Tired of the usual Baguio trip? Just in case you needed even more reason to visit Benguet or want to extend your itinerary, here’s one more to spark your wanderlust, for just an hour and a half, to two hours drive from Baguio City. A half-day to full-day trip further north of Baguio awaits wanderers an off-beaten paradise beyond the clouds. Read on to know more about this hidden gem in Benguet.


Jump into an 8.37% awesomeness of the whole Benguet as far as your eyes could see. The lush emerald green pine forests adorn the majestic mountains of Atok, Benguet. This little municipality of Benguet got it's name from "naypatok shi chontog" which means "on the mountain top". It boasts picturesque and breath-taking mountainous landscapes which is truly a sight to behold.

Atok is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.


My boyfriend and I are locals of Baguio and we decided to visit Atok during the Panagbenga Festival to escape the crowd and traffic. We woke up at an ungodly hour of 4 a.m. because we want to witness the sunrise at Atok. I just brought with me some bread for a quick munch-up along the way, hopped on to my boyfriend's car, then we left my apartment at 4:30 a.m. and started our adventure to Atok.

HOW TO GET THERE

Before heading to Atok, it is important to contact the Tourism Head of Atok first so they can provide you assistance once you are there.

If ever you are interested to visit Atok, Benguet just text or call 09294903970, Atok Head of Tourism FIRST before going there. Or you may contact the Tourist Information Center at 09465147799 and 09301892757.

Via private car:

• If you will use the Waze app to get to Atok, type in Saint Paul's Academy of Sayangan, Atok, Benguet. I repeat, do NOT just input "Atok" because by doing so, it will lead you to the other side of Atok.

Via commute:

1. From MANILA to Baguio: ride a bus going to Baguio via Victory Liner or Genesis/Joy Bus (both transit companies have terminals located at Pasay and Quezon City).
   
   • Bus fare:
     
     • Genesis-Joy Bus - P450 Regular, P755 Deluxe
     • Victory Liner - P455 Regular, P750 First Class
   • Travel time: Manila to Baguio (Approx. 4 - 7 hrs.)
2. From BAGUIO to Atok via bus or van:
   
   1. From Victory Liner Terminal (located at PNR) / Joy Bus-Genesis Terminal (located at Gov. Pack Rd.), hail a taxicab going to DANGWA STATION (back of Baguio Center Mall).
      
      • Taxi fare: P50-P70
   2. From Dangwa Station, ride any bus or van bound to Bontoc or Sagada. These public transportations will pass by the Municipality of Atok. You can take Sunrise Bus or GL Trans Bus Line at Dangwa Station. Bus leaves as early as 5:30 a.m., next trip is at 6:30 with 30 minutes interval until 11 a.m. Alternatively, there are also buses bound for Sagada at Slaughterhouse Terminal. Just tell the bus driver that your destination is at Atok's Municipal Hall.
      
      • Bus fare: P60 for students; P73 for regular passengers
      • Travel time: Baguio to Atok (Approx. 1 hr. 30 mins. - 2 hrs).
3. Finally, drop off and register at Atok's Municipal Hall, Sayangan, Atok, Benguet town proper to begin your adventure.

GOING AROUND ATOK

Going around Atok from one spot to the next are far from each other and can really be tricky. So it is important that you get a tour guide and rent a car. Even if you have your own car with you, they might advise you to rent a car, as some cars may not be able to climb certain places (especially the one's that are not meant for off-road adventures).

• Tour guide - P500 for a group of 5
• 4x4 car rent (or usually an FX) - P1,000 (minimum rent for a half day tour) P1,600 (minimum rent for 2-3 hrs. tour)

*Note: Prices may change without prior notice. Last updated: December 2019.

THINGS TO DO IN ATOK

We opted to tour around Atok for only a half-day then back to our home in Baguio. If you want to do it for a half-day, like what we did, then here are the places we visited:

1. Feast your eyes with beautiful floras at Northern Blossom Flower Farm

Red, rose, merlot; pink, purple, picotee; flame, orange, yellow; champagne, snow, white. You couldn’t find a wilder colour wheel except on the palette of a charismatic painter. And yet, these various hues flourish in harmony across the mountains of Atok.

Northern Blossom Flower Farm is one of the private flower farms of Atok that has just been opened to the public for anyone to enjoy and witness the flowers overlooking the magnificent mountains.

This was our first stop as we want to catch the sunrise along with the patch of cabbage roses. We arrived at 6:30 in the morning and the temperature was really freezing. Our arrival came right at the opportune moment as Mrs. Melanie Ganayan "Lany", owner of the flower farm, greeted us with her warm smile as we stepped out of our car. She ushered us inside her house/office. We registered our names on her visitors' log book and paid the entrance fee. She then introduced us to our guide, then we toured around the flower farm.


The whole farm boasts different varieties of vibrant floras and plants perfectly situated with views of neighboring municipalities. Every view is breath-taking and one can witness the view of Mt. Pulag and Mt. Timbak from here.

Our friendly guide gave the names of every flower varieties we see in the farm, like rose cabbages, snap dragons, and more, but I couldn't remember them all. Haha. I took a snap everywhere I could but my hands couldn't even press the shutter button as it was frosty cold. I should have brought my mittens.

The flower farm tour ended with a free cup of hot brewed coffee and a sweet slice of cinnamon bread which was just perfect. I also ended up buying cactus and succulents to add in my plant collection.

Entrance fee: PhP 100 PhP 300 per person (updated: November 2019)

Note: When we went there, half of the rose cabbages were already harvested.

*Note: Price may change without prior notice.

2. Catch the Yakiwari Cherry "Sakura" Blossoms at Benguet Kochi Sisterhood Park

There's no need to book a flight to Japan, Korea, or Taiwan to get a glimpse of the Sakura flower. In 2016, around 40 Japanese Sakura trees were planted in Paoay, Atok, Benguet. There are two varieties of Sakura trees planted, namely Sindaya (white variety) and Yakiwari (pink variety) at the Benguet Kochi Sisterhood Park.


We arrived at the Benguet Kochi Sisterhood Park at 8:20 a.m. to catch the Yakiwari Cherry "Sakura" blossoms. This park is a friendship park commemorating the 40 years of sisterhood between Benguet and Kochi prefecture of Japan. It sits within the Haight's place.


Moreover, the place offers a spectacular view of the peculiar vegetable and flower farms including, and the view is quite stunning as if it feels like the movie set Hobbiton in Tauranga, New Zealand.


The trees are still young and expected to mature in one to three years. I can just imagine how the park would look like in the future, it would be a magical moment as wondrous spectacle of these white or pink flowers blooming en masse. It would be a great place to go for a picnic with your other half.

Entrance fee: FREE.

Notes:

• There's a donation box propped in the area. A little donation might not hurt and a few coins or papers will go a long way to maintain the park.
• If you have a car with you, no worries, the park has it's own parking space.

3. Admire the Mountainous Beauty of Benguet at the Philippine Highest View Point

The highest point is the highest of the Philippine highway system. Located at Brgy. Cattubo, Atok along Halsema Highway at Km. 52. It has an elevation of 7,400 ft. above mean sea level. There's a view deck in the area for you to enjoy one of the best views overlooking vegetable gardens and lush pine forests. During rainy season, the place is a paradise in the clouds.

4. Natumpukan Half Tunnel

Going to Atok there is a 90% chance that you might witness this man-made half tunnel of solid rock located along the Halsema Highway at Km. 57, Bonglo, Paoay, constructed in the early 1960's by a joint team of DPWH and Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company. It measures about 50 meters in length.

@riderako

OTHER NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS

Here are other potential attractions if you want to visit Atok, more than just it's flower farms, or if you are planning to do it for a whole day or a two.

Haight's Place/Paoay Vegetable Gardens is located at Proper Paoay. The place is named in honor of Mr. Haight, who brought the first vegetable seedlings for in the place. Mr. Haight was an American soldier during the Spanish American war that married local lass and settled in the place. The Haight's place is about 7,937 ft. above sea level. Due to its high altitude, the place experiences frost during the month of December to February. It is Atok's coolest place wherein temperature goes down to 0 degrees centigrade during the early and late months of the year. It offers a spectacular view of the beautiful vegetable terraces including the Naguey Rice Terraces toward the west.

Mt. Timbak. the third tallest mountain in Luzon, next to Pulag and Tabayoc. It’s also the highest of the mountains along Halsema Highway and covers a wide range. The hike up the mountain isn’t a difficult one. Hike to Mt. Timbak's summit is just for 15 to 30 minutes from Timbak's Elementary School, if you have your own car. However, if you will start your trek from the jump-off point (Km. 55 along Halsema Highway), prepare yourself to walk in a cemented road for almost 2 hours to reach the summit. Mt. Timbak's summit is marked with three white crosses and it is aptly called as the "mini-Cavalry".

Bosleng Lourdes Grotto is located at Barangay Paoay and it is a 20 minutes hike if you are coming from Mt. Timbak a man-made grotto underneath a pile of big rocks with a garden of vegetable such as cabbages, potatoes, carrots and cut flower productions surrounding it. t is being utilized for the conduct of prayer meetings/pilgrimage by the Roman Catholic Congregation. An image of the Virgin Mary is installed inside the grotto. The cold climate and serenity of the place make it ideal for the prayer retreats and meditations. The place is reached thru a foot path. There are no amenities in the area.

Spanish Trail. It was constructed as a horse trail during the Spanish Period and it is still exists to this time. The unique features of the trail are three man-made tunnels carved through huge rock formation about 10 meters long each.

Naguey Rice Terraces. Approximately 33 hectares stone walled terraces were built along the banks of the Amburayan River by the ancestors of the people of Naguey. This is where the "Kintoman" rice is raised extensively and yet not enough for the purpose of making rice wine.

Adevonan Waterfalls. It is a potential natural attraction found in Banayakeo, Poblacion. The falls is 90 ft. high. The natural pool below the falls was used by soldiers as a bathing place during WW II. It is still being used by the local people for the same purpose. PUJs regularly ply to Sitio Banayakeo where it takes a kilometer hike to the place. The site can also be reached from Tublay, although with a much longer hike.

Amburayan River. Located at barangay Naguey and Pasdong. It is about 30 kilometers more or less that runs from Pasdong to Naguey. This breath-taking view offers some portions for swimming and fishing whilst the friendly riverbanks for camping and picnics. PUJs ply to Naguey and Pasdong daily via the Halsema highway then branch off to the left at Km. 30 for a two-hour drive. It takes a few minutes hike to the river.

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodations in Atok are scarce, but if you want to spend a night or two there, make sure that you have a reservation in advance. You can do this by contacting the Tourism Head of Atok or Atok's Tourism Office before going there a few days before your intended trip. I was informed that Northern Blossom Flower Farm offers a home stay accommodation for limited number of people only.

For accommodation assistance, you may text or call 09294903970, Atok Head of Tourism. Or you may contact the Tourist Information Center at 09465147799 and 09301892757.

WHERE TO DINE

Restaurants and small canteens can be found along the highway as they cater to the commuters. There are more at km. 26 (Saddle, Caliking, Atok) and km. 50 (Sayangan, Paoay, Atok).

BEST TIME TO VISIT ATOK

The climate is temperate with two pronounced seasons. The wet season starts in the month of May and ends in October. The wettest part of the year is July and August. Dry season starts in November and ends in May. The temperature goes down to below 0 degrees centigrade at Paoay during the days of late December to early February. Temperature at lower areas goes up to 25 degrees at Naguey proper and Pasdong proper.

Occurrence of strong winds stars in November to January. Typhoons and floods usually occur in June to September.

WHEN IS THE FLOWERING PERIOD?

I should add one more thing: the flowers don’t blossom at the same time every year. Flowers are seasonal and according to the locals, the best time to visit the place is during April. The following photos were taken at the end of February.

If you're planning to catch the Sakura blossoms, don't expect the Sakura blossoms all year round. Local authorities are still studying when is the flowering time of these Sakura trees, as the trees were just planted in 2016. My guess is it can commence from January to March or February to April.

OUR TIMELINE & OVERALL EXPENSES

This was our timeline:

04:30 a.m. - Depart: Baguio to Atok
06:30 a.m. - Arrived at Northern Blossom Flower Farm to catch the sunrise
08:20 a.m. - Tour Benguet-Kochi Sisterhood Park
09:25 a.m. - Philippine Highest point
10:00 a.m. - Depart Atok to Baguio
11:30 a.m. - Arrival: Baguio

Total hours: 6 hrs.
Transportation used: Private car

Our overall expenses from Baguio:

• P30 - (P15 per way) Halsema Highway toll fees
• P100 - Entrance fee per person at Northern Blossom Flower Farm
• P60 - Food and drinks (I brought some snacks with me from home during the travel. We opted to have our lunch back at home in Baguio.)
• P190 - Plants (cactus and succulents)
• P20 - Our voluntary donation for Benguet-Kochi Sisterhood Park

OUR TOTAL EXPENSES: P400

THE VERDICT

Atok may be a small municipality in Benguet, but it has a lot more to offer to keep you coming back for more!

Please feel free to tweak this itinerary and make full use of my other activity suggestions in order to make your trip shorter or longer and better fitting for your travel style.

What do you think of this Atok half-day tour? Which of the following spots do you like the most? Have you been to Atok before? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment box below.

What is it about the beach that reaches in and feather touches the wilder parts of our soul? Is it the sounds, the smells, the colours or a combination of these? There’s a soothing necromancy to the sounds of the sea that can’t be found anywhere else. I say necromancy because the night sounds can seem as sinister as a burglar to the unwary. Have you ever sat on a shingle beach with the sun setting and the salty lips of the waves kissing the sand roughly? Is it possible to recreate this sound? Open your ears and give it a try. Can you hear it?

My recent week is full of escapades! I spend the last 7 days like a pro traveler. From a recent Bali trip with my colleagues for 3 days, a day trip from Baguio to Manila, and to Caramoan for another 3 days. It was a blast!

Anyway, a week ago, I won TravelBook’s Blogger Getaway Contest. You can read my entry here. The prize? A full expense paid trip to Caramoan. Guess, I got lucky ha.

The sea teems and hisses, scrapes the stones, lashes the beach and releases. It sizzes, chafes the pebbles, dashes the sand and retreats. It fizzes and seethes, spits out grit and slaps the beach with its salty lips. Finally it swishes, washes and polishes the shingle, then swirls and whirls as the tide switches. Its work done, it recedes, leaving a seaweed-slick shingle beach behind.

Read on about my amazing trip to Caramoan with TravelBook (and about how Caramoan almost slipped away from my hands).

Day 0: Baguio to Manila

01:15 PM - Departure: Baguio to Manila
05:15 PM - Arrival: Victory Liner Cubao Terminal
05:30 PM - Bus ride to Boni
06:00 PM - Walk from Boni to Robinsons Cybergate 3
06:10 PM - Travelbook.PH's office
09:00 PM - Departure: Manila to Caramoan

It was already 8 in the morning when I woke up. I just arrived from my recent trip in Bali. My room's a mess, all my stuffs are on the floor, and I don’t have much money to go on another trip. I only have two 100 peso bills, two 20 peso bills, one 10 peso coin and eight 1 peso coins inside my cat coin purse.

I already accepted the fact that I won’t be going to Caramoan. I decided to just stay at home and rest for a while.

Caramoan is slipping away.

After an hour my Facebook messenger popped out from my phone screen…

To cut the long story short, my awesome friends helped me finance my trip from Baguio to Manila and back, just so I can go and experience my prize. Thank you so much everyone, especially to Lee and Evo!

11 AM. I already knew I won’t be able to make it on time if I will take a regular bus trip which can take up to 8 hours of drive going to Manila at least. I decided to just take a deluxe bus (the faster bus that has its own toilet and takes the fastest route) and only 4-5 hours of travel instead.

I was at the bus terminal in Gov. Pack, but the next deluxe bus is at 2 in the afternoon. If the bus will leave at 2 then I’ll be in Manila 6 or 7 in the evening. All seats were full, however, I was told that I can enlist my self and wait if there will be a free seat for me. Okay, I’m betting my luck as a chance passenger.

I went to the other bus terminal in PNR. The next deluxe bus trip will be at 01:15 PM and yes all seats were also full. I patiently waited in line for the deluxe bus chance passenger lane and luckily there were 13 seats left. Yay! Manila!

Day 1: Caramoan and the East

10:30 AM – Arrival: Caramoan and late breakfast at Al Del Rio Resort
12:00 PM – Departure: Bikal Wharf to the East side
01:00 PM – Matukad Island
03:05 PM - Lahos Island
04:15 PM - Cagbalinad Island
05:15 PM - Yupakit Island
06:30 PM – Back at Al Del Rio Villa Resort
07:30 PM – Dinner

Touchdown Caramoan!

After 14 hours of travel by land, we finally arrived at Al Del Rio Villa Resort. I was still in a feverish state. Oh, I just want to have a rest and a good sleep. We had our breakfast at the inn. Afterwards I took meds and had a little rest before we move on to our main agenda.


TRAVEL TIP: Invest in a dry bag. It’s great for keeping your phones, cameras, and other valuables here while on a trek to the mountains or a swim to the sea. You don’t want to get your things all wet do you?


We left Bikal Wharf at 12:00 PM and our first island stop is the magical Matukad Island. The sands of Matukad is similarly like the sands of Boracay. Yes, the Matukad Island is the Boracay of Caramoan.


What’s so interesting is that, the island has a secret lagoon, which is said to be enchanted. According to our lovely host and guide, Mau, here resides a pair of bangus (milk fishes) and still lives up to date. It is said that the two bangus are mystical. Think Yin and Yang.

The tale: A long time ago, fishermen came and took the fishes from its habitat. Then came a series of unfortunate events: no harvest from the sea and there’s always a storm. When the fishermen finally realize the consequences for what they have done, they decided to bring back the fishes to the island and everything went back to normal. From that moment on, no one bothered to take away the fishes again.

At first, I thought it was a total bull. Why on earth there’d be 2 milk fishes in an island surrounded by sea? Sounds really fishy right? Until we took the challenge of climbing the pointy rocks just to reach the island’s secret lagoon…


Lo and behold! We saw with our own naked eyes the said lagoon and the 2 huge fishes. Bam! We were so amazed! From the top you can also see the whole beauty surrounding the island.

After our magical escape and lunch at Matukad Island we went to Lahos Island where we enjoyed its fine white sands and its cool azure waters.


For our next stop, we headed to Cagbalinad Island where we marveled over its Palawan-like beauty. Also, my fellow bloggers had the chance to explore its underwater wonders. Unluckily, for me, I didn’t get a chance to try it out: not snorkeling and not even swimming. If I did, I might become a wilted vegetable the next day.

TRAVEL TIP: Snorkeling and scuba diving gears are not yet available here, so I suggest you bring your own effects.

Of course, such a scene wouldn’t be complete without the smells of the beach wafting up your nostrils. A beach has such a medicinal smell, a coconut-and-citrus extravaganza of scents. But that is not what you can ferret out with your nose right now. Your stomach rumbles and growls as the aroma of flame-grilled meat drifts towards you. You can hear it sizzling on the griddle and the steak fat dribbling and hissing as it spills onto the grill. There are burgers being flash-fried also and lord oh lord, is that mushroom and onion moisture you can hear fizzling on hot charcoal? All the splattering juices and squirting blood being seared is enough to make any man’s legs wobble. To finish it off, your lips smack with the anticipation of salty meat as barbeque sauces, chilli, vinegar and cayenne peppers are layered onto the steaming platters of food.

So here’s my only decent photo during our first day in Caramoan. Haha. I’m wearing a shawl ‘coz why not. Haha.


Our last stop: Al Del Rio’s very own Yupakit Island. Yupakit Island is great for an overnight stay. Just bring your tents and enjoy the sun’s greatest splendor as it touches the earth.

To take your mind off the torture of an empty stomach, you gaze at your surroundings. The sun is setting and there are only a few swallows left in the sky. They pirouette like will-o’-the-wisps on valium, their scimitar wings slashing the air as they go. The seagulls are still squawking and squabbling over scraps of food, their raucous cries loud and brash in the faltering light. Come to think of it, you are just beginning to notice something for the first time. It is your hallelujah moment, an epiphany so profound that you know it will never be bettered. You could sit on this rock for a thousand years more and nothing as insightful will hit you like this again.

Day 2: The west side

07:00 AM - Breakfast
10:10 AM - Departure: Bikal Wharf to the West side
11:15 AM - Bag-ing Beach
12:30 PM - Sabitang Laya Beach
01:50 PM - Manlawi Sandbar and late lunch
03:30 PM - Guinahuan Island
08:00 PM – Dinner

My fever’s gone and I’m feeling better and great! I’m now ready for our 2nd day in Caramoan. Yay!

We were supposed to leave and head to the west side of Caramoan at 8 in the morning but our boat cannot leave Bikal Wharf because of the low tide. We waited for the water to rise until we can go.

Your epiphany is this: you are beginning to notice that someone is slowly turning up the volume of the beach sounds. The wave-music is louder, the haunting cry of a curlew above you is pressing into your head and the swell of the heaving sea is magnified to a murmur. The span of sea sky makes you feel like you are trapped in a dome of glass. Everything rings out with a crystal and piercing clarity and all the sounds are cut to sharpness. Is this caused by a drop in temperature, the stillness of the air or your senses becoming more attuned? It is none of these. It is because you are reflective and the immense majesty of sky, air and sea has made you recognise your own mortality. A moment like this may never come again and you are both enlightened and sadder for it.

The Bag-ing beach, Sabitang Laya beach, and the Baliti beach. These are 3 island beaches during high tide, and form a single island during low tide. We stopped by Bag-ing beach where we enjoyed its white sand.

Did you know that the beach here turns pink when the sea roughly kisses its shores? It’s amazing! You have to witness this beautiful phenomenon in person.

If you are anywhere on any of these 3 island beaches, you can opt to reach all beaches via a boat ride or simply just walk. I highly recommend, however, that you walk, take your footwear off, and feel the sand massaging your feet. Trust me, it feels relaxing. Enjoy as if you are walking on boundless shores.


Caramoan also has its own Maldives – the Manlawi Sandbar. Manlawi Sandbar of the Caramoan Peninsula is one of the jewels of the island hopping itinerary at this group of islets. It is a sandbar situated east of the largest of the island group, Lahuy that becomes completely submerged at high tide and a one-kilometer wide sandbar during low tide. Huts are constructed for those who would like to enjoy the scenery of this wide sandbar and these huts are designed to float during high tide.


We reached the sandbar during high tide and water is about neck deep when we were there. We got the chance to experience Manlawi’s floating cottages.

Pigging out for lunch in Manlawi will not disappoint you. Bring out those fresh tropical fruits, grilled seafood, or whatever you have. There are locals on their tiny boats that sell fresh coconut, halo-halo, and sea shells for souvenirs. Enjoy its beautiful scenery while eating or take a plunge into its waters.


Guinahoan Island exudes a different natural beauty altogether with its rolling pastures reminiscent of New Zealand and the Batanes islands; it is one of the farthest islands off the Caramoan Peninsula.


Our boat docked in its coast and it is evident that only a few residents live here. We were greeted in smile by the children that inhabit the island as we get off our boat, seemingly curious of our presence. We traversed to a grassy peak where the white-painted lighthouse is. Here we took time to appreciate what nature has to offer. It was truly majestic!

It’s not all bad news, however. Your newly found spidey-senses make you aware that the dipping sun is ember-red and it licks and glitters channels of the sea red like a dragon’s tongue. The sand has been burnished into a long winding-sheet of copper and the horizon is threaded with a thin line of silver. As the sun bows down further, the slumbering heap of sea becomes a-glow like melted platinum. The last few lances of light are cast down in a holy line of laser fire and it is over. The night is here and the sky looks like a black, velvet ceiling sprinkled with dream dust.

Day 3: Not yet goodbye

07:30 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – Departure: Caramoan to Manila
12:30 PM – Short stop in Pili, Camarines Sur
01:50 PM – Late lunch at Bigg’s Diner in Naga City
---
12:00 MN – Arrival: Manila
02:00 AM – Departure: Manila to Baguio
08:00 AM – Home!

Our final day won’t be complete without taking a group picture with our friendly host, Al del Rio.


Caramoan is not just about the coasts and islands that greet the traveler with it’s gorgeous limestone formations, enigmatic lagoons, secluded white sand beaches, but as well as a throbbing adventure sports scene that makes the rest of Asia stand up and take notice.

Going to and from Caramoan by day is not as easy as you think. You have to prepare for an up and down and zigzagging road and almost 14-16 hours of travel to Manila. Nakakahilong byahe! But regardless, Caramoan is truly breathtaking!

We had a short stop in Pili to buy some souvenirs and pasalubongs. Just an hour drive from Pili, we ate lunch at Bigg’s Diner in Naga City before finally heading back.


Our getaway is more than just Caramoan itself. It’s about friendships that change, complete, and fulfill your life that merely started off as strangers crossing paths. In my opinion – this adventure is just as exciting, as daring, as capable of helping us grow as the adventures of exploring the hidden gems of earth on our travels. Someone once said, "There are no such things as strangers, only friends we haven't met yet."

Thank you so much TravelBook.ph for this amazing getaway! You rock!!!

Boracay Island -- located in Malay, Aklan, Western Visayas. Boracay is just seven kilometers long, and less than a kilometer wide at its narrowest point - a postcard-sized tropical paradise.

To celebrate our 5 years together (and my 24^th birthday), me and Gian had a blast last month in Boracay. We planned this excursion 3 months ahead of time. This was our first getaway together because we, wanted this one to be a rather special anniversary.

Day 0: Baguio to Manila

03:00 AM - Good morning!
05:00 AM - Check in at Joy Bus Terminal
06:00 AM - ETD: BAGUIO to PASAY
11:00 AM - ETA: NAIA Terminal 3
12:00 PM - Check in at DG Budget Hotel
03:30 PM - Salem Domestic Complex to Mall of Asia
03:35 PM - Mall of Asia
09:40 PM - Mall of Asia to Salem Domestic Complex
10:00 PM - Arrival at Salem Domestic Complex

So I was so excited! I woke up at 3:00 AM took a cold bath and made sure I didn't forget anything for this escapade with the boyfriend. I was at the bus station an hour earlier before my departure and I haven't had any breakfast yet. I bought some chips and a chocolate drink just to satisfy my grumbling stomach.

When I arrived in Manila the traffic was so heavy that I needed to use the bus's toilet 2 times until I finally reached my destination at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay. The bus stopped at the departure area and I need to get to Salem Domestic Guesthouse Budget Hotel near NAIA Terminal 4 (based on Google Maps) and I don't know where that is. So how do I get there? What I did was to Google how to transfer from terminal 3 to terminal 4 without taking any taxi cabs which can cost hella expensive. From the departure area, I went down to the arrival area. Outside the arrival hall I took an Airport Loop bus at the bus station bay and I paid only PhP 20.00 for fare.

Finally I reached Terminal 4. I asked a personnel where Salem Complex located is. Luckily, it was just in front of terminal 4. So I just took the footbridge connecting NAIA terminal 4 and Salem Complex (where the hotel is located).

I stayed in the hotel before going to Mall of Asia, where me and Gian will meet up and have a little date after his work.

Day 1: Arrival

04:00 AM - Good morning!
06:30 AM - Breakfast
07:15 AM - Check out at DG Budget Hotel
07:30 AM - DG Budget Hotel to NAIA Terminal 3
08:45 AM - Check in at NAIA Terminal 3
10:55 AM - ETD: MANILA to KALIBO
12:05 PM - ETA: Kalibo International Airport
01:00 PM - Kalibo to Caticlan
03:00 PM - Caticlan Jetty Port to Cagban Jetty Port
03:15 PM - Cagban Jetty Port to hotel
04:30 PM - Check in at Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay
05:30 PM - Swimming at Azalea's roof top pool
06:30 PM - Food shopping at D'Talipapa Seafood Market
08:00 PM - Dinner
09:00 PM - Bay walk

Gian and I checked-out at DG Budget Hotel and we used Uber (because it's way cheaper than Grab) to NAIA Terminal 3. Our departure flight was scheduled at 10:55 AM. We were at the airport at 8:45 AM and we just grab some refreshments at Starbucks, hang out a little, and took selfies before heading to the pre-departure area.


Our plane got delayed for 30 minutes and at 11:15 AM we boarded the plane.

Touchdown Kalibo Airport at 12:45 PM!


Outside the airport there were rows of tour operator stalls where you can arrange your airport to hotel transfers and vice versa. As for us, I already arranged one through Azalea Boracay, two weeks before our travel. The transfers includes environmental fees and terminal fees. I called the hotel if there's someone going to pick us up, and they informed us that they made our transfer via Southwest tours. We approached the Southwest booth and I saw my name on a board. Tadah! I feel so "VIP". Haha. So I just presented my ID at the booth and the personnel gave as a bus boarding pass.


There's a 2 hour journey from Kalibo to Caticlan Jetty Port. Most passengers where catching up their sleep (and Gian too) but I would rather stay awake and enjoy the countryside view of Aklan.


We had a bus stop for 15 minutes and thank heavens because I really needed a toilet break before we continue for another hour of journey.

We arrived at Caticlan Jetty Port at 3 PM and waited for a few minutes while the guides our preparing for our boat for a 15 minute ride to Cagban Port in Boracay Island.


And here we go!


At Cagban Port, we waited while Southwest arranged our ride to the hotel. By the way, our transfer is not exclusive because private transfers are more pricey compared to shared transfers.


It's already 4:30 PM when we checked in at the Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay. We were upgraded from a deluxe suite to a 2 bedroom apartment type suite. Yep, for free! And it was so huge! We got our own kitchen, dining area, and living area, 48 inch flat screen TV, and 2 more TVs (one for each bedroom). Plus, there's a free buffet breakfast and we get to use the roof top pool for free (which is not offered for deluxe suites). Yay!


After a short swim at the hotel, we can't wait but explore Boracay. But we realized we didn't have any lunch yet and we're hella hungry. So Gian and I decided to go to D'Talipapa Seafood Market instead to shop for food for the next 3 days instead of eating outside the hotel which can cost us more. Besides we got our own kitchen and complete set of pots and utensils.

Day 2: Adventure

08:00 AM - Breakfast
10:00 AM - Backbeach - Snorkeling Site
11:00 AM - Crystal Cove
12:30 AM - Lunch
01:50 PM - Puka Shell Beach
03:00 PM - Boracay Station 1
03:30 PM - D'Mall and D'Talipapa
05:00 PM - Swimming at Azalea's roof top pool
06:30 PM - Stroll
07:30 PM - Cooked dinner at the hotel
08:30 PM - Dinner
09:30 PM - Movie and beer at the hotel

After breakfast, we went outside to find some Boracay activities. Then we rode a tricycle for PhP 70.00 going to Back Beach (Bulabog Beach). Little did we know that, it is just across White Beach and you can reach it by walking. We're tourists. Haha. Bulabog beach is where all the action is. All the activities Boracay has to offer is here: banana boat, fly fish, parasailing. Prices for the activities are reasonable and you can agree on a package price if you book at least one activity.


Since Gian and I were both a "budgetarian" we opted to take an island hopping excursion which cost only PhP 800 pesos ($16) per pax and it includes a buffet and drinks courtesy of Shingley Helmet Diving and Tours. Gian really wanted to try the helmet diving and that would cost us PhP 1,600 ($32) each but I got kinda wussy to try it out because of an accident I heard of from my colleague. So yeah, nope and nope.

Our first stop was fish feeding and snorkeling. This is an optional activity so there's an additional charge of PhP 20.00 each. Their snorkeling gears were old and it's not clear enough to see underwater, so it is best if you just bring your own.

Then we visited Crystal Island. If you want to tour the whole of Crystal Island you have to pay PhP 200 each at the entrance. As for us and few other tourists we just opted to take a swim on its shores (because it's free) while waiting for the others.


For lunch, we went to the mainland Malay, in a food stop called "Piknikan". It is located at the old port of Caticlan. Here we feast on a buffet of rice, pork and chicken barbecues, fish, some veggies, and more. The food here is not as you expected. Just right to satisfy your hunger. The drinks you get are limited though; one drinking bottled water and one 8 ounce of soda, per stub. Gian and I were given 2 stubs each, so we got 4 bottled water and 4 sodas.


*BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TIP: There was no communication about pick-up times. Instead, we we're advised that each stop/activity would take for an hour only and then we move to the next. So always keep track of your own time to avoid getting left behind.

After lunch, we headed to Puka Beach where we enjoyed its untainted waters, quiet surroundings, and its beautiful scenery.


Puka Beach is the second longest beach in Boracay with a total of 800 meters of land area. It is located on the northern side of the island.


Here, there are different bar shacks in the area where you can grab some drinks or fresh coconuts while immersing your self with Puka Beach's beauty. By the way, it is named Puka Beach after its abundant Puka shells which are found here.


Oh Boracay, you are truly magnificent. The crystal clear blue waters makes me want to take you home.


At 3 PM, the boat dropped us off at Boracay Station 1. We then took this opportunity to enjoy Boracay's fine shores before going back to the hotel to rest our tired feet, have dinner, and back to explore Boracay again.

Look at me cooking Pinakbet for our dinner. Yes, this is the first time in 5 years that Gian will get to taste my own cooking.

Day 3: Departure

07:00 AM - Breakfast at Kuya J Restaurant
08:00 AM - Swimming at Azalea's roof top pool
10:00 AM - Hotel check out
11:30 AM - Hotel to Cagban Jetty Port
12:10 PM - Cagban Jetty Port to Caticlan Jetty Port
12:30 PM - Caticlan to Kalibo International Airport
02:00 PM - Kalibo International Airport
02:10 PM - Lunch outside Kalibo International Airport
03:00 PM - Check-in at Kalibo International Airport
05:05 PM - ETD: KALIBO to MANILA
06:20 PM - ETA: Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4

Last day. After breakfast at Azalea's Kuya J Restaurant, Gian and I waded in the roof top pool and enjoy the hotel for the last time before we checked out.


The hotel informed us that our airport transfer will going to pick us up at 11:30 and we check out at 10:00. We really regretted checking out early because we got bored for an hour and a half at the lobby. We should have checked out 15 minutes early before 11:30.

See, I'm now colored with life. Haha.


Oh I really want to extend our vacation. "Nakakabitin"... but it needs to come to an end. Although it pains me to leave the island, I am sure I'll be back here in this 24/7 paradise some day and maybe get to enjoy its nightlife which I didn't experience and experience all Boracay has to offer.