Travel: Shangri-la Boracay Resort and Spa

Ten Things to Love About Shangri-la Boracay:

While hubby was here for work, I came along to give him moral support, be his plantsadora (which I enjoy doing, by the way), his tagabili sa D'Mall (because his schedule was jampacked) and as my Spanish teacher in college would say Compañero de Cama. Haha!
This plan was so last minute but who doesn't love a spontaneous getaway once in a while?
Let's say, it's also a post Mother's Day gift. So here's a rundown of what I love about the place which I tried to sum up in one post. Happy reading! :)

1. A welcome fit for a princess (or a prince for that matter):

Staff of Shangri-la Boracay were waiting by the luggage area of Caticlan airport and immediately scouted their guests among the people arriving. Hotel's guests were guided to the service van.

Once we reached Caticlan port, we were whisked into their lounge with a refreshing dalandan drink and warm wet towels as we waited for our boat ride to the resort. Talk about service deluxe :)

Check out our ride. Diwata 2. Oh la la! :)

2. The Deluxe Room. 
You have everything you need to feel at home: a super comfy and soft bed big enough for two, a mini office,  WIFI and broadband connection, Ipod dock and DVD player.

My suitcase got settled in with me...:)

As I stood by the entrance of our room, this inviting tub seem to call and say 'have a dip'

The flatscreen TV was used only to watched AI (by me) and NBA Live (by hubby). Why watch TV when nature is waiting to be enjoyed? Tama!

Siyempre, di ko pinalagpas ang fresh mangoes. Complimentary fruits and water were replenished by request. 

Now, off to the bath area 

Double sink please :)

L'Occitane toiletries. Sosyal!

Shower area and bath tub

And one of my fave spot, veranda. Sa totoo lang nakatulog ako dito without a care in the world! Pagod effect!

3. Be a Beach Bum

Enjoyed Banyugan beach and worked out that tan (super effort ito 'cause I don't easily get a tan, alien ata ako). The beach is so clean as compared to the main boracay area. Staff are quick to provide you with fresh towels either in pool or beach area.

emoterang frog

Lucky me, they offered a buy one take one on cocktails at Alon bar on our second day there. I ordered a piña colada and margarita. Cheers! :)

4. Enjoy Nature to the Fullest

Since I got all the time in my hands and left on my own device, napag-tripan ko ang waves. Goal was to get the perfect shot. Mahirap pala so tinigilan ko na after more than a dozen tries. After a while, I saw a guy doing the same, I hope he got a good shot.

Another thing to do: wait for the sun to set and capture the most picturesque memory nature can give. Boracay sunset is one magnificent view to marvel.

5. Swim like there's no tomorrow. 

Oh di ba, inabutan na ko ng gabi. The pool area is open until 7pm.

This view was so mesmerizing!

 6. Be Like a Child Again 

...and enjoy their recreation area with free use of internet, Sony Wii, arcade, videoke and other games. And yes, if you have kids in tow, they have babysitting services while moms and dads relax. This place is really a perfect family vacation spot. 

7. Eat, Eat and Eat. 'Nuf said.

The Sirena and Solana restaurants are just two of the options

The Alon bar is my fave so far, try their sandwhich, pizza and cocktails

Breakfast in Shangri-la makes the phrase 'eat,eat and eat' an understatement. I lost count of how many bacon strips and roasted salmon I ate. I can live here forever! :)

My first plate and the rest is...history.

My own coffee pot

How cute is this? Peeked through the kids' buffet table (they got yummy yummy treats) and found this 

Yoda-shaped pancake :)

8. Enjoy the Boracay Main Beach Nightlife
The resort offers an hourly service ride to Boracay main with D'mall as the pickup and drop off point. By nightime the shuttle service is available every 30 minutes until 1am. How convenient is that?

Watched the fire dancers do their thang!

Went to station 3 market where the good stuff is a lot cheaper than in D' Mall.

photo c/o hubby

Got a little nostalgic and visited Le Soleil Deparis where I stayed the last time I was in Bora, ordered drinks and a whole pizza (calorie loading talaga ako). Whad'ya know? Buy 1 take 1 on cocktails. AGAIN?! Yay!

There goes my double drink. I'm such a lucky girl :)

 

9. Finally Finish Reading a Book 
This is what used to enjoy best but somehow never got the time to do since I became a mom, reading books. I still buy them but never got to finish one. This was the perfect time to read and relax.
Ok, seryoso mode muna. Although I promised myself that I will release all my worries and just relax in this paradise, I also found this time to reflect on my life as a mother, my career, my goals for myself and my family. I had somehow taken the opportunity to sit down and re-assess where I am now and if am I going as planned. All the time, I was thanking Him for bringing so much blessing into our lives. I had a heart to heart to with Him, something we haven't done for quite some time now.
As a parent, ME time is really important to get a grip on life because family life can be overwhelming. After this trip, I had so much realizations and plans for the future.

a book and a P150 hat from Bora 

10. Go Home With a Renewed Feeling
It was I would say a perfect vacay for a super-stressed me. Kung pahinga lang ang pinag-uusapan, tinodo ko na dito. By the time I got to Manila, I was super ready again for the hectic life. Bring it on, I say.

Uh, and yeah, they really brought out the guns. I think I need another one of these ultimate R&R...]

one of the few photos taken with hubby

Until my next post! :)