Fun Activities You Should Try In Boracay

There are various land and water activities you can try in Boracay. There's cliff diving, helmet diving, parasailing, banana boat, island hopping, sailing, zorbing, bike tour, ATV rental, motorbike riding and many more! We actually had less sleep because we woke up early in the morning to do some fun activities before heading back to Iloilo. 

Helmet Diving

This activity allows you to climb down a ladder until you reach the seabed while wearing a helmet glass which makes it possible for you to breathe underwater. Imagine being able to walk 10 ft. under the surface! We paid 350 PHP each (there were four of us) and it includes the boat ride to the site, assistance from diving instructors, helmet dive equipment and free souvenir pictures and video! 

our kind diving instructor took photos

Helmet diving may seem scary and unsafe at first, but once you're underwater, you will enjoy feeding fishes and walking on the seabed! Don't be frightened, the dive instructor will make sure you're safe underwater.

Our head looked smaller. Hahahaha!

ATV and Buggy Car

We paid 350 per person for this activity and it includes 1 hour tour, sight seeing at Mt. Luho, entrance fees and shuttle pick up from the hotel, tour at the butterfly museum and a ride at the Sky Cycle. We used the ATV since we wanted to drive on our own. It was my very first time to drive a buggy car and it felt like I was driving a motorcycle! This activity is perfect for adventurers!

It's pretty natural to feel nervous at first!

Uphill drive to Mt. Luho

Take note that you have to pay a specific amount (sorry, I forgot!) for the entrance to the viewing deck.

Sky Cycle

This ride looks like a roller coaster and you have to pedal along a track to make it move. I guess this is better compared to the terrifying roller coaster ride. The cost is already included in the package that we got (350 PHP). 

Lovely couple Ashley & Rodney riding the Sky Cycle! (photo from Rodney's Facebook)

You don't have to feel scared because all the activities I mentioned are safe, you just have to follow the guide's instructions and be a little more behave, or else..

We fought over a piece of plastic! This creature's tough!

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(Day 4) Ilocos Sur: Vigan Hotel, Vigan's Fountain Display, Cafe Uno and Calle Crisologo

We arrived in Vigan at around 8:30 PM already and checked-in at Vigan Hotel. We stayed in an Ordinary Fan Room (double w/ common bath) and paid 595 PHP for a night. Personally, I love the Spanish ambiance of the hotel. Our room has two beds, a sink and a television. The hotel is only a couple of blocks away from Calle Crisologo.

Huge mirror in the living room

Antique furniture in the living room

Ordinary Fan Room (595 PHP)

Since it was late at night already, we decided to eat our dinner at local fast food restaurant located across Vigan Plaza. During that night, there was fountain display. We were more than amazed at what we saw.

Fountain display (with the music "Gentleman" in the background)

It was a lively night!

We love the way they played with colors!

After watching the fountain display, we went to a convenience store to buy some snacks and alcohol and went back to our hotel to have a drink and sleep. The next morning (day 4), we took a tricycle to Cafe Uno (Kusina Felicitas) which was already open at 8AM. The restaurant was actually near, but since it was raining, we decided to ride a tricycle.

Cafe Uno

Cafe Uno's Breakfast Menu

Our breakfast meal comes with a free coffee! 

JM's breakfast

My breakfast. Yum!

After our breakfast, we went to Calle Crisologo to buy some souvenirs. It's my second time to visit Calle Crisologo and the place never failed to impress me. I was broken-hearted when I first visited Calle Crisologo. It is such a romantic place that I realized, traveling alone in Vigan is not a good idea.

Calle Crisologo

Vigan is sweeter the second time around!

We had a budget of 1,000 each for souvenirs. I bought what my momma asked me to buy: Basi Wine, Bagnet, and Bibingka. I also bought some souvenirs for my officemates. One of the popular products in Vigan is tobacco which costs 5 PHP per stick.

Jm smokin' tobacco (5 PHP). Smoke at your own risk!

Basi Wine

Tobacco Pipe

For more information about Vigan Hotel, visit their website:
http://www.viganhotel.com/home.htm

Day 4: Budget (in PHP)

40- Tricycle from Bus Terminal to Vigan Hotel

595- Ordinary Fan Room (Vigan Hotel)

250- Dinner @ Jollibee

180- Snacks, water and alcohol

20- Tricycle to Cafe Uno

215- Breakfast @Cafe Uno (w/ one extra rice)

2,000- Souvenirs (1,00 each)

30- Tricycle to Partas Bus Terminal

1330 - Bus from Partas to Manila (665 each)

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TOTAL: 4,660 PHP

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(Day 3) Ilocos Norte: Blue Lagoon, Patapat Viaduct, Bangui Windmills and Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

We woke up a little early on our 3rd day in Ilocos Norte to walk around the beach. Even though the weather was a bit gloomy, we still took some pictures around the beach.

KVR's beachfront. (Swimwear from St. Francis Square - 350. Haha!)

Powdery white sand.

Bed weather.

Hannah's Beach Resort & Convention Center is about 3 kms away from Kapuluan Vista. We stayed at Hannah's beach front for a few minutes to swim. Too bad, I wasn't able to see Hannah's swimming pool.

Blue Lagoon

Much better spot.

We checked out before 12 noon and one of the staff members in Kapuluan Vista introduced us to our tour guide. We told the guide to tour us around Patapat Viaduct, Bangui Windmills and Kapurpurawan Rock Formation because those were the most "scenic" places I preferred to visit. He agreed to our request for the price of 900 PHP (including the tour guide fee in Kapurpurawan). Each tour (North and South) costs 600 PHP. You will have to pay 150/head for a different tour guide that will take you to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

It will only take about 10-15 minutes tricycle ride from Blue Lagoon to reach Patapat Viaduct.

Patapat Viaduct

30 minutes tricycle ride from Patapat Viaduct to Bangui Windmills.

Bangui Windmills! *teary-eyed*

Souvenirs sold in Bangui. 1 set of small Bangui Windmill refrigerator magnet (5pcs.) costs 100 PHP.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is also 30 minutes away from Bangui Windmills. Before trekking to Kapurpurawan Rock, we decided to take our lunch at a store nearby. 

BAGNET! (100 PHP for 1/4 kilo - good for two!)

Finally, our last stop. Kapurpurawan Rock Formation!

Spectacular view.

Moooore!!

I wasn't comfortable wearing sandals so I took it off and enjoyed walking on the rock. Our guide in Kapurpurawan was so kind that we gave him a tip (50 PHP) after the tour. He even helped us find a bus to Vigan.

Day 3: Budget (in PHP)

Breakfast @ Kapuluan Vista - FREE (inclusive)

Tricycle from Hannah's back to KVR - 20

Buko Pie - 70

Watermelon Daquiri- 160 (80 each @ KVR)

Tour- 900 (including 150/head tour guide fee to Kapurpurawan Rock)

Lunch- 205

Souvenir- 400

Tip- 50

Ilocos Vinegar- 180 (90 each)

Fare to Vigan- 380 (190 each)

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Total: 2365 PHP

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Quezon Series: Kamayan Sa Palaisdaan

Since I've been going to a lot of beaches for the past 6 months, I decided to join JM's sister on a quick trip in Lucban, Quezon province. It was probably 3.5 to 4 hours drive from Las Pinas (with stop overs).  Ate Karla, a local from Lucban, booked a room at Batis Aramin Resort And Hotel prior to our trip. It was nice to be with someone who knows a lot about Quezon Province. 

Before we arrive at the resort, we stopped over for lunch at Kamayan Sa Palaisdaan which is located just a few kilometers away from Batis Aramin. The restaurant is very spacious and it offers a variety of seafood.

photo from Ate Karla's facebook

 photo from Ate Karla's facebook

I love the floating restaurant and the somewhat strange statues. I also love that this place is child-friendly because there's a kids' area and a mini zoo for children to enjoy!

Since there were lots of people waiting to be served at the floating restaurant, we decided to have lunch at a simple hut near the man made lake. 

photo from Ate Karla's facebook

photo from Ate Karla's facebook

We ordered Bulalo, Kare-Kare, Chicken, etc. and it was worth the price, I can say! The dishes we ordered were mouth-watering and tasted so good especially the Bulalo! Pictures aren't enough for me to describe how savory the foods were. 

The ambiance and food are probably the main reasons why this restaurant attracts so many tourists. Will I go back to this place again? Definitely! My family will surely enjoy the food! 

photo from Ate Karla's facebook

There were 8 of us (with two kids) and we spent about 1,300 PHP for lunch. Not bad!

For more information about Kamayan Sa Palaisdaan, visit:

http://www.kamayansapalaisdaan.com.ph/index.php

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Accommodation: The Circle Hostel in Zambales

The Circle Hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation located in Sitio Liw-Liwa, San Felipe, Zambales. Sitio Liw-Liwa in San Felipe, Zambales is known for surfing and skim-boarding.

How to get there:

Ride an Iba or Olongapo bound Zambales bus at the Victory Liner Terminals in Cubao or Caloocan.

If you take the Iba-bound Victory Liner bus, it will pass through the town of San Felipe. Tell the bus driver to drop you off at the Bobulon Elementary School in San Felipe OR at the San Felipe Public Market. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Sitio Liw-Liwa (2 kms. away).

If you ride an Olongapo-bound Victory Liner bus, the last stop would be at the bus terminal in Olongapo City. From there, you can either take the San Felipe ordinary bus or Iba-bound buses (Victory Liner). Tell the driver to drop you off at the Bobulon Elementary School OR the San Felipe Public Market.

Cubao to Olongapo - 207
Olongapo to San Felipe - 61
Tricycle - 30

It'll take about a five or six hour bus ride from Manila to San Felipe. The tricycle ride from the public market to the hostel will take about 10 minutes.

Rates per night:

Bunk bed (w/ mosquito net) - 350/head

Hammock (w/ built-in mosquito net) - 250/head

Pitch a tent - 250/head

There's actually a co-ed single dorm bed and a female single-dorm bed. For the tent, you have to bring your own. :)

the hostel

reception area

tent and hammock

lockers

bunk beds

There's also a common area where you can charge your batteries or drink with friends and meet new people! (Remember, there are no strangers!)

There's a shared bathroom. (3 shower area, 3 toilet)

The hostel offers surfing lesson:

With surfboard and instructor - 400

There's "karinderya" or food store just across the hostel:

Food costs from 60-100+ pesos.

The beach is 2-3 minutes walk from the hostel.

 huge stones!

mountains!

lagoon! (it's hidden!)

no waves yet!

Cost of damage (without surfing):1278

Air-con Victory Liner bus (Cubao to Olongapo) - 207

Ordinary Victory Liner bus (Olongapo to San Felipe) - 61

Tricycle from Bobulon Elementary School (San Felipe) to the Circle Hostel in Sitio Liw-Liwa - 30

Bunk Bed - 350

Dinner - 90

Breakfast - 70

Tricycle from Hostel to San Felipe Public Market - 30

Ordinary V. Liner from San Felipe Public Market to Olongapo terminal - 80

Lunch - 60

Air-con V. Liner Express bus from Olongapo terminal to Manila - 300+

For more information about The Circle Hostel:

www.thecirclehostel.com/

Victory Liner Website:

www.victoryliner.com/

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