As a first-time dad, I have always dreamed of creating unforgettable experiences with my family. Our recent trip to Boracay, Philippines was a dream come true. Dhindin, Dale, and I enjoyed five days of bonding and relaxation in one of the world’s most stunning beaches.
As we embarked on our journey to Boracay, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to take a much-needed break from the stresses of the pandemic. Despite the continued COVID protocols, we felt relieved to experience this paradise and bask in its beauty while still adhering to necessary precautions.
Preparing for a Beach Travel with a Toddler
As first-time parents, we learned that traveling with a toddler on the beach requires a lot of preparation and patience. We watched a lot of blogs – took some pieces of advice and also ignored some (yeah!). We made sure to pack all of Dale’s essentials, including bottles, milk, sterilizer, snacks, sufficient clothing, diapers, and baby-friendly sunscreen.
We also realized that choosing accommodation that caters to the needs of a young traveler is crucial. We tend to book cheap accommodations in our past travels, since we spend most of the time outdoors anyway, but we know that it’s not suitable this time. Therefore, we opted for Hennan Prime, a hotel right on the beachfront in Station 1, which proved to be an excellent choice.
Ooops! A Little Hiccup
True enough, these preparations are a must. At first, our little boy caught a cold and was sick for the first two days. But we didn’t let that dampen our spirits. We made sure he was comfortable, hydrated, and well-rested. We went out a couple of times, just enough to expose him to sunlight, have a little playtime, and then go back to our room for rest. We had to take online consultations with his pediatrician online and was prescribed antibiotics – which we are able to buy at a local drug store.
The Fun Stuff
On our third day, Dale started to feel better. At first he really didn’t like the texture of dry sand but eventually got to enjoy building (and trashing) sand castles. We did not have to buy any beach toy because the resort has some that we are able to borrow, along with beach mats so it’s really convenient. The calm and shallow waters were perfect for our little water baby to splash around in, and we even found ourselves singing “Baby Shark” as we waded in the crystal-clear sea, counting our steps along the way.
As we continued to explore the beauty of Boracay, we rented a stunning crystal kayak, which turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Dhindin was absolutely thrilled, as our kuya-guide knew all the best poses and angles, capturing every moment like a professional photographer. We really love taking photos and it was such a treat to have the help of a friendly family we met at the hotel. They kindly offered to take some snaps of us as we tried to capture the perfect sunset selfie. We kept bumping into them throughout our stay, and it was heartwarming to connect with such wonderful people.
As the final night of our vacation arrived, we had the pleasure of meeting up with some church friends for dinner and drinks. It was the perfect way to conclude our Boracay escapade, reflecting on all the beautiful moments, and feeling grateful for the breathtaking scenery and the incredible people we met along the way.
Indeed, A Precious Moment
As our Boracay vacation drew to a close, we felt a sense of contentment knowing that we had experienced some of the most beautiful moments as a family. We had laughed, explored, and created unforgettable memories that we would cherish forever. And as we packed our bags and prepared to say goodbye to this magical island, we felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have discovered such a breathtaking place, and for the kind people who had made our journey all the more special. Though we were sad to leave, we felt invigorated by the joy and wonder that we had discovered in Boracay, and we knew that we would carry it with us always. Definitely, we will do this more often.