Blissful Days in Boracay: Sun, Sand, and Serenity (Day 03). Follow the final day of our travel journey through beautiful Boracay.
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This morning, we were greeted by a stunning sunrise, but our legs were still sore from yesterday’s long walk, so we couldn’t fully enjoy it. The weather’s definitely improved today, though it’s a bit windy which makes the waves crash harder than usual.
After breakfast, we headed out for our Boracay Keyhole Tour. The Keyhole is this amazing rock formation on the west side of Boracay Island, over in Newcoast Barangay Yapak. You can actually see it from Lapuz-Lapuz Beach, right in front of the Belmont Hotel.
It’s shaped exactly like a keyhole, carved out by wind and water over the years. This natural archway faces the Sibuyan Sea with clear blue water around it, making a dramatic entrance for some stunning views and exciting adventures.
The Keyhole, also known as Lapus-Lapus, has a cool story behind its name. Lapus-Lapus means “pass-through” in Tagalog, which reflects the wisdom of the island’s ancestors who named it. It’s a popular spot for tourists to take amazing pictures or just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Some people even believe that tossing a coin in the ocean near the keyhole makes a wish come true.
After our Keyhole Tour, we hit the beach for a swim and took a bunch of photos. We’re so happy to be spending quality time together, taking in all the sights and sounds, and just chatting about anything and everything under the sun.
Feeling great after our swim, we’re ready to jump on another HOHO bus for some more sightseeing!
HOHO bus stop in front of 7-11 at Savoy Hotel
Conveniently, a HOHO bus stop sign is located right in front of the 7-Eleven at Savoy Hotel Boracay. The buses come around every 10-15 minutes, so you won’t be waiting for long. Today, we’re setting our sights on D’Mall to hunt for souvenirs!
If we have time to spare, we might even try to catch the sunset at Diniwid Beach! One of the HOHO bus conductors actually recommended it to us. They said the sunset view there is incredible and not to be missed.
Our afternoon kicked off at D’Mall Boracay, a bustling open-air market overflowing with life in the heart of the island. This vibrant hub is packed with shops, restaurants, and stalls hawking everything from souvenirs to trendy beachwear. It’s the perfect place to soak up the island vibes, explore, grab a bite to eat, or treat yourself to some shopping.
Luckily, the HOHO bus stops right at Balabag Lake (D’Mall Station 2), making it super easy to get to D’Mall and the nearby White Beach. We joined the throngs of people happily buzzing through D’Mall. The lively scene was electric with energy, offering something to tempt everyone’s taste.
Countless shops and restaurants lined the streets, overflowing with souvenirs, swimsuits, breezy summer dresses, and delectable treats. We happily explored, and I managed to snag a charming handmade purse. Mike, found a polo shirt and a toy airplane for our nephew.
By the end of our shopping spree, we were pleasantly exhausted. It wasn’t so much the walking, but all the people! With so many languages swirling around us, it got a little overwhelming for the senses! Still, there was a real joy in seeing such a diverse group of tourists. It really highlighted how beautiful our country is and how it attracts people from all over the globe.
The only thing missing from this perfect afternoon? A little cooler weather!
https://video.wordpress.com/embed/4j58ephc?cover=1&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&hd=0Steam Punk Burgers
Mike’s setting his sights on Steam Punk Burgers this time around. They’re famous for their massive burgers, some bigger than your head! Of course, they also have all the usual burger joint favorites like fries, onion rings, and milkshakes.
Here’s the scoop on Steam Punk Burgers:
- Price: ₱140 – ₱600
- Food: American
- Vibe: Quirky Steampunk theme
If you’re up for a giant burger challenge and digging the Steampunk style, this is the place! It was a relief to finally sit down and relax for a bit. Unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures before we eat our food.
Everywhere I looked, there were cool shops to explore and delicious eats tempting my taste buds. Mike thinks it would be incredible to bring the whole family to Boracay someday. Seeing all these amazing things has been fantastic, and we’d love for our loved ones to experience it too.
Here’s a list of some notable dining spots you can find there:
- Lemoni Café and Restaurant Known for its great food and service, it’s a nice place for breakfast or a coffee break.
- Thai Basil Restaurant Offers authentic Thai cuisine with flavorful dishes like coconut soup with veggies and tofu.
- Aria Restaurant Serves Italian food, including pastas and wood-fire oven baked pizzas, in a modern ambiance.
- Jeepney Stop A casual spot for quick bites and local Filipino dishes.
- Cyma Greek Taverna Provides a taste of Greek cuisine with a variety of Mediterranean dishes.
- Steampunk Boracay They offer a variety of dishes from sliders to mozzarella stuffed pattie, a half kilo open-faced burger, to a vegetarian Parmigiana, a creamy Chori burger, & BLT on sugar glazed donut.
These are just a few examples, and there are many more to explore, offering everything from local Filipino specialties to international flavors.
Similarly, If you’re a fan of ramen and find yourself in Boracay, you’re in for a treat! D’mall is home to some of the best ramen restaurants on the island. Whether you’re craving a classic Tonkatsu or want to try something new, these restaurants have got you covered.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top ramen spots in D’mall:
- Momo Ramen: This is Boracay’s famous authentic Japanese restaurant. It’s located in Bolabog, Balabag, Boracay. They have received positive reviews for their Tonkatsu ramen and Seafood ramen.
- Kombu Japanese Bistro: This restaurant is known for its ramen. It’s located at Station 1 main road.
- Diamond Ramen, Chinese and Filipino Restaurant: This restaurant is one of the best resto bars in Boracay. They have received positive reviews for their ramen.
Don’t miss out on indulging in a steaming bowl during your visit.
Here are some of the notable souvenir shops:
- Fiesta Souvenir Shop This shop is located in Boracay and is known for being a one-stop souvenir shop. It offers a complete souvenir shopping experience. You can find a variety of items such as shirts, bags, food, and more.
- Galeria Kulay An artsy shop known for its vibrant sarongs and artistic items, including crafts from other parts of the country and paintings from various artists.
- Bamboo Market This is Boracay’s largest souvenir shopping destination. It’s located on the beachfront near the station. The market is full of trinkets, clothing, and other assorted stocking stuffers. It’s a great place to find affordable souvenirs.
D’Mall is packed with shops overflowing with souvenirs you can find and take home to remember your Boracay trip! Whether you want a funny little thing, something beautiful made by hand, or a colorful beach wrap, you’re sure to find the perfect reminder of your amazing time here.
Since we’re in a long-distance relationship, I can’t resist taking pictures and videos of my husband whenever we’re together. It’s like having a little piece of him to hold onto when I miss him. He’s definitely my favorite model, so I’m always snapping photos!
Sometimes he catches me and jokingly complains he wasn’t ready, but that’s the fun part about candid shots, right? I get to capture him looking natural and relaxed, exactly how I love to see him.
D’Mall isn’t just a shopping center; it’s a lively outdoor market that’s full of the island’s fun and exciting energy. It’s like a big social gathering spot where people make memories together. You can have fun trying to lower prices on souvenirs, or just relax with a refreshing drink after a day at the beach – there’s something for everyone.
We wandered through all the colorful stores, finally ending up by the beach shops. When we checked the time, we realized it was getting later than we thought. After browsing around D’Mall for a while, we decided to head back to the hotel.
That meant we wouldn’t see the sunset at Diniwid Beach this time. But the good news is, we found some awesome souvenirs, including a couple’s bracelet to remember our Boracay trip by!
Wrapping Up a Day of Tropical Tranquility: Boracay Day 03
As the sun went down, we decided to end our day and head back to the hotel to relax on the beach. Earlier, we wanted to see the Keyhole Rock again on the other side of the island, but we didn’t realize how far it was from our hotel!
We got a little turned around while exploring, but luckily it wasn’t for long. A nice staff member from our hotel helped us find our way back to Savoy.
Settled in, we had a delightful time simply watching the waves come and go. With refreshing drinks and a bag of chips in hand, we reminisced about the early, exciting days of our relationship.
We felt so lucky to have found each other, and this trip to make our long-distance relationship even stronger has been amazing. I’m so thankful for a husband who keeps his promises and always does even more than he says he will.
That’s it for our awesome third day in Boracay! We had appetizing breakfast buffets, saw the cool Keyhole Rock and D’Mall, relaxed on the beach after sunset, and had a fun time at the Cranberry Pool Bar. Mike already wants to come back as soon as he can!
