How To Travel To Bora With No Yaya

Whew... After coming home from a 4 day trip with no yaya, Boracay has definitely changed!

Well, gone are the days when I could just laze around and enjoy the sun, because once I close my eyes, my 18-month old toddler might just disappear, right? Also gone are the days of bar hopping in my sexiest beach outfits...my little girl is in dream land by that time, and I am also too tired I enter my own dream world as well

Well, I guess it's really different now, Bora and my life as a mother. Our itinerary has everything to do with my little toddler and nothing to do with me. But there are some things, non-negotiables, I have to say, that we just could not resist. Here's my list and some lessons learned...

1. Jonah's fruit shakes
Okay, our mistake to walk on the beach at noon time, but we're glad we ate there. How can Boracay be such without those mouth watering shakes- Mocha Banana with Peanuts, Watermelon, Mango Papaya shakes ranging from P75-P100... the still live up to their name... and my toddler also enjoyed it there, because I ordered french fries for her. Lesson learned: french fries is the way to go, if all else fails. My husband and I ordered tapsilog and my daughter ate a little of my food. We went there again, after walking from Dmall, and the Watermelon Shake was well deserved.

2. D'Mall
Yup it was a little crazy. But I have to say, if you're planning to go to this area, make sure your child has already taken a nap, NEVER ever when she's about to have a fit and does all these acrobatic stunts to prove to you how sleepy she is. I kinda learned the hard way. My daughter had to be sleepy during the time we were having dinner at Cyma, a yummy Greek restaurant (the original). After taking turns in touring her to the wonderful stores, I guess we enjoyed our burger meal (My God, nothing can stop me from it, it was delish!) (Burger was P275). Lesson learned: face the fact that you and your husband may never enjoy a meal together, one has to eat first in order to attend to the toddler. Anyway, Cyma is in D'Mall, I can't call it cheap at all, but it's definitely worth it.
However, when your toddler is okay and in the mood, D'Mall is a good place for her to run around. I particularly stole a few minutes to buy some jewelry, and my daughter was patient enough, thanks to the entertaining sight of the "Boracay Bling". I got myself and my mom a necklace, earrings for my sister, a bracelet for my other sister, and a birthday present for my mother in law. Though I cannot really disclose the price, let's just say price range for the coral necklaces is P400-500, earrings P100 and bracelets about P100-200. I also got free items because I bought them from the same vendor. So Lesson learned here is if you have the time canvass, and when you make a decision, don't hesitate to ask for some freebies. Just don't be rude, ask in an affectionate and polite way, though. Because they are also very accommodating and kind. Lesson learned: I won't even bother to ask other prices, because I was pressed for time, and given the situation, I think I did pretty well.
Another lesson learned: Since you're already in D'Mall, do what you have to do - i.e. buy pasalubongs, groceries, snacks, and a little toy for your toddler, something she herself chose. You don't have to buy so much, a child will be happy with one thing alone. I bought her a tiny Croc keychain which was a miniture version of her own fuschia Crocs, and she loved it (7 key chains for P100, p20 per key chain) My only stupidity was that I left it in Bora. Well, she doesn't look for it anymore so I guess it has already served its purpose.



3. Iced Caramel Macchiato in Two Seasons
Luckily, we were booked right beside this hotel. (I would recommend SUR, where we stayed. Off-peak rate for a family room was P3,100/night). Not only was the experience good for me (the macchiato was just refreshing), but for my daughter. Two Seasons has a fountain that my baby loved, but more importantly it has a coy garden -pardon the term? that my daughter and her cousins loved. There was one particular coy that was pregnant, and that interested the kids. Another thing is that the music was awesome, 90's, chill-out, house, Bossa Nova and all that Latin groove that made the beach experience so memorable and festive. My toddler just had to shimmy and the staff were very very attentive.

4. Strolling on the beach
Especially at night, when my baby is about to submit to slumber, Station 1 is just magnificent, with the waves, the cold sand, the moon, and the beautiful lights from the different hotels. It doesn't only relax her, but it relaxes me and my husband, too, thinking of all the nice things we have done, dreaming aloud our dreams, being thankful for all the blessings. And if you're gonna do this, too, don't bother to wear slippers. The sand is like a stress-reliever.

5. Playing on the sand during sunset.
By this time everybody is out, music is blasting, and all the people are just relaxing. Such a beautiful way to connect with one another. My daughter and her cousins were just playing with the sand, making sand castles, and on the last afternoon, I got to catch a pearl vendor (you usually see them peddling their pearls in this cooler kind of a bag). I got to buy a pair of pearl earrings for P180-yup the going rate is P150 but these pearls looked bigger and had a natural luster that didn't look too polished, AND I got to see for myself a size 18 south sea pair- heard it was for P250,000. I admit I am no expert in even distinguishing a south sea from a cultured one, but these two circles were the best I have ever seen. So, so beautiful I was tempted to swallow them- haha, joke. Lesson learned: Enjoy this moment, it may take a long time for it to happen again..

Well, obviously I didn't really go anywhere- no island hopping, banana boat riding and such- but I guess it was a unique but happy vacation. I felt sad, though that I was not able to get a massage- I got my period on the second day!!! Never mind, now I can really say Boracay and I are still not over!!!

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