Here are some observations that will not go "unnoticed" for me.
- No more boat stations at the 4 kilometer strecth of the white beach. A pier w/ terminal replaced them facing Caticlan port. (so no more - Shoo!! Stay aside, a banca is arriving! -- on the white beach)
- Cocomangas bar is NOT at the beachfront of Station 1 anymore, it's now across the road at the back of it's original place.
- Beachcomber still stands, as well as Club Paraw.
- No more PIER 1 in station 1 (went out of business?)
- Numerous ATM machines are scattered (I've seen 3 BPI machines - Good Lord)
- D' Talipapa in Station 2 replaced the old "Talipapa" in Station 3 (it was burnt down years ago) where dampa like buy-cook-eat style of restos once flourished. Although more eateries can be found in the old one, the new one is more organized and tidy. Of course, a number of novelty, souvenir and specialty shops still occupies the place but what is left of the old talipapa were just specialty shops.
- YellowCab Pizza is found at the beach front somewhere in Station 3 (weird..)
- No McDo or Jollibee fastfood chains. Locals explained that this is to protect the local food industry so the gov't of Aklan suspended their entry even until now.
- Shangrila Boracay is underconstruction (on a mountaintop overlooking white beach ) and is said to be finished by year 2009.
First times:
- Visiting the island by a plane (prev. visits were by bus or van via Iloilo City)
- Flyfish (way much better than Banana boat!)
- ATV and the rocky, muddy, steepy road on the way up to Mt. Luho overlooking Boracay island
- Visiting Puka Beach by land / motorcycle (went there on our last leg of island hopping last time)
- To use NAIA Terminal 3: World-class terminal - glad they've finally opened it!
Still lovin' it!
