It was awesome, in spite of typhoon Pedring. Why, I got my primary goal -- to just relax. No tours, no banana boats or what, you know what I mean? Right from the start I wanted it to be my "pre-employment vacation", something just to relax myself amidst errands in Manila, and something to look back to while I'm at a 6-month no-leave probationary period!
higlight 1: Astoria. On our first night, some agent from Astoria approached us (me and lou), and offered us free dinner buffet for two, in exchange for 90-mins of "hotel tour and presentation". They said it was a part of their promotion, because Astoria will have new resorts in Palawan and Bohol soon. Simple, why should we say no?
Geeee this is awesome, annoying and funny all at the same time. Because after Lou and I had a really yummy and sumptuous dinner (take note: BUFFET. FREE OF CHARGE), a "holiday consultant" then took us to their function room, more of a classroom, filled with couples (I assume these couples got the free dinner as well) and other sales agents doing their one-to-one sales talk with these couples. Apparently it was a sales talk session to sell their "Astoria Club membership" -- a pricey membership, ideal for [married] couples or families, offering cheap Astoria rates for the next 30 years.
To cut the long story short, the supposedly 90-min "tour" turned out to be a 2-hour chickahan then sales talk with the agent. Lou and I found the membership cool and interesting, but due to lined up bills till the next N years we didn't take the offer. Anyway, no regrets. if the dinner buffet is worth 2 hours of our precious time, then it's still all worth it. Because the food was really good. hahaha!
(and as what Lou's colleague said, if I can still remember every bit of info about that membership that I can blab about it for the rest of the night to others, then it's also worth it on the part of the sales agent. win-win!)
highlight 2: BORACAY GARDEN RESORT! Lou and I bought his officemate's unused ensogo voucher (here we go with deals again!):
Only P8,008 for a 3D/2N’s Premier Room Accommodation with 4 sets of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for 2 persons at Boracay Garden Resort, Boracay Island (valued at P16,544)
It's one of the best deals we purchased! they had awesome, classy rooms and facilities, and their food was good, especially the buffet breakfasts. Most importantly, service was excellent!
I left it with all sadness :(
highlight 3: Typhoon Pedring. The entire stay in Bora wasn't really 100% fun, with the big waves, strong winds and heavy rain on our 3th-4th (day of departure!).
Luckily, our flight wasn't canceled. Thanks to Cebu Pacific who survived the turbulence (haha!), and who gave us accurate info about their flights, through their website and call center, in spite of the chaotic situations in the airports that day. I must say, their service has improved a lot!
Now that I think about it, with the perfect accommodation, safe flights, wholesome rave parties and drinking we did, the entire trip wasn't so bad after all. Actually, it made me decide that from now on, Boracay should be an annual tradition!
P.S. I just realized that this trip CAN'T be "something to look back to while I'm at a 6-month no-leave probationary period" ...I still have my Coron trip next week. hehee.
