leerenah

My seventh, ate’s third, and my parents’ first time in paradise. Boracay is considered one of the best travel destination in the world. I know almost every Filipino and tourists alike wanted to experience a place like this before they die.

I got this deal on CashCashPinoy on March, booked on May, for travel at this time, July. It was a very good deal, 19k for the 4 of us, airfare and accommodation included. I just added 4k for the roundtrip transfer, so it wouldn’t be a hassle on our part, since we would be travelling from Kalibo. Of course I wasn’t expecting our hotel to be like any of the ones I’ve been to. When I stayed in Discovery last summer I went to D’mall to catch a glimpse of what Hey Jude would be like. Like I expected, exterior looked like an apartment, much like a place to just lay one’s head on.
After a 35-minute flight, 2 hour transfer, and a bit of misunderstanding at Southwest tours, we finally arrived at our destination. My first impression shifted then, it suddenly looked like a resort from inside its gate. Looked much better than I expected. Though hallways are plain, no elevator, and rooms have basic amenities, I think this is worthy of its price, considering this is Boracay, and prices everywhere are commercialized. Its location is its major advantage, since it is located inside D’mall, near D’talipapa, restos, shopping and grocery stores.
We finally arrived at 3pm, and my parents were tired from the travel, so we just took our late lunch with the famed Andoks. We walked a little along the beach and settled in our room for the rest of the day. Nanay and I just bought our dinner to go at a new resto also in D’mall called Tilapia ‘n Chips. Our cream dory burger and chicken breast burger tasted ok, though a bit overpriced for about 265 each, served with fries and coleslaw.
We hit the beds shortly and got up early in the morning for our breakfast included in our accommodation. It was a set meal and I chose tapa with sunny side up egg and fried rice, and mango juice for my drink. My parents ate bangus and Ate had hotdogs, something soft for her newly adjusted braces.
We hit the waters after and my parents were so amazed at the powdery sands. It also always never fail to amaze me even though I’ve been here several times. Fine powdery sands and crystal clear blue waters, still the same after 5 years, when I first came here in 2007. We were blessed to be given very nice weather, because it was raining for an entire week before coming here. We took several jumping shots, also in the water coz I brought an underwater camera. We walked along the beach after until we reached the Grotto in Station 1. We took pictures and had some shakes at the also famous Jonas Fruitshakes.
We got back to our hotel and it was lunchtime. We dined at Pancake House because it was my parents first time. It was hot outside so we just stayed in our room for the rest of the day. Nanay, Ate and I walked a bit to catch the late sunset and looked for a place to get dinner. I have wanted them to try dinner buffet by the beachfront like the one we had at Le Soleil 2 years ago. Around 500 per person with various seafoods. But Tatay did not come along with us, so we just ate at a nearby cheap eatery called Big Smoke and had take out for Tatay. Their food tasted ok too, and I especially liked their frozen iced tea. Our last day was spent with a bit of shopping, a bit of swimming. Tatay did not swim anymore coz the weather was different from yesterday, a bit cloudy and chilly today. We checked out from hotel at noon and went out to look for somewhere to have lunch. We walked up to Shakey’s but it was packed so we headed back to D’mall. We ended up having our lunch in a restaurant bar called Epic. Food were expensive, I think my order of Chicken Inasal cost 285 without drink, but tasted real good.
We were fetched by Southwest tours shortly after. Of course my parents were kinda sad to leave, and as early as now they have been requesting to come back for next year. Hopefully we would be back and I’d make sure it’d be via Caticlan. I know Kalibo is only about one and half hour away, but for oldies like my parents, it can get really tiring with too many transfers. Hey Jude is a nice, quiet hotel if you’re on a modest budget. Very nice location, and staff were helpful, too. I forgot to return the power adapter I borrowed from them, and they did not seem to remember, too. I’d considered it as a nice souvenir.
Another memorable getaway with my parents, hopefully next year together with tabs so we’ll be complete. 🙂