Kalibu Aklan Philippines

 

KALIBO

During the third week in January, the capital city of Aklan explodes in merriment that even Boracay can't rival when revelers smear their faces with black soot and dance about the streets in the Ati-Atihan Festival. When the last native headdress is laid to rest, Kalibo and its airport resume their appointed duty as a way-station on the well-beaten path to Caticlan and Boracay.

ORIENTATION AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Kalibo lies along Panay's north highway a few kilometers from the sea at the con­fluence of the Sooc and Aklan Rivers. Roxas Ave. links the city center with the Aklan Bridge. In a skewed grid south of Roxas Ave., Burgos St., Archbishop Reyes St., and XIX Martyrs St. link the main city center with Pastrana Park. Each street ter minates at Mabini St., which leads from Roxas Ave. to Maagma Ave.Maagma Ave. eventually becomes Quezon Ave. heading southeast to Kalibo Airport.

Travel Agencies: Southwest Tours offers connecting bus and boat trans fers to and from Caticlan and from Kalibo airport to Boracay Open M-F 8am-noon and l:30-5pm, Sa 8am-noon.

Banks: BPI On Martelino St. at the corner of XIX Martyrs St. Cashes AmEx Traveler's Cheques. 24hr. ATM. Open M-F 9am-3pm.

English-Language Bookstore: Thumbelina next to the police station on XIX Martyrs St. New and used books. Open M-F 8am-5:30pm, Sa 8am-noon.

Emergency: & 166. Hospital: s 141.

Police: On XIX Martyrs St. in city center.

Hospital: Kalibo Provincial Hospital on Mabini St.

Telephone: RCPI/Bayantel at the corner of Barrios and Burgos St. Fax and calling cards. Open M-F 7am-7pm, Sa-Su 7am-4pm.

Internet: Web Center, Inc., next to Air Philippines on Roxas Ave. per hr. Post Office: GPO in the capital (tricycle ride). Poste Restante. Open M-F 8am-noon and l-5pm. Postal code: 5600.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Rooms are usually easy to find except during the Ati-Atihan Festival in January, when you should make reservations weeks ahead and prepare for prices to launch into the stratosphere.

La Esperanza Hotel on Osmefia Ave. This place tries to accommodate all budgets, and it does a great job. Very friendly and helpful staff. All rooms have cable TV, A/C, and bath; most have waterbeds and bathtubs. Laundry ser vice and cafe. Dorm beds; pension doubles; standard doubles in the main building; deluxe triples; one huge suite.

Garcia Legaspi Mansion, 159 Roxas Ave., 4th fl. near the corner with Barrios St. Rooms vary from comfortable to luxurious. Helpful owner runs Kalibo Tourist Association. Convenient, central location. Singles P300, with common room P350; dou bles with A/C and bath.

Beachcomber Inn at the cor ner of N. Roldan and Mabini St. Marbled rooms with A/C, hot water, and TV. Internet per hr. Laundry service. Economy doubles; 3-person standard rooms ; 4-person deluxe rooms.

Gervy's Restaurant and Lodging House, on G. Pastrada St. near XIX Mar tyrs. Dirt cheap. Doubles

FOOD

Cheap eats abound in Kalibo. Basic eateries and Filipino fast-food joints encircle the plaza. Kusina sa Kalibo, on D. Maagma St., is a pleasant beer gar den serving favorites like ox tongue soup and mixed adobo. Nino's Ristorante and Pizzeria, on C. Laserna St., offers decent pizza. Some of the best food in town can be found at the Perfect Combination Bar & Restaurant on L. Barrios St. Try the pineapple chicken or the patatin.