Travelling with Toddlers and Young Children to Boracay

Boracay is not just a partyphile’s ultimate destination. It’s also a family-friendly summer retreat, which offer a lot of activities your tiny tots will definitely enjoy. However, bringing toddlers and younger children to Boracay can be quite a challenge. The problems can go beyond packing dilemmas. Toddler meltdowns can dampen your holiday mood, and you might find yourself preferring to stay in the safety and comfort of your hotel room with your temperamental tot more than enjoying the sun, sea, and surf.

But there are a few things you can do to ensure hassle-free travel with toddlers to Boracay:

Fly to Caticlan.

Going to Boracay via Kalibo may not be the best option for you, if you have a kid or two in tow. You’ll still have to drive for 2 hours to Caticlan to board a light aircraft to Boracay. With kids around, this may not be the best arrangement.

Leave all payment and transfer arrangements to the hotel (or your travel agent).

With a little toddler tagging along, lining up for payments or arranging travel to and from the airport by yourself can be a daunting experience, especially for first time travelers. It would be better to let your travel agent arrange all that so you can enjoy a fuss-free holiday with your little one. Hotels, too, can arrange for your transfer to and from the airport. Just inform them ahead of time.

Don’t skimp on services and amenities.

Gone are the days when the barest necessities could suffice. You’re travelling with your little ones now so you’ll need to prioritize their comfort for a stress-free vacation. It’s high time to upgrade from budget accommodations to a spacious hotel room with a view of the beach, as you’ll most likely be spending more time indoors, especially during the hottest days.

Check with your little one’s pedia before leaving for Boracay.

Check with your doctor and your little ones’ pedia for necessary medications and vaccinations before heading out for your summer getaway. While Boracay has a number of private medical clinics and a government hospital, it may be hard to find a pediatrician in the island.

Strollers.

A stroller may be a necessity, especially if you’re bringing more than one child to Boracay, since you’ll be doing a lot of walking while you’re there.

Diapers, baby formula and other baby stuff.

If you’re particular with your little one’s milk supplement and diapers, you’ll have to bring your supply with you. The stores in Boracay may not carry the brand your little one is using (and taking your chances on brands you’re not familiar with may not be advisable). Better to stash up on your little one’s essentials before leaving for your vacation.

Lower your expectations.

Toddlers will be toddlers and meltdowns and messes are certainly unavoidable so don’t sweat the small stuff. If you’re too concerned with the minutest detail of your planned vacation, you won’t be enjoying the best part of your vacation: being with your precious little one in one of the most magical destinations in the country.

Sources:

http://www.markmaranga.com
http://wikispaces.com
http://about.com
http://baby-equipment-rentals.com
http://www.stiksmama.com
http://babymagic.com

This coming April, Boracay once again plays host to the Dragon Boat Festival. This year’s festival is said to be bigger and better than its predecessors, with various race categories to participate in. But how much do you know about the sport?

Here’s a lowdown on the sport that exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.

What is a dragon boat?

Photo courtesy of www.windsurfasia.com

Dragon boats are human-powered watercrafts made of different kinds of wood. These long and intricately-carved boats are originally made with teak wood. These days, however, the boats can be fashioned from different types of wood used to build boats and other watercrafts.

The dragon boat design

Photo courtesy of www.blazesports.org

As dragons have been deeply embedded in Chinese culture, the boats are designed to resemble these noble creatures. During festivals and competitions, the dragon head and tail is attached to opposite ends of the boat.

How it works

Photo courtesy of www.patriciahizon.com

A dragon boat team consists of 18-20 paddlers sitting side by side on the narrow boat, a drummer or caller who sets the pace of the paddling through rhythmic beats, and a Cox who steers the direction of the boat. The team works in unison to propel the boat forward from the start of the race to the finish.

The challenge in dragon boat racing lies not just on the paddling technique and speed of the paddlers, but also the synchronicity of all members of the team.

Dragon boat races are participated in by 4-6 teams.

The origin of dragon boats

Dragon boats have been in existence in Ancient China and have been utilized for religious purposes. It was said that boat racing ensures a bountiful harvest.

It wasn’t until the death of Qu Yuan, an ancient patriotic Chinese poet and minister, in 278 BC when dragon boat racing rose to prominence. He was accused of treason and exiled by the king. 28 years into his exile, Qu Yuan fell into despair and committed suicide by drowning himself in the Mi Lo River.

The people of Chu loved Qu Yuan so much that they paddled their fishing boats around the river and beat drums to show their respects. To keep the fish from eating his body, they threw rice cakes into the river.

This was believed to be the precursor of the dragon boat festivals we celebrate today.

Dragon Boating in the Philippines

The Manila Dragons Dragon Boat Rowing team. Photo courtesy of papillon-imaging.blogspot.com

Dragon boat racing in the Philippines has been around for more than two decades and the Manila Dragons Dragon Boat Rowing team is one of the country’s pioneers. Numerous dragon boat teams have been formed since then and the country has participated in various festivals and competitions here and abroad.

This year, you can witness some of these teams battle it out in the 9^th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival on April 23-25, 2015. Book your accommodations now to watch this colourful annual event in Boracay.