Philippines: Boracay 2024.
Philippines: Boracay 2024.
Captains Log Day 17 - 10/01/25 7:43 pm.
Flight PR209
After much deliberation about returning to Australia, the weight of the decision—and the anguish of the flight costs—finally sank in. Despite their doubts, they resolved to press on with the adventure.
While the captain wrestled with the decision and spent time on the phone with the airline exploring options, the cadet blissfully continued his beauty sleep, unaware of the tense discussions unfolding around him.
When the cadet finally awoke, his long rest had worked wonders—he was remarkably affable, a rare and welcome change from the earlier chaos. However, his good mood faltered at the airport when a desperate search for ice cream began. After scouring the area, the only option they could find was a tub of ice cream from 7-Eleven. It wasn’t ideal, but it was enough to satisfy the cadet’s sweet tooth and stave off a meltdown.
After navigating several gate changes and completing their airport duties, the family finally made their way to the boarding gate. The captain, still in considerable pain, was fortunate to have the help of kind locals who assisted with their bags, lightening the load both literally and figuratively.
The flight itself was uneventful, though the admiral was on edge, bracing for the possibility of a hunger-induced meltdown from the cadet. Upon landing, they were greeted by the sweltering heat and quickly located the hotel desk for their next steps.
What followed was a gauntlet of transfers: first, they were boarded onto a bus bound for the hotel’s welcome center. From there, they embarked on a 15-minute boat ride that required them to navigate a precarious, floating makeshift pier that wobbled with every step. The staff once again came to the rescue, steadying the captain as he almost lost his footing. Meanwhile, the relentless cadet, refreshed and full of energy, seemed immune to the challenges.
Upon reaching Boracay, the journey wasn’t quite over. A 25-minute minibus ride from the pier to their hotel at Station 2 awaited them. The captain, now visibly worn and in significant pain, soldiered on as they finally arrived at their destination. Despite the hurdles, they had made it, ready to embrace the beauty of the island and hoping for some much-needed rest and recovery.
At the hotel, the weary travelers took a moment to refuel in the lobby—coffee for the captain and admiral, and a doughnut for the ever-energetic cadet. The quick snack helped lift their spirits as they eagerly awaited to be called to be taken to the room
Finally, the staff came to escort them across the breathtaking resort to their room. The walk revealed glimpses of paradise, and to their delight, their room was less than 100 steps from the pristine beach, and just above one of the 3 pools on the resort.
It was nothing short of heaven. The water was a mesmerizing crystal blue, glistening under the tropical sun. For the first time in days, the captain, admiral, and cadet felt a sense of peace wash over them, the trials of their journey fading into the background
They then headed downstairs, where the cadet and admiral took a refreshing swim in the pool, laughter echoing in the warm tropical air. Coconut water in hand, the captain relaxed by the poolside, taking in the serene surroundings. Before long, they made their way to the beach, a stretch of paradise that was everything the captain had dreamed of sharing with the admiral.
The beach was breathtaking—exactly as the captain remembered it from over 12 years ago, during his travels with friends. The water was as blue as the sky above, clear and inviting, with gentle waves lapping at the shore.The warmth of the water intoxicating. The sand was impossibly soft and fine, slipping effortlessly through their toes as they walked along the shoreline. It was Boracay's famed White Beach in all its glory—a perfect blend of turquoise waters, powdery white sand, and swaying palm trees, a slice of heaven that lived up to its reputation. In that moment, all the hurdles of their journey felt worth it. They were finally here, in a place that felt like a dream come to life.
The cadet soon found a kindred spirit in a lovely 9-year-old girl, and the two hit it off immediately. They played together for two joyous hours, their laughter ringing out over the beach. She seemed to understand his unique humor perfectly, even bursting into giggles when the cadet told her he had a “susu” on his head.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting the horizon with shades of orange and pink, the family strolled back to their hotel. The walk was peaceful, a perfect end to their idyllic day in paradise. Back at the room, they washed off the sand and salt, feeling content and grateful to be in what truly felt like heaven on earth.
For dinner, they ventured to a place called Shakey's for pizza, a meal the cadet finally enjoyed after days of barely eating. Though the restaurant didn’t have the juice he was craving, the captain went on a determined mission. He first tried the place next door and then braved a loud bar with booming music, where a kind bartender whipped up a fresh watermelon juice for the cadet. The captain returned triumphantly, only for disaster to strike—the cadet accidentally spilled the juice all over the pizza.
In the chaos, the admiral rushed back to the hotel to fetch a change of clothes, while the captain cleaned up the mess. Thankfully, the cadet engrossed in his pizza did not notice, averting what could have been a full meltdown in the restaurant. Once the situation was under control, they finished their meal and headed back to the hotel, utterly drained from the day’s adventures.
Back in their room, the cadet stood on the balcony, mesmerized by the lively street below, watching musicians play and soaking in the vibrant energy. Eventually, he retired to bed, but throughout the night, the rhythmic beats of a drum parade echoed along the beach, a gentle reminder of the island's unending festivities.
The admiral woke up feeling very tired, while the captain, still sore, was determined to make the most of the day. They headed down for breakfast, which turned out to be a delightful spread. The egg station was bustling, offering freshly made omelets, alongside a colorful selection of salads and fruits. They discovered some unique drinks and soups—walnut and chia, mango with bitter gourd, and apple mint soup, which the cadet surprisingly enjoyed.
After breakfast, they decided to take a dip in the pool. The day was slightly overcast, with warm winds swirling around. The cadet, however, oscillated between shouting, "I'm cold!" in childlike dramatics and vehemently refusing the idea of drying off or leaving the pool. d. Despite his protests, the admiral and cadet braved the chilly water for a while longer before finally admitting defeat and heading back to their room to warm up. The captain made friends with some swedes who were visiting the island
Showered and refreshed, the trio set out for D'Mall, an outdoor market about 15 minutes away. With the cadet in tow, however, the journey took considerably longer. To keep him cooperative, they offered him a mango shake, but he quickly changed his mind, declaring it “yucky.”
After some negotiating and persistence, they finally reached the market. Souvenirs were bought amidst the light rain that began to fall, creating a cozy, lively atmosphere. Hunger soon struck, and they wandered past various restaurants searching for the perfect spot. Along the way, they encountered two little people inviting passersby into their restaurant. It was the first time the cadet had seen midgets and his curiosity got the better of him. "Did they not eat their vegetables?" he asked innocently, still pondering the mysteries of the security guard with six fingers from earlier in the trip.
After settling into the Japanese restaurant, they ordered cucumber and tuna sushi, thinking it would be a simple and satisfying meal to refuel the cadet. When the sushi arrived, however, they were greeted with raw tuna, a detail that had somehow slipped past the admiral and captain's minds.
The admiral, understandably, couldn’t eat the raw tuna due to her pregnancy, so it fell to the captain to bear the tuna burden. He quickly realized, though, that he'd rather indulge in wasabi than take on the fish. The cadet, with his usual adventurous spirit, also decided the sushi wasn’t for him.
After a meal that didn’t quite go as planned, they wandered around for a little more shopping before heading back to the hotel
On the way back, the cadet insisted on having a banana, but for some reason, nobody would let the admiral purchase it or give it to him—maybe it was the "bitchface" she was unknowingly wearing. But the captain, ever the charmer, sweet-talked the coffee shop into handing over three bananas without a second thought.
As they strolled back along the ocean, the family couldn’t resist taking a quick dip in the sea. The cool water was refreshing, and they relished the peaceful moment together before heading back to the hotel. Back at the pool, the captain, feeling adventurous, finally decided to join in for a swim, making the most of the beautiful surroundings.
After much deliberation, they decided to walk to a Moroccan restaurant at the far end of the beach—it was the only place that served lamb, a craving the captain had been nursing for a while. Despite knowing they should rest in Boracay, they set out on the 2 km trek. The walk along the beach was beautiful, with stunning views, and even though the distance was long, the sunset made it all worth it. Parts of the walk they had to walk in the water, as the tide came up. Surprisingly, even the little cadet, who usually hated long walks, was unfazed by the journey.
They had a wonderful meal with live music, the atmosphere was perfect, and the cadet enjoyed the performance as much as the food. On the way back, the cadet found a sparkly spinning toy that entertained him as they walked, and they stopped for some ice cream while taking in the nighttime vibes of Boracay. They also picked up a floaty for future swimming adventures.
The walk back felt quicker and more enjoyable, and when they returned to the hotel, they stumbled upon a brief fire show that left the cadet inspired to try his own acrobatics with his donut and sparkly toy. Exhausted but happy, they finally made it back to the room. The captain, feeling the toll of the day’s adventures, went to bed in a fair amount of pain, but knowing they had made the most of their time in paradise.
The final full day in Boracay began with overcast skies and strong winds, but the family was determined to make the most of it. The captain, still recovering from the 30,000 steps taken the day before—and the accompanying scoldings—kicked off the morning with a hearty breakfast. The buffet, with its vast selection, proved to be a highlight, energizing everyone for the day ahead.
The cadet, bursting with excitement, was eager to try out his newly acquired donut float in the pool. Despite the chilly water, his persistence left the admiral no choice but to join him. Together, they splashed and played, with the cadet mastering the art of floating—though only backward—on his donut. His lips eventually turned blue from the cold, signaling it was time to head back to their room for a quick change.
Next, the family ventured to the pharmacy to replenish their supplies of heat patches, Panadol, and Nurofen. On the way, the cadet’s appetite struck again, and he eagerly anticipated a promised treat from the famous ice cream shop, Cocomama. However, disappointment awaited them as they found the store closed. Unwilling to give up, they discovered a small shop selling homemade local ice cream. Though not the original plan, the sweet treat managed to lift the cadet’s spirits—for a little while, at least. Meanwhile, the admiral and captain savored much-needed coffee, though the cadet, ever-curious, managed to sneak a sip when the admiral wasn’t looking.
Their next stop was an unexpected delight: a plaster painting studio. The cadet immersed himself in the activity, choosing a piece to paint and pouring his creativity into his work. Watching him so focused and content brought a sense of peace to the admiral and captain, who cherished the simplicity of the moment.
Lunch, however, brought new challenges. They opted for a traditional Filipino restaurant, but the cadet’s mood took a turn. A tantrum erupted as he refused to eat his food, drawing the attention of nearby diners. After some coaxing and a few stern words, he reluctantly nibbled on his vegetables, and the family managed to leave without further incident.
Earlier that day, the cadet had complained about a broken toenail causing discomfort. To remedy this, they treated him to his first pedicure. Though he enjoyed the experience at first, hunger and fatigue soon caught up, leading to some grumbles. Nevertheless, the pedicure provided brief relief for his aching foot.
Souvenir shopping followed, with the cadet fixating on a turtle magnet. The captain, for reasons only he could explain, insisted on a crab magnet instead, igniting yet another spirited tantrum. Despite the upset, the family pressed on, passing by the quirky Hobbiton restaurant—a midget-themed eatery that had previously amused the cadet.
Seeking to lift his spirits, the admiral took the cadet to the beach for an extended play session. They laughed and ran along the shoreline, the sound of waves momentarily washing away the day’s frustrations. On their way back to the hotel, they stopped to feed koi fish, a serene and joyful moment that delighted the cadet.
As the evening approached, the family changed into fresh clothes and headed to an Indian restaurant renowned for its chef, who had once cooked for Narendra Modi during his visit to the Philippines. The admiral and captain marveled at the breathtaking sunset, while the cadet focused intently on his meal before eventually joining them to admire the view. Dinner was a triumph, with everyone enjoying the food and the peaceful ambiance.
The walk back to the hotel was lively, thanks to the cadet’s antics. He charmed beachside peanut vendors by requesting free samples and delighted locals with his impromptu dancing alongside street performers. Before calling it a night, the family indulged in one last round of ice cream, with the captain finally trying mango ice cream.
Back at the hotel, the family packed their belongings, bracing themselves for the early departure the next day. They went to bed with a mix of exhaustion and contentment, reflecting on the day’s memories.
The following morning, they woke before dawn, grabbing a quick breakfast just as the buffet was being set up. With their bags in tow, they began the arduous journey home. The first leg involved a bus ride through winding roads, followed by a breezy yet bumpy boat ride across the water. Finally, another bus transported them to the small airport, where chaos awaited. Hundreds of travelers crowded the terminal, and the priority lane—ironically—moved slower than the regular lines. The captain, ever patient, instructed the admiral and cadet to rest while he waited over an hour to check in.
During the wait, a baggage scanner struck up a conversation with the captain, jokingly asking if he was getting Starbucks. When the captain confirmed, the attendant asked for the receipt to claim loyalty coupons, adding a moment of levity to the ordeal. Once checked in, the family boarded a short bus ride to the tarmac, where the planes were parked less than 100 meters away in an open, grassy field.
The short flight was uneventful, with the cadet happily snacking the entire way. However, upon disembarking in Manila, disaster struck. The cadet, brimming with energy, ran down the ramp and tripped, scraping his knee badly. His loud cries drew the concern of onlookers, but the admiral quickly sprang into action, bandaging the wound and administering Panadol while on the terminal bus.
With the immediate crisis resolved, the family collected their bags and headed to the bus stand for a transfer to another terminal, located 20 minutes away. During the ride, they struck up a conversation with some American travelers, who shared a somber story about friends in LA whose house had been lost to the wildfires ravaging the area.
At the terminal, the family retrieved their stored luggage. The staff, recognising the captain’s condition, were particularly helpful. While the admiral and captain managed the bags, the cadet decided to play a game of hide-and-seek, disappearing into the storage area. A brief panic ensued until they heard his cheerful voice yell, “I’m here!” from deep within a pile of suitcases.
Bags in hand, they headed to the check-in counter for their international flight. Although they had five hours until departure, the long lines tested their patience. The admiral grew visibly frustrated watching other passengers in different lines check in much faster. Eventually, they completed the process and made their way into the terminal, where they grabbed Subway and pizza to appease the cadet’s hunger. They also managed to scrape some money together with there final Pesos to treat the cadet to a pre flight icecream.
After a gate change and a few more tantrums, they finally boarded the flight home. As the plane ascended, the family reflected on their adventure—a whirlwind of beauty, chaos, and unforgettable moments. Boracay had offered them paradise, complete with its ups and downs, and though they were exhausted, they knew they would always cherish the memories they had created together.
