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Published: December 21st 2006
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If we have learnt one thing about travelling in the Philippines, it has been to be flexible and allow yourself plenty of time. Our original plan for here, was to hit as many islands as possible. After experiencing super-typhoon Durian on Mindoro and the rocky outrigger ride back to Luzon, this all went out the window. I point blank refused to get back on another outrigger and I wasn't hearing any complaints from Ed either. So we went North and loved it. However, everywhere we went the Filipinos kept asking us had we been to Boracay yet? The undoubted pearl of the Philippines and ONLY the 4th best beach in the world! Who comes up with these lists? Still we figured we had to see what the fuss was all about and at least it would put an end to the disappointed looks and consoling comments when we said we hadn't been.
So, still being too chicken to face the six hour ferry ride from Manila we looked into flights. This raised another issue...big plane or small? I was adamant that the views provided by a propellar plane were not worth the stress and explained I didn't care what airport
I flew to as long as it was in a big momma jet...preferably Airbus (always buy European!). We booked flights with Cebu Pacific and for a bargain price too...not that much more than the ferry would have cost. Still my fear of dodgy safety standards which has increased steadily as we have travelled through SE Asia, niggled at me and I woke nervous and a little stressed the day of our flight.
We arrived at the domestic airport and breezed through check-in and security with none of the inefficiency which has plauged us since our very first flight out of Dublin with Lufthansa. We were called to the departure gate on time and my heart did a little Irish jig when I saw our beautiful, sparkling new, Cebu Pacific Airbus A320, sandwiched between two miniscule 20 seater South East Asian planes. The flight was easy, the only hiccup being; we felt a little cheated by a game the air hostesses played, by asking passengers to wave a specific item in the air and win a prize (i.e. a safety procedures card) all the Filipinos were on the ball (something told us they had played before). We'll be better prepared
for the return journey. We learnt another little lesson on arrival, while waiting for our bags at luggage collection we quickly found out, to the detriment of one of my nails (and very nearly my finger) NEVER get in the way of a Boracay bound passenger. If you threaten even a minute of their precious time on White Beach you will be crushed.
We flew to Kalibo, a 1.5 hour bus journey to the port in Caticlan which ferries passengers from that little piece of heaven they call Boracay. As it was heading towards sundown we decided to rest our weary heads in Kalibo before continuing on to the island. Kalibo was odd to say the least, we had some adminy type things to do, including stocking up on sunscreen before hitting island prices and burning some photos to cd. I doubt whoever wrote this section of the lonely planet had ever been to Kalibo and we were repeatedly frustrated by attempts to find banks, internet and even restaurants. Still it made us all the more eager to hit the island the next morning.
This part of Panay and Boracay had taken a direct hit from a typhoon
only days prior to our arrival. Clean up was still underway and power had only been restored to many parts of White Beach that morning. We buried the Lonely Planet deep down in the backpack and decided with this many resorts and places to eat we could certainly do better ourselves. And, we did. Boracay is known for being a lot more expensive then the rest of the Philippines and we had visions of completely blowing the budget here. We however found a bargain room for under 10 Yoyo at La Isla Bonita (right on white beach), we also stumbled across a great eatery a little off the beaten track which has delish seafood dishes for under 1.50? and to top it all we found Pats (thanks Gina!) happy hour from 5 to 8, beers on the beach at sunset!
What to say about White Beach, Boracay; as stated in the name the sand is very white (more so on the station 3 side), the water is to die for turquoise, a little chilly...but plenty warm enough for a girl who grew up swimming in the Atlantic, the buzz is chilled...nobody is rushing here and even the touts don't
seem overly bothered about selling. We have slept alot, ate alot, drank alot, swam alot and read alot. We are detoxing the tiredness accumulated from too many long bus journeys and days beating the pavements of Manila. Boracay lives up to its billing. Its certainly the most calm lead up to Christmas either of us has had.
On that note
Merry Christmas everyone.
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mikel
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gr8!
i luv boracay. good to hear u had a good time there. it is paradise. nice people, inexpensive, good food and the white sand!