Philippines via Beijing. November 2016
The tickets were bought half a year in advance. Air China airline. Flight Moscow-Manila with a connection in Beijing-42 t. for two.
The domestic flight Manila-Boracay was also purchased much in advance on Seby Pacific at a good price of 5000-00 for two, including luggage-20 kg.
All hotels (Manila, Beijing, Boracay) were booked through Agoda. I was pleasantly surprised by the complete correspondence of hotels to reality - their description on this site
The Air China flight did not cause any complaints. The staff is helpful, unobtrusive. Feeding is edible. Drinks (water, juices, beer) - they will give you as much as you ask)).
Arrived in Beijing on time. We immediately went to the exit to the city, because there was a 12-hour docking. Having read reviews about inadequate actions on the part of Chinese border guards, allegedly striving with all their might not to let Russians into the city during visa-free transit, I approached the passport control desk with trepidation. In fact, everything turned out quickly and without problems.
You give your passport, a migration card (they give you on the plane), a printed e-ticket (we printed it out in Chinese just in case) and you get a stamp in your passport. On the way back, when connecting for more than 24 hours, did they ask “Transit” again? and again without problems released into the city.
Beijing Main Square - Tianmen
Returning 4 hours later back to the airport, we went to rest in a lounge booked in advance through the call center. I can't say anything bad about him. Yes, the carpet could be vacuumed better. But in general, for relaxing for a few hours, a lounge will do. There is a shower, beds in the bedroom, tea, coffee, snacks, Internet, comfortable chairs, silence
Next, our path lay in Manila. We stayed there for a day. I don't know why people write so badly about this city.
We did not notice any horrors, crime and gas pollution. Or maybe after visiting Delhi nothing is scary anymore))).
The inspection program was standard - Rizal Park, Intramuros, the embankment at sunset). We specially booked a hotel located within walking distance from these objects of inspection.
Manila. Rizal Park
Manila. Rizal Park
Intramuros
Intramuros
Manila. Embankment at sunset
The next morning we moved to the airport for a flight to Boracay.
We liked the Cebu Pacific flight. We were even given emergency exit seats. Even though they didn't ask.
After arriving at Kalibo airport, the standard layout is a minivan + boat to Boracay. 250 pesos from the nose.
Travel time is about 1.5 hours. The tricycle from the pier in Boracay drove us to the hotel already dark. After a quick check-in, we went in search of a place for dinner. I’ll make a reservation right away - we are economical tourists and try to eat cheaper, namely in places where local residents do it. After walking five minutes from the hotel along Main Road, we found a suitable cafe.
Almost all the time they went there to eat. We met the chef Ralph. In the afternoon we went to the market for locals, bought seafood, took it to a cafe to Ralph, which he prepared for dinner for a small fee
With Chef Ralph
We stayed in a small hotel at 3 stations. 10 minutes to the beach. But peace and quiet
Hotel in Boracay Tonglen Beach Resort
Hotel in Boracay. Our room on the second floor of Tonglen Beach Resort
About the beaches.
Maybe we are not as demanding as others, but we did not notice much difference between 1.2, 3 stations
Station 1 It takes longer to go to the depth than to 3 stations. But not critical.
Boracay. Station 1
2- station. There are always more people. There is a webcam - you can chat online with compatriots))
Boracay. Station 2
Boracay. Station 2. Sunset
Station 3. Not many people. And if you go to the left, there are none at all. But there is a great place for swimming in front of the Asuiy hotel / The most extreme hotel on the white beach. Sunset in the sea and immediately deep. There is a coral reef. You can see the life.
Boracay. Station 3. Nobody drove us from sunbeds)
Diniwid Beach. Cool cafe Spider house. Recommended. The prices are acceptable.
Entrance to the sea right along the stairs from the cafe))
Dinivid Beach. View from the cafe
Puka Beach - not particularly impressive. The views are certainly beautiful, but you can’t swim in big waves. Maybe we didn't get there at the right time.
Puka Beach
Puka Beach. Waves!
In the end, I want to say that the Philippines is the place where you want to return. Just not Boracay, where we have already visited, but to other islands. I have never seen such an ocean anywhere else. The people are very friendly. Unobtrusive.
And to China, of course! You need to leave at least two days for Beijing. You won't see anything while docking.
