Adventurous in Aklan: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

Good food, natural wonders, and a festival every January. And despite the travel host’s usual reluctance to try smelly and slimy exotic food, Drew made an exception for this province in Western Visayas.

“Ang tingin ng karamihan sa probinsya ng Aklan ay jump-off point lang para marating ang beach ng Boracay,” says Drew. “Ang hindi natin alam, may mga natatagong ganda ang Aklan na susorpresa sa atin kung bibigyan lang natin ito ng panahon at atensiyon.”

Here’s the itinerary used by Drew Arellano and the “Biyahe ni Drew” crew.

How to get there
Aklan is 450 kilometers from Manila and is a popular jump-off point for travelers going to the island paradise of Boracay. [Click here to read Drew’s itinerary to Boracay.] Once you’re there, you can get around by renting a van. You can also take a tricycle to most destinations for P8 to P15.

What to eat

Ramboy’s Manukan
Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan
Ramboy’s doesn’t look like much, but this simple shop sells the best roast chicken and liempo in town. “‘Yung balat, mas malutong pa kaysa sa lechon,” our crew members agreed after trying the liempo.

Lorraine’s Tapsi and Catering Services
Mabini Extension, Kalibo, Aklan

Apart from their Tapsilog (P70), this small eatery has a unique specialty: Pansit Shanglan! This noodle dish costs P70 and is made with Mongolian sauce and has an egg on top. The owner made up the name by mixing the words “Shanghai” and “Alan,” which is the name of her friend who suggested the recipe.

Because Lorraine’s does catering, their menu is very wide. Another favorite here is the Sicilian Beef Caponata (P120, good for two), and there’s also Filipino food like Ginataang Bulalo (P320, good for four) and the Aklanon dish Chicken Inubaran (P420, good for four).

Analyn Valencia Residence
Sitio Valencia, Bayanihan Road, Pook, Kalibo, Aklan
Analyn Valencia makes the best Suman sa Latik in Kalibo, Aklan. Drop by for a snack or to buy pasalubong.

Rosa Food
Linabwan Norte, Kalibo, Aklan
For a taste of native longganisa, head to Rosa Food. One pack costs P132, and they also offer other pasalubong items from Aklan.

Niño’s Ihaw-Ihaw
Maagma St., Kalibo, Aklan
This restaurant was recommended to us by Kuya Odong, our local driver. “Siguradong fresh ang seafood dito dahil sa karagatan mismo ng Aklan hinuhuli,” says Drew. Order the grilled tanigue, squid, and lapu-lapu. Price range is P150 to P300 per person.


Saylo Cuisine
Quezon Avenue, Kalibo, Aklan
Saylo specializes in Aklanon food. Try the Chicken Binakul (P290), Seafood Special (P190), the veggie-based Linapay (P70) and the spareribs (P190). For dessert, try Inday-Inday, which is similar to Suman sa Latik.

What to do and see

Bakhawan Mangrove Ecopark
Kalibo, Aklan
For nature lovers, there’s one-kilometer-long bamboo boardwalk that runs through the mangrove forest. At the end, there’s a great view of the sea! Entrance fee is P20 per person.

At Bakhawan, Drew also tried raw tamilok (shipworms), a kind of mollusk that lives in mangrove roots. “Parang kumain ka ng alimango o talaba, may similarity ng konti,” says Drew. “Kumbaga, pumikit ka lang, parang ganun. P300 per kilo, maraming marami na ‘yon, sawang-sawa na tayo doon.”

You can also ask the staff for tips where to get cooked tamilok dishes like grilled tamilok, Kalibo Express (spicy, just like Bicol Express!), and the saucy tinuom na tamilok.

Caving
The municipality of Malay, Aklan offers a caving tour for P200. This fee covers the entrance and cave guide to Pangihan Cave. Add P50 for a lantern and you’re all set. “Para sa mga baguhang cavers, huwag mag-alala dahil may maayos na tapakan at daanan,” says Drew. “Marami itong maliliit at malalaking chambers kung tawagin.”

Fair word of warning: There are lots of bats living in this cave, so there’s a certain smell inside the cave.

Jawili Falls
Brgy. Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan
Pronounced “ha-wi-lee,” these falls have seven basins or natural swimming pools where you and your friends can relax. Entrance fee is just P5 per person, and you can picnic in an open-air cottage for P150.

Laserna Cold Springs
Laserna, Nabas, Aklan
Here, man-made swimming pools catch cold water from the springs. Entrance fee is P30, and cottage rental is P150.

Where to stay
Ati-Atihan Festival Hostel
19 Martyrs St., Kalibo, Aklan
This hostel is both affordable and roomy. Let’s hear it straight from Drew: “Wow, okay. Isang buong bahay na ito, guys. Medyo malaki ito for a single occupant kasi bukod sa queen-sized bed, mayroon pang single bed at bathroom. Guess how much this is? P1,400 lang!”

They also have a dormitory-style room good for five people for P1,100 a night. That comes out to just P220 a person.

Airport Line Pension
Quezon Avenue, Kalibo, Aklan
This inn gets its name from being just ten minutes away from the airport! A single bedroom costs P600 a night, and a family room with three beds and a couch costs P1,100 a night. —Cristina Tantengco/KG, GMA News