Blissful Days in Boracay: Day 2 of pure relaxation. Enjoy the serene beauty of the island and soak up the sun.
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Chasing the Sunrise: Good Morning Boracay!
We were super excited not to miss the Sunrise Watching Tour we booked, so we set our alarms for an early start. My husband was particularly excited about recording a time-lapse video of the sunrise.
Sadly, the skies were gloomy that morning, so we didn’t get to see the sunrise. (Lol!) The bad weather also meant the waves were really strong, cancelling our kayaking plans.
Even though we couldn’t see the sunrise, we still had a great time! We took a relaxing walk on the beach, enjoying the peaceful scenery and watching the waves crash against the shore.
It’s so calming and peaceful to watch the ocean, even on cloudy days. We even played a traditional Filipino game called “Piko“, where you draw squares on the ground and hop around them. Surprisingly, Mike is good at this game. Haha!
It’s amazing how spending time together brings out the kid in us, regardless of our backgrounds. Even though we come from different cultures (he’s American and I’m Filipina), our differences have actually strengthened our bond.
We haven’t let our different languages and backgrounds stop us from talking to each other better. Wanting to learn about each other’s lives has helped us communicate effectively and feel more connected.
Savoy Hotel’s Irresistible Buffet Breakfast
After trying to catch the sunrise, we headed straight to Savoy Cafe for the breakfast buffet. Just like their branch in Manila, they have a huge spread of appetizing breakfast food.
I had a blast making a smiley face out of my food! I love doing this and sending pictures to my family back home to keep them in the loop about our vacation. It’s a fun way to show them what we’re eating and share some happiness from afar.
Their muffins and pancakes were amazing, and I ended up way too full! I meant to take more pictures of the food, but I only remembered this one. Mike, as usual, finished his meal before me, so he ends up waiting. But he enjoys reading while he waits, so it all works out!😜
The buffet breakfast at Savoy Hotel Boracay is known for its quality and variety, providing guests with a satisfying start to their day.
Here is an overview of what you might find on the buffet breakfast menu:
- Meats: A variety of breakfast meats such as bacon, sausages, ham, or even local Filipino breakfast options like longganisa or tapa.
- Carbs: Options like different types of bread, pastries, pancakes, waffles, or even local Filipino breakfast staples like pandesal.
- Pastries: An assortment of freshly baked pastries like croissants, muffins, danishes, and bread rolls.
- Bread and Jams: A selection of bread like whole wheat, white, or multigrain, accompanied by a variety of jams, spreads, and butter.
- Vegetables: Fresh and cooked vegetables for those looking for a lighter or healthier breakfast option.
- Beverages: A range of beverages including freshly brewed coffee, tea, fruit juices, and perhaps even local specialties like tsokolate (Filipino hot chocolate).
For those who are not staying at the hotel, the walk-in price for the breakfast buffet is around 1,200 PHP.
Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses: Finding Joy in the Simple Things
The name “Lapuz Lapuz” is derived from its older name “Lapus-lapus”, which came from the Hiligaynon word “lapus”, meaning “to insert/pass through” because of its location.
After breakfast, we couldn’t wait to get to the beach! We took photos and videos as we walked, excited to explore. Luckily, Savoy Hotel Boracay was right near the beach, so it was just a short walk to the sand.
Walking along the beach with my husband felt like something out of a movie. The sand was powdery soft and white, making it amazing to walk on barefoot. The water was crystal clear, and the waves made calming sounds. We relaxed and soaked in all the beauty around us.
A Taste of the Tropics: Exploring The Cranberry Pool Bar’s Drink Menu
After swimming, we decided to cool off with some drinks at the Cranberry Pool Bar. It’s a lovely spot to relax and unwind, with a calm and peaceful atmosphere – perfect after a day of exploring or swimming.
We tried their Orange White Sangria and Mojito Lime. They were both delicious, and we enjoyed them with a plate of tasty Herbed Calamari.
The Mojito Lime was really refreshing – it had fresh mint and lime that gave it a cool and tangy flavor. The Orange White Sangria was sweet and fruity with a little bit of spice.
While we were at the bar, the friendly staff suggested we explore Boracay Island with the Hop On, Hop Off Bus (HOHO). They said the bus comes every 10-15 minutes, so it sounded perfect for some afternoon sightseeing. It was still early, so we had plenty of time to see a few places before the day ended.
The HOHO Experience: Our Top Picks for Must-See Attractions
From our experience, we can say that the ‘Hop On Hop Off Bus ‘(HOHO)’ service is a convenient and flexible way to explore the beautiful island of Boracay.
With a HOHO pass, you can hop on and off the shuttles at designated stops as many times as you like within your pass validity period. This allows you to create your own itinerary and visit all the must-see spots and hidden gems of Boracay at your own pace.
Here are some of the benefits of using the Boracay HOHO shuttle service:
- 1. Convenience: No need to worry about hailing taxis or renting a motorbike. Just hop on the nearest shuttle and let it take you to your destination.
- 2. Flexibility: Create your own itinerary and visit the places that interest you most.
- 3. Affordability: HOHO passes are very affordable, especially when you consider the number of rides you can take.
- 4. Sightseeing: The routes cover all the major tourist attractions in Boracay, so you won’t miss a thing.
- 5. Comfort: The shuttles are air-conditioned and comfortable, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
The shuttle operates daily from 5 am to 9 pm, and you can choose between 1, 2, or 3-day HOHO passes for unlimited transfers within the island.
Here’s a list of the stops along the route where you can hop on or off:
- 1. Tambisaan Beach (H0)
- 2. Cagban Jetty Port (H1)
- 3. Boracay Rotunda (H2)
- 4. Boracay Grace Hotel (H3)
- 5. Emall Station 3 – Access to Swiss Inn, Watersports Activity Area (H4)
- 6. Station X (Hue Hotel) (H5)
- 7. Azalea Hotel (H6)
- 8. Jollibee (H7)
- 9. Balabag Lake (D’mall Station 2) (H8)
- 10. Bulabog Beach – Watersports Activity Area (H9)
- 11. Wetland No. 3 (H10)
- 12. Astoria Station 1 – Watersports Activity Area (H11)
- 13. Kolai Mangyan (H12)
- 14. Willy’s Rock (H13)
- 15. Two Season Hotel (H14)
- 16. The Lind Hotel (Diniwid Area) (H15)
- 17. Citymall Boracay (H16)
- 18. Newcoast (Savoy Hotel) (H17)
- 19. Alta Vista – Main Road, Yapak Area (H18)
- 20. Puka Beach (H19)
These stops allow you to visit popular beaches, shopping areas, hotels, and other attractions on the island.
Our first stop was Puka Beach!
Our first stop with the Hop On, Hop Off Bus was Puka Beach! It’s a beautiful and peaceful beach at the top of Boracay Island. The sand is white and soft, with some tiny pieces of coral mixed in. The beach is really long, stretching for 800 meters, making it one of the biggest on the island.
Puka Beach used to be covered in special shells called “puka shells.” That’s how it got its name! he word ‘Puka‘ actually means “hole” in Hawaiian, because these shells have a hole in the middle. After Puka Beach, we hopped back on the bus and headed to Willy’s Rock.
Luckily, finding the bus stops was effortless. They’re right next to the road, so you can’t miss them. The Hop On, Hop Off Bus is great because you can explore at your own speed. Just get off at any stop that interests you, have a look around, and then catch the next bus whenever you’re ready to move on to your next adventure!
Next stop: Willy’s Rock! This famous rock is a Boracay landmark located at Station 1. It’s named after a nearby hotel, Willy’s Beach Club Hotel. There’s even a story about a fisherman named Willy who used the rock for shelter during storms.
Willy’s Rock is a beautiful volcanic rock that sticks out of the water. It’s a must-see for any visitor! For generations, fishermen have considered it a lucky spot, believing it brings them safe journeys and lots of fish.
After exploring Station 1 and taking pictures of Willy’s Rock, we decided to grab lunch. We were definitely hungry and tired from all the walking and sightseeing!This beach was a big change from the one by our hotel – it was packed with people!
The atmosphere was lively and fun, but there were also a lot of vendors trying to sell water activities, which could be overwhelming for some people. Maybe it would be better if they had a dedicated area to sell stuff, so tourists could approach them if they’re interested. Having to dodge one salesperson after another as they attempt to sell you tours or activities can be quite stressful.
We were having so much fun exploring that we didn’t realize it was already 4 pm by the time we stopped for lunch! My order got a little mixed up – I love chicken pho, so I thought the beef pho would be similar, but I forgot I’m not a huge beef fan. Mike, however, happily enjoyed the beef pho while we shared a pizza.
Feeling stuffed and a little tired, we decided to head back to the hotel. At first, we were confused about where to catch the bus and ended up going the wrong way. Luckily, the friendly HOHO staff helped us out – they pointed us to the other side of the street, towards the Savoy Hotel.
We decided to continue our Boracay adventure the next day, aiming for an earlier start. We’re excited to explore the Dmall, see the sights, and maybe find some souvenirs.
It’s always fun to hear Mike try to say ‘Pasalubong‘ (souvenir)—he often mixes it up with ‘Pasabulong,’ which gives us a good laugh.
There’s also his confusion between ‘Sinigang‘(Tamarind-based soup that is known for its sour and savory taste) and ‘Sinangag‘ (Fried Rice)—deven though they sound similar, they’re completely different dishes! but he gets them confused all the time. It’s quite hilarious!
We Came, We Saw, We Experienced: Blissful Days in Boracay Day 02 Conclusion
We were definitely exhausted by the end of the day, but we had fun exploring all the excitement that Boracay has to offer. We’re thankful to the hotel and HOHO staff for their invaluable assistance. Getting back to the hotel was easy and the bus ride itself was relaxing.
We could have done a guided tour, but we love making our own adventures. It can be a little nerve-wracking at first, but exploring new places lets us learn new things and meet amazing, friendly people.
Half the fun of travel is discovering things on your own, even if you don’t know exactly where you’re going! Sometimes, even when you plan everything, things don’t go accordingly. But that’s all part of the adventure! Sure, there might be some frustrating moments, but one look at my husband’s chill attitude and I can’t help but laugh it off!
One thing that really stood out to me was the bus conductors. Mostly young women, they remained dedicated and polite even when the buses got packed, reflecting Boracay’s friendly vibe that extends to tourists from all over the world. This welcoming atmosphere was evident even during crowded commutes, with everyone patiently and respectfully waiting for their stop.
All in all, our second day in Boracay was amazing and filled with new experiences. We’re leaving with happy memories and a big appreciation for the island’s beauty and the hospitable locals.
Author’s Note
Like always, I felt so grateful for my husband. Every day is a reminder of how much he means to me, but this vacation in Boracay felt extra special. It was our first trip together, and he’s so good at taking care of everything. He even waits patiently for me at every meal (since I’m a slow eater, Lol!). He is a patient man through and through. I can get stressed and worried sometimes, but he’s like my own personal chill pill. Thank you husband!❤️
