Out Of Boracay, In Style
This part of my travel is important to share - for your comfort and convenience.
Many Boracay visitors just get busy arranging for their way 'going there'; the myriad of activities to do; the kinds of food to feast-on; the types of drink to taste - 'while there'. Oftentimes, their coming home part isn't given much attention. Yet we should equally consider that, to ensure a memorable vacation.
Having said that, let me continue to tell my story, yes, this was still our Boracay story, but I will put-in various tools, techniques and notable 'musts' that I have learned through all these years of traveling.
First to watch out for: What time do we leave the island?
Most hotels have a "1400H/1200H" rule. Meaning you may only check-in at 2PM and must be checked-out by 12NN. So, to maximize your stay on the island, you should leave the hotel at about 12NN. Diba?
Now... how about your flight out of Caticlan (or even Kalibo which is farther)? The 'technique' is get an afternoon flight out of Caticlan, but consider too, 'what time you will arrive at your home destination'.
For example: do you really want to be caught in the afternoon traffic around Pasay, Parañaque, Makati and/or Manila? Aw! For you to be sane, the technic is to arrive at MIA either before or after rush hour!
In my case, I was transferring (transit) to another flight in Cebu. Would I be able to catch that? But this was not really my "trip", naki-"sama ako" lang ako, remember? So, I had to consider my friend's flight!
But that's easy for us to do (we've both been doing this many times)! His flight from Caticlan to Manila was at noon (to avoid traffic upon arrival). So I picked a noon flight from Caticlan to Cebu - for which I knew, there'd still be flights to 'connect to' in CEB going TAC. Thus, sabay lang kami sa Caticlan Airport!
Anong oras yan? 9AM haha! Eh di ba sabi ko dapat afternoon flight, to maximize your stay in Boracay? Well, ideally! But if you have other considerations like we did (traffic in MNL, connecting flight in CEB), then sometimes there's no other choice but to leave early. Yep, to leave the island at 9AM is too early.
Hotel check-out time is 12NN, if you have no other concerns, that's still a half day to enjoy Boracay oi!
Bitin ba? Yeah, everyone says that, kahit 5 days na silang nakahilata lang lagi sa beach! Masarap kasi.
Dapat sulitin yan! In fact, if, as I said above, you have no limitations, you can even leave the island on an afternoon, taking the last flight out of Caticlan - even if "eviction time" is at 12NN! There are ways!
1] Use your charm, especially if you're a frequent guest of the hotel chain. That said, I don't mean you use your make-believe powers or societal influence. Just humbly request if you can be allowed a "late checkout". You'll be surprised, sometimes hotels can give up to 3PM, 4PM or even 5PM check out time!
2] If item 1] above is not possible (wala kang charm?), just check out at 12NN, but request that you be allowed to leave your luggage somewhere in the hotel (front desk area or bag storage room) - for free. Pag iyan ipinagkait pa sayo, dalawa lang yan - either masama ang hotel mo, o masama kang tao haha!
Do make sure you have a place to shower and change if you're still going to swim or do the fun rides, because, in this case (your extended time), you don't anymore have a hotel room for any wash-up. Da!
Note 1: Boracay now has bag deposit services. I saw one at D'Mall, but never had a chance to use it.
Note 2: In any of the scenarios above, wag kang magtataray, wag demanding - you're just requesting o nakikisuyo lang, remember that! An extension is not your right, it is just a privilege, kung charming ka!
Why did I say that Note 2 reminder? Ayiyi, there are notorious Pinoys who are known to many Boracay establishments as always demanding for said "extension" kahit hindi pwede, at ayaw pang magbayad! Good they're not being named on social media since that could really ruin their make-believe stature!
Sino sila?! Ayayay go ask hotel/resort people on the island - demanding sila wala namang 'value add'! Mambabatas, sosyalerang matrona na wala namang pera, artista, media personality daw - mga ganun!
3] If items 1] and 2] above won't really be possible (that would be extremely rare), then leave your bag at the (paid) public lockers and use (paid) public showers/toilets -if indeed available. I am sure about public lockers as I've seen them at D'Mall, but not on paid public showers/toilets. Sinabi lang sa akin!
Those are your 3 options if you want to extend your stay in Boracay, despite having been "evicted" at 12NN hahaha! Otherwise, if you can't be lugging your things along, umalis ka na lang, leave the island!
So, let's proceed...
The next concern: How do we leave the island?
Just reverse the way you came? Kind-of, but not really! From your hotel, you normally have to walk via a backroad (not the beach) to the main road, then you catch an e-trike going to the island's jetty port.
At popular establishments (hotels, restaurants, D'Mall, etc.), there usually are e-trikes waiting to take you anywhere, including the jetty port. But do you know where to go, or what-to-do-first, on arrival at that jetty port? It can be befuddling. There are many lines! Ask staff inside that terminal, not outside.
Oh by the way, the "Mabuhay Hosts" also offer 'departure services' from the island!
Now here's something important for those who purchase Boracay packages online - or those who ask someone else to purchase it for them! Remember to check (as in read) all the details of your package!
It happened to us (we didn't read well), but Astoria Current staff were attentive and honest. Ganito...
The night before check out, we passed by front desk - our purpose was to ask how we can be in touch with Mabuhay Hosts, so they can pick us up tomorrow and do what they do! Staff said "no need, sir"!
It was only then that we learned... our hotel booking was some kind of a promo (not sure if by Astoria or the booking site) that included a free one-way transfer! Yes, me ganun pala! What is that? One-way means 1] a free transfer from airport to hotel, or 2] a free transfer from hotel to airport! OR hindi AND!
Passenger is supposed to choose, and hotel will accord the chosen services. Astoria Current staff told us, since we did not ask for a free transfer from airport to hotel during our arrival, they automatically deemed (and have already prepared) that we were availing of the free transfer on departure, hahaha!
Syempre delightedly surprised kami, and only then did we read that booking form (in paper given by my friend's secretary to him) and in soft copy that she sent via 'fb messenger' to both of us. Oh My G!
Seasoned frontdesk staff (not the newbie) told us everything is set and ready, they will haul us from the lobby at 9AM. Syempre we protested 'a bit' since 9AM seems too early for my friend's flight to MNL at 1200H and mine to CEB at 1210H. They said their commitment is: pax will be at the airport 2H BETD.
They even told us that, if we didn't leave at 9AM and for whatever reason we miss our flight, they'll all be liable to their management - 'no buts'. That means even if it was the passengers' fault, sisante sila!
Ang strict naman ng mga boss nila. But we like the discipline. Because the standard is: air passengers must be at their designated check-in counters 2 hours Before Expected Time of Departure (BETD). Go!
On departure date, we had buffet breakfast early, washed-up early, settled everything with front desk so that at exactly 9AM we were already at the lobby ready for our transfer-out (a van) to the jetty port!
We immediately wore those shirts for quick pictorials around the facility and we decided we might as well wear them all the way home! I'm not joking, we instantly became 'head turners' with those shirts!
Only to find out, those were given to us gratis! Compliments of Astoria Current said the manager :)
We may have looked funny going around wearing the same print and same color shirts as the uniform of Astoria Current staff. But we liked it, it was fun, we felt 'cool' wearing them. Walang basagan ng trip!
Eto pa, just to satisfy our curiosity, we asked some non-frontdesk staff (including the driver) if Astoria Current gives out these kinds of 'pabaon' stuff to all checking-out guests. They unanimously said "no".
Driver said "only for special guests". O ha? Aw, that little gesture, made us feel even 'more valued'. Da!
And it did not stop there. Meron pa! But first let us get out of the facility, okay? Going to the jetty port!
The road passes by a health office that at 8:45AM (daw) already was busy w/ people lined up outside.
Driver and our transfer guide laughed telling us something like judging by their looks, not even one of them is sick. They're all probably there, to get their medical certification for employment on the island!
Ahh hehehe, yun naman pala! Hesumalusep, kung anu-ano na ang inisip namin!
The views continued. It looks ugly today, but hopefully for a more beautiful future of the island. They have done a cleanup of the coastline when the whole island was closed, remember? I wish them well.
In no time, we reached that area where the e-trikes arrive and depart. But our van just went straight.
Hmm, we realized this wasn't normal. This was better! We were asked to 'just follow' this Astoria dude!
And our shirts (wala nga lang collar) looked like his'. And we are able bodied naman so far, but other passengers lining-up looked like they needed more of the kind assistance, than we did! Dyahe konti!
To avoid feeling anymore uneasy hehe, we distanced a bit, and took pictures around where we were.
Anyway, pag isa kang hampas-lupa like I am, sometimes, it does not feel very good to be VIP hehehe!
Hindi pala flow... float! We were just like ghosts floating behind the Astoria staff!
After the ticket purchases, we were each given our 'boarding passes' still following our transfer guide.
At this point we reconciled our observations (and assumptions) - like, "ah so that was the reason why our driver said we should wait inside his air-conditioned van (parked just front of the building), as our transfer guide/assistant/whatever did all the ticket things for us" - we insisted on following him kasi!
But we literally were just tailing him. We didn't lift a finger for anything nor shell out any money.
It was fun anyway! But we noted that... this kind of service should be availed by those who have older people and/or those with babies and little kids with them. They can all just wait in their van, until the assistant comes back with those 'terminal passes'. They even have other guys who attend to luggage.
And so we entered the pre-departure area of the Boracay Jetty Port, welcomed by smiling lasses!
Why did I say "most passengers", not "all passengers"? Well, ah eh, as anywhere, there are exceptions. And this time, we were an exception! Since we were riding a "private" transfer. Not the "public" boats!
Sosyalin ba? Actually medyo hehehe! While others were seated patiently waiting, once we entered the turnstiles, our Astoria transfer guide just walked us through to the gate for immediate boarding - and those people in there were looking at us, as if saying 'at sino ang mga yan, bakit unang pinasasakay'?
And we were swiftly out of the building, walking to the boat, but guide said "picture muna kayo dyan"!
We told him to put our bags down, but he said "no", madudumihan daw hahaha! He had actually been insisting all along to carry our bags but we refused. This time, since we put them down for the photo-ops, he picked them up and carried them one on each shoulder. I told him to put them down though!
We teased that he looked ugly carrying two backpacks. My friend said "mukhang kang kuba" hehehe!
Now now... from that area, it's a long walk to any boat during lowtide - probably a total of 200 meters.
Not that we had a hard time on that walk, we even enjoyed walking under the sun and the breeze. But friend and I recognized that it might be a challenge for seniors, those with babies and/or 'little kulits'.
Okay, I admit, wrong spelling... it should be "young once" (upon a time). Haruuy!
Another thing: if you have heavy luggage and you prefer dragging it on that orange rubbery plastic of a walkway, be sure the wheels are good and be prepared with some extra strength, it's a little trickier! Is there a better way than that? There is: ask men at the beach to carry your bag. Gumastos ka naman!
In our case, none of the above happened. We both had only light weekend packs, that we could easily carry by ourselves, which was why our Astoria transfer guide was disappointed he could not offer the courtesy of carrying any of our bags hahaha! And I think that's guinine courtesy on their part. No fees!
Anyway, and here was the most fantastic part of our Boracay exit... the "private" speedboat ride!
Imagine this... a big speedboat good for probably 10 or more; only 2 passengers - me and my friend; 4 experts - the skipper, two deck hands, and our transfer guide (yes, he goes with you all the way to the airport check-in counters)! Isn't that luxury? Luksoryos: lumulokso-lukso dahil napaka-gaan ng boat!
Why did I say this was the best part of our exit from Boracay? Well, it somehow rekindled our love for speed. Not on 2 wheels nor 4, not even on land but on the waters off one of the best islands on earth!
Whah! My best exit from the island so far. So, arrivederci Boracay for now. Hasta la vista Bora!
Hey, my story is not done just yet! I got some clips of that speedy crossing. I'll post that here soon.
The crews were volunteering to take our pictures as the boat zoomed on the water. My friend said "eh kung ilipad ako" hahaha! Now I'm thinking, that should be a very good exit ride for groups or families.
And these were the views as we arrived and anchored in Caticlan - somewhere off their jetty port.
This is the speedboat of The Lind. It also has two engines! That is probably a standard among the big hotels/resorts on the island. Or probably a fad, a hit, an 'in' thing nowadays. Ah I love it when they fly!
I took a picture of the skipper's Console. Remembrance lang, for me to perpetually salivate. Sana all!
And our ride Aquanimity, after we just disembarked. Take note of the ground level, there's water.
For us already wearing jeans and rubber shoes, we just jumped over the water. Iba na ang matangkad!
Going to the Welcome Center of Boracay Fairways and Bluewater. The 'lounge' I earlier mentioned.
Well, I turned around for one last glance at the shoreline where we arrived at.
And we entered the Welcome Center to be able to exit! Me ganun? Yes, sosyal di ba? Makabuang!
They probably have an industry agreement like, other resorts probably pay Fairways and Bluewater to use the facility for their 'special guests' - like us! Whatever, 'wag na nating pakialaman yan! Basta, it is a waiting lounge used before crossing to the island or before going to the airport - fresh. Convenient!
Guests who use the welcome center do not anymore go through the payment formalities at the jetty. There are dedicated personnel for that in this building. So it's like a separate port for 'special guests'.
However, we technically just breezed-through the insides of that welcome center. Then out we went!
Too efficient that my friend said ang husay nyo naman, magpi-picture pa sana ako, eh paalis na pala!
We exited at a side gate of the welcome center, and van skirted about half of its grounds (sa kaliwa).
Here's the entrance and front grounds of that welcome center compound...
Immediately beside (half-open gate below) is the alley going to Hennan's own welcome center.
But that was all we could see, since we already turned right on this road to approach the airport.
Is the airport far? OMG, veeeery ridiculously... near hahaha! We said why didn't we just walk?!
As we laughed, our guide said something like "we must be comfortable and feel good before a flight"!
Okay na, justified hahaha!
And his services was not even done yet! He attempted trying to get our airline tickets, so he could go check-us in. Yes inside, at the PAL check-in counters. OMG, this was too much pampering! We told him anyway, we've already done our web check-in, we'll be fine doing it on our own. And we 'set him free'!
With a handsome tip, of course!
Sa haba ng kwento ko... let it be known that, our total elpsed time from Astoria Current's lobby to the airport check-in counters was a mere 26 minutes! It doesn't happen via the regular route/procedures.
Disadvantage? We were too early at the airport for our 1200H and 1210H flights hahaha!
Happy anyway!
Comments
Post a Comment