Laid Back-Boracay Getaway with Bbeyb

While the rest of the globe is enjoying autumn or early winter, it’s never too wrong to stay away from the large crowd, and still enjoy summer - one of the perks of living in a tropical country. And speaking of perks, working for a US company has always been vacation-friendly. It includes having the option to be on holiday on their holidays, and having the option of not to work on Philippine Holidays, or else, you’ll earn another holiday off, which means, another holiday. Cool deal? Oh, yeah! But what’s more awesome is when a special event in your life falls within those holidays, which translates to happiness to my traveling feet. 

So, where am I today? I am in Boracay, celebrating US Thanksgiving day and my Bbeyb’s annual birthday trip. 

There she is [photo below] enjoying the fresh salty breeze of the blue Boracay sea and the powdery white Boracay sand at Shangri-La Boracay’s Punta Bunga Beach.

As I have been mentioning in my last few travel write ups, I have less activities on my trips and I have been focusing more on spending hours in a laid back setting, lying down the beach, having a cup of coffee in the balcony, browsing the net, capturing instagrammable spots, watching the sunset, counting the cricket sounds and bird chirps, gazing at the moon and the stars and checking if some of the bluish white stars and constellation taught during grade school still exist.

If you are on your third or fourth decade of life and you want to do the same here in Boracay, I have a dozen tips here for you:

1. Book a flight to MPH. 

Though there are two airports in Aklan, I prefer to skip the van transfer from Kalibo to Caticlan Jetty Port. If you want to go for a more convenient trip, check out helicopter services that will bring you straight to your hotel from NAIA.

2. Choose a hotel that offers shuttle transfers.

Rubbing elbows with other commuters would be not be a good idea if your goal is to relax and unwind. 

3. Settle for a beachfront room at Station 1.

You will never go wrong with Station 1’s sand quality. If your goal is to relax and escape from the busy crowd and still enjoy the powdery white sand of Boracay, Station 1 is the place to be. If the room has a loft and a balcony, that’s a plus.

3. Select a hotel that is accessible to Station 2. Station 2 is where the night life is. Dinner over some cocktails or few bottles of beer would be better with a live band or a dancing crowd.

It’s also fun to walk or jog from Station 1 to 2 in the morning. 

4. Stay for a night or two away from white beach. Boracay is not all about the stretch of white sand. For a more secluded get away, try the other side of Boracay. Below is photo taken at Shangri-La Boracay’s Banyugan Beach.

5. Capture the sunset. Boracay has a very distinctive sunset. Whether you are at your hotel’s balcony or at the beach, as long as you are facing west, you can hardly miss this beautiful experience.

[Photo below at Shangri-La Boracay’s Deluxe Room with sea view]

[Photo below at Station 1 across Villa Kaloo]

6. Get a hotel with a pool. At some point when you feel like your body needs to let go of the salty feeling, a cold dip is a must. When you get an infinity pool, with a view of the beach, with very minimal or no photobombers, then you’re lucky. [Photos below were taken from Shangri-La’s infinity pool.]

7. Enjoy fresh catch of crabs, lobsters and prawns at the D’Talipapa area. It’s Dampa-style of dining. [Photo below was taken at Sugba in Station 3.]

8. Do not skip your hotel’s buffet breakfast.

If you are having too much seafood diet, this will serve as your neutralizer. Shangri La serves the best selection of gastronomic dishes, including goat cheese with ashes.

9. Check the locations of your favorite fruit shake, frappe or ice blended drink in advance. A trip to the beach won’t be complete without your favorite cold drink. 

10. Plan your trip to the ocean. An overcrowded body of water isn’t the best place to swim on.

11. Have a massage. Aromatherapy swedish massage at Chi Spa has the most number of  positive reviews.

12. Lastly, be with your favorite travel buddy. At the end of the day, it’s who you travel with that makes the trip worthwhile.

We all have our favorite holidays, and the best holidays are those spent with the people you love, at your favorite season of the year. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our US friends and colleagues, and Happy birthday to my bbeyb in advance. 😘

Until our next trip. 😎

My 2017 Birthday Trip to SG

Unlike my other trips, where all little events and meet ups were squeezed in between every part of the travel itinerary, this trip was designed to be limited, but meant to drive pure bliss.

Flight Schedule

The outbound flight was planned to arrive late in the afternoon in Singapore, to avoid the heat of the sun upon arrival. Predeparture activities are already stressful to begin with, so might as well be there just before sunset.

The return flight was scheduled to arrive in MNL on a Sunday noontime or early afternoon, so traffic is light to moderate in the metro.

Accommodation

Why settle for less when you can be at the best? Convenience is the top priority when this trip was finalized. Accessibility to amenities and hotel facilities, wide variety of food choices, availability of

coffee shops, and proximity to MRT,

attractions and shopping areas were all taken in great considerations and were all achieved.

Hotel Facilities and Amenities

The highlight of the trip is a garden view room of Marina Bay Sands. The Gardens by the Bay and the Flower Dome can be seen from our balcony.

This relaxing scenery both by day and night is one of my favorite parts of this trip. Thanks to my bbeyb for making this happen. 

The hotel also offers infinity pool access at the 57th floor, exclusive to guests, with a view of the Merlion and the Esplanade.

The Sky Park is also located at the same level and is open to non-hotel guests who are willing to spend $25 to see a 360^o view of the city.

Restaurants and Coffee Shops

Marina Bay Sands also offers a wide range of food choices including the famous Xiao Long Bao of Din Tai Fung and Bread Street Kitchen by the famous Gordon Ramsay. Canton Paradise also serves mouth-watering dimsums and dumplings.

Thanks, Boyong, for the treat. 😎

Outside the mall, within 10 to 15 minutes walk are also good food choices such as Gluttons Bay and Satay by the Bay. 

The availabilty of Starbucks Reserve at the basement floor lined up to our favorite coffee bonding moment. TWG is also available at the same floor for tea lovers.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is also everywhere. 

Attractions and Services

The proximity of our accommodation to famous landmarks was also well-planned and has made the trip hassle free. We stayed for a night in Harborfront area - the gateway to the Sentosa Island, the home of the man-made beaches of Singapore, Resorts World and the Universal Studios.

One night was also spent near the city's tourist hub, Clarke Quay.

And of course, who would want to miss the Merlion Park, Esplanade, Art Museum, Gardens By the Bay and Marina Bay Sands? All of these can be enjoyed all-day if you stay within the city center. 

Thanks, Kuya Hec and Ate Gen for babysitting mom on some parts of the trip. 😎

Shopping

What else can you wish for if all your favorite shops are under one roof?

Feeling Grateful

After few days of fun, it is always fulfilling to end the day with a few moments to thank our one true love for everything. Thank you, Papa God, for all the blessings. 

Wrapping Up

Happiness begins when you can honestly tell yourself that you can live life to the fullest. I am close to that feeling of pure bliss - having not to worry much about travel expenses, getting your utility bills and investment plans paid in full and on time, having a less stressful work environment, meeting and exceeding your clients' expectations both in dentistry and technology world, keeping a few but true circle of friends, not having serious health problems, traveling with the most important people in your life, and going home to your adorable fur balls after one stressful day. These all make the hardwork worthy of all.

My birthday celebration isn't over yet, but, this was indeed a happy trip. 

Until next time.. 😎