Day 4: Boracay Island


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Asia » Philippines » Boracay
May 17th 2011
Published: May 17th 2011
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I made it back after 10 years!I made it back after 10 years!I made it back after 10 years!

Last time I was here was over 10 years ago!
Early this morning, Stephen and I headed out to the Philippine domestic airport to fly to Caticlan. From Caticlan, we were shuttled to a boat which motored us to the island of Boracay. Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315 km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. According to many travel magazines, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and also as the world's number one tropical beach. It's famous for its white sanded beaches.

The last time I visited Boracay Island was in 2000 and it has grown and modernized over the past decade. I first noted that the island has become more commercialized with hotels, restaurants and even an outdoor mall. As I touched foot on the white sanded beach, I immediately felt as if it were 1999 and I was 24 again! I made many fond memories here and am so excited I get to share this place with Stephen!! I still can't believe how long it has been since I was last here. My cousin Marie introduced me to this place and I even met some great friends along the way here...Bob and Joost from Belgium, Burton from Chicago.

The island is crowded now with many tourists, no longer the europeans but the Japanese. It was funny seeing them getting their Scuba diving class lessons on the beach. When we arrived, we settled into our hotel (no longer staying in huts or b and b's) and headed out to the white sanded beach. The water and color was exactly the same. We ordered mango shakes and relaxed!! I was able to get wifi on the beach and facetime Sara, my brother and cousin. It was pretty cool! While walking around this afternoon, I found an indian restaurant which my cousin Marie and I went too, True Foods...oh the memories...

Besides chillaxin, I have one major mission, to find CocoMangos bar. Ten years ago, I downed 24 hard liquor shots (of course puked) within 2 hours (I remember their was a time limit between each shot). The prize: my name was engraved on a plaque on a wall. I am hoping I can show this to Stephen and to all of you, and prove that once I was able to hold my liquor like the good old fratboy I was!!

Well, its back to rest and relaxation for the next 4 days. Basically, sleeping, eating, sun bathing, swimming and doing absolutely nothing!! Not even worrying!

Hope you all enjoy the pictures and will try and post more soon!!

Nelson & Stephen


Additional photos below
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In flightIn flight
In flight

overlooking Caticlan


17th May 2011

Starbucks
I cannot believe their is a Starbucks there! Too funny!

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