What a travel adventure. As I said earlier, the line at the Manila airport took forever. I had plenty of time. When I eventually got to the front of the line I asked to get on an earlier flight. At first he said no but after paying him $35 in excess baggage fees in cash, he cleared me on the next flight.
It was 1:15pm and the flight left at 1:00pm. He said they would hold it for me - yeah.
I had to pay the airport tax of 200 pesos (one of many I would pay before the day was over). Then through security. When I got to the gate I found out the inbound flight hadn't arrived yet.
Finally we boarded the prop for an hour flight to Boracay. On arrival I had three more fees to pay - 50 pesos tricycle fee to get me to the boat dock - really a motorcycle with a little cabin attached. Then a 75 peso environmental fee and the 25 peso boat fee. When I got to the dock there was another 50 peso terminal fee. In case you are wondering there are 42 pesos to the dollar.
The boat ride was fine, at least this time they had life rafts. Then I had another 100 peso tricycle fee to get near the hotel. I had to walk the last 1/10 of a mile wheeling my luggage in the sand.
But I was very lucky when I was told I was upgraded to a suite - kitchen, dining area, living room and a big loft bedroom with a jacuzzi on the balcony.
I think I'm gonna have a great time here.
I walked up and down the crowded beach. The sunset was island perfect with hundreds of sail boats on the horizon. I'll take a boat ride before I leave. At dinner time the beach fills with tents and restaurants. You get to choose your entree to be grilled in front if you. I picked two jumbo, and I mean jumbo prawns. They were at least a half a pound each and they tasted like lobster (which I plan on having tomorrow).
The next morning was overcast, which was good since I don't think I could take more then an hour of sun. There are people here from all over the world - one of the Philippines most popular resorts.
My wake up call at 8:00am was from my niece Lisa. She is less telephone challenged then Eric who still hasn't been able to reach me.
Around noon the sun came out and I basked for about an hour until it started raining - much needed relief. It didn't last long, just to get all the beach chairs wet.
During the afternoon I read at the pool. All my library ebooks had expired, so I'm back to a discarded one from a hotel. Its about someone hijacking the shuttle and flying it to the moon. Very realistic, but entertaining.
I'm now enjoying a strong beer 6.9% alcohol as I write these notes.
The Mongolian BBQ was interesting. I added unknown vegetables and sauces to my chicken. At least the sign said chicken. It was really very good. After dinner I walked the beach again. It is like a complete transformation from daytime. The beach turns into one big party for the tourists.
Unfortunately the next day brought rain, rain and more rain. I read, did crosswords and sudokus, and lounged in my private jacuzzi.
It was still pouring at dinner time do I selected a nearby beach restaurant where I had a succulent lobster - not cheap but good. After dinner a chocolate ice cream bar.
Thursday was cloudy with some sun. I can't believe I slept until after 10am, missing breakfast. I strolled the beach to Starbucks for chocolate cake and cappuccino - my eating habits must change when I get home.
I sat on the beach and soaked up 30 minutes of sun before the clouds took over. It was still a beautiful day and I relaxed, watched and read. At 3pm I went inside and within minutes the sky started dropping huge raindrops. Good timing. I spent my final afternoon on my balcony. Sorry I missed a sailboat ride. But I have two more beaches with hopefully better weather.
For dinner I had the two largest prawns ever and a dozen oysters, really 16. It was 780 pesos for prawns, and 150 for oysters.
Well my time in Boracay has come to an end. I'm sorry the weather wasn't better but it was great visiting Asia's second favorite beach resort after Bali.
Time to get the cash out for tips and fees. It reminds me of the first time I went to the Bahamas, but there they demanded tips, for little if no service. At least here they were sincere.
So we start with the hotel bell boy 20 pesos, twice. Then 100 for the tricycle. 50 for the boat terminal fee and 25 for boat. 20 twice for porters to carry my luggage on and off the rickety bridge. Then 50 more for another tricycle to the airport, I could have walked, and finally 200 airport terminal fee. Total - too much.
The flight was over an hour late, which I determined is normal for the Philippines.
Look how large the prawn is.
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