MySimpleJoys: 2014

The weather is really unpredictable nowadays, Just imagine we were in Boracay last week and there was never a hint of a storm, the sun is always out. We were just lucky I guess as we were praying for a good weather since we booked.

This is actually a well planned vacation, I tried to search the net for a cheap fare, a perfect hotel and a list of activities. We ended up booking with Airasia bound to Kalibo. Caticlan is our first option but It was just too expensive and we were trying to save up for the activities.

Airfare to and fro Kalibo

P4,400 for 2 pax including Manila Terminal Fee

P200 -Bayad Center Charge

P300 for 2 pax - Kalibo Terminal Fee

P400 For 2 pax - Boat Ride at the Jetty Port Plus Van from Caticlan Jetty Port to Kalibo Airport

And then we searched for a perfect location to spend our four day vacation, we had quite a problem in deciding if it's Station 1, Station 2 or Station 3. They said if you want peace and quiet at a high cost then opt for Station 1 and if you'd like to party all night then stay at Station 2, could be a little crowded but it's where the activities are. If you want peace and quiet at an affordable price then go for Station 3 anyway it's the same white beach. Reading those reviews, we were readily attracted to Station 3.

And then I stumbled upon Zuzuni, a beachfront boutique hotel situated at Station 1 that looks so perfect for a beach lover like me who wants to wake up everyday with a view of the ocean. We readily called them to book for their sought after beachfront room however they only have one last available Standard room. To cut the story short, we made a reservation for the standard room thinking that there must be something special for this small hotel to be almost fully occupied on a lean season. But then again we were crossing our fingers that we made the right decision.

Lean Season (3 nights) - This is inclusive of daily breakfast and one way Hotel Transfer

Premier and Beachfront - P11,400

Standard - P6,400

Since we stayed for 4 nights, we paid for an extension fee

Finally our most awaited day came. We reached Kalibo Airport in less than an hour, I didn't even noticed that it was an hour. When we got outside the Airport, we saw several transport providers. Thankfully, we immediately saw our names to one of the service providers booth.

We travelled by van for exactly 1 and a half hour. Some bloggers say that it took them 2 and a half hours to reach Caticlan Jetty port, I guess it's best to arrange a land transfer so you won't consume much of your time waiting for the Bus/Coaster/Van to get fully occupied. They said it's a 20 minute boat ride from the jetty port to the port that leads to Boracay but it only took us nearly 10 minutes, perhaps because we don't have to settle for payments anymore as our hotel have arranged it for us. When we reached the other side, we were again fetched by the same service provider, we were ecstatic, we felt we made the right decision for choosing the hotel since we felt like VIPs with Island Star Express, Zuzuni's partner Service Provider.

Zu zuni - We were VIPs for 4 days

We were all smiles when we arrived at the hotel, we felt that we made the right decision. No wonder everyone who stayed in this 13 room beachfront boutique hotel was extremely happy and have something good to say about it. Here's my two cents, It's strategically located at Station 1 and a short walk to Station 2, the hotel per se is homey, their staffs are well trained -respectful and accommodating, the rooms I must say is way better than on photos. We were supposed to stay in one of their beachfront rooms but we were given the last room available which is their Standard Room. Upon seeing their standard room, we were very much delighted -It was clean, smells good and chic. It may not be as spacious as others would want it to be but for us, It is perfect and has everything we need. You only have to come down to have a great view of the sea so we didn't get frustrated at all for not having the chance to check into their premier room.

Cozina

My boyfriend and I are foodies and we tried everything we see on blogs but we keep on coming back to Cozina, the hotel's resto located at the Ground floor. You should try their Paella and Seafood Platter, nothing comes close to their paella.

Zuzuni truly made our vacation more like a staycation -hassle free. We will surely come back.

Boracay from my point of view

Puka Beach, Boracay

White Beach, Boracay

If sky's the limit, then opt for Caticlan bound. If you are trying to save up money for the activities, then Kalibo bound is perfect, Anyway it's just an hour and a half travel.

If you are trying to book for a hotel, make sure it's near the white beach or else, you'll tire yourself walking back and forth your hotel. Bulabog beach is different from the white beach.

Based on what we've read prior to booking our hotel, the best place to be is in Station 3 as it's not crowded in there, it's budget friendly and the sand is just the same to that of Stations 1 and 2. So here's my verdict.

Station 1 - The sand is powdery white, the shore is well maintained. There are stores nearby and the prices are no different to the Stores situated on Stations 2 and 3. A can of soda will cost you 35 pesos, just to give you an idea.

Staion 2 - The sand is powdery but the color of the sand is mixed brown and white, perhaps because it's where most of the people are. There is a small resto called Smoke, you can buy Spicy meals within the budget. Also, this is the most crowded as this is where the D Mall lies and where the party happens.

Station 3 - The sand is not pure white, a bit coarse with few pebbles but the hotels are way cheaper.

Most reviews rant about Jonah's Fruit Shake and the Calamansi Muffin, We've tried it and we felt that it's overrated. It's good however it's no exceptional.

Truth is, all three stations become crowded when the sun is about to set except for the endmost part of Station 1 near Willy's Rock.

Willy's Rock

Activities, Anyone?

During Rainy Season, Bulabog Beach becomes the center for water sports and during Summer, the White beach.

We tried several activities like Helmet Diving, Parasailing, Island Hopping, Snorkeling, and Buggy car. We were not able to haggle (I mean really haggle) because It didn't rain at all during our stay. Agents were everywhere the White Beach offering packages for water and land activities but then we were advised to go directly to service providers in Bulabog beach, the thing is even if you go directly to service providers, most of the people there are agents themselves. I have nothing against them since I know for a fact that it's their primary source of living. They told us if only we were 3 days earlier, the rates went crazy low. Parasailing that normally cost P1,200 went as low as P300 due to monsoon.

Parasailing -P1,200 per pax (We got it for P1000)

Helmet Diving - P800 per pax (We got it for P500)

Island Hopping Plus Snorkeling - P1,500 Contact: Kuya Rey @ 09391735417

Buggy Car - P1,200 for 2 pax (We find it costly and not worth the P1,200)

Something to take home?

I'd like to buy ref magnets and key chains for my friends but we normally get it whenever somebody returns from boracay. I found delicacies made in Aklan like Butterscotch, Turrones and Banana Chips. They are no catchy but when I got back and had a try, My gosh I should have bought more. Anyway, I bought it somewhere in D Mall.

All in all, the experience was great. I'm just a bit sad that the corals are mostly dead and there are just a few species of fish, It's not what I've expected. Puerto Galera I guess have a better coral reef system but it's just my two cents. I still love Boracay's powdery white beach and my favorite hotel in Boracay to date, Zuzuni.