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Two Chicks & a Climber Reach New Heights
Few can argue that the tiny island in central Philippines known as Boracay is nothing less than spectacular. With a 3 kilometer long sugar white beach, some of the lowest prices in the world and perhaps best of all plenty of good ole Filipino charm and hospitality, Boracay is truly a wonder to behold. Anyone who has been there will tell you that Boracay, or 'Bora' as the locals call it, is the paradise island of the Philippines and possibly to the world.
Georgie and I arrived at Clark not having the faintest idea what to do but after much soul searching on where to go, we settled for beautiful Boracay. But quite a route to take to paradise, we had to get a bus to Manila and in no time, we found ourselves booking ourselves on the next flight to Kalibo. This domestic flight was a lil more expensive than our international flight from Borneo to Philippines but hey, you only live once.
Seeing that we were in Boracay on a budget, our Nirvana accommodation with plush surroundings was cheap as chips and for that, you get a damp smelling room and a shower that smells of rotten egg and cat piss. Not complaining though as we were always outdoors. Turns out that we were lucky as we had just missed the fierce easterly typhoon so balmy weather all round for the time we were there.
A must do would be a boat trip around the island. There is something magical about a boat trip in paradise. It can be even more relaxing than just sitting on the beach all day. Plus, you get to view a lot more and feel the breeze ripping through your body. Watching the crystal-clear waters glide by from several hundred feet out at sea. I have been fortunate to have been on many boat trips in many different places that anybody in their right mind would call paradise. Boracay Island in the Philippines was no different and my boat trip led to discoveries that I would never have uncovered otherwise.
We left from boat station two on White Beach and we were off to explore Boracay. Starting out in the scorching hot late morning it was nice to feel the motor rumble and the breeze pick up to cool us off. We started weaving in and out of the assorted atolls that surrounded Boracay and finally came to anchor at a national park preserve that was supposed to be the best snorkelling in Boracay. It was located on the southeastern tip of the island.
As I geared up to jump into the appetizing water below, I took a moment to admire the scenery of the other side of the island that I had not yet seen. After having one of those moments of clarity where you realise just how lucky you are to be able to do this type of thing, I hopped in and took in the underwater kingdom.
The scenery was breathtaking as we sped across the length of the island, and as we started to turn the corner I saw these cavernous caves that occupied Boracays northern tip. The caves looked as if they had strategically been placed there by someone for maximum effect but it was clear that they were all natural. They were perfect above the shimmering aqua-colored water below.
The caves were vast and deep and were the perfect place to shade our roasting bodies for a few minutes while taking in the outward view of distant islands that seemed to go on forever. To my surprise these caves were very clean. There was no pollution or garbage lying around like in most caves that I have been to because of irresponsible tourists. These caves were pristine and certainly served their purpose well.
Last stop of the island hopping before the sun sets was Puka. The first time I saw Puka beach, I felt my heart almost fly. If there is paradise on earth, this is it, I told myself. Blissfully deserted, Puka beach boats of fine white sand and millions of the world's famous puka shells.
Dining in Bora, you are spoiled for choices, from basic longga-burgers to haute cuisine and everything in between. Eating on the island can be challenge due only to the fact that there are dozens of places to choose from all offering incredibly delicious foods. Like True Food, Indian restaurant had trippy mood lighting, fluid lights on the ceiling and the walls seem to just transport you to another world. Now that is what I call pleasure perfect.
On various nights, when the happy hour drinks (like 32p for beers, 49p for rum and coke and 1 quid for cocktails) are rolling in *thumbs up*, the open-front club (and its adjacent beach tent area) is not overflowing with dancing, sweaty bodies. Instead, it's the place for a soothing, after-hours liberation. The vibe pervading the club, where the laidback DJ spins recent but obscure techno, is less throbbing rave scene and more the kind of tranquil haven that you may crave after a day in the surf and turf. Hip and serene. And of course, Boracay's buzz, there is Cocomangas on the island's main road. Wooden platforms in front of the bar provide easy access for the seriously party-minded or amateur exhibitionists. Bar girls in fluorescent bikinis shake their stuff, inviting company from the patrons. Known to attract big, lumbering Americans and other expats, it's the epitome of island melting pots, sink down into the (suspiciously dank) throw pillows on the sidelines and order a drink - they come in big ol' mason jars with a straw. It's a hoot! They have a 15 shot marathon drinking contest and a wall of fame for the winners, well those who survive anyway.
Randomly, I have seen a crazy c*** (rooster) fight, where the winner lives to fight another day and the loser ends up on someone's kitchen table. We've also been listening to the worst karaoke in the world (I think Simon Cowell would have a field day making a Pop Idol show here!).
After sunset, the beachfront of Boracay turns into a romantic, properly styled place with dinner tables that are decorated with flowers and candles, and illuminated by Chinese lanterns in the trees. On our last night, Georgie and I jokingly toasted our mango-samba cocktails to 'our honeymoon' *titters*.
As we arrived Panay Island to catch our internal flight to Manila, there is no formal port meaning you'd have to get out of the boat, into the sea and walk to the beach. A hiccup happened as I got out of the small boat, I fell into the salty sea! You are probably thinking 'So? It happens' Well, try falling into the sea with a backpack on. How about that? Oh and not to forget the blue-purple nasty bruise on my arm from holding onto the boat for dear life, but failed to do so! Soaking shorts and backpack, no option but to leave it damp equals a whole pile of washing to be done, great(!)
On our hectic journey through murky Manila to cheesy Clark, catching the buses gave me flashbacks of South America *sighs*. Seeing that we've got a morning flight, we decided to stay nearby to the airport only to realise that we were clearly in a red-light district! Just outside our tacky hotel, there were lined up 'clubs' with inviting revealing women standing outside them with signs of V.I.P rooms to be rented for 3 hours. Many white drunken old men lurking about in the streets, surrounded by several stunning Filipino young girls *shrugs*. That reminds me, in Boracay men have also been lying on the beach trying not to look like they need a wife.
Not only Boracay is a great place to meet people from all walks of life, but searching the globe for pure shores, sapphire seas, sacred sunsets and perfect line of coconut trees in an attempt to attain nirvana, I have come to the conclusion that Boracay is hands down, what I call a gem of an island.
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