Seaside Holiday – Baby’s 1st Sea & Air Experience

It’s Kaja Let’s Go’s WordPress page 9th year anniversary, 9 years of documenting our travels and other memorable moments as a couple, and now as a family of three. We can’t afford an anniversary giveaway though but we have a special travel blog post.

It’s the love month again, for us it’s an extra special month since our baby girl just turned one year old! My baby rode an airplane and a boat, went to the beach..achievement for a travel-holic mommy hehe. Let us tell you more about it, “Kaja let’s go baby to Boracay!”A day after her birthday party, we flew to Boracay, just the three of us, our private celebration moment.

Baby at the AirportFor domestic flights, no need to present baby’s passport, we only showed the photocopy of her PSA issued birth certificate. To be sure, I also brought the original one but the airport staff is ok with just the photocopied version. We don’t have check-in baggages on our flights. Baby’s sitting on our laps, but the airline charged us a minimal handling fee on both flights.There’s an Infant Feeding Station near Gate 119 at NAIA Terminal 3, while waiting for our boarding announcement, I breastfed my baby inside the room. A Kiddie Play Area is also available just beside this room, but I wasn’t able to take a photo outside.Baby is not scared inside the plane even during take off and descend, most of the time she’s just playing with the airline’s magazine and other paper stuff in the chair.Upon arrival at Godofredo Ramos airport, we just looked for Klook’s booth, they took the printed voucher and gave us stickers an tickets for the jetty port. Just right outside the airport gate, their bus is waiting for us. From the airport, it’s just a 10 minute drive to Cagban Jetty Port.Baby at the Port

Now, it’s time for baby’s first sea travel. Again, baby’s not scared on both boat rides. We chose Boracay as our first family domestic travel due to the convenience of transportation. The transfers from air, sea and land is easy and accessible compared to others. After 10 minutes, we have arrived at the island.Baby at Boracay Island

Before exiting the port’s gate, our service is waiting and it took at least 15 minutes till we arrived at our hotel. We arrived 11:30am but the check-in time is 2:00pm so we left our bags with the hotel’s reception and we had our lunch nearby.On our first day, it was raining from late afternoon till evening, we have no choice but to stay indoors. It was only Daddy who went outside and bought ramen for our dinner.Second day, we are all early risers and excited to go at the seaside. After our breakfast, we walked along the shore going to Willy’s Rock. When the morning sun is out, we wanted to go for a swim but baby got scared haha, just hearing the waves scares her..and yep, we did not swam at all for the entire trip.We went to D’Mall for lunch, and just strolled along the shore the whole afternoon. Of course, pizza and pasta for our last island dinner.Third day, we just had a short seaside stroll since we have to check-out earlier due to our airport pick-up service arriving at 10:00am.

Royal Park Resort HotelLocated in beachfront of Station 1, a short walk from Willy’s Rock and a 10 minutes walk to D-Mall. We chose to stay in Station 1 area this time and it’s better, lesser crowd even on the shore. We booked this via Agoda, it’s cheaper online than on the spot booking, they charge P5,500.00 per night if you’ll walk in. Overall, we enjoyed our stay with them and will check-in here if we return to Boracay.The room is fair enough, the staff are all friendly and accommodating. I also like that they have a buffet breakfast, I really enjoyed it hehe.

Our third time visiting Boracay Island, but first time with a baby. For me, I like this cleaner, quieter version of the island. Or it just happened that we went on a weekday plus the current nCOV threat. I’m still on a vacay-high, a bit lazy & tired but honestly, travelling with a baby ain’t easy.

Our next goal, fly international with baby. For now, let’s take it slow and save up not just for travels, but for baby’s future as well.

Thanks for reading!

BoraVaCay

Visiting Boracay for the second time, touring first timer travellers with “Balik-bayan” relatives, it was an another set of experience with mixed emotions. Oh and are you gearing up for the coming summer, read on. “Kaja let’s go again to Boracay!”

Our travels were mostly solo, but this one’s a bigger group, we’re 12 persons and we served as their tour guides. The group had many first time Boracay goers and it was also nice to share the tropical experience with our Balik-bayan Tito and Tita with their sons who were all first timers in the Philippines. They experienced flight delays, unpredictable weather, commuting hassle, price haggling, eating Balut but they all totally loved the adventure and it was added to their unforgettable moments, like they say… Only in the Philippines. :p

Transportation – Kaliboracay Trips

Though we had our disappointing flight delay experience from and to Kalibo, it’s a good thing that our van transfer was a smooth and dependent one. The van that we rode were both in good condition, not an old unit. The assigned driver is always ahead of our agreed pick up time and easy to talk with, same goes with their owner. The van transfer cost us Php 3,000.00 all in. We recommend Kaliboracay trips, just give them a call or text and they answer promptly. 50% down payment is required for your reservation and you will just settle the balance during your arrival at Kalibo.

Accommodation – Boracay Ocean Bay Resort

As John was browsing at Agoda he saw this hotel and directly called them instead and happen to speak with the owner directly. It was a great deal since they offered us Php 3,200.00 for 6 persons in each room with free buffet breakfast for all checked-in guests. They are located at Station 1 along the road and near commercial establishments, it’s just a 5 minute walk from and to the White Beach. The hotel is not so new even the rooms, but it’s clean and well-maintained, away from the beach noise. Overall it’s a good place to stay with and if we will visit Boracay again, we consider staying here again. They require 50% down payment for your reservation.

Activities

What we noticed is that the tour operators had a price increase of all offered tour and activities, it was only 2014 since we went there but the price went all high. Here’s an update:

• Helmet Diving – Php 600.00 per head
• Banana Boat – Php 300.00 per head
• Island Hopping (includes snorkeling) – Php 3,000.00 medium boat / group of 10-12 persons
• Parasailing – Php 1,500.00 solo / Php 2,500.00 group of 2-3 persons

Just remember to haggle for the lowest price and don’t give in easily with the prices or stories that they tell you. Especially if you are in big groups, always mention it to them so they can adjust and give better discounts. They say the price increase was due to the demand of their travel group organization and that they standardized the prices of all activities, despite all their blahs..stillask for the lowest price! :p

Not much has changed on the island, even the other islands you will visit during the island hopping tour. The White Beach is still the same even at night, though there were some new establishments by the beach and inside the D’Mall. The for sale items and pasalubong prices is still the same.

If you want a much quiet Boracay experience and a not so hot/humid one..it’s better to visit during these months, December to February, but we still got sunburned though hehe. Off peak season is better because the accommodations are not yet fully booked, the island is not so crowded, the transportation is smoother. You also won’t wait too long in availing your water or land tours since there’s not so many visitors. But be warned for it was like you’re in Korea haha due to many Korean tourists that you will see on the island.

Summer is coming, plan ahead for your travels, start that Boracay getaway itinerary!

For our detailed Boracay travel, itinerary, expenses..you may visit our 2014 blog post.

Contact Info

Boracay Ocean Bay Resort

• http://www.oceanbayboracay.com
• Mobile Nos. 0920-9552258
• Landline Nos. 6333-337-1759 (Boracay) / 633-337-0634 (Iloilo)

John Paul Oliveros of Kaliboracay Trips

• Mobile No.  0998-5680149