We checked-out from our rental studio unit at Avida Towers at 8am yesterday, marking our one month stay in the Philippines and at Avida. We paid our bills and turned over the keys to the unit owner. She gave us a gift of Mary Grace's cheese rolls and enseymada for being such a good tenant, I assume, and offered to bring us to the airport which we accepted.
Our flight with Air Philippines was smooth and we we delivered to Caticlan on time which was about 12 noon. From Caticlan we took a tricycle and a short boat ride to reach the island of Boracay. My husband was assisted by an agent in searching for a budget accommodation while I stood in a street corner minding our luggages. He was gone for about 30 minutes and when he came back he told me of a small but clean and air conditioned room going for Pesos800.00 (Cad $18.) a night. This was what we had in mind so we went and checked-in.
Boracay became famous a few years ago when it was listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. My husband and I came here first more than 10 years ago when local and international tourists were a lot less. Now, we were amazed at the number of visitors this small island has visiting. Caucasians are everywhere but Koreans are, I think, the number 1, in terms of quantity. They are usually in huge groups, like 10 to 20 persons per goup and they can be very noisy.
Food prices here vary from a meal consisting of rice and a piece of barbequed chicken for Pesos50 (Cad.1.15) or a bigger piece of grilled pork and rice going for Pesos 120 (Cad.$2.75) to an eat-all-you-can buffet dinner priced at Pesos250 (Cad.$5.70) At the higher end, of course, is fine dining at 5* hotels and resorts.
Beach massage is priced at Pesos350 but I had it last night for Pesos200 plus 50 tip.
Last night, as well as tonight, the temperature and ambiance at the beach was perfect: there was a gentle breeze, a quarter moon in the sky, music from a live band, a nice conversation with my loving husband while sitting and laying on the fine white sand of almost perfect Boracay beach. C'est la vie.
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