Tourist Spot in Aklan that influence by Foreign Culture

Same Old Island Vibe 

Everyone says that Boracay is overdeveloped, that there are too many tourist, concrete structures, big hotels, businesses on White Beach, boats and vendors. Such things are inevitable on a booming resort island like ours, and fortunately there are still a few places that continue to respect Mother Nature’s wonders and have preserved the beauty of the old Boracay.

                                                                              

The Spider House in Diniwid is one of the chosen few. Being the local’s favorite hideaway, this native resort and bar is lithely webbed into the untouched nature at the edge of Diniwid Beach. It was built in 1990 as a summer house for its owners and eventually became operational to the public.      

Its unique edifice is built in perfect harmony with nature; bamboo walls enclosing the area, nipa strewn around the walls and ceilings, stark wood furnishing, local gecko paintings adorning the walls, and cozy bamboo balconies that open up to a stunning view of the pristine sea and the neighboring Panay Island.

 It highlights the relaxation deck, which extends above the sea, allowing guests a fresh jump-off into the water. It is also perfect for viewing the dramatic sun descending into the realm of the crystalline sea and spreading crimson rays above Mainland Panay. In fact, it is famous among locals and artists indulging in complete relaxation over sunset cocktails.

Another sunset viewpoint and nature camouflaging habitation is BalingHai Beach Resort in Yapak. Located on the northern part of the island, this cliff side resort is dotted with towering tropical trees, a labyrinth of pebbled paths and driftwood steps leading to privately ensconced cottages. Owner Otik Macavinta built this resort in 1983 in order to share Boracay’s tropical waters and the wild landscapes with his special guests. He takes pride in the distinctly characterized cottages, each one attuned to the elements of BalingHai- the Bat, Hill, Tree, Hut, Rock, and Garden with open-viewing  rooms, rustic furniture, and majestic verandas.

 At the foot of the resort is the quaint beach cove of BailingHai where the bar is located. It is a favorite    stop-over of paraw excursionists for relaxing over a light meal after snorkeling in the surrounding corals or simply to get away from the tourist-packed White Beach.

Further away from BalingHai is the sprawling white sandy beach of Puka. Reminiscent of the old Boracay, Puka Beach has still maintained its tranquil and pristine feel with locals collecting puka shells from its course sandy shore and selling them as jewelry, as well as the presence of a singular restaurant at the entrance, called Tesebels, which has been open for the last few years. Boating tours often land here bringing guests for picnics, freshly-made coconut juice, photo ops, puka jewelry shopping, and for a brief immersion to a somewhat deserted island where the water is rough and the assortment of tropical trees are still inhabited by a few monkey’s, snakes and flying foxes.

Though White Beach is considered commercial already, a few establishments still hold the impression of the island’s native vibe. Real Coffee and Tea, for instance, is a nipa and bamboo café tucked inside an alley near Boat Station 1. It is a family run business, owned by Lee Rosaia and her daughter Nadine. In 1996 they started the first Real Coffee through a small kiosk between Bom Bom and Pat’s Creek Bar where they were heralded as the first coffee shop on the island that was selling gourmet coffee drinks. Through the years, the native style coffee shop has evolved into a healthy fast food diner, serving fresh yogurt, herbed omelets, whole wheat sandwiches, hearty breakfast meals, and freshly-baked cookies and muffins, like the top-selling Calamansi Muffins. Now with a bigger and more homey location, people visit them for breakfast, meetings, family gathering and simply to have coffee. For them it is the ultimate breakfast place that still emits an island paradise ambience.

 Along the same alley as Real Coffee is another native-style dining place. Shibaya Japanese Restaurant offers delectable and inexpensive Japanese cuisine inside a cozy nipa hut where guests can eat ample servings of Maki or Katsudon and be reminded that they are still on Boracay. Nature lover and proprietor.  Leo Sy opened this restaurant in May 2010 in order to share his passion for Japanese cuisine with his fellow islanders. Having worked in Japan for 3 years, as well as being a translator and tour guide for Japanese tourists, Mr. Sy guarantees good food quality and efficient service. He obtains his ingredients locally and serves only fresh Lapu-Lapu and Tuna sashimi to avoid health risks to his customers. As far as promos are concerned, he offers a free appetizer for every two liters of Sake ordered.

In terms of finding tranquility and a laid back atmosphere on White Beach Angol, at the southern end, is the place to be. This distant haven starts at the palm tree-lined path in front of Angol Point Beach Resort until the isolated at Asya Premier Suites. This relatively long stretch of island life is favored by Europeans who aims to spend a week away from excessive commercialism and noise. They favor resort like Angol Point Beach Resort, an eco-compound crawling with healthy coconut trees that outline eight native cottages and its well-maintained garden. It is the only place on White Beach with untouched veegitation where guest can lay down their sarongs and read a book in peace.