Posts By :

Iva

Boracay the first to bring back the fun in the Philippines!

Boracay the first to bring back the fun in the Philippines!

What does visiting a paradise island feel like during Covid-19?

Philippe Estiot & Iva Agüero
@philandiva

It has been a long time since we thought about making travel plans. Recent world events could be mistaken for the plot of a zombie movie but the New Normal is now upon us and it is time for every country to adjust.

There’s one country we know well and hold close to our heart. It’s a place we have sailed around for more than a year and where our sailboat Dali is currently berthed, a country who’s economy strongly relies on tourism: The Philippines.

Luckily, as we are slowly returning to more conventional way of living, this dream destination for travellers from all over the world has been hard at work to prepare a safe return for visitors. From air and land travel to hotel accommodation and beachside activities, comprehensive guidelines have been carefully thought to protect everyone from beginning to end. In this way, we will now be able to marvel again at its pristine beaches, incredible rock formations and stunning mountains, or simply to drink an ice cold beer while watching the sun set on another day in one of our favourite countries in the world.

So what does visiting one of its most stunning beaches during the New Normal look like? We were curious to find out what traveling to world famous Boracay now feels like.

For starters, the journey is a lot less crowded. No more elbowing your neighbours for a few inches more of space on the plane from Manila! Travel operators must obtain special certifications and respect social distancing practices that include physical barriers between passengers, drivers and regular disinfecting.

When packing your bags, just make sure don’t forget the New Normal Essentials! With a strict no mask, no boarding policy, you should come prepared with your own mask. Hand sanitiser is readily available wherever you go, along with paper towels and first-aid kits.

The tough few months we’ve lived through did not change what we like most about the Philippines: the Filipino hospitality. Rarely have we travelled to a country where we felt more welcome, and this has not changed a bit.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll hear a friendly and familiar “Mabuhay” and although the masks keep mouths hidden, it’s impossible not to notice the big smiles in the twinkling eyes of the hotel staff. Check-in is smooth, with contactless forms of payment for hotel bookings are preferred, or even paying online when you make your booking.

After filling a Health Declaration Form and having your temperature taken, it’s time to go to your room. Only single or double occupancy rooms are allowed and a meter between you and your neighbour’s bed is recommended. It all seems a bit like a scene out of a sci-fi movie, but all the precautions are worth it once you step out onto the blinding white sand of Boracay.

With less tourists, you’ll have the stunning beaches all to yourself! There will definitely not be anyone to photobomb your selfies so if there was ever a time for perfect beach photos – this is it!

We are always sailing to remote islands on the hunt for empty beaches. Realising we can now find this in the famous destination of Boracay makes us look at this whole situation in a new way. The surreal situation we have lived through did have a positive impact on our planet and now is the time to enjoy it! It’s been years since the water was so clear here.

Feet in the sand and looking out at the bright turquoise water on the shore to the dark blue hues in the horizon brings profound sense of freedom, even if wearing a mask on the beach is a stark reminder of this New Normal world. Once you take off your mask for a swim and you’re floating in the crystal clear water, the troubles of the last few months quickly slip away.

It’s the dawn of a new era and being able move freely has become a new type of luxury for us all. As Boracay reopens, a wave of optimism washes over the Philippines. It feels like the start of a new chapter, with more good news just around the corner.

Below is a summary of the guidelines to follow in order to have hassle-free fun in Boracay when it reopens

 

Test before you travel

  • A negative RT-PCR result not earlier than forty-eight (48) hours prior to travelling to Boracay is mandatory.

 

Book in DOT-accredited establishments only

  • To ensure safety and the quality of service, all travellers are required to pre-book in DOT-accredited hotels and resorts issued with a Certificate of Authority to Open. You can find the list of these accommodation establishments here.

 

Register your visit online

  • Access http://aklan.gov.ph and click the Online Health Declaration Card button then choose Boracay in the “Where To?” page.
  • Fill out the required fields and submit. A confirmation with instructions will be displayed. 
  • Save a copy of the Health Declaration Card (HDC) on your smartphone or have it printed. 
  • Attach a copy of the HDC together with a copy of your RT-PCR Negative Result, confirmed flight and booking details, and your valid ID, then email it to touristboracay@gmail.com with this subject format: OHDC – Family Name, First Name (example: OHDC – Dela Cruz, Juan). Registration for multiple tourists and their documents can be sent in one email. 
  • Wait for the email response within the day. If approved, a copy of your HDC and Tourist QR Code will be sent back to you. Present these to authorities in the borders for scanning.

 

Follow port of entry guidelines

  • Airlines are advised that the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Municipality of Malay will be the only port of entry for tourists traveling by air. A central point shall be established to screen tourists travelling by land, air, or sea.

 

Familiarize yourself with local health and safety facilities and guidelines

  • Stringent health and safety guidelines, emergency response protocols, and a COVID-19 Laboratory are in place as you enter Boracay.
For up to date travel information, please visit philippines.travel/safeph and DOT’s official Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The photos used in this article were taken prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

*Disclaimer: Test before you travel
A negative RT-PCR result not earlier than forty-eight (48) hours prior to travelling to Boracay is mandatory. Travellers are strongly advised to observe strict quarantine immediately after undergoing the test until the date of travel to the island.

The Scariest Thing That Happened to Us While Sailing

The making of Dreamcatchers has been our greatest challenge and has pushed the limits in many areas of our lives. Just when we thought we had our bearings and began writing the scripts for Season One, Phil needed surgery and we found ourselves laptops open, in hospital rooms.

How did we get there?

Flashback to our sail around Indonesia four months prior.

We were in one of the most remote islands of our trip when Phil started experiencing a very deep, sharp pain in his right side. Our satellite phone and SSB radio were not working. We were far, out of reach and Phil’s pain wouldn’t subside.

Everyone always asks me if I find it scary to live on a sailboat. I can honestly say that at that moment, in the middle of nowhere, on a tiny island surrounded by hostile reef, the risk was not the weather, not the boat, but Phil’s health. Not knowing what was wrong with him was much more terrifying than any tropical storm we have ever faced.

Our route and plans changed quickly and we knew we had to sail to Jakarta, the closest big city, to get to a hospital. We knew we were 850km from a diagnostic. There were moments of respite as the pain Phil was experiencing was intense but not constant. It would come and go every few days, always leaving us confused and dreading the moment it came back. We were lucky to still be able to sail, although at times this meant Phil was lying in the cabin, doubled over in pain and I was alone on the deck looking out at the horizon wishing to see Jakarta faster.

The trip gave us time to think and we began to recognise the importance of some of the preparations we had made before our big voyage. A few months prior to our sail to Indonesia we had signed up for an international health insurance. The islands we were sailing to were very remote and we decided to play it safe. We had looked for an insurer that would cover us while were away, in extreme conditions and would repatriate us if things got really bad.

We both had signed up for policies with A+ International Healthcare and then hoped we would never have to use them.

This decision turned out to be one of the wisest we’ve ever made and allowed us to concentrate only on Phil’s recovery. Our Insurer gave us the freedom to choose the country where he got treatment, the hospitals and even the doctors.

We finally arrived in Jakarta and headed straight for the best hospital in the city. The recommended doctor identified a blockage near Phil’s kidney that was causing the pain but said it was not an immediate threat to his health. Phil was prescribed some strong painkillers and we decided to continue our sail to the north of Borneo. Our plan was to leave the boat in Kuching to then travel to Singapore to get the necessary treatment.

In all, Phil had to undergo several surgeries to fix the issue. It was a long and painful process made much easier by our health insurance. Communication with our A+ International Healthcare was excellent, we never had to worry about making payment ourselves and we were able to choose the best country for medical treatment. We decided on Singapore for its state of the art hospitals and followed the recommendation of a friend to select the best surgeon for Phil’s problem.

A+ facilitated the entire thing without any objections or delays. They covered us for private rooms, which made Phil’s recovery more comfortable and even allowed us to continue the post-production of our series.

We have always believed that success can be achieved through perseverance, courage and hard work. It was a difficult time for me, seeing Phil lying on a hospital bed with tubes coming out of his body… and obviously a difficult time for Phil. Yet, more than ever, we held on to our belief.

We didn’t let the surgeries stop us, and from sterile and unlikely environments the scripts of Dreamcatchers episodes continued to take shape.

Phil getting the all-clear from his surgeon, Dr.Michael Wong

10 Favourite Things About Living on a Sailboat

Returning to the boat after long months in the city has made me appreciate even more the little things that make this lifestyle so worthwhile. There will always be things that break down, rust and need repair but living on a sailboat definitely has some pretty amazing upsides.

Here are my 10 favourite things about living on a sailboat:

© phuquocbackpackers.com
10. The Bacteria

Alright fine, it’s not just any bacteria. It’s bioluminescent bacteria and this may sound silly, but at night I fall in love with these tiny underwater stars. Bioluminescence is one of the many incredible and beautiful wonders of nature. There are many types of luminescent organisms, but my favourite is by far the bacteria. A splash made in the dark sparks thousands of tiny blue explosions, and riding the dinghy in the night is like being propelled by a jet stream of glitter. On clear nights we can sit on the deck and look up at the stars, then down at the underwater galaxies that live and sparkle beneath them.
Image Credit: © phuquocbackpackers.com

9. The Scarcity

Perhaps another odd thing to like… Yet living on a sailboat has taught me to really appreciate things I took for granted before. Simple things like freshwater become much more precious when you know how limited your supply is, or how far you have to hike to the waterfall to find it. Even buying groceries is a complex endeavour, usually involving several forms of transport, language barriers at the local market and finding a way to lug everything back on board. The fact that everything is just that little bit harder to do makes life on a sailboat much more rewarding.

8. The Wind

A more obvious choice, the power of the wind has impressed me time and again during my years on a sailboat. I am still awestruck every time the sails are full, and we are propelled towards our destination by one of nature’s invisible forces (keep in mind the boat weighs about 9 tonnes!). You can see the power of the wind on the waves, with the sea quick to rise to its call. The trace of strong winds on the shores of islands where the trees all slant the same way. And best of all, on hot tropical nights, the cool wind coming in through the open hatches.

7. The Isolation

Living on a sailboat is at times like living in your own personal bubble. You can actually choose how far you want to remove yourself from the world. Far enough so that you don’t see people on the shore, far enough so there’s no land in your horizon, far enough so that no phone signal can reach you, and far enough so that nothing else seems to exist except you, the boat and that moment.

6. The Birds & The Dolphins

Living in nature always introduces you to new and amazing creatures. Living on a sailboat, we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy some animals even without leaving our little floating home. Birds are always a welcome sight; seeing one after four days at sea lets you know you are close to land miles before you see it. Seeing dolphins play and swim alongside the boat is a pretty indescribable luxury.

5. The Moon & The Stars

I have always been partial to the moon for its quiet beauty. In the city it’s easy to forget to look up at the moon and after some time you lose track of its phases. On the water, the importance of the moon takes on a whole new level. It not only provides us with light on dark nights, but also controls the tides. In certain anchorages, the moon determines when we can or can’t go to land!

Image Credit: http://sea007.violet.vn/

4. The Solidarity

One of the most beautiful aspects of living on a sailboat is the sailing community itself. Although its members may come from all walks of life, and live or work on all different types of vessels, I am constantly surprised by the strong camaraderie that unites them. Around a bonfire everyone is equal, and at the end of the day, a sailor will always help out another sailor in need.
Image Credit: http://sea007.violet.vn/

3. The Rain

I must admit that I would feel differently about this if I weren’t living on a sailboat in the tropics. But around these parts, the squalls come and go quickly and bring us welcome relief from the thick humid heat. On land, it’s always impressive when the monsoon season arrives and you see the vegetation swell with vivid lush greens. On board, rain also means plenty of freshwater to replenish the tanks with and more occasions for me to wash my hair!

2. The Intimacy

Philippe Jeantot said that every year spent with your significant other at sea is worth three on land, and I couldn’t agree more! Living with your partner in such a confined space creates a very special relationship. This bond is one of the things I most treasure as it develops through learning from each other, facing engine problems, storms and unknown territory together. You are each other’s Captain and Crew as well as sole source of comfort, frustration, laughter and everything else in between.

1. The Freedom

By far my favourite thing is the feeling of complete freedom that comes with living on a sailboat. As you travel with your floating house in tow, you are completely free to decide on the destination. Sailboats are self-sustainable and with the right weather and preparations you can be free to roam to your heart’s content!

Post Production 101
Finding an editor that shared our vision and whose imagination helped bring our concept to life felt like unlocking an achievement. We had found our ally – the Aku Aku to our Crash Bandicoot – but we had also unlocked a whole new world, with a whole new set of challenges.

We gave our editor eight months of our life on our hard drive, handing it over with the care one takes when holding a newborn baby. read more

Level Up: Our Quest Continues
Before sitting down to write this blog post, I decided to read my last one and now sit here with a smirk, wondering if it is possible that we have come full circle. The fears and worries of the last post still ring true a year later read more

Listen To Your Own Advice
Time passes by so quickly during these feverish months we have spent in the city. The days seem shorter and packed with tasks, while the artificially lit nights last much longer than our quiet ones back on the boat. read more

Why the Waves?

My personal site Love Making Waves is moving in with us, right here on philandiva.com! From now on you will be able to view all LMW posts right here, by visiting Love Making Waves section of the website.

For those of you that are wondering what this project is about, here is a little explanation:

Three years ago, I would have never been able to imagine my life as I live it now. Back then I was sitting in my cubicle, freezing under the fluorescent lights, and looking to Google for answers read more

The Birth of an Idea

How to start writing again after so long? These past two years have been full of adventures for the two of us, both on sea and on land – and not all of them easy.

To sum it up, Phil and I have been working hard to whittle a shape out of the ideas and desires that flooded our heads and hearts. These past two years have been the source of reflection, brainstorming and daydreaming.  read more

Dreamcatchers | Sizzle Reel

Dreamcatchers

Leaving our past lifestyles behind, we are two people that made a conscious and drastic change to satisfy our need for adventure aboard our sailboat, Dali.

We now sail around the world in search of Dreamcatchers, people who like us, have broken free from their past lifestyles.

This is your invitation to climb aboard Dali with us and discover Indonesia, in search of our Dreamcatchers!

Get In On The Action

Love the concept and want to be a part of the action?

Get in touch with us to discuss co-production, licensing agreements and broadcasting opportunities.

Contact Us