I never been to Boracay island before, nor step into its white fine powdery sand. I only had a chance to see it from afar aboard the “Mary the Queen” of the MBRS shipping lines last year. I hoped that one day I could plan/schedule a trip at least overnight stay in Boracay or let someone take me with them. Expenses going to and back from Boracay will surely drain out my savings. Thinking of the possibilities that would enable me to visit Boracay island, none seems to pop out. Waiting for the day when I were granted a chance to go to Boracay, its just a simple trip that would fulfill my dream to reality.

May of this year, we went to Iloilo to take at least a one week vacation. A reunion of some sort was also planned for the meet-up of my cousins and relatives on my father’s side. Fiesta celebrations there and on my mother’s hometown, events are lining up in the coming days. My parent’s informed us earlier before we went to Iloilo that there’s a possibility for us to go to Boracay island for an overnight stay. My ears were like clapping for joy when I heard the announcement. Finally, my Boracay dream will finally come true.

May 9, 2008, we left Cabayogan in the morning and proceed with our long journey towards the Caticlan Jetty Port. We arrived before lunchtime and parked our Revo inside Edsa Carpark located at the back of the port. We went on to the terminal to purchase tickets and was accompanied by tour guide. Since we mentioned we are all first-timers, this dude accompanied us on where we should check-in on the island. There are numerous hotels and room for rent accommodations that are available throughout the island. We rode a pump boat and after 15 minutes, we’re there. Yihee! I am in Boracay!

We were taken on a tricycle ride to Boracay’s station 2. The island is subdivided into 3 segments called “stations” that were used to transport visitors and tourists before. Since the government issued limitations as to where pump boats should dock, it was decided that Station 3 should be the gateway for transportation. Station 2 had the most of the amenities and attractions in Boracay island. First we were taken to the Regency Hotel. “Oh yeah!”, I said. “No! We should rent only cheap lodgings in the area.”, my mom cried. The joy on my face disappeared. “That’s OK JP, at least you got the chance to be in Boracay.”, my mind tells me. Oh well. Searching for cheap hotel lodging, we ended up there (I don’t know the name, huh? Near Sea World and D*mall). After taking lunch and fixing my things, me, my bro and cat went out to roam the area. I took several shots of hotels and restaurants and me of course wearing my optical shades. I look like a dragonfly wearing those glasses. Haha. Later that afternoon, we went to the other side of the island, back again on Station 2 and plunged into Boracay’s rough seas. Wooohh!

That evening, we stroll the length of Station 2 and into the D*mall. Boracay is much alive at that time where restaurants started to get crowded. We had difficulty searching for a restaurant. Then, we ended up just located outside beside the beach. It was an “eat all you can for P198″. We took it and spend at least an hour there eating because the chef there keeps on changing the foods served. We retired that night and only my brother went out to take pictures and watch the MTV Summer Break event.

The next morning, we stroll out again to the rest of Station 2. We took a tricycle to Station 1 and stroll again. I took shots of us and a mini island there where a “grotto” is located. I took my moms mobile phone and searched for a wireless internet connection near the Pacific of the Orient. I went through their connection and able to surf the net. We went back to Station 2 again to eat lunch earlier so we can leave Boracay for 12 pm. Back on the room we rented, I took my laptop outside and searched or a wifi hotspot. There are a handful of connections out there and only 1 is not secured. I went through and enjoyed my internet surfing on my laptop for an hour.

12 pm is nearing and we readied our stuff and belongings to go to the port. I took a last glance on the Boracay island as the pump boat went its way into Caticlan Jetty port. We rented a room on the Edsa car park for an overnight stay. The next day will be the planned trip to Odiongan, Romblon which never happened. The ship scheduled that time could not load any kind of vehicles due to high tide. The ship’s ramp is too steep for vehicles to pass through. Me and cat took a pump boat earlier that day to Looc, Romblon. My parents together with my brother decided to cancel the Romblon trip and went back to Laguna via RORO.