Boracay Shoreline (comparison during summer and off-peak season

Every year, I visit Boracay, Aklan. Obviously, this is my favorite destination in the Philippines. I like the crystal clear water, the fine white sand (especially the sand of Station 1), and the small fishes that swims with me.

But recently, I had this conversation with a friend:

my friend: Boracay is so disappointing, there are lots of algae on the beach

Me: when did you visit? summer?

my friend: last April, I spent my summer in Boracay. 

And even on reviews, I knew that a lot of people were disappointed with the "green" shoreline of Boracay. Boracay is not on its best during summer.

Yes, I agree with them, but "only during summer". You'll  notice thick algae that were both present on the sand and floats in the water. The water is green, and it's not inviting. The algae were present especially in the shallow part of the water.

And this really ruins the beauty of the beach. This is the reason why I am avoiding to spend my summer in Boracay (aside from the higher rates during peak season). I don't appreciate Boracay during summer.

But this Algae is "seasonal". Boracay is really different during non-peak season. For me, the best time to go is during the last quarter (October to December) of the year. Not so crowded, not so expensive, the shoreline is clean, and "no algae". (peak season usually starts on the 3rd week of December)

How this happens? well, during rainy seasons, the rain washes away those algaes.

I've already tried to visit Boracay during rainy season (July), and there are still traces of the green algae (but not as worse during summer). This is the time when the beach is returning back to its beauty.

Oh by the way, the information I wrote here is based on my observation only.

This is the reason why I love Boracay:

Algae free isn't it?

Took this photo at the month of November.

I don't remember what month I took this photo. One thing for sure, it's not during summer.

Boracay sandcastle

 How Boracay looks like during summer?

The floating green algae and small fishes. I like to swim with the fishes, but I'm avoiding this green thing called algae or lumot.

Those green were the algae I'm refering to. 

Oh, before I forgot, if you want an algae-free beach all over the year, try to visit Puka beach. No algae even during summer. You can ride a boat or hire a tricycle to get there:

Sand is not as fine as in the main beach area, and you'll notice small "puka shells" on the sand . If you want a quiet and less crowded place, this beach is for you

Boracay island in Aklan province is the second best beach destination in the world and the No. 1 in Asia for the second year in a row, according to travel website TripAdvisor.

(source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/01/24/12/boracay-named-worlds-2nd-best-beach

and  http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/worlds-best-destination-tripadvisor-awards-731320)

Sagada Cave Connection Spelunking (Lumiang & Sumaguing Cave)

After our Batad Adventure, we were able to visit Sagada.  Because of our muscle aches, we didn't able to visit some tourist spots in Sagada (like Kiltepan, small and big falls, etc.), but we managed to visit the Sagada Highlight-- the cave connection adventure.

From our hotel, it's a 1-kilometer walk to reach the entrance of Sumaguing.

There's another stairs going to the entrance of the cave, but it's nothing compared to the deadly tiring trek of Batad. :-)

And at last, we reached the Lumiang Entrance.

The Lumiang coffins. these coffins have been there for 500years.

Before we start the spelunking, our guide gave us an introduction first.
I learned the difference of caving and spelunking.
Caving are for the professional people to explore the cave.
while spelunkuing are for the tourists that visits the cave for fun.

At first, Im doing my best not to get wet. 

But prepared to get wet. There are some natural pool inside the cave where you can swim.

Inside the cave was really an adventure. To be honest, I got scared to some part of the cave. We need to crawl, slide, climb and walk really carefully. It's really a magic that all our body aches (from Batad) was suddenly gone.

Just playing with our shadows.

At last, we survived cave connection! and we are now on our way going up to the Sumaguing exit.

Need to be very careful. Those rocks were very slippery. One wrong move, or else....

I thought the difficult trek is over. But no, another set of stairs at the exit of the cave. 

This cave adventure is more than my expectations. If you like challenge, this is the adventure you don't want to miss.

On our way to Baguio:

Scenic view on our way to Baguio.

Back to: http://pausethemoment2.blogspot.com/2012/04/batad-sagada-baguio-adventure.html

Batad, Ifugao Adventure

We booked our bus tickets to Banaue 1 week in advance.
And this is it! We arrived at the bus terminal on Friday evening.

Ohayami Bus- Banaue bound. It is a 9 hour bus ride from Manila

The bus ride took 9 hours to reach Banaue. It was already morning when we woke up.After having our breakfast, we rented a jeepney to bring us to Batad Saddle point for 1800. (Our guide insisted for 2500, but we haggled for 1800)

From Banaue, we rented a jeepney that took us to Batad Saddle Point. (Or you can alse rent a tricycle that will take you to Batad jump-off point.)

On our way to Batad Saddle Point, we saw this bench with an overlooking of Rice Terraces. It is very scary to sit there, But I was able to do the challenge....

And the long trek to the village has begun

According to the our guide, it will only took us 45-minutes of walking going to the village. But the truth  it took us 2 HOURS!

Thanks to this walking stick. I was able to balance and reduce my weight.

This is the Ifugao Nippa Hut. We stayed here for 1 night. Accomodation is only php300/night.  

And yes, our next challenge has begun... to visit the  Tappiya Falls!

It's not as easy as I thought. Walking on the rice terraces is just the start of the deadly tiring trek to the Tappiya Falls. But the view is absolutely breathetaking.

That's the risky trail going to the falls. It's really a longggggg difficult walk!  I really can't  imagine that we need to take this path. Still hoping that I can do it!

Finally, we reached the last stop-over, and we can now see the Tappiya Falls. Just few more steps, and we are at the foot of the waterfalls. 

Time to relax, and swim!

Overall, this is the most difficult trek I've experienced. From Batad Saddle point to Batad Village. Then From Batad Village to Tappiya Falls. But it's really worth it, I'm so amazed. According to a newly meet friend in Sagada, only 1 out of 10 Batad visitors are Filipinos.

I didn't able to visit the Bomod-OK Falls in Sagada. But according to my friend, Tappiya Falls is better than the Bomod-Ok.

Back to:
http://pausethemoment2.blogspot.com/2012/04/batad-sagada-baguio-adventure.html

Batad - Sagada - Baguio Adventure

Itinerary:
Day 0: Manila - Banaue
Day 1: Banaue - Batad
Day 2: Batad - Sagada
Day 3: Sagada
Day 4: Sagada - Baguio - Manila

Expenses:

Ohayami Bus Manila-Banaue	450/head
Banaue Tourism	20/head
Hired Jeep going to the saddle	300/head; 1800/per jeep
Batad Tour Guide	100/head; 600/guide
Batad Porter	150/head
Mang Ramon Nippa Hut	300/head
Jeep from Batad to Saddle Point	150/head
Hired Van from Banaue to Sagada	250/head; 2000/per van
Spelunking Fee	400/head
Canaway Home Stay	500/head/2 nights
Bus from Sagada to Baguio	150/head
Victory Liner from Baguio to Manila	440/head

Here are the photos. I divided it into two:

Batad and Tappiya Falls Adventure

Sagada Cave Connection

Apo Island, Negros Oriental

Thanks to Philippine Airlines, we safely arrived in Dumaguete City. We didn't have any hotel reservations, so we went around Rizal Boulevard to choose the best deal.

After taking enough rest, we headed off to Apo Island as planned.

From our hotel in Roxas Boulevard, we rode a tricycle going to Siaton Terminal. We told the jeepney driver to drop us to Malatapay.

A short walk going to Zamboanguita Port

Here's the Zamboanguita Port. We took pictures while waiting for  our medium-sized boat.

Here are the rates and Contact number for boat rentals  to Apo Island.

On our way to the Island, expect the unexpected. It's my first time to ride a boat with huge waves on the sea. We didn't able to took pictures, as we need to hold on to the boat while riding in a "roller coaster" of the sea. My buddy is really worried about her digicam as the water splashed us.

As we go on to the sea, the waves becomes bigger and bigger. After 45 minutes, we safely arrived in Apo Island, and we are literally wet. The first thing we did, is to check our cameras it's still working.  Luckily, yes. :-)

On our way to Marine Sanctuary, we passed by this beautiful lake. 

lake

Unfortunately, corals were destroyed by the earthquake.

Marine Sanctuary was closed, so we just took photos of the beautiful scenery.

This is what the locals called the "small cave".:

One of the resorts in Apo Island

One of my best experience: to swim with the Pawikan (big sea turtle)

Time passed so fast. And now, we need to leave the island. Will ride the "roller coaster" again., hoping that the sea is calmer now.  But no, the big waves are on our way again,
According to the local, those big waves are from the Amihan.

This is the Apo Island. 

Apo Island is great for scuba diving and snorkeling. The locals are very friendly and are willing to assist their visitors.Apo Island is truly a paradise!

Back to: http://pausethemoment2.blogspot.com/2012/04/negros-oriental-siquijor-itinerary-and.html