FEB-IBIG: The Place Which Swept Me Off My Feet

. . . an early morning view of the beach right in front of our hotel 

"Travel is like love , mostly because it's a heightened  state of awareness, in which we are mindful , receptive , undimmed by the unfamiliarity and ready to be transformed. That's why the best trips , like the best love affairs , never really end." - Pico Iyer 

Love is such a very broad idea, it may simply be the action you happen to feel the moment you see your mother , the idea of knowing that your family will always be with you whatever may happen, that tight hug from a very close friend, that stare of admiration by your husband , the pets you care,  a book you read, a song you enjoy , a weather , a falling leaf and even that audible sigh you have after succeeding your effort in doing something.  These are what great authors , poets , and playwrights most often anchor their wonderful literary masterpieces. 

This Feb-ibig special post, is a recognition to a less-likely noticed subject of love, not a person, not an animal, even a thing but a PLACE where I was enthralled and beguiled last 2015. Our very own - Boracay Island. 

Reaching Boracay was really never in my wildest dream, it just so happened because of this singing contest in the country called The Voice wherein a contestant really captivated my heart. He was Kokoy Baldo, a free lance singer in the island of Boracay, who sang One Day by Matisyahu. Out of nowhere I told my ex-boyfriend, now my husband that I wanted to personally see him and hear him sing. He said jokingly "Okay ato-a na sya'ng pangitaon sa Bora." (Okay, we will look for him in Bora.) This conversation happened sometime in October of the year 2014. 

Fast forward to Pawpaw's arrival last September of 2015, he  literally brought me to Bora. I never thought what he said was true for what I believed , it was but a mere joke.

The moment we landed in Kalibo, I knew right there and then that it will have a big portion in my heart. So yes, it's been almost three years and the feeling has never changed.

. . . I think what made it extra special was it was our first ever flight :)
Photo taken @ NAIA Terminal 3

. . . saw Pacman's plane in Kalibo International Airport

. . .  excuse the photobomber hahahaha 

. . .  at Kalibo International Airport

. . . on board in our bus heading to Caticlan 

. . . at Caticlan Port going to Boracay Island 

Boracay Island, finally!

Day 1

Arrival 

. . . stayed in the La Carmela de Boracay

. . . with very eclectic interior,

. . . adventure Time then started with a ferry ride going to Shingley Underwater Sports to do the very famous Helmet Diving and Feeding a lot of Nemos. ahahhaha

<3

. . . then went for snorkeling :) 

. . . to island-hopping 

. . .  the soul-satisfying view of Crocodile Island

Day 2

. . . had ourselves inked the 2nd day :)

. . . then  got an entire day to beach bum :)

. . .  him making me a sand castle but was actually an epic fail hahahah

. . .  my kind of Damon Salvatore hahahah

. . . the ever famous sand-castle shots :) 

. . .dined in a very expensive hotel

Day 3

. . . lakwatsa around Boracay souvenir shops before packing up to go back to Manila City 

. . .  the mannequin pose haha! 

. . . tried crafting some souvenirs

. . . but none came to buy hahahah

. . . and my face when I realized we were actually leaving :(

All throughout our short stay in this beautiful island, we may never have seen Kokoy Baldo, but falling in love to this place, is nevertheless a very wonderful feeling to always hold on to. :)


. . . thank you for the wonderful accommodation, La Carmela, will surely be coming back

. . . more importantly, thank you so much for the unforgettable first-time yet lifelong experiences, Bora! Until we meet again :)