Sand. Sea. Sun. The perfect mix. Who can resist that? I'm a self-confessed beach lover. With that, I am in constant search for my happy beach. I don't have the perfect formula to know what's best and worst in terms of classifying beaches. I just distinguish it through gut feel; happy beach versus a not-so-happy-beach. I just need to be there. Experience it.
We started Day 2 in Boracay on a full throttle (after the 9-hour sleep we had on Day 1). After our wonderful breakfast, we planned to go to Puka beach - on a bicycle. I dunno what came into me but the thought of strolling the island on a bicycle was a fresh idea. The other option was to take a tricycle to the Puka beach for 100-150 pesos per ride/per tricycle. So the hunt for the best "bicycle deal" in town went on (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Boracay).
There are few bicycle rentals along the alleys leading to the White beach but we went further until we saw the Mylene's Motorcycle and Bicycle rentals located on the main road of the island, right across the D'Mall (look for the supermarket or the Generics Pharmacy - it's right across it). We met Ate Melpha and asked for the rental rates and then I showed her my haggling skills. I won, of course (shrugging). We got it for 400 pesos for 4 hours (supposedly for 2 hours only) each bike. I know it's quite pricey compared to a tricycle ride but I am all for adventure - or so I thought.
Time check, 8:30 a.m. Helmets, check. Brakes, check. A free map from Ate Melpha, check. We were so ready. She specifically told us to just follow the main road and watch out for steep slopes and stuff. And off we go with our blue and yellow bikes.
We smoothly traversed the main road for the first few minutes. And then the steep slopes of the road followed. First hike was fine but next ones were really steep. Imagine, you are minding your gears, the uncomfortable helmet, the tricycles passing by me and the people crossing on the streets. And please add the steep slopes again.
I am not a biker in a sense that it is my hobby. I don't own a bike. I get to use one when I go to Zambales - my parents' hometown. I know how to use one but I am not a hardcore biker- if you know what I mean. So there. Mixed emotions. I wanted to go back and get my money back and just ride a tricycle but no, I was telling myself "Ginusto mo 'to di ba?". I didn't throw any tantrums and that pushed me to move forward.
We arrived safe without a scratch or something. We immediately chained the bicycles on a resto-grille near the beach. We bought some cold drinks, rested and had a post conference on our bike adventure. We were laughing on how we almost gave up. Glad we didn't. Oh by the way, it took us 40 minutes to get into the beach.
We went further and explored the beach. There were no tourists yet. Just us and a few locals around. It was lovely. No obstructions on the view. No loud music and restaurants on the shore. Old school happy beach. My happy beach. I didn't waste any moment and jumped into the waters. I swam a few meters and realized it was "swimmable" - not the type where you need to walk a hundred meters to get your hair wet. It was my happy beach.
And then a lady went our way with her puka shell-inspired accessories. She pointed to the puka shells and showed us its by-products. I bought a few items from her (instead of buying from the stores) and she chatted with us for a while. She is a local from the island. She told us how "expensive" it is to live in the island. Being one of the famous tourist spots in the country comes with a price. The basic commodities are way to steep compared to the mainland province of Aklan. Good thing though is that there are many available jobs for them.
We spent the rest of the morning bumming, sleeping, reading and just chatting. We checked out the map we have, there were so many sights to see but we only had an hour to waste more. We packed away and went back to where our bicycles were. And then the biking adventure began - again. It was more tiring this time. With the 11 o'clock heat and our wet bodies, it was more difficult to pedal our way towards our destination. The downward slopes were the only way to rest our tired legs and feet. Until we reached the busy area of Station 1.
Time check, 12:00 noon. We still got 30 minutes to spare so we decided to go to the other side of the famous White beach, the Bulabog beach. We were quite surprised on the volume of tourists on this side not knowing that kiteboarding and other water sports are the highlights of this place. And I must say that kiteboarding is one hella expensive sport and dangerous as well. There were reported incidents of accidents and even deaths on this sport. But then, seeing them gliding on their boards really amazed me.
We went back to the bike rental place in one piece (two pieces?). Going back to the White beach felt a bit weird. We immediately missed Puka beach. Its serenity. The sound of the waves. The unobstructed view of the horizon. The bike adventure - well no. We rested and promised to go back again the next day - that's how we really loved it.
So the next day, right after our breakfast, we went back to Puka beach. But this time we were on a tricycle. We paid 100 pesos for the trip (originally from 150 pesos). We then repeated the same routine we had the last time. But the only difference was the ice cream treat from the vendor on the beach. The prices of his stuff were more than 100% than its original price but we still indulged. We didn't wanna leave our happy beach but we have to - we have a flight to catch in the afternoon. There were some tricycles waiting on the main road. The standard fee is 150 pesos per trike.
We started Day 2 in Boracay on a full throttle (after the 9-hour sleep we had on Day 1). After our wonderful breakfast, we planned to go to Puka beach - on a bicycle. I dunno what came into me but the thought of strolling the island on a bicycle was a fresh idea. The other option was to take a tricycle to the Puka beach for 100-150 pesos per ride/per tricycle. So the hunt for the best "bicycle deal" in town went on (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Boracay).
There are few bicycle rentals along the alleys leading to the White beach but we went further until we saw the Mylene's Motorcycle and Bicycle rentals located on the main road of the island, right across the D'Mall (look for the supermarket or the Generics Pharmacy - it's right across it). We met Ate Melpha and asked for the rental rates and then I showed her my haggling skills. I won, of course (shrugging). We got it for 400 pesos for 4 hours (supposedly for 2 hours only) each bike. I know it's quite pricey compared to a tricycle ride but I am all for adventure - or so I thought.
 |
| 400 pesos each bike for 4 hours - sulit ba? |
 |
| Ate Melpha |
We smoothly traversed the main road for the first few minutes. And then the steep slopes of the road followed. First hike was fine but next ones were really steep. Imagine, you are minding your gears, the uncomfortable helmet, the tricycles passing by me and the people crossing on the streets. And please add the steep slopes again.
I am not a biker in a sense that it is my hobby. I don't own a bike. I get to use one when I go to Zambales - my parents' hometown. I know how to use one but I am not a hardcore biker- if you know what I mean. So there. Mixed emotions. I wanted to go back and get my money back and just ride a tricycle but no, I was telling myself "Ginusto mo 'to di ba?". I didn't throw any tantrums and that pushed me to move forward.
 |
| blue and yellow |
We arrived safe without a scratch or something. We immediately chained the bicycles on a resto-grille near the beach. We bought some cold drinks, rested and had a post conference on our bike adventure. We were laughing on how we almost gave up. Glad we didn't. Oh by the way, it took us 40 minutes to get into the beach.
We went further and explored the beach. There were no tourists yet. Just us and a few locals around. It was lovely. No obstructions on the view. No loud music and restaurants on the shore. Old school happy beach. My happy beach. I didn't waste any moment and jumped into the waters. I swam a few meters and realized it was "swimmable" - not the type where you need to walk a hundred meters to get your hair wet. It was my happy beach.
And then a lady went our way with her puka shell-inspired accessories. She pointed to the puka shells and showed us its by-products. I bought a few items from her (instead of buying from the stores) and she chatted with us for a while. She is a local from the island. She told us how "expensive" it is to live in the island. Being one of the famous tourist spots in the country comes with a price. The basic commodities are way to steep compared to the mainland province of Aklan. Good thing though is that there are many available jobs for them.
We spent the rest of the morning bumming, sleeping, reading and just chatting. We checked out the map we have, there were so many sights to see but we only had an hour to waste more. We packed away and went back to where our bicycles were. And then the biking adventure began - again. It was more tiring this time. With the 11 o'clock heat and our wet bodies, it was more difficult to pedal our way towards our destination. The downward slopes were the only way to rest our tired legs and feet. Until we reached the busy area of Station 1.
Time check, 12:00 noon. We still got 30 minutes to spare so we decided to go to the other side of the famous White beach, the Bulabog beach. We were quite surprised on the volume of tourists on this side not knowing that kiteboarding and other water sports are the highlights of this place. And I must say that kiteboarding is one hella expensive sport and dangerous as well. There were reported incidents of accidents and even deaths on this sport. But then, seeing them gliding on their boards really amazed me.
 |
| eto pala 'yung Bulabog beach |
 |
| kiteboarding dudes |
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| pang maharlika |
So the next day, right after our breakfast, we went back to Puka beach. But this time we were on a tricycle. We paid 100 pesos for the trip (originally from 150 pesos). We then repeated the same routine we had the last time. But the only difference was the ice cream treat from the vendor on the beach. The prices of his stuff were more than 100% than its original price but we still indulged. We didn't wanna leave our happy beach but we have to - we have a flight to catch in the afternoon. There were some tricycles waiting on the main road. The standard fee is 150 pesos per trike.
I dunno if it's because I'm with J but I really do love the vibe and feel of Puka beach. And when I think about it, we didn't even took a dip on the White beach 'coz we spent more time on sleeping and beach bumming at Puka beach. The next time I get the chance to go back to Boracay I would spend more time here. Probably stay in a resort there. But biking? Hmmm...
ganda ng puka beach, di ko napuntahan to.
ReplyDeletea very good reason to go back michi! :)
Deleteang ganda!! Nung nagpunta kami sa Boracay hindi kami nakapunta diyan, next time try din naming magbike papuntang Puka Beach! Haha!
ReplyDeletehi irish! go go na with jowa :)
DeleteIkaw na ang payat! hahaha! Pano kaya ako, di ako marunong magbike. :|
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dekaphobe.com/
salamat naman michy... aww... parang ang hirap ata mag-aral ng bike sa boracay. ang tarik ng mga daan... :(
DeleteSo this is the puka beach ang bongga pala! ano ba yan ka inggit. na busy pa ako sa christmas errands but once this season end...wait ka lang..beach! the bitch is gonna kiss the beach...lol
ReplyDeleteMerry christmas!
hi sunny! ang bongga nga talaga. ako din. beach na beach na! happy holidays dear :)
DeleteMaganda itong alternative kapag sobrang crowded yung center ng Boracay
ReplyDeleteoh yes gracie! old school feel ng beach :)
DeleteGanda ng Puka Beach... Makapunta nga dyan =)
ReplyDeletego jherson go! :)
Deleteoh my! kainggit! :s
ReplyDeletehi titser ysa! pang bum na beach :)
DeleteAnak ng Puka and ganda naman ng beach! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeletehaha. happy holidays bert! :)
Deletepfft.. bola.. haha :)
ReplyDeleteWill definitely check this out next time. Happy Holidays, Carla! :-)
ReplyDeletego ryan! :)
Deletemy favorite part in Boracay - the PUKA Beach! di crowded tapos ganda pa ng dagat at higit sa lahat pwedeng mag camping..great shots btw!
ReplyDeletethanks naman. di nga siya crowded at "swimmable" yung beach. hehe
Deletei just bought a formerly Fillipino owned resort in Puka!!!!!! I love Puka so much !!!
ReplyDeleteIf you need a place to stay next time for up to 20 people I think we have you covered. Its even got a view of the beach and is only 16 steps from the sand!!!
invite us then! we would love to stay there :)
Deletebest time to go? umaga? gusto ko yung at its best yung color ng beach! inferness never pa din ako nakapunta sa puka.
ReplyDeletechong di ko alam.. umaga till lunchtime lang kami both times so di ko macompare. pero maalon beach yan eh. baka di mo bet. hehe
DeletePuka beach - ito yun isa sa mga best options para makaiwas sa dami ng crowd sa Boracay. Mas relaxing and comfortable dito compare sa white beach.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh. I think I wanna visit this beach too. Napaka serene compared dun sa usual in Boracay!
ReplyDeletekorek elal. wala pa masiyadong tao :)
Delete