Axel in Boracay: Buggy Ride, Trick Art Museum, Puka Beach

Our Boracay vacation was my family's very first major travel. I have always believed that traveling is such an enriching experience that can help nurture and strengthen my relationship with my loved ones.

Considering that we would be having our summer vacay in the island for a week, I wanted to make sure that we get to make the most out of it. Of course, this was on top of my one-year old son's expected nap time.

Boracay has been known for water sport activities and looking for things to do with an infant was a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, we found an activity in Metrodeal which was just perfect for the second day of our stay in Boracay. The activities were also suitable for a family like us with an infant.

Early Morning Swim and Breakfast

We started our day with a quick dip at the pool while waiting for our breakfast, already included in our hotel reservation. With a baby like ours who loves the water, he could never have too much swimming.

Our meal was a typical American breakfast but I loved how it was served to us. The fact that we got to enjoy our food by the pool was also a huge plus. Another great selling point of Villa Sunset Boracay.

We also had our first experience of the famous White Beach of Boracay which happened to be just a few steps from our place.

Unfortunately, the presence of the moss made it hard for our baby to walk along the shore. We had to go further into the water so we could enjoy the beach minus the green things that tend to stick to our skin.

It was our first official immersion into the Boracay White Beach and it deserved a selfie!

Here are a few more shots with Axel and his papa playing around. This adventurous baby just loved the stunts my husband love to pull which often make other people feel scared. LOL.

 

Meet up at McDo D'Mall

As agreed with Boracay Adventures, Inc., we met with our tour guide, Justine in McDonald's D'Mall at 9:00 in the morning. While waiting for the shuttle that would pick us up, Justine started chatting with us and was easily able to make us feel at ease.

Surprisingly, the three of us were the only ones who were part of her tour. Apparently, choosing a Tuesday schedule which did not fall on a holiday meant less to no customers. Of course, we liked the idea since we knew we could take our time. Well, not totally take our time since there was an expected duration for each activity but we have more freedom during the tour.

The Buggy Ride

The shuttle brought us to Happy Dreamland Theme Park. I was surprised to see that no one was going for the rides. Most of the people there seemed to only be doing the KTV or the buggy ride. But, then again, I don't think people would go to Boracay for something like amusement

The buggy ride was perfect for us since we have our baby with us. Not to mention the fact that our little monster got to play with the steering for a while. But while we rode the vehicle, Axel stayed on my lap. Our speed was just right to ensure we're safe and we were in a line along with others riding their KTVs and buggy rides. The road was not too rocky so it was somehow a pleasant trip for us.

Up to Mount Luho

After that bit of rugged and dusty buggy ride, we had finally reached Mount Luho. We parked along with some of the ATV rides as we were led to the viewing tower.

A few stairs up from the ground, we got to a bigger view of the Boracay Island from the viewing tower. The stunning view of Bulabog Beach was easy to spot with its waters popular for kite surfers.

We also got to see the Fairways and the Bluewater Golf Course with its private white sand beach known as Lapuz Lapuz Beach. Justine had to share to us the jaw-dropping worth of staying there for one day so we were lucky just to have a glimpse of the area.

The viewing tower was a great spot for taking pictures and seeing the other parts of Boracay. It made us appreciate the island more and made us realize how beautiful it was.

After spending some time there, we soon rode our buggy ride again to go back to the theme park for our next activity.

Exploring the Trick Art Museum

Back in the Happy Dreamland Theme Park, we felt relieved to escape the summer heat as Justine led us to an air-conditioned room. We were welcomed by a view different drawings that made up the Trick Art Museum.

The name of the museum was self explanatory. It was a fun playground for those who love taking pictures and just fooling around.

There were guides on how to utilize the different arts in order to achieve its "trick". With the right angle, we got to capture something unusual and fun.

Justine was definitely helpful in terms of teaching us how to capture our photos in the right angle. She was also great at taking pictures even with her phone. I ended up asking her to share these photos since her shots were so much better than mine.

Staying at the museum was the perfect time to chill for a bit. There was no other people inside as well so we had the place to ourselves.

The Serene Puka Shell Beach

We were again picked up by the shuttle from Happy Dreamland to our last destination for the tour: to the Puka Shell Beach! The road travel from the theme park to the beach took a while. We ended up having small chats and enjoying the breeze from outside.

Puka Shell Beach derived its name basically from having its sand made up of Puka Shells. It was definitely different from the fine sand that we have just experienced which, my husband explained to be a big change. It was an improvement since it added to the appeal to the beach but somehow lost the essence of it being named after the shells.

Upon reaching the very much marketed beach by our tour guide, our jaw dropped at how beautiful the Puka Beach was that I could not help gushing.

It was around 12 noon when we have arrived but despite the scorching heat of the sun, we still stayed out on the beach. I just LOVED looking at the water. The great thing about this beach as well was unlike the mossy shore of the White Beach, my baby got to walk around and enjoy the sand and sea on his own. 

We also ordered buko shake there which allowed us to rest under a shade. A glass of buko shake costs 100 pesos! But then again, it may be because it was from a somehow deserted area.

Look at that smile of the little boy! He loved being at the beach and just playing at the sand. We were not able to bring his beach toys so we just strolled along the shore and splashed around.

With the help of my large straw hat, I was able to breastfeed by the shore and be able to shield my baby and myself from sun.

The peaceful, serene Puka Beach was the exact opposite of the crowded and commercialized White Sand Beach. It was the perfect escape route from the typical Boracay scene. It was the kind of sanctuary my husband and I could not wait to bring our little one to.

Going to Puka Beach was the perfect way to end that trip. It was fun to swim around, thanks to the goggles that Justine brought which, apparently, came from Pia Wurtzbach and Marlon Stockinger when they went to Boracay!

Going Home/Late Lunch at Kolai Mangyan

Our activity ended around 1:00 in the afternoon. Our little one definitely looked like he enjoyed himself and was laughing in the shuttle on our way to our hotel. 

It was already a bit late for a lunch when we have arrived in our hotel and we were famished. Axel ended up falling asleep in the shuttle while I breastfed him.

Following Justine's suggestion of a good and affordable food house in the island, we went to Kolai Mangyan. It was just a few minutes walk from our hotel stop along the main road. 

The playful infant in his papa's arms ended up sleeping throughout the whole walk and even as we had our lunch.

I was not able to take pictures of the food we ordered but we loved our meals! We especially enjoyed their budbud all-mix and sisig. We ended up going back there within our stay in Boracay because we were so satisfied and it was such a good choice for quality but affordable meals.

Eventually, our family of trio went back to our hotel. That afternoon, we were all so tired especially our baby that we ended up calling it a day. Going for this trip was such a great choice for us. 

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Check out this link to read about Axel in Boracay Day 1: Bound to Caticlan