Boracay's Hilltop Haven

Alta Vista serve as our gateway to the secluded Puka Beach. Our friends who went out to party with us were actually booked in this hotel. When we arrived at the hotel I was impressed  because the place was generally well-maintained and amazed at the same time on how the complex were built on top the peak. 

Our friends were checked in at Miniza's studio suite which is just near the hotel's lobby.  Rooms were very spacious and each has it's own balcony. From there you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Fairways' golf course on the front and the sea on the other side.  If possible, inquire to see your room to make sure you get one with the type of views you seek. We stayed there for an hour (kasi ang tagal magbihis ng mga kasama namin.lol) before we went to Puka beach.

Lobby

Miniza

View of Fairways golfcourse

After taking a time out to commune with nature at Puka beach, we decided to swim at the hotel's infinity pool.  There's practically no one in the swimming pool except for the Chinese kid. I think most of the guests were in the White Beach at that time. The pool is not that huge but the commanding view of lush greenery and turquoise blue ocean creates a dramatic effect once you relax on the pool's edge. Even though we weren't booked there the staff were friendly and accommodating enough to offer us towels. If your idea of paradise is a retreat to the blissful view of an unspoiled Boracay, I highly recommend staying at Alta Vista. 

Alta Vista is located on top of a hill in Barangay Yapak. It is about 20 minutes away from the D'Mall/White Beach. They provide shuttle service but be mindful of their schedule. The earliest time is around 7:40AM and last pick up time is 12MN at D'Mall. Make sure not to  miss the schedule or you would have to ride a tricycle which is around P150 special trip and P20/person for a regular trip. Since the hotel is remotely located you have to wait for tricycle that passes by. Another thing, from the hotel gate going to the main lobby is quite steep, you can request the guard for the shuttle to fetch you there. It's actually a good exercise pwera na lang kung lasing ka at tirik na tirik ang araw.lol As for the food, a meal cost around P300-400, I suggest you buy foods/snacks from D'Mall.  If not for it's remote location this would be the perfect place to stay in Boracay. 

 

Alta Vista de Boracay

Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island,

Malay, Aklan, Philippines 5608 

Website: http://www.altavistadeboracay.com.ph/

Trunkline.:+6336-288-9888 

Fax No..: +6336-288-4801

View Larger Map
 

A Fine Frenzy
Teaser: Boracay - Sand Beneath My Toes Day 1:Great Expectations | Epic Boracay Night Day 2: Puka Beach | Alta Vista | Tales of Amaretto and Fire Dancers  Day 3: Sugar Rush and Windy Affairs| Sundown and Lack of Judgement Boracay: The Round-Up

Memories Are Cheap: Semi-Charmed Life

I believe in the sand beneath my toes
The beach gives a feeling, an earthy feeling.

Semi-Charmed Life/Third Eye Blind

Apo Reef 

February 12-15 2010
Sabang, Occidental Mindoro

Taken during our trip to Apo Reef + Pandan Island

Call it irony that for someone who doesn't know to swim I've been addicted of going to the beach. Why I love going to beach? The scenery alone refresh my minds and senses - calming blue waters, waves washing up on the shore and by just basking in the sun. For a moment it makes you forget all the things even for awhile. Lame you may say but to me it put things into perspective.

Memories Are Cheap
They say life is only as good as the memories we make. These are mostly photos taken from the last two years that I've been on the road. Narratives that are based on the music I listen to.

LSS of the Week: 20/20 by Pupil

20/20 is the second single of Pupil from their 3rd album entitled Limiters of the Infinity Pool featuring guest musicians Francis “Brew” Reyes on guitar and former Electrico Amanda Ling on keyboards. I've been actually hearing this track on Magic 89.9 playlist way back May or June. What actually caught my attention was the music video for this song. Never thought of seeing a usually jam-packed EDSA surprisingly empty for at least 5 minutes. The black and white  treatment also gives a dream effect to the music video. It somehow reminded me of Will Smith's movie I Am Legend - empty streets minus the devastated New York buildings. The music video were shoot using Canon EOS 350D.

This has to be my favorite part of the video. Si Ely nasa Buendia

Anyway the video in summary shows Ely taking photos using an interestingly strange-looking camera (SEAGULL 4A TLR)  while roaming the  empty streets of Edsa.  Ely and the rest of the band then were shown performing at the still-empty Guadalupe bridge. At the tail-end of the video, shots of buses and cars  driving behind them were shown. 

 

As for the song meaning Ely said   "It’s an open letter to the universe".
 

Finding Inner Peace at Puka Beach

Free breakfast from Hey! Jude

Due to so much intoxication, too much partying, fatigue, and sleep deprivation we got up at around 9AM. After breakfast, we all got ready for another day of fun in the sun actually it's more of  lazing out in the sun. We went to a grocery by the main road to buy some chips and drinks for our little picnic at Puka Beach.

Sun soaked

 Time is Standing Still

Puka Beach was derived after the famous Puka Shells which were popular as jewelry way back then. According to some old belief people adorned  with jewelries made from puka shells would not be harmed during a long journey. Sadly because of the large numbers gathered  there weren't any puka shell in the beach anymore. 
  

Eco Village Resort

Water is rougher and deeper in Puka

It is a far cry from other beaches in the island because there were less crowd which is a welcome respite to the often over-crowded White Beach. In terms of the sand, it is as nice as of the White Beach but it's more of a wind and wave-tossed beach. Currents are strong here and the beach drop off quite deeper better exercise caution when you snorkel/swim here.

 

Master Shifu:  Never thought of finding inner peace here in Boracay...
  Po: (thinking) Inner Peace? Might as well push you to the edge of that cliff.hehe

 

The party boy

After strolling around the beach, we lied down on the beach hut and then swam for some cooling effect. Time is standing still once you're Puka Beach. No annoying manong asking you to try their reef walk or loud music pumping - just you lying down on the beach feeling the cool breeze of the wind and listening to the waves. While my companions were sleeping, I walked to the other end of the beach. 

The friendly locals of Puka beach

We stayed at Puka for three hours and head back to Alta Vista. It's indeed a great place to relax and spend the day after partying all night to doze off your lack of sleep.  

The other side of Puka

kakapagod maglakad, makaidlip nga muna

Getting There:

Option A: Puka Beach is a semi-private beach (shared with other notable hotels) is remotely located from the main road and hard to access by foot. Alta Vista de Boracay provided the shuttle service going to the beach. Expect a 5-10 minutes ride if you're from Alta Vista. 

Option B: Hire a trike for more/less than 150 PHP depending on your haggling skills. Make sure you arrange a pickup since no tricycles are hanging around the beach.

Option C: You can also get there by boat (depends on the waves condition,waves are calm during the summer time) since it is part of an island hopping tour.
 
If you're planning to stay longer here make sure to bring snacks since there are no establishments here.

A Fine Frenzy
Teaser: Boracay - Sand Beneath My Toes Day 1:Great Expectations | Epic Boracay Night Day 2: Puka Beach | Alta Vista | Tales of Amaretto and Fire Dancers  Day 3: Sugar Rush and Windy Affairs| Sundown and Lack of Judgement Boracay: The Round-Up

Epic Boracay Night

For such a small island, Boracay  offers plenty of nightlife option to its visitors. Boracay has it all - from laid back places where you can relax, to unlimited choice of restaurants, endless beach parties, listen to live bands or  to just drink the night away. True enough we were able to experience the so called epic Boracay nightlife.

 

The Night is Young

After our Paraw sunset cruise, we went back to the  hotel to get dressed. We had Mang Inasal for our dinner since we spent too much on the Hawaiian BBQ.  

Bistro Style Resto At Daytime

 

Come nightfall , it transform into a party place.

We started with beers at Epic. An up-scale beachfront resto/bar located just outside D'Mall. The establishment interiors and trendy design will made you think that you're actually in Makati. Of course the only difference is the undeniable beach atmosphere at Epic. They also happen to offer the longest happy hour at Boracay which is from 2-8PM. You cant have a good conversation here, because of the loud music so we just  settled in by the beachfront for more laid back drinking session. Music volume cranks up, with faster beats coming alive as time approaches midnight attracting a mixed crowd of party people from local to foreign guests. You can feel the energy of everyone so if you like to party try this one. Around 11pm we decided to stroll other notable bars in Boracay.

  

While walking down we can't help but notice the fire dancers at Sand Bar. We stopped there for a few minutes taking pictures of the  gyrating fire twirlers. It was really an awesome performance.

Might drink a little bit more 

Time is never wasted when you're wasted in Guilly's Boracay.

Guilly's Island was supposed to be the last stop before we call it a night but there were no available table for the group so we head to Cocomanga's known for their "15 and Still Standing"  shot. I had high hopes for this place. Sadly, my expectations were not met. 

After a round of  rhum coke, we left Cocomanga's and head to Guilly's Island. The crowd were crazy and dancing when we enter the place. Most of the crowds were in their beach attire grooving to the loud music holding bottle of San Mig Light.  

One thing leads to another. See next picture.lol

The party pooper! Umutot sa dance floor!lol

FYI: Hindi ako to!

It was probably one of the best way to capped off our first day in Boracay. 

A Fine Frenzy
Teaser: Boracay - Sand Beneath My Toes Day 1:Great Expectations | Epic Boracay Night Day 2: Puka Beach | Alta Vista | Tales of Amaretto and Fire Dancers  Day 3: Sugar Rush and Windy Affairs| Sundown and Lack of Judgement Boracay: The Round-Up

Fast Five 08.08.2011

It's been one hell of a week. You might want to  update your playlist  with these tracks to keep the good times flowing.

Out of My Head - Lupe Fiasco feat. Trey Songz

There's no doubt that this collaboration from two talented musician will likely make it to the top of the charts. This song has a great energy and story that everyone can relate to.  Lupe's rap on this track may not be as good compare to the other tracks in his latest album Lasers, the chorus is catchy that I just can't get it "Out of my Head".lol

Stereo Hearts - Gym Class Heroes feat Adam Levine

A fun track filled with the catchy "oh-oh-oh" on the verses featuring Adam Levine. I must say it's a solid comeback track for Gym Class Heroes after their very disappointing last album. Expect a mad airplay of this song for the coming months.

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Speaking in Tongues - Arcade Fire feat David Byrne

Alienation  and conformity to individuality has always been the main theme of the Arcade Fire albums.This slightly sedated track sounds spooky but it still beautiful if you listen closely to it.

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People

Upbeat, cheerful chorus,heavy bassline and a dose of electronics are the words to describe this song. According to the band the song is about a "troubled and delusional youth with homicidal thoughts" and it's lyrics suggest "to bring awareness to the issued of gun violence among the youth."

 

How to Love - Lil Wayne

Seriously this has to be one of the dopest track of the year. Haven’t heard Young Weezy like this before.I'm actually really impressed that he has evolved into this. Another artist would have done a better job with this, but you have to gave it to him for pushing the envelope

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