Crystal Cove Island

In my Island Hopping at Boracay, I would want to highlight my stay at Crystal Cove Island. As what the island's official(?) site states:

This two hectare Island just sits at the threshold of the Boracay coast, the Philippines world famous destination catering to an assembly of international tropical thrill seekers. With such convenient location, you can visit the exquisite paradise island everyday and go join the world class fun and parties the resort is popular for. But at the same time, after every end of the day, you can leave all the lights and glamour and sail away home to little crystal cove island to your own much favored solitude. This island is found upon solid rock, a gallery of haunting niches and sea caves bordered by crystal-green waters.

Living with this blog's purpose (to share the pictures of my adventures), here are some of my Crystal Cove Island photos.

At Crystal Cove with Caticlan Background


This is the Crystal Cove's Entrance that welcomes tourists


Crystal Cove Island is a 20 minutes boat ride from the North Eastern side of the Boracay coast. The sight of this pristine sea immediately calls to your innate thirst for things tropical, and as soon as you get there, the right thing to do is plunge right away and bask with abandon! Everything! In this island seems to work to satisfy your need for privacy.


The Crystal Cove Arch


A Hand-Shaped Chair


Drift Woods


Rocks at Crystal Cove

Rocks and Buildings

I still got a lot of pictures of my trip, but I simply picked those worth sharing with you :)

Puka Beach, Boracay

Just when I thought that I already shared all my adventures at Boracay Island, I found several photos worth sharing, so here we go.

Island hopping activity at Boracay will not only fascinate you with the island destination itself, but as well with the view of nature as you sail along the beach. Here's a view of the Crocodile Island from afar. See it's resemblance to a crocodile? For more info, here's what Scuba Dive Philippines have to say about Crocodile Island:

Crocodile Island

Crocodile Island is only a stones throw away from Boracay Island itself and can be reached within fifteen minutes from White Beach. It a site which is available to divers of all levels of experience as the top of the wall, which is swarmed with marine life, is only at 5 meters. Usually, the dive is started by going along the wall to a maximum depth of 18 - 20 meters, then returning to the boat in the shallow water on top of the wall. A huge variety of life can be found at Crocodile Island including schools of reef fish, Nudibranch, Lion Fish, Scorpion Fish, Moray Eels, Cuttle Fish, Sea snakes, Gorgonian Fan Corals and much more.

Of course I won't let the chance to pass by to have taken a photo while I seem to be in the driver's seat in this sailboat.

Then we finally arrived at Puka Beach. Island Boracay Philippines describes Puka Beach as:

Puka Beach, Boracay

A quiet stretch of white sand along the northern tip of the island, Puka Beach is an image of what most people expect on a tropical island: white sand, azure water, and relatively empty. This is where locals gather the small puka shells for some of the jewelry that is sold on the island so expect the sand to be more coarse than on White Beach. The water tends to be a little rougher on this side of the island but it is much quieter. Similarly, there are fewer services -- at last count there was one restaurant but you likely won't have a problem getting a cold drink or an ice cream as there are a few vendors that patrol the beach. The main road in Boracay terminates at Puka Beach therefore you'll be able to hire a tricycle to get there in less than 10-15 minutes from central White Beach. Make sure you arrange a pickup if it is a quiet day and no tricycles are hanging around the beach. Most people experience Puka as one of their sailboat or banca stops during a day trip. This is a good spot for a picnic, but be sure to bring your trash home with you.

We only have a day to hop island after island; hence, we can't stay that long. We head on our way to another island. And as we sail along, I captured a photo of Romblon.

Romblon

And before I forgot, here's the picture of the "buko" vendor together with his sailboat as I mentioned in one of my Boracay posts

Coconut Vendor at Boracay

Sand Castles at Boracay

This is the last set of photos of my Boracay escapade that I will be sharing with you.

Another tourist attraction in the island of Boracay is their sand castles. I happen to spot a number of sand castles strategically positioned in front of the hotels in the island. The sand castles are made daily by these talented persons. I guess they were paid by the hotels as these castles are one of their form of advertisements. The sand castles have the name of the hotel together with the day it was built. There is no required payment when you take a picture of the castles, but you can voluntarily donate any amount. As for me, I had given PhP 20 and PhP 50 to the more accommodating one.

Boracay Beach Chalets May 8, 2009








Boracay Island Villa De Oro May 8, 2009

The Boracay Beach

What is famous about Boracay is the beach together with its fine sand along the shore. And those where what the following pictures will show you. I captured these photos during my beach walking last May 8, 2009. Despite being cloudy on that day, you can still feel the sun rays kissing your skin, tempting you to enjoy walking beside the beach.

Cloudy Boracay


Boracay Beach Front

I had spotted several wind surfers on the beach, enjoying their vacation at the island. Thus, I took some shots to share it with you just to give you an idea another activity you'll surely love when you visit the island. Unfortunately, I have no idea on the rates and where you can get your things for windsurfing. Nonetheless, I assure you that the folks there would provide you information you'll need, just in case.

Wind Surfer


Vinta and Wind Surfer

This is the view of the Residencia Boracay. I admire how they were able to maintain those numerous coconut trees. It really gives shade to everyone under them.

Residencia Boracay

Boracay beach had been divided into three (3) stations I believe. Here I have pictures of Station 1 with it's end, the Ratsky.

Boracay Station 1 Beach Front


End of Station 1 Ratsky

Island Hopping at Boracay

One of the most common activities whenever you visit Boracay, is island hopping. Of course, I grab the opportunity to be at peace with nature as I hop on the islands at Boracay.



Me and my company rode the MB Gelila as we tour the island. I should say that this is one of the most enjoyable activities you could have when you were on the place. It is simply nice to discover the beauty of the Philippines hidden in these separated islands that we all should be proud of. I really hope that these pieces of land be taken good care of so that the next generation, our would-be children and grand children, can still enjoy the beauty that hides in the center of Boracay beaches.

For island hopping tour rates, I capture a photo of their laminated flyer.



For 3 hours of hopping, a small boat (with a capacity of 1-8 persons) costs PhP 2,500.00; a medium boat (with a capacity of 6-12 persons) costs PhP 4,000.00; and a big boat (with a capacity of 17-25 persons) costs PhP 6,000.00. There is an additional of PhP 500.00 per hour in excess of the 3 hours. You may contact Joe and Myrna at 09215195691 for your tour.

During your hop, you will be able to encounter the man who sells "fresh buko", in the middle of the water, in his boat. I find it fascinating, and I can't help but admire him on how he manages to open the "buko" while riding his small boat.

... got 2 more sets of pictures, and my Boracay experience posts is finished ...

Casa Pilar Beach Resort at Boracay

As what I have mentioned from my previous post, I stayed at Casa Pilar Beach Resort in my first Boracay escapade.

Here is the picture at the Beach Front


An umbrella that would serve as your shade under the sun


And the cloudy Boracay that I enjoyed during my stay there

I had enjoyed my stay at the resort, at par with five star hotels within the area. With that, I provide them a free advertisement here in my blog and share with you their rates and amenities.

Room Type	Lean Season	Peak Season	Super Peak Season
Deluxe-AC	2,900.00	4,000.00	4,500.00
Superior-AC	2,400.00	3,300.00	3,600.00
Standard-AC	2,000.00	2,800.00	3,000.00
Fan Room	1,200.00	1,800.00	2,000.00

Accommodations:

• 8 Deluxe Aircon (cable tv, ref, hot shower)
• 40 Superior Aircon (cable tv, hot shower)
• 6 Standard Aircon (cable tv)
• 16 Fan rooms

Notes:

• Rates are quoted in Philippine Peso (PhP)
• Single or Double Occupancy with breakfast
• Maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children (below 8 years old)
• Extra person charge is 450.00 with breakfast
• Lean Season: June 16 - November 15
• Peak Season: November 16 - June 15
• Super Peak Season: Christmas, New Year, and Holy Week
• Rates inclusive of Government Tax
• Check in time is 1:00PM; Check out time is 12:00NN

Facilities

• Restaurant (6am – 10pm)
• Bar (6am-10pm)
• Front Office (6am – 10pm)
• Pavilion (300person)
• Function Room (100 person)
• Safety Deposit
• Island Tour
• Massage Service
• Airport Transfers/ Airline Ticket Reconfirmation
• Laundry Service
• Wifi Access

You may contact them at:

Casa Pilar Beach Resort is located in Station 3, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Philippines
Tel No. (63 36) 2883073 telefax (63 36) 2883202
Email address: casa_pilar@yahoo.com

Grotto at Boracay Island

I'm not yet done with my Boracay pictures. I still have a lot of photos to share, a few of them are these, the Grotto, a famous tourist spot at the island. In fact, it has been cited as one of the 10 Hidden Gems on Boracay Island.

Ezine Articles states that:

8. Boracay Beach Grotto - Your Boracay experience won't be complete without fantastic photographs to immortalize the island paradise. The Grotto is a famous landmark. However, not everyone takes the time to climb the stairs. For those who have, they have found themselves greeted with a breathtaking view of both the sea and of Boracay Island. Amateur and professional photographers alike find the view from the top very rewarding.

On the Rocks


At the Grotto

As for me, I believe this had been a vivid showcase on how Catholicism had influenced the Philippines.

West Cove Resort of Manny Pacquiao

In my Boracay escapade, I happen to pass by this mansion, and I can't help but admire it. Interestingly, I found out that this is one of Manny Pacquiao's property, the West Cove Resort. He is very lucky to have this property here.

I had read from one of the writings that it is a public secret that Pacquiao owned it. Well, I guess now it's no longer a secret, hee hee.

Boracay Island Souvenirs

When I travel, I would always buy some stuff for souvenirs and "pasalubong". Of course, my travel at Boracay is counted.

This is a picture of me posing while choosing shirts as island souvenirs...

... or do I look like the vendor? ha ha ha

Spotted the name of this store?

It's my store, "Paulo's Collection", he he... Well, that was a hopeful thinking :P


Here, I have a bracelet and magnetic souvenirs for the refrigerators.

The love of my life would always stick to their refrigerators stuffs from my travel.


Another bracelet, and a lot of cellphone accessories.

I had only left one for myself.


And of course, the shirts with Boracay name on it.

I had these shirts as my pasalubong for the children.

Boracay Island - Day 2

It's my second that at Boracay. It's time to take a walk along the shore and enjoy the beach.

Boracay is also known as a place where people from the showbiz industry take a time to relax and enjoy themselves as individuals rather than celebrities. Luckily, I had spotted a few of the Kapuso Artists. I'm a little shy though to have a picture with most of them. I only had a couple. Probably if they were Purefoods TJ Giants cagers, then I won't hesitate to take the chance and have some souvenier photos.

Me with Kiko, one of the contestants of the reality game show, Survivor Philippines

I don't walk all the time as I explore Boracay. I also happen to ride one of their basic tricycles. It's different from what we have back in Bulacan.

Riding Boracay's Basic Tricycle

During my stay at the island, Nestea held a beach volleyball league.



Oh, see my Merrel shoes? Full of sand! Good it is water proof *brag*



Back to the celebrities, I had spotted here Rhian Ramos and Alfred Vargas (?).



And another photo opportunity with another Survivor Philippines contestant, Rob.


... more pictures to come!

1st Day Boracay - May 2009

Hello everyone, It's my first day at Boracay Island and its time to witness the beauty of the Island. At the front beach, there are lots activities in the front beach/.

Here, small children still in the beach even at the night time. I dont want to think that they doesn't even appreciate the beauty of the Island for they are only looking for some good samaritans that willing to offer them some foods for the night.

It was a very windy night. Im not a party goer type of person so I stayed at the beachfront even during the cold night. windy coz there is a tropical storm in the northern part of the country. Strong winds means higher waves.