Inside SuperCat:
At this point, we were still debating as to what mode of transporation to take going to Caticlan (from Iloilo).
a. Van
b. Ceres Liner
c. Taxi
Upon arrival at the pier of Ilo-ilo, a lot of people were shouting "Boracay?" "Boracay?". Luckily, there was a van going to Caticlan. he charged Php500 per head. He was trying to give us the pro and cons. The one thing that catched my attention was of course the travel time. The driver said that it will only take 4 to 5 hours instead of the 6 to 7 hours when taking the ceres bus. We took option a.
The red nissan urvan we took going to Caticlan:
We arrived in Iloilo at 715am. According to the driver we just have to wait for six more passengers going to Caticlan (his relatives as what he claims). Suddenly the six more passengers became 12! I was quite pissed. Good thing we had better seats in the van. I kept my cool. We left Iloilo at around 900AM. The driver had to make a gazillion stops (gasoline station, remit money to the owner of the van, waited for another person to join - thank god he did not come!, etc...).
After two hours of travel time, we stopped at this resto bar for lunch: Would you believe that their food was spectacular? NOT!!! Not to mention the fact that it was quite pricey for a resto of this stature: BLAH!
After 30 minutes, we were on the road again. We arrive at Jetty Port (Caticlan) around 1:20PM. Bought our tickets, paid the environmental fees, etc:
We had to wait for about 30 to 45mins for the pump boat to arrive. Your Highness called asking where we were and instructed us to proceed to Casa Pilar and look for Shirley (Temple). He instructed Shirley on room assignments. He said that he'll wait for us at the Hobbit's House (Restaurant) at D'Mall (shopping area in bora with resto everywhere) for lunch.
The pump boat ride from Caticlan to Boracay island was approximately 25 minutes. When we arrived on the Island, we took a tricycle and informed our driver that we were heading to Casa Pilar. Trike fare was P100.00. Trikes are not allowed to enter the beach front area so we had to walk from the alley turned right and headed a few meters toward our hideaway! It wasn't THAT bad of a walk.
Looking at the aquamarine color of the water and the powdery white sand can take away the stress of travelling. We checked in upon instruction of your highness. Got our room keys and went striaght to our room. Took a shower. Got dressed up. Then, the uneventful happened: EXHUASTION CATCHED UP ON US! I had to text your highness informing him that we were too exhuasted to move and if we can get some rest and see eachother at dinner. Good thing he obliged! Phew! hahahaha.
We slept until 7pm. Your highness called telling us that his other guests from Manila were delayed by more than 4 hours! They are scheduled to arrive in the island of Bora at 9pm instead of 3pm. He advised us to have dinner at the resort. Unfortunately, there was a wedding reception held at the beach front of the hotel and one of the waiters informed us that their kitchen was too busy and could not accommodate plated orders. There goes customer service! Isn't it that if there's a wedding reception held at a property, things are prepared way ahead of time? Where did organization go? Customer Experience Management Training is required here.
Lucky us, a few meters away from the resort is a favorite fast food of mine: ANDOK'S (Pang tawid gutom). My favorite is their Dokito's (Fried Chicken). They never fail to please the worms in my tummy hahaha!
After dinner, we strolled looking for Mama's tugon: shell slippers ornament for cellphones. They look cute:
We headed to D'Mall - Shopping area in Bora. We went to an internet cafe with internet speed as slow as a dial up modem (annoying). Had to check office emails. Forwarded delayed timesheets of colleagues to Accounting. Then, your highness called again. He was stationed at the Hobbit's House having dinner and wanted us to join him.
He was all alone when we arrived. He was wearing a grey t-shirt, jeans and rubber shoes which I am so not used to seeing him in this get-up. He ordered pizza - too comercialized. Dough is bought at a supermarket and the cheese is not mozarella, they use eden cheese. I am sad.
After about 30 minutes of waiting, his guests from Manila joined us together with his ever loyal driver, Kenneth. He ordered two more pizzas, penne in white sauce, meatballs. I was not totally impressed with the food at Hobbit's House. One of the guests, Mike, who flew in from Italy after 7 years of absence wasn't happy to see italian food on the table either. he was craving for anything and everything pinoy. Super Funny! :)
Bill and Romy, on the other hand, didn't mind at all.
Across Hobbit's House is a Japanese Restaurant called Hamma. Your highness ordered two orders of Tempura. This was fantastic. Not to mention that the price was fantastic too. I think we paid P1,200 for two orders.
Hey Jude was our next stop to chill and unwind.
We left Hey Jude together with your highness. Both of us kept on yawning. Too tired and sleepy, we called it a night. However, the manila peeps (Bill, Romy and Mike) went on with their journey. And if i'm not mistaken one or two had a happy ending. :)
This is Day One.
Day Two and Day Three escapades to follow.
