Yes, you can still find a secluded beach without the usual crowds for lunch. In Boracay...
The freshest seafood served at your very own private beach, a tranquil and serene spot all to yourself. At Baling Hai Beach Resort...
From our base camp at Rieseling Boracay Beach Resort (more on my post on The Other Side of Boracay's Newest Resort), you can take a trike, or better yet, rent a boat and take a scenic cruise along the coast to Baling Hai Beach Resort, and after a cruise aboard Boracay's ultimate pleasure party boat (more here on my post on the The Boracay SunCruiser), going by sea is the way to go. Go on a island hopping tour or snorkel around Crocodile Island. And keep an eye out for Boracay's large fruit bats hanging upside down on trees along the coast. And once you arrive, clarity. The same vibe felt and experienced along Diniwid Beach (more on my post here on Finding Clarity Along Diniwid Beach), recreated in a small private beach. The secluded cove features the same fine powdery white sand, but without the hordes of tourists so you can enjoy a leisurely lunch without the rush.
And that's what Boracay is all about, there's absolutely no need to rush anything at all. Just breathe it all in, and take in the laid-back island vibe.
Perched above the private beach under a shady spot below the trees, our table was set up completed by flower petals on fine linen. A gentle breeze and the rhythmic sound of surf completes the mood.
Meanwhile, at Baling Hai's counter, the staff prepared to serve their signature dishes, brought down by baskets on ropes from the kitchen high above the beach. And one by one, the dishes are given the final touches by the staff and served...
A platter of Inihaw na Liempo, tender and juicy grilled pork belly served with soy-vinegar dip with onions and chili...
...followed by fresh and plump Prawns cooked in crab fat arrived first, and lunch by the beach was looking good. Very good.
A bowl of refreshing Ensaladang Mangga, with sweet mangoes, cucumber and chili, was also served to pair with the next round of seafood dishes...
...including the Grilled Stuffed Squid, delicately grilled for that perfect soft texture...
...and the Grilled Tanigue, or wahoo, with a mildly sweet soy glaze.
And finally, Steamed Crabs completes our seafood harvest.
One plateful followed by another, and another, for one more memorable lunch at Boracay. The flavors are fresh and clean, and you just can't go wrong with the freshest ingredients.
For dessert, Baling Hai served their signature Ginger Bananas draped in a sweet sauce to cap our lunch by the beach. A cup of coffee, followed by a glass of JD, and it's time to hit the hammock at the beach.
Later that afternoon, we headed for Gigi Piit's residence high above Punta Bunga Beach, around a hundred steps up from Baling Hai, just in time for breathtaking sunset.
That evening, Gigi Piit served her Grilled Prawns with lemon butter sauce...
...and slabs of premium Steaks fresh from the grill for a winning surf and turf combo.
Great food, great company, good times and good vibes...at the other side of Boracay.
And just like that, four days have passed and gone by so quickly, and it's time to head back home with SkyJet via a direct flight from Caticlan to Manila (for more on SkyJet's flights to Caticlan, see my previous post here).
...and thirty-five minutes later, you're back home to reality. Just like that. With SkyJet's sleek BAe-146 jet aircraft, it's a pretty fast flight from Caticlan compared to the usual commercial turboprop aircraft. The good news is, you're just thirty-five minutes away from the other side of Boracay.
Baling Hai Beach Resort is located at Hagdan, Baling Hai Road, Boracay, Aklan or call +036-288-3646 for inquiries and more information.
For more on SkyJet Airlines, visit their website at http://www.flyskyjetair.com/.
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