beyond toxicity

This is my second post in a series…

Having been considered as one of the best beaches in the world, Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, Philippines is barely a seven kilometer-stretch with a breadth of about a kilometer at its narrowest. Its land area, according to the latest issue of Getaways Boracay Tourist Map & Guide is slightly over 1,000 hectares with only about 16,000 people. The island’s best attraction are its mile-long powdery sand beaches, crystal clear waters and fantastic dive sites.

Boracay has 3 baranggays or local communities - Manoc-Manoc where the jetty ports are located, then Balababag and Yapak.  There are over 200 hotels with over 3,500 rooms to suit any range of budget.  The main road that connects the 3 baranggays seems to have everything at present.  Other than roadside hotels, it has medical clinics, lying-in, a hospital, convenient stores, a groceries, pharmacy and a lot more.  The mode of transport along the main road is basically via tricycles;  each ride costs PhP 7 per passenger.

Last Sunday, 18 October 2009, we found a temporary home for our short stay in this Island Paradise  in Baranggay Balabag, Boracay.  This is the street that leads to our hotel…

It’s one of the branches of the main road; beside it is a basketball court, a stage, a multi-purpose hall and a Catholic church.  I can imagine myself and my family settling here, far from the busy areas of the metropolis; away from the hassles of daily living;  a place that can surely offer serenity and peace of mind.  But then again, a huge part of me also likes to consider it only as one of the nicest vacation places and just leave it at that. 

One of the earliest activities that Tina, Gabby and I did after checking-in in our hotel room was to visit this church.

We felt we’re so blessed to have a short getaway, to have the best weather amidst the threat of a typhoon and a safe trip via air, land and water.    

The Chuch was surprisingly big for a small community, perhaps it was really built also for the volume of tourists who visit Boracay regardless of season. It has a colorful mosaic of Christ Jesus with details of the beach at its facade and a rock and coral back drop at the main altar.  Masses are offered daily every mornings at 6 and as scheduled. 

The place was a good choice for being quiet and peaceful, away from the busy bars and restaurants near the white beach. It was perfect for families and friends who seek solace from a change of environment.

One can’t help but notice this sari-sari store along the street where the church is that sells probably everything but land titles, LOL

As early as few days before September, I’ve been browsing the net and calling travel and tours offices for days, comparing packages, fees, amenities and other essentials before I consulted my wife’s opinion about my choices. (Yes, in our family, the husband provides and does the budgeting as well, but the wife still has an important say to everything).

The other hotel I considered was a beach front hotel that has a Greek-inspired restaurant at its first floor but they don’t have an office here in Manila and I wanted to transact and direct my questions to a representative of a Boracay hotel. 

Tina and I knew for a fact that we won’t be spending too much time inside the hotel room except during showers and sleep, so why bother choosing a pricey hotel when we’re only after for a decent and safe place to stay? (It’s a nicer way of putting words to practicality and the truth that we’re on a tight budget for this vacation, LOL).  

After reading several good reviews about a budget-friendly non-beach front hotel located at Boat Station 1, my wife and I came up with a mutual decision…  

ESCONDIDO BEACH RESORT served as our temporary home during our brief vacation in the island. Although it’s not a beach front hotel, we like the fact that it’s tucked within a quiet street that’s truly relaxing. 

Upon arrival, the warm and friendly staffs of Escondido including the security guard on duty greeted us with the widest smiles.    And their courtesy and politeness never ended on our first day in Boracay but remained consistent. Even the guy who fetched us from the airport and accompanied us through land and water transfers was so accomodating.  What they showed us was a perfect example of Pinoy hospitality.

At the right side of the gate is the reception area where we were offered cold glasses of orange juice as welcome drinks.

At the first floor…  

We were ushered to room 202 at the second floor…

This is one of the simplest but most comfortable rooms we have checked in…

I went to their office in Quezon City about a month ago to pay the reservation of fee of at least 30% of the package.  I got a receipt and a voucher after I paid an initial amount of PhP 2,000.   The friendly Escondido staff at the office, Ms. Cheng asked me to e-mail her our flight details.

The package we availed was a steal at  PhP 6,100 for two persons (Gabby was free);  inclusive of a 3 days 2 nights stay in an airconditioned deluxed room with a queen-sized bed and a single bed. The room also has a mini bar and fridge, a cable TV and hot-and-cold showers.  The package also included daily breakfast for two which can be upgraded for an additional minimal amount into Continental or Filipino breakfast.  Did I tell you that the package we paid also included the RTT/round trip transfers?

Gabby like it so much that he didn’t even miss our bed at home…

We like Escondido that I’m recommending it to you on your next (or first) vacation in Boracay.  Thank you to the receptionists Anna and Gina (and the other lady when we left the hotel on our last day), thank you to our RTT guide, thank you to the security guards and the food servers of Escondido. You made our stay in Boracay more special. :D

After checking the place, sheets and all, we just freshen up a bit,  immediately locked the room, got the keys and headed to the beach…

Escondido Resort is only a minute-walk away from the waters… passing that sari-sari store, the church, and after crossing the street, we were instructed to walk through a sidewalk beside another hotel…

After 4 hours at the waiting area at NAIA terminal 3; after 45 minute-plane ride; after 10 minute boat ride and  1 and 1/2 hours of land travel and a  few steps more…

Voila!  Paradise….

It took me few seconds of silence to realize we’re in Boracay.  I was mesmerized.  It was surreal.  

I was in great awe the moment I stepped bare foot on its pristine powdery sands.  Simply amazing.

Breathtaking, isn’t it?

Up next :  more of the white beach…