Red Butterfly Travel Series: Bora Weekend

Only really, really, really busy people or crazy people would go to Bora and stay for just one night. Unfortunately for us, my friend Hazel and I fall under both categories. I don’t know what we were thinking but somehow, we both decided to spend one weekend in Boracay.

We arrived at the Kalibo “International” Airport (one of the worst airports I’ve been to) before 12nn. The land travel took more than an hour and a half plus another 15-20 minutes or so for the boat transfer, so we arrived at our hotel a little before 2pm.

We stayed at Hey Jude Resort Hotel Boracay. We got the Deluxe room for only 2,000 pesos (43 USD). This includes:

• 2 double beds
• A/C
• Hot and cold shower
• Safety deposit box
• Cable TV
• Free Wi-Fi access (which we weren’t able to access)
• 24 hour standby generator

The room was ok. It was actually large enough for 4 people. The hotel’s a little far from the beach though but it’s near D’Mall at Station 2.

Hey Jude Resort Hotel Boracay
D’Mall D’ Boracay, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
+63362885401 to 02 / +639216247157 / +639228173227
heyjudehotel@yahoo.com

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Patar, Bolinao

The first time my friends and I went to Bolinao, it took us more than 12 hours to get there. It’s actually not that far and usually only takes around 6 hours or less (depending on traffic and how fast you drive). The reason it took that long is because we did the Visita Iglesia along the way. We went to 14 churches; from Antipolo to Marikina to Quezon City, all the way to Bolinao, Pangasinan.

Tired and hungry, we arrived around 9:30pm at Bing’s Beach Resort. Tempers flared when we found out that they already gave our room to someone else. Since we didn’t have the energy to look for another place to stay, we decided to just terrorize the receptionists and demand that they give us a room. We ended up spending the night at the reception hall/conference room (we didn’t have a choice). They gave us two rooms the next day.

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Boracay

The first time my friends and I went to Boracay, we were greeted by large clumps of floating algae on the beach. Then when we got off the boat, I learned about the 3 stations:

• Station 1 – for snob, rich or “feeling rich” people (socialites and foreigners included)
• Station 2 – for people who are neither rich nor poor
• Station 3 – for locals or really, really cheap people

I know. It sounds really harsh but that’s how it was explained to me. This really made me question people’s fascination with the place. But then I reminded myself that I was on vacation and that I didn’t go there to be bothered by such things. I went there with my friends to relax, enjoy and have fun.

It’s really hard not to like Bora, what with its white sand (even though I like Bohol’s better), calm waters, its slew of beautiful half-naked people and gorgeous sunsets. I’m a sucker for sunsets. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I eventually fell in love with the place.

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Mt. Pinatubo

I was in grade school when Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991. I remember asking my granny why it’s raining sand while I watched our roof slowly get covered in a thick layer of volcanic ash. The eruption was so destructive it killed a lot of people, destroyed a lot of properties and infrastructure, and even caused the earth’s temperature to drop (the volcanic ash reached as far as Russia and some parts of North America).

(photo from USGS)

After so many years of (thankfully) not exploding, this is what the crater looks like now.

When I saw this, it got me thinking; how could something so breathtakingly beautiful be so destructive? I wanted to cry. Seriously. But maybe that’s because I was also thinking: “What the fuck?! More than 3 hours of walking under the sun with blistered and bloody feet?! FINALLY! No more walking please or I will die!” Yes. I was really thinking that.

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Potipot

Potipot is an island surrounded by white sand and calm, clear waters. It’s a perfect place to relax and escape the craziness of the city… for a few hours or so. Unless of course you bring your own tent, food and water, and you’re cool with cleaning yourself up with salt water.

When my friends and I went there a couple of years ago, there weren’t any establishments on the island yet. There was no electricity and no fresh water. I’m not sure though if things have already changed.

Red Butterfly Travel Series: San Francisco

I love San Francisco. It’s so beautiful there.

I stayed there for two days when I got transferred to another ship. I remember freaking out though when I saw that a travel size toothpaste costs around 3 USD (141 pesos). I left the convenience store with an incredulous look on my face. (I know I shouldn’t convert but I couldn’t help it at that time.)

Since I didn’t know anyone there and I was all alone, I remember having a strange compulsion to sing “All By Myself” by Celine Dion (which I now find hilarious).

I hope I can go back there with some of my friends sometime in the future.

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Miami

The first thing that came to my mind when I arrived in Miami was “Am I still in the Philippines?”. It was a little hot when I went there for my cruise ship photography training.

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Ilocos

It was my first time to travel way up north with my friends. When we got to Ilocos Norte, we tried the radio and were so surprised that we couldn’t tune in to any local stations. The radio was only able to pick up Taiwanese/Chinese stations which I find really crazy!

Another travel agency (Lakbay Turista Travel & Tours) arranged this trip for us. East Avian also has tours going to Ilocos but my friends and I decided to try another travel agency for comparison. The 3 days/2 nights package includes:

• Roundtrip Van transfers (Manila-Ilocos-Manila)
• Overnight accommodation at Java Hotel and Polaris Beach Resort (Polaris was fully booked so we stayed somewhere else)
• Day Tours in Laoag, Pagudpud and Vigan
• Land transportation
• Entrance fees
• Room with A/C and cable TV

All of these for only 3,800 pesos (81 USD) per person. The package doesn’t include meals so you have to have a budget for food and “pasalubong”.

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Palawan – Puerto Princesa

The last time my friends and I went to Puerto Princesa, people can still go to most of the islands there. That was around 2002 or 2003… I think. I’m not sure. When we went back this year, you can now only go to 2 islands – Pandan and Snake. All the other islands are now privately owned and if you want to go to any of them, you have to pay a certain amount according to the locals.

It was our first time to book a domestic trip through a travel agency (East Avian Travel and Tours). Normally, we do everything ourselves. But since we’re all busy. We decided to let other people handle the stress (LOL). We spent 5,000 pesos (106 USD, airfare not included) each for a 4days/3nights package tour. Not a bad deal considering it includes:

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Anawangin Cove and Capones Island

One lazy afternoon, one of my friends texted and asked if I want to join him and a few others to go on a road trip to Anawangin. Since I had nothing better to do, I said sure, why not? I haven’t been there anyways and I’ve heard great things about that place.

Since it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of trip, we didn’t have any reservations anywhere. Fortunately, there were still 2 available rooms left at Nora’s Beach Resort when we got there around 9 or 10pm. The place was ok. They have budget friendly room rates. An overnight stay at an AC room good for 4 people costs P2,000 (43 USD). That’s only 500 pesos (11 USD) per night per person.

Nora’s Beach Resort
Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales
+639196374917/+639182788188
+6347-6210684