Return to Eden 2

Day 3 on Shangri La Boracay was all about relaxing and simply doing nothing.  The team decided to just hangout on the beach the entire morning til a little past noon.  Some took a nap, others were listening to music, while the rest went to the ALON bar to have loads of good morning cocktails.  From one drink to another, loving the catching up time until we realized it was a little past two in the afternoon--our tummies were growling.   Headed to VINTANA restaurant for some super late lunch then decided to go to the main beach after days of seclusion from the rest of the Boracay world. 
To get to the main scene from Shangri-La Boracay, one has to either take the shuttle for free as long as you know the scheduled departure and pick up time.  The other option is to hire a private van which is provided by the hotel for a certain rate.By the time we got to station 2, we were hungry again and couldn't believe our appetites were huge and could take a lot more.  So we decided to go to REAL COFFEE(how could one miss out on the island's best kept secret) and indulged their famous pesto omelette and tuna melt.  Finally, we could feel the heaviness with all the food we've been eating so decided to take a long stroll along the shoreline.  There were a lot of Koreans at this time of the year and you could barely spot anyone from Manila. Loving the luxury of space where you can just worry less of the maddening crowd.   Around an hour after we decided to take a spot in SUR and enjoy the sunset with more drinks.  The minutes turned into hours and soon the stars started coming out, filling the vast darkness of the night.  Luckily it was full moon, and the night seemed to be smiling down on us for some good reason, after several rounds of sweet intoxication, we were able to find our way back to the mall where the hotel shuttle would pick us up.  As soon as we got back to Shang, we had our last supper, feasting on Vintana's gastronomic specialties.
Overall the team really had a grand time this trip, thanks to Patti Javier, Marla de Asis, the staff and management for taking good care of us.  Undoubtedly, the perfect venue for work and play where one would feel more than special.  Looking forward to a trip back soon, but this time maybe a bit longer.  Cheers!


Angle 1 45 degrees.



Angle 2 90 degrees.

Angle 3 120 degrees.

Angle 4 180 degrees.

By the beach.

Caipirinha.

No ordinary basket case.

Mimosa.

Heaven.

Yummy Mango Tango.

Fruity treats.

Pigging out.

 

Metro Wedding's Krisa Tiongco, Associate stylist Donna Gonzales Lim and Rudolph Leonor.



The author with Max Factor's Bobby Carlos.

Nature's beauty.

Mapping out.

Missed taking the parao on this trip.

Walk this way on the main beach.

Alone on this island.

Panorama.

Shangri-La Boracay's Director of Communications Patti Javier with assistant Marla de Asis.

Group photo.

True Food

Don't be deceived by the title. It's not the famous Indian restaurant found in the isle of Boracay. Whenever I go back,  I never miss out on having a good brekkie (breakfast) in Real Coffee.  Located in between station1 and 2, you can ask any tricycle driver or islander for directions and  they will surely show you the way.  The place is owned by Nadine who was introduced to me by a close friend almost a decade ago.  Since then, I never fail to keep coming back.

Me and my kids with the Queen of Real Coffee-Nadine's Mom(center).

They serve healthy breakfast food and  one of the best brewed (barako I think) coffee in the island.  Aside from the waker uppers, the quaint resto is known for signature offerings such as the pesto omelette and tuna melt.  We recently discovered the mouth-watering chicken sandwich also known as Marc's Melt ( named after tv personality Marc Nelson).  Seems like you can't get enough when you go through the entire menu filled with yummy treats. No fuss and flash presentations, the food is simple, healthy and something to look forward to.  Definitely a good way to start your day and satisfy your big morning appetite. 



Muchos Pesto.



The way Mark melts.

 One must not miss the legendary calamansi cupcake.  I used to order a dozen and bring them back home to Manila for my mom and sisters.  The best time to get these food for thought is in the morning and mid afternoon when they bake it. Nothing compares to this gastronomic find that's only available in the island til this day.  The food is as "real" as it can get.


Let them eat cake.

 Another place one shouldn't miss is JONAS for their fruit and milkshakes-super divine.  We had them during our first night plus a taste of the fake choriburger.  Please never get them in the restos because they're not even close to the real thing.  Try being adventurous and start  looking for those barbeque stalls on the street ( though we heard these stands are already prohibited to be setup along the beach) because they sell the authentic ones.  If JONAS is full, then you can get good shakes at JONY's as well which is just a few stores away. It's the perfect place to hangout out in the afternoon to snack up, have a round of drinks or people watch. They have this really good anchovy pizza so heavenly you just might end up ordering another one.


Mad scramble.



Cocktail hour @ Jony's.



Sweet surrender.



Smile with your heart.