Phoenixperience

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Boracay… Bold and Beautiful (Part 1 of 3)

Aaaah…Boracay. Words don’t do much justice to its splendor yet I’ll try to paint you a picture. Boracay is one of the sexiest beaches in the world, not that you have to sport a 36-24-36 or have a physique that of a muscle man from Venice beach but in a sense that it is a paradise so stimulating.

Willy's Rock in Boracay, a famous stop-over for beach walkers

Kids enjoy the sands of Boracay during low tide

Boracay tourists enjoying a morning beach walk

Stretching seven kilometers long and one kilometer wide at its narrowest, it is found in the province of Aklan in the center of the Philippines. Boracay has two different sides you can enjoy, the bold and the beautiful. Bold would be Bulabog Beach, home to extreme water sports activities most famous for diving, kiteboarding, windsurfing and jetskiing.

On the other side rests beauty that is Boracay white beach, a four kilometer long stretch of powdery white sands and turquoise waters. You are never limited to one or the other. In fact, you can indulge yourself to experience the bold and the beautiful anytime of the day.

It would appear the Sun chose to reside on Boracay where everyday seemed like an endless summer day no matter the season.

It is suggested to visit Boracay from April to June when the weather is perfect 28-38°C sizzlin’ degrees to make you want to get wet. To get to Boracay there are local airlines that could take you to Caticlan from Manila. Once in Caticlan, a motorized tricycle can be hired to take you to the Jetty Port where you will be ferried off by local pump boats to the island. Take your pick.

Sunset in Boracay is always dramatic

Are you Bold enough?

Engaging in water sports entails a certain level of risk taking and more often than not comes with minor booboos that require boldness. The uncertainty and thrill adds to the adrenalin pumping experience yet we do it because when we push through our fears there’s nothing like the inner revelry of being alive and kicking.

Bulabog Beach is full of action and dares you to be bold and consequently would make you appreciate life and living it. Question is…are you bold enough?

Bulabog beach has a "rugged" feel to it

Bulabog Beach is 2.5km long on the east side of Boracay and only 10-15 minutes walk to the White Beach. It is protected by an offshore coral reef. The busy action it lacks on the beach is well made-up for by the extreme activities on its waters.

The winds gusts furiously enough to carry a full grown man and suspending him in the air. I came with my hair combed to perfection and left with a faux hawk after.

The adventurous side of Boracay - Bulabog Beach

Bulabog Extreme

Kiteboarding is an extreme water sport with a growing community in Bulabog. In the months of November to March the beach is turned into the best kiteboarding site with ideal wind situations that suits the needs of the sport and the unique breaks of waves.

People from all over the world come to the scene for the events and competitions. Equipment rentals are scattered throughout the beach and introductory courses range from $50-60 USD. I was into windsurfing and jetskiing before and I’ve lived it abroad but windsurfing and jetskiing in Boracay compares to it and if not better. If you think you are still up for more punishment, windsurfing, body boards and jetskiis could be your next in line.

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Boracay… Bold and Beautiful (Part 2 of 3)

A sandcastle artist taking pride in his work of art

Beauty Bound

After my bold activities I was beauty bound in Boracay’s white beach. I found myself smiling as my feet brushed with the powdery sand, the smell of the beach and various sun tan lotions, the sun toasting my skin, sails parading to and from. Children building precious sandcastles, banana boats speeding off, beach soccer and volleyball events, tanned bodies sprawled like melting butter, music and moments that reminded me of childhood memories and the list goes on. Walking barefoot in the sand without a care in the world allowed the child in me to resurface as the various goings on made me so restless.

Most guests opt to stay for accommodations at White beach where everything is accessible by foot. It only takes about an hours walk from one end to the other. There are motorbikes running parallel to white beach to take you to the different boat stations, and if you do not feel like walking it could also take you around the island for just $3 USD per hour. This is a good way for you to explore neighboring sites and adventures like Puka Shell Beach.

A welcome sign awaits visitors of Puka beach

L-R: Puka shell vendor; Kids enjoying a beach stroll at Puka beach

Puka Beach, the "Serene Sister" of Boracay long beach

Puka Shell Beach is less developed and crowded yet it will enthrall with the different vista. Mt. Luho Point is a worthy go-to as you will have grand view of the whole island, a mini zoo as you climb up the point and go for the zip-line that await on top.

Various Philippine shells adorn this ornament for sale at the Puka beach entrance

Shopping and Gastronomic Delights

Gifts, giveaways and essentials can’t be helped and often times a must. Take a leisurely stroll and find unique shops that sell trinkets, sunglasses, hats, bathing suits, island souvenirs.

You will also bump into street hawkers for island activities, massages, and tattoos. The two main shopping areas in Boracay located on White beach are D’Mall and D’Talipapa.

At D'Mall, aside from necklaces and braces, you can also buy interesting souvenir items like a ukulele or sand art in a jar

D’Mall is a small complex where you can find food stalls, pharmacy, teller machines, souvenir shops, and clothing boutiques. It is upscale yet prices are reasonable considering it is on an island.

L-R: Hat and Shades vendor; For a fee this guy will paint your name on a shirt

She does in fact sells sea shell by the seashore

While D’Talipapa is the market place for produce, seafood, fruits and the lingo is haggling. Food, restaurants and watering holes are not far and few. Gastronomic delights are as diverse as the people on the island from Greek, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, French, Moroccan, Spanish and local flavors.

Everybody loves the nightlife in Boracay. It’s not the city that never sleeps but it sleeps very late or nearly dawn. Tourists never get bored inside the hotel room and watch the shopping channel. They go out for a smorgasbord of fun that starts at 5pm happy hour. The music, people and yes the booze make up the atmosphere yet its all clean fun. It would be extra special if you get to see fire dancers zipping and tossing fire in tune with the beat on the beach, sunset drum and native instrument jam sessions and full moon parties. In Boracay, if everyday is summer…every night is a party!

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Boracay… Bold and Beautiful (Part 3 of 3)

Other Boracay Thrills

Paraw Sailing is a local sailboat that can take you around the island and hop to as many as the 12 Boracay beaches for a swim, snorkel, even a romantic sunset picnic while cruising on board.

A couple taking a romantic, "sunset" stroll

Helicopter tours are an exhilarating way to admire the island. They can take you for a tour and even pick you up at your hotel and fly you directly to Caticlan airport for around $50 USD.

Parasailing is a unique way to make your adventure more memorable. The ascend is a nerve-wracking 2-3 minutes filled with thoughts of holding on to dear life and 10-15 minutes of spectacular view 100+ meters in the air and about 1km out from the shore and around $50 USD per person.

Scuba Diving is extremely popular for the excellent sites. Boracay has more than 30 great dive sites. For beginners and advanced divers try Angol Point, Crocodile Island, Friday’s Rock and the Camia Ship Wreck. To name a couple for advanced and technical divers there is Yapak and Carabao which will surely be a challenging yet satisfying dive.

But wait! There’s more!

Skimboarding is an easy cheap fun that also makes for good exercise. ATV/Off Road Buggies can be rented on an hourly basis to explore the northern side of the island and its terrains. Horseback riding along jungle trails down to a secluded beach, paddle boarding, zorb! (where one goes inside a giant inflated ball), eco tours where you can trek inside ancient caves with awesome sparkling stalactites.

Last but not least, just swim. Boracay’s best attribute among many is that it has the most inviting clean calm warm waters. It is crystal clear and not so salty that you can open your eyes without goggles on. Wade for hours even as you watch people coming into their true nature.

Spread your arms and bask in the sun, embrace the moment like never before. I have experienced Boracay and can’t help but come back for more.

The couch is a wonderful invention but I encourage others to get out of it and go on little journeys just like this. So go put your sunscreen on and be one with the bold and beautiful Boracay.

Sidebars:

Airlines

Zest Air: www.zestair.com.ph

Tickets and reservations: (632)855-3333

Cebu Pacific: www.cebupacificair.com

Tickets and reservations: (632)702-0888

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