Boracay in April

I love Boracay. Default reasons would be the beach, the sand; but more so because it has something to offer to everyone. It is just so convenient to be there. Everybody that we have brought to Boracay loved it, even the oldies.

We just got back from our recent trip last April 16-19, 2015. Despite the moss-laden shores during summer, the beach and the water are still beautiful. Thanks to my mommy who booked and treated us this time. Personally, the best time to go to Boracay is during September. Unless its an outlier, the normal scenario would be clean shores and tamed seas (perfect for island hopping and other water activities).

It was a trip meant for relaxation. A few activities were decided on the spot to bring people who are new to Boracay a snapshot and taste of the island.

Let me share with you a walkthrough of our April trip:

Day1

Arrival in Boracay.

Bans resort

Of course we stayed in Bans. There were many times wherein we were tempted to stay in hotels but we always choose to stay here. The accommodation is far from first class, but the location is the best. A few hops to the beach. To the left are all the island’s conveniences, to the right, seclusion.

I always request for the cottages nearest the reception so I am closest to the beach. My contact in Bans has always been Kuya Dandy. Aside from the receptionists who answer my email and give me the rates, I can always trust Kuya Dandy with my other requests such as discounts, transfer bookings and activities.

Bans beach resort is a beachfront accommodation along the transition of Station1 and Station2 of White Beach.

Pamana

We had late lunch in Pamana. It was my first time to try it and food just hits home, delicious. Everything that we ordered tasted great – pork sisig, crispy tadyang, baked tahong. The standout would be the pinakbet. Prices are affordable as well.

And then we checked in and slept.

Andok's Roasted Chicken

Andok’s

We wanted a simple dinner from the sumptuous lunch. We decided to walk to d’mall and eat somewhere a lot less fancy, the comfort food that is Andok’s. We ordered a whole roasted chicken, grilled liempo and grilled bangus (milkfish).

We walked around Station 2, went back and rested the night away.

Day2

Sandbar

The breakfast was part of the arrangement made by my mom and I had tocilog. It was normal, nothing spectacular except the beach in front of you.

And then we went swimming.

d’talipapa: Plato d’ Boracay

Come lunchtime, we rode a tricycle going to d’talipapa. We tried Plato d’ Boracay because it is the most famous and reviewed among the other places. We bought seafood and had the restaurant cook buttered shrimp, shrimp tempura, fish tinola and grilled squid. Everything tasted fine but I loved the buttered shrimp, with its sauce good enough as viand. The shrimp tempura arrived last and we expected the usual tempura. What arrived was a camaron-like tempura with thousand island dressing. And we were sad. Lol.

Pasalubong shopping

We walked our way back to the resort. Along the way, my mom and the rest bought their pasalubongs. Goods in d’talipapa are cheaper than those in d’mall.

Zuzuni / Cucina

Before reaching the resort, you will pass by Zuzuni, which is now Cucina. The once Greek-themed restaurant renovated a couple of years back and is now serving Spanish cuisine. We tried again the Mati’s Sin Chocolate Lava Cake. It is still the same, a nice dessert, good for sharing. The dessert was famous before the renovation but after a couple of years, so much has developed in terms of food offerings on the island that the once famous dessert can easily be overshadowed by new ones.

And then we slept. And swam again.

Hawaiian BBQ Ribs

Hawaiian BBQ

This restaurant is really part of our itinerary. Dinner was spent eating the Hawaiian barbecue ribs and seafood bouillabaisse. We also ordered apple and potato salad as sidings.

Starbucks

There were two birthday celebrants with us and we bought them a slice of Chocolate Cake each. It was a light and simple dessert to finish the ribs dinner.

And then we retired for the night.

Day3

Breakfast

I did not avail of the breakfast this time and just ate cup noodles which my dad bought in d’mall the day we arrived.

Amazing kuya selling coconuts on a surfboard

Snorkeling and Puka Beach

After breakfast, we went snorkeling in 2 places. The small boat could not go around the island because of strong waves. That was fine because the main purpose of the boat trip was to go to Puka Beach. We swam under the angry Mr. Sun and had ice cream before going back to White Beach.

I knew while swimming in Puka beach that I will be going home, for the first time, sunburned.

barLo at Two Seasons Beach Resort

I keep on seeing people rave about the oyster sisig and four cheese pizza in Two Seasons Beach Resort - so we gave it a try. We ordered four cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, oyster sisig and crispy pata. The family loved the four cheese pizza, TP loved the oyster sisig.

Tempura in Mica's Restaurant

d’talipapa: Mica’s Restaurant

We just had to go back and eat tempura done right! It is more busy during the night; I prefer to eat in d’talipapa during lunch time. We were with another family. We asked the restaurant to cook sinigang na isda, stuffed grilled squid and shrimp tempura while waiting for our table. The shrimp tempura (and tempura sauce) did not disappoint.

We again walked back to the resort and I bought a fire dance training set along the beach, more like a toy than an instrument. It is just 2sets of balls attached to nylon cords. The kids selling them offer on-the-spot quick fire dance lessons when you buy.

Day4

Breakfast

Another cup noodle for me. My family still ate the usual breakfast fare in Sandbar.

Depart Boracay.

It was such a quick vacation that it just seemed like a dream. But it was still paradise on top of food trips and sunburns.