock as our background, i therefore conclude the beauty of Boracay even during rainy season. Thanks to Shlomi for requesting me to shot some photos for him or else, i was not able to post these photos.

We passed through one of the resort gaps to go to the main road for Puka beach. From there we started walking for around more than one hour. That walk challenged my feet. I checked Shlomi if he's still good walking he said yes. Indeed backpackers are seasoned walkers.

It was a very tiring walk but i don't mind it since i had a good chat with Shlomi. And then when we arrived in Puka beach---

Behold the view! Here in this beach i first enjoyed the waters of Boracay. So clean and so clear. Even though the sand here is not as powdery as in White Beach, this is the remaining spot secluded sanctuary from the overly commercialized and crowded shoreline of White Beach. I hope this part of the island will be kept preserved in remembrance of Boracay way back 10 years ago.

BLOG ENTRY IN PROGRESS

Well this trip is a bit different from my previous adventures. This time ill be travelling alone though its just one destination -Boracay! 

To tell you the story of this trip, it was a normal hunting of promo ticket and i decided to book this trip and planned to go with some of my close friends. I can't book three person in one time since the promo slot will not appear, so i have no choice but to book one at a time. I booked first myself since its my credit card i am using and viola! One confirmed booking from Airphil Express Manila-Caticlan-Manila for P800++ round trip. That was a catch!

So here comes for my second try for my friend and then.... BOOOM! No more promo slot and the rest is what you will read on this entry. Hahaha! After that accidental booking, i just considered this Boracay trip a post birthday gift for myself and started researching for this vacation.

They said June is the best time to go to Boracay for these reasons- 1) It is already off peak season. 2) Less tourist, less crowd but the downside is the big chance of rain since this is the start of rainy and storm season in the Philippines...... and the only downside took effect on this trip. Oh my!!!

I arrived in Caticlan airport earlier (like most of my Airphil Express trips). Paid P205 at the airport -terminal, boat, tricycle, environmental fee. It took us 15 minutes boat ride to Boracay via Tabon port due to a bit big waves. They interchange ports depending on the wind blow, waves andweather.

From the port i rode a tryk to Boracay Tree House. I already decided to check this for my first night while illl try to find cheaper accommodation but i was wrong. This is indeed the cheapest accommodation in the island catering backpackers and solo travelers on first come first serve basis. They showed me first the room before for me to decide. They have this 8-bed (4 double deckers) dormitory good for P300 per night. Another cheap catch! In the dormitory, i found 4 backpackers - A Taiwanese, a Middle-Eastern and two Irish girls. Since this is my first time to go fully solo (i already tried one day solo trip in Iloilo) i don't have yet the guts to approach them. I settled my things on my bed, changed clothes and left the room for my first 4-kilometer stretch beach walk. The weather that time is a bit gloomy already.

For my first day, i am having a hard time accepting that i am already in Boracay. I didn't expect the world renowned best beach in this state. Also my main reason for pushing this trip are the sunsets by the beach, painting the sky in different colors. What i got are the strong winds and big waves starting to rise.

Well i don't have any choice but to enjoy what is being offered by Boracay at that time. I came almost end of the beach and saw Jonah's -the famous fruit shakes. It is just in time since i am hungry already. They gave me their bestseller - Banana Choco Peanut (P110). Compared to fruit shakes i tried in Manila, the shake is thick and has lesser ice. Banana and choco peanut (chocnut) are evidently no doubt in the shake and the verdict - Delicioso!

After enjoying Johna's shake, i decided to hunt for dinner, haha! yeah, i tried first the dessert then thought of having my dinner after. Well this is my sole trip and my rule. I came to D'Mall not knowing the route i am taking inside it and arrived at Crafts of Boracay. Its just a good timing. I bought some grocery supplies here. All cheaper specially bottled water. 

Went back inside D'Mall and discovered Smoke. I checked my 'triplist' (printed details of my destination which includes tips and other recommendations gathered from the net) and it is one of highly recommended restos in the island.

They gave me their bestseller- Chili Chicken. Though their serving is smaller that what i expected for P100, the taste kicked away that value issue, and the verdict - A must try!

On the side note, this is the only resto offering distilled water for their house water. Other offers tap water. Bring your empty tumbler of water bottle and refill it here free. Hehe!

Upon checking their walls, they have this plaque of awards displayed.

I will be reserving their awarded Bulalo on my next visit this coming August.

Dinner checked and i headed back to Tree House and settled the supplies i bought. I was not able to find my dormmates that time so i have my sole night time walk to experience the Boracay's night life. The less crowded street came alive that night. Bar setup started by different beachfront restos and hotels including their buffets. Since i already had my dinner, i promised myself to have a buffet either on my 2nd or last night in the island so i need to find a pub to chill a bit.

Then i discovered Cahrlhs. 

It is just a small pub -what i am hoping to find and hangout in Manila. The band was setup inside the bar tender's place while the customers are lined up on half oval table around the band. I'm not sure if you get my description, better check it out personally hahaha!

The band that night was very awesome picking great song pieces and when they began singing, they own the song with their acoustic arrangement and rendition. Best song of the night - 'What if God was One of Us'.  Request this song when you got the chance to go there. Verdict - pure Filipino talent at its finest!

Aside from night parties and buffets, another famous attraction here are the fire dancers. To conclude my first   night--- my fire dancer shots.

And to sum up our Bicol trip - A Call Me Maybe video offering for you.... enjoy!

To start the day right, got up at around 4M for the sunrise. I realized just now that this was too early... hahaha! We should have set the alarm at around 5AM. Anyway its okay to get excited than not to able to witness any Caramoan sunrise.

I've been a big fun sunrise and sunset so as much as possible i make sure to shot one whenever there is an opportunity. The best sunrise for me was at Mt. Pulag (highest point in Luzon) summit in Benguet above the river of clouds. Why i enjoyed it? Well i don't know but it somehow relaxes me while watching sky being painted in surprise different colors in a short time before it will be pure white or blue in the day and dark black at night.

We are so lucky enough that mother nature graces her sky in different colors during the time and was able to capture three different Caramoan sunrise version in some 30 minutes spectacle.

After enjoying the painted shoreline we headed back to our room to take our breakfast and prepare ourselves for the long trip island hopping. Still our boatman is not Mang Ramil since he's still working for Survivor that time but we are lucky he endorsed us to two of his good friend (and was not able get their names).

So here are some shots of our long trip island hopping without further ado.

On our first stop, our boatmen bought sea foods for our lunch at our nearby island and too bad, its already late since they already brought what they caught to the market but good thing we are able to buy some squids and have it grilled by our boatman -and lunch has been served. Nomnomnom!!!

Entrance photo opt with local kids to the Groto.

Breath taking view from the Groto.



One of the beautiful Mary sculptures i saw.



We we're not able to see all the islands since as what i said in my second Best of Bicol entry,  many islands are closed to public for Survivor US shooting until August. Ill take this as reason to go back to Carmoan islands to set foot on all of their famous islands.

Early up around 5AM and left our hotel at 6AM bound for Caramoan. Since it's expensive to withdraw cash from ATMs in Caramoan, better get some cash at SM Naga or at plaza. Sunny View Hotel is just few walks away to the central park surrounded by banks, restos and other establishments.

We rode a tryk to the van terminal and arrived at around 6:30AM. We decided to have a quick beakfast in a nearby carinderia since the van is still waiting for passengers. We left the terminal bound to Sabang at around   7:30 AM. 

We took advantage of a good spot in the van and had some power naps. We arrived Sabang around 9AM. After registration and paid some fees we wait our ride. A porter approached us to have our bags be carried to the boat for us to reserve our seats and we availed it. 

Compared to older practice, porters no longer carry passengers on their shoulders to avoid getting wet. There is now this so called porter bridge (i named this myself) to carry passengers to the boat. This is a better way than porter shoulders because there is a standard fee of P10 per passenger equally divided to all porters. All getting their fair shares. It is also more convenient to the passengers not worrying to get wet when the porter dropped him/her.

Seats in the pump boat are good for threes and they are uneven when it comes to dimension. Since i am tall and have long limbs i could not fit well in the seat. So better to have you porter reserve a good seat for you -should be wide enough to be comfortable and most of all not right after the engine. Good thing we're one seat from the engine or we will inhale all the smoke.

Boat engine inside the hole.

So if you will be riding the Harry boat above, the best seat is this---

Seat# 16 provides enough room for legs if the passenger is tall.

If small boat ride not a good for you. There is this RORO (Roll On - Roll Off) boat as alternative but it may take longer 3hour trip.

Since we are early, we had a good, less wavy boat ride and arrived Guijalo Port around 11:30AM. We already arranged our accommodation and we are expecting a tryk to pick us up and bring us straight to Paniman beach. 

It took us around 20-25 minutes to reach the central plaza of the island. Here we bought all we need - water and some groceries. Make sure to get enough water supply here and 'baons' for your island hopping. After plaza we headed straight to the beach.

Roads are paved not sure yet if this is because of many Survivor franchises shot at Caramoan Islands. Our tyrk driver gave us some updates on the place and several Survivor franchises from different countries shot there. Currently they have Survivor US shooting their latest season there. Many residents of Paniman beach were hired for the production as drivers, porters and our driver's mom as cook. A good means of alternative income for the residents. The only disadvantage is not all islands are accessible to public if there is an on going shooting being held.

We arrived at Kuya Ramil's house past 12NN. We met his wife since he is working for Survivor production by that time. We took some rest and bought our lunch from nearby vendors and took some quick rest and started the short trip island hopping at around past 1PM. 

Enjoy the shots below but i was not able to remember the names of the islands for the short trip we had but ill update this entry when i got it.

After the island hopping activity, we headed back to the house, bathe and grab some snacks and headed back to shore for some sunset shots in Paniman beach.

You need to go to the far left side of the beach facing the sea to get a glimpse the whole sunset. And below is the my best sunset shot as of this writing.

To conclude the day, we had our dinner in a nearby resto/paluto at the right side of the beach facing the sea. We somehow enjoyed the sumptuous meal and forgot to the name of the resto hahaha!

Calamares

Bicol Express and Fried Egplant