Boracay Shock - This Will Change Your Boracay Perspective!
Boracay Shock - This Will Change Your Boracay Perspective!
Boracay, the magic paradise island in the beautiful country of the Philippines, is the next stop on our cross-Asia honeymoon adventure. If you asked most people what draws them to Boracay year after year, they would probably say the beautiful pristine beaches. If you ask us, after spending an amazing vacation in Boracay last year, we could not agree more. What we did not know was that this year we were in for a tremendous shock that almost ruined our most anticipated honeymoon stop.
So let’s talk about what you can expect to see when you come to Boracay any time after the summer season, which stretches from mid-February to late June. But more importantly, let’s see how you can still make the best of your stay and leave with the unforgettable memories that you came here to seek.
We still have very vivid memories of our week-long stay on Boracay Island at Henann Crystal Sands last year. We were dreaming about coming back to Boracay the entire year, and we decided that it would be the top destination on our honeymoon trip after our wedding in Thailand, which you can see in the previous video.
But what happened here? Where is the pristine clear White Sand Beach and the calm turquoise ocean? Are we just having a bad dream? All the debris all over the beach, and what happened to the calm ocean?
The wind was really strong. So strong that most businesses around the beach put up nets in front to prevent the sand from blowing into the restaurants. You can see the palm trees bending backward from the strong wind.
Initial Shock
Gosh, did we make the worst mistake coming here? What are we going to do here? You couldn’t really stay too long just sitting on the beach because the wind would give you a headache after a while. I was really frustrated, to tell you the truth. I felt like we completely ruined our honeymoon. This is not what I signed up for and traveled all the way from Germany for.
Making the best of it
So how can we make the best out of it? Well, as they say, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and that’s what we did. The weather during the so-called “bear” months is very unpredictable, but when it is nice and sunny, take advantage of it. For us, we actually really enjoyed wave hopping. It is actually lots of fun, and if you are moving, you can easily spend the entire afternoon in the water.
On other days, you can still enjoy short walks along the beach, but in our experience, this will not be for long walks; the wind will eventually get to you. At that point, it is a good idea to hop into one of the small restaurants along the beach and enjoy a nice chocolate or mango shake while looking at the ocean.
But life at Boracay doesn’t stop with windy weather, and you will still see locals climbing all the way to the top of the coconut trees to get the coconuts to sell to tourists who will gladly buy them.
The one thing that does not change, regardless of what time of the year you come to Boracay, is the majestic sunset in Boracay, which is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. After spending a great late afternoon jumping over the waves, it was time to get out of the ocean and witness the beautiful sunset. Words really don’t give it enough justice. While the beach may not be too busy during the day, almost everybody comes out during the sunset to enjoy the amazing atmosphere. That’s the time to take amazing pictures and videos that will keep your memories from Boracay alive for years to come.
Your stay at Boracay will not be complete without visiting the famous D’Mall. Even though we did a fully dedicated video to D’Mall last year, we were surprised to see that this place is ever-changing. Several businesses that we used to frequent last year are no longer there, and new ones have opened in their place. It is definitely worth going there to do shopping for your souvenirs.
Boracay and wet market
What we also enjoyed was an evening tour to the so-called wet market where you can buy very fresh fruits and vegetables. The wet market is located just across the newly finished plaza at the City Mall with the Boracay sign that serves as a backdrop for memorable Boracay pictures. You can also do some shopping at the small supermarket where you will find almost any essentials, from bread and milk to a variety of snacks and water.
Now if you never had Dorian fruit we highly suggest first try a small piece- only then you can appreciate the popular phrase in Asia – taste like heaven, but smells like shit- the main reason why almost all hotels have a strong ban on bringing it to the hotel room unless you want to pay a hefty fine.
Boracay and Grocery shopping
You can also do some shopping at a small Supermarket where you will find almost any essentials from bread and milk to variety of snacks and water.
I was actually quite impressed by the number of different breads and milks that this small store had.
Just before retiring to your room, you may want to go for a nice stroll along the beach and listen to the sound of karaoke. It is not as beautiful and pleasurable as during the summer when it is nice and warm, but it is still worth it.
Our overal impression on Boracay
Overall, even though Station One and Two are not the best places that we would recommend spending time at during the Ber months, you can still make the best out of it if you are willing to go with the flow.
Best place to stay in Boracay during ber months
But if you really want to experience the beautiful white sand beach and calm warm turquoise ocean without the annoying wind, make sure you watch our video on Fairways and Blue Water Resort which is linked here.
Fairways and Bluewater Resort Review- Boracay Philippines
Fairways and Bluewater Resort Review- Boracay Philippines
So we are back in Boracay, and today we will look at Fairway and Blue Waters Resort. This is an interesting resort, and you will find lots of mixed reviews. Because of the many negative reviews we saw, we hesitated to stay there. So today, we will give you a completely unbiased overview and a sort of walking tour of the resort to help you make your own decision if you want to give this resort a go for your next vacation. This is a non-sponsored video.
One thing you’ll want to know is that Fairways and Bluewater resort is not directly on the beach. It takes about 10-15 minutes by tricycle or van to get to fairways and bluewater resort from the D’Mall area. But depending on the time of the year, this might actually be a godsend that can make your vacation exactly what you wanted it to be – and I will talk about why I say that today.
Fairways and bluewater resort does have shuttles that can take you to D’Mall a few times a day, but we will also show you a place where it’s easy to get a tricycle any time. When you arrive at the resort, the tricycle will first drop you at some kind of collection point. We weren’t too excited about that since it delayed our check-in, but the guard will call for transport, and within 15-20 minutes, a shuttle will transport you to the hotel.
Getting to Fairways and Bluewater Resort
The resort is vast, and it almost feels like a subdivision with many private and detached buildings. At some points, it almost feels like going through a jungle. But once you arrive at the hotel, you’ll see that the place is surrounded by a golf course, so if that’s your game, you’re in the right place. We actually invited my wife’s parents on this trip so she could spend some time with them and create some beautiful memories. The fairways and bluewater resort is quite busy, but we didn’t have to wait too long to get our room.
What are the rooms like at Fairways and Bluewater Resort?
The rooms are standard and have everything you need to feel comfortable during your stay. We were told we got an upgrade as first-time visitors, but it’s just a sales trick. You’re not getting any upgrades; if anything, we felt we were downgraded because my wife’s parents’ room was nicer.
But unless you plan on spending all day in your room, it will do… and for the price of 50 dollars a night, it was fair value. I just wish the staff would stop telling people they’re getting an upgrade when they’re not. Personally, it’s irritating. The one thing we didn’t like at first was the feeling of being isolated because you’re far from D’Mall and also not close to the beach. There’s a pool at the hotel, but to access those nice infinity pools with beautiful views and the beach, you need to take a shuttle or walk.
Transportation around fairways and bluewater resort
Compared to the reviews we read on booking sites, it seems that management has significantly improved transportation. It really doesn’t take more than 10 minutes to get to the different attractions in the resort. But honestly, you can go for a nice 15-20 minute walk to reach those places and get a bit of exercise after your hearty breakfast. It’s a pleasant walk, and you get to see more of the resort on your way. You can get a tricycle any time during the day at the entrance to the beach – watch the video – to go to the D’Mall. It costs about 150 pesos.
The swimming pools at Fairways and bluewater resort
There are three main swimming pools at different locations around the Fairways and bluewater resort. One is by the beach, and that’s the one we’re heading to now. It’s a smaller infinity pool, and depending on the time of day, it can get more or less busy. But it offers beautiful views of the ocean and beach.
The beach at Fairways and bluewater resort
Passing by the pool, you’ll take the stairs down to the private beach. Now pay close attention to what I am going to say here -seriously. Unless you’ve been to Station One both during the summer months of February through July as well as the “bear” months of August through December, you won’t fully appreciate this beach. What I mean is that if you are like us, you come to Boracay and expect this – beautiful white sand beach with calm and warm turcoice blue ocean. Well so did we, but if you come any time from August to December, instead you get windy and beach that is not nice at all. The wind is so strong that they build barriers in front of many hotels at the beach to prevent the sand from blowing in. There are big waves and the beach is full of debris. Basically, no beach. The wind is so strong that it makes your beach time almost painful after an hr or so.
Why am I saying this, check this out. Same time of the year- bear months and the private beach at Fairways and Bluewater resort is exactly what you pictured. Not only do you have access to a beautiful private beach, but the ocean here is genuinely blue, calm, with no wind or waves. We were in shock after spending four days at Henann Lagoon by Station 1. So, if you’re visiting during the “bear” months, you might want to consider fairways and bluewater resort to enjoy the beach and warm ocean. We get no perks for saying this, but seriously this is probably the only part of the island where you can really enjoy the beach and ocean that you came for to Boracay. We’ll do a more detailed review of the beach and other pros and cons in our next post.
Want a massage?
If you want a massage, you can book it at the hotel and receive it in one of the chalets by the beach. From the beach, you can either take a shuttle or walk to the largest infinity pool at the Fairways and bluewater resort. That pool is what I call the party pool with music playing all day long. It offers a lovely view of the ocean and mostly it is not very busy. There are also hot tubs if you like, but whether you should use them is another conversation.
At least once a week, there’s a foam party with a DJ, drawing in many people and creating a fantastic atmosphere. There’s also an adjacent restaurant where you can have lunch, dinner, or light snacks during the day. The prices are reasonable, but the selection doesn’t vary at all. The pool bar offers a variety of drinks to enjoy. The pool is excellent for evening relaxation with its beautiful decorations. And if you’re fortunate to witness a full moon, it sets a fantastic mood.
Breakfast as Fairways and bluewater resort
Lastly, the breakfast at Fairways Bluewater resort even though not as grandiose as in Henann, is still quite substantial with a variety of options and slightly different menu every day. After all you only pay 50-60 dollars for a night, so you are definitely getting your money’s worth.
Ourfinal thoughts on Fairways and bluewater resort
Overall, we think that Fairways and bluewater resort is definitely worth the price and we would stay there again. Even though it’s a bit secluded, it offers numerous opportunities to have fun and enjoy many attractions. You will definitely be leaving with great memories from your stay in Boracay.