Started the day with breakfast in the resort. The entrance was where the tables were set up to give the alfresco setting with the beach in view.
We had booked a day trip out for snorkeling and a visit to Crystal Cove island the previous day from one of the makeshift counters. It was an enjoyable walk on the white sand in the fine weather towards the meeting point for boat boarding. The boat was filled just enough for all to sit comfortably before moving out.
A less than 10 mins ride out into sea around the island and the boat stopped for the snorkeling session. Donning the loaned mask, I was able to enter the colourful underwater world and see fishes around and corals a few meters down. The sea was slightly choppy and was challenging without a life jacket (was provided) for me.
After the snorkeling, the boat ferried us to the next destination, Crystal Cove island. After another short ride, we disembarked on a white sand beach of the isolated looking island and began exploring. We walked towards the few huts that could be seen on an elevated ground upon arriving, we were “wowed” by the picturesque setting, small pathways and huts with the turquoise waters surrounding the island.
Other than the numerous picture perfect spots to admire, there were also 2 coves underneath the surface that’s worth a visit. After descending the stairway beneath the surface, these coves had sea waves crashing in and filling the ground with water and bubbles. The feel and visual of seeing this was therapeutic.
The final location of this half day trip was the buffet lunch. Boarding the boat, it was a short transfer to Tambisaan beach. We were brought to an area where a buffet table was set up for lunch. Nothing fantastic about the food though.
After lunch we got to roam around the beach till the time to board the boat for the return back to Station 2, enroute we passed by Crocodile island, which looked like a crocodile.
The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing around the sun decks, dipping in the clear waters and enjoying the day without a care.
Nearing the evening, we proceeded towards Station 1 to catch the sunset. Some of the restaurants were preparing for Lunar New Year feast as we could see some roasting pig on a big pole. It was the eve of Lunar New Year. We didn’t really experience that much feel though, after all the place wasn’t packed with Chinese people (thankfully!).
Sunset was beautiful but could have been better on a clear day. We were grateful for the improvement of the weather compared to the previous day but it was our last sunset at Boracay, a little too soon.
We popped over to the famous Jonah’s Fruit shakes to get the popular and very delicious banana avocado milkshake. From the sitting area, we watch the skies changed to twilight before we headed out for dinner.
The rest of the night involved more window shopping and listening to the music band.
There wasn’t any countdown to the Lunar New Year, no drama at all, it was like just any other day.
Though I wasn’t looking forward to any major celebration, I was ironically a little disappointed with the mellow night probably because of the noticeable Lunar New Year decorations that had been put up all around had raised some expectations of the presence of some form of party – nothing. We went back to the resort after midnight.
