Kalibo| Bakhawan Eco-Park

happened on June 21, 2016

the lush mangrove forest with a river

Preservation of our natural resources always excites me.  With too much developments being done left and right, the harm it's causing our natural habitat is getting out of hand already.  It's a great fear that our next generation will no longer be able to see how beautiful our world is.

Since our flight is at 11PM and we have left Boracay early, we have so much time to kill.  we asked our van driver cum tour guide to take us to the famous attractions in Kalibo.  So he took us here.  In my mind, "what can we expect here?".  But I was in for a great surprise.

walk, walk, walk

Hats off to the locals of Kalibo for this very worthy and meaningful project.

The Bakhawan Eco-Park is a 220-hectare mangrove forest located in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.  This mangrove reforestation project started in 1990 when the local government and several non-government organizations transformed the muddy shoreline of Narangay New Buswang into a mangrove reforestation site to prevent flood and storm surges in the community.  The park is dubbed as the Philippines' most successful mangrove reforestation projet.  The Eco-park is operated by the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (KASAMA). (Source: Wikipedia).

So for almost 26 years now, it is still being well maintained and developed into a full blown forest with different variety of mangroves.  They still continue to plant trees which I'm sure will make this forest a sustainable one.

the entrance

The trip on this Eco-Park starts at the registration area where you will be oriented on its history and mission to protect this mangrove forest.

the entrance fee

the progress.. quite remarkable

Boracay 2016| Crown Regency and Convention Center

happened on June 2016

the many rooms and huge pool

Looking for an accommodation that is worth the budget is always a challenge for any traveller.  I'm a on the comfortable side type of traveller so I know that I can't be a back packer like the rest of them.  It has always been my rule to travel with a minimum budget but still having the comforts of a tourist.  So for this trip I needed to make sure that our accommodation is comfortable enough and strategically located; that is near the beach, water activity areas, groceries and dining areas.  I would love to book at the beach front hotels but they will surely cost higher.  

interesting wood scuplture at the lobby

Thank goodness for promos!  Upon checking Metrodeal, I saw this promo for this hotel.  It's only Php4,000/night for 4 people sans the breakfast.  Availing this promo is very easy:

1.  I called the travel agency first to check if there are available rooms for our preferred schedule of stay and reserve for the rooms.
2. Once availability of the rooms is confirmed, I availed the promo and used my credit card for the payment.
3. I saved a copy of the voucher.
4. I called the agency again to confirm the voucher code numbers.
5. We are booked.  Yep, it's that easy!

Upon arrival at the hotel, I just showed the vouchers and then a card access was given to us.  There's free Wi-Fi inside the room; slow but puede na tyagain.

I know that this resort is big but I didn't imagine that it is HUGE!  Our room was located at the far end fronting the huge pool. The lobby is also huge.

And this is our room:

view from our hallway

Boracay 2016| MIssing this Hidden Paradise

happened on June 17, 2016

It's a working day and yet my mind is glued somewhere, particularly in that private and unexploited beach.  Don't you just wish that money is just around the corner that you can easily pick it up whenever you needed to go somewhere??? ^-^  It's everybody's ardent wish I guess.

there your are!

This hidden paradise can only be accessed by availing the ATV or Buggy ride.  It's a 20 min, stop-over cum rest time. 

We availed the ride thru Crown Regency.  It has tied up with a company offering adventures packages.  The ATV ride is at Php900.00 per head while a Buggy ride is Php1,500.00 for 2 persons.  We opted for the Buggy ride since I don't want the stress of manuevering this vehicle.  Mas masarap pa din maging pasahero.  

On our second day, we opted to experience this ride not knowing that there is a paradise awiting for us. We were picked up at the hotel and dropped at the site (included in the package).  After a few minutes of orientation, payment and signing the waiver, we were brought to our vehicles.  This activity is with an accompanied guide.

with my best driver

The route is not too thrilling and challenging.  The challenge lies on the vehicle itself.  It frequently turned off.  We always needed the guide to turn it on.  Same with the other vehicles.

start of the route, you will have to pass by this circle twice

Endless Shopping Options in Landers Superstore

happened on July 10, 2016

My IG feed has been flooded lately with posts on this store.  I became curious and started to research on what the buzz is all about.  And so as they say, curiosity kills the cat... "gastos on the rise"

just love the architecture.. doesn't look like a warehouse at all

Landers superstore is a newly opened 8,000 sq. m. membership super market located along EDSA near Balintawak market.  It is very similar with S&R chain of supermarkets but offers majority of imported products (around 80%).

Since I learned that it's like S&R, I forced asked the hubby to accompany me in checking it out.  The kids were curious as well so they joined me in going here.

It's a Sunday so we were not surprised to see that it's already jam packed when we arrived but there is an ample parking space so parking is quite easy.

First on the list is to be a member.  Here's a guide on how to be one:

1. Line-up, and fill-up a form in the registration area located at the entrance. No need for any ID as you will be needing to present this upon claiming of the permanent card.  The registration officer will place a registration number on your form. Go to the 2nd registration table.

2.  Submit the form to this table where you will pay the annual membership fee and get your temporary membership ID.  Annual membership fee for now (till September 15, 2016) is Php640.00; 20% discounted from the regular fee of Php800.00.

3.  You can now use your temporary card for shopping.  The permanent ID can be claimed after a week at this section. You have to present this temporary ID, receipt and any valid ID to claim it.

So you have the tempo ID, next of course is ... shopping!!!!

my temporary membership ID

The store set-up is basically the same with S&R but more spacious and some added elegance.  But they offer mostly the same products.  The prices are almost the same, too.

in a few months, this will be too crowded as well

Any supermarket or grocery store is a happy place for me so this one is not so different.  I took most of the time checking each section.  Here, let me take you a tour:

Lots and lots of chocolates to welcome any shopper:

The appliance center:

What happened to you Puka Beach???

happened on June 17, 2016

hues of blue

One thing I was looking forward to with this trip is seeing Puka Beach again after eight long years.  I remember how secluded it was with aquamarine colored waters and pebbled sand, with almost no people around except for a hanful of sellers.  I even plan to stay here for a whole day - just basking under the sun, enjoying its refreshing view and inviting waters, day dream and just let the time goes by.  During my previous visits, I only thought that this could only be accessed by boat.  It's so accessible "pala" with a trike.

But then, this is what had welcomed us.... a row of souvenir shops, some eateries and bamboo cottages for rent.  You will be offered with free cottage rental at the entrance but the catch is, you will have to order fruit shakes each guest.  The fruit shake costs Php350.00.  Duh!!!!! it's like going into a trap.  Don't bite this scam folks.  Just canvass first.  you don't even need a cottage in the first place.  Just bring a malong or sarong and you're good to stay anywhere you please; just be ready for the scorching heat.

beware of these men.. they will offer you costly rentals

Boracay is "still" LoVe

happened on June 16-20, 2016

missing this beach already

How do you enjoy Boracay after visiting it for so many times already?  I rather answer this question with another question.  How can you ever get tired of it anyway?  Because I honestly don't - even if it's way too much commercialized already (compared to 8 yrs ago) and invaded by foreigners, Koreans - occupying the major percentage, the Chinese next and a small percentage of other nationalities.  The locals lie in between.  Yes, it's crowded but I can't see this as a hassle in vacationing in this paradise.

So when I saw a promo by Air Asia, I didn't hesitate to book since it's already 8 years the last time hubby and I sat foot on its prestine white sand.  I was able to get a very low price of less than Php2K for a round trip ticket via Kalibo (per person).  Of course, it will be much convenient if we will embark in Caticlan but with that cheap price, I'm willing to travel another 2 hrs just to see this special place again.  It doesn't even matter if my booking is still a year away from the schedule.  I'm so willing to patiently wait to see it again.  Another 4 people joined us later with the same promo price.

Next on the list is the accommodation.  Our friend suggested the Crown Regency Convention because of the pool and surfing lesson. We availed of Metrodeal's promo of Php4K per night for 4 persons, without breakfast.  This hotel is situated in Station 2, at the interior part, around 10 mins. from the beach.

I always feel the lack of time and energy whenever I'm in this island.  It will literally suck all your zest if you wanted to do everything that it has to offer.  You don't need to have a concrete plan, you'll eventually have something to be busy about upon arrival.