Boracay during the mid-2000s

The news feed on my Facebook account is being bombarded with #Laboracay pictures, videos, and status updates. I can’t help but reminisce what it’s like to party all night in Boracay and explore the island all day. Looking back more than ten years ago, I felt at that time that I should experience party life in Boracay during my twenties. 🙂 And I did and had the time of my life. Twice, with my friends from law school. Two of our batch mates in law school hail from Aklan, which is the reason why we felt not that touristy when we went there, since we were accompanied with friends who are very much comfortable (and influential) in their own territory. 🙂

This is my first time in Boracay, during the year 2004 (it’s been eleven years already!). It was also my first time to travel in the Visayas.

My first glimpse of the island

My knowledge about the island is limited to what I have seen ten years ago. Back then, we party at Cocomanga’s and Summer Place, eat chorizo sandwich sold by beachfront vendors, drink mango shake at Casa Pilar (for me still the best), buy souvenirs at Talipapa and D’ Mall.

The bucket at Summer Place

We went to Boracay for the summer for two consecutive years, during the year 2004 and again on 2005. Since then, I was not able to come back because I have been busy with law school and with practice after passing the bar. But it’s fun to look back to my younger years, the carefree days of hopping on a plane bound to Kalibo with my classmates.

We climbed the roof of the boat during an island tour.

On my second summer in Boracay, there were so many of us that it felt like a field trip on our way to Kalibo. That time, we tried going to Aklan by a passenger vessel, then by plane back to Manila.

at the beachfront with my girl friends

Puka Beach

And since we’re talking about ten years ago, there’s also my Boracay beach body ten years ago.. 😦 How time flies. 😀

at the Grotto, on the Boracay Rock

Since I have already experienced partying like there’s no tomorrow in Boracay, riding the banana boat, island tours, and other water activities, my dream really is to go to Boracay during off-season. I want to experience Boracay in seclusion, with my hubby, just lying by the beach all day, and going to spas for a massage. That is what I have not yet experienced in Boracay, and what for me I should experience during my thirties. 🙂

Enchanted by the mountainous province of Nueva Vizcaya

Another thing that made the Isabela trip a wondrous experience for me is when we passed by the captivating province of Nueva Vizcaya, considered as the gateway to the Cagayan Valley Region.

Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya Road..

You would know that you are in the Nueva Vizcaya province when you pass by roads as scenic as the one above, the Caraballo Mountains found on San Jose, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya province

BOUND TO ISABELA

On our way to Isabela, we had a stop over and coffee break at the charming town of Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. The aching joints and knees from the long road trip would be immediately forgotten once you step out of the vehicle and see this..

Cool and refreshing..

This is the restaurant where we stopped by to have coffee and snacks. The name is Kuya Lar’s. It’s a popular stop over for travelers. It’s a nice, cool place where you can park your vehicle, eat, drink coffee, and stretch your legs, with the wind softly tickling your skin.. There are souvenir shops selling local delicacies, brooms, and other native products.

GOING BACK TO MANILA

On our way back to Manila, we had a stop-over again at Nueva Vizcaya, this time at Dalton Pass (also known as Balete Pass), which is near the Nueva Vizcaya-Nueva Ecija boundary… There’s entrance fee amounting to ten pesos each. At the foot of the Dalton Pass is the iconic tower of Region 2.

Iconic tower of Region 2

It’s a not-so-steep climb, and the view at the top is absolutely worth it.

Wacky shot on our way up.

Dalton Pass is actually the terrain where Japanese forces, American and Filipino soldiers clashed during World War II. There is a marker at the highest point of Dalton Pass commemorating the death of General Dalton during the war. Dalton Pass is a shrine to those who sacrificed and perished during the war.

Our photographer, my hubby

I’m sure many travelers who have passed by Nueva Vizcaya on their way to Ifugao, Isabela or Cagayan province would agree that passing by the Caraballo mountains of Nueva Vizcaya is an exhilarating experience. On my next blog, I will feature the famous local delicacy Nueva Vizcaya is known for.. their version of buko pie. 🙂

at the highest point… dramatic view

Crossing the Isabela-Ifugao borderline…

We didn’t expect that crossing the boundary lines between Ramon, Isabela and Alfonso Lista, Ifugao would be this scenic…

Another one off the bucket list. 🙂 Going to Magat Dam is a must, you’re in for a visual treat. To read more about our Magat Dam adventure, click here.