Boracay Revisited

“When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

Located approximately 315 km south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay is the island of Boracay. Renowned as the ultimate party destination in the Philippines, its beaches have received recognition from numerous travel publications and agencies.

Planning to go there? The first thing you have to consider beforehand is the weather. You may check Boracay Weather Station or Holiday Weather for updates.

There are several ways to go there from Manila. You may take a plane from AirAsia, Tigerair, Seair, and Cebu Pacific. There's several flights available every day heading to Kalibo Airport (2 hours away from Caticlan Jetty Port) and Caticlan Airport (15 minutes away from Caticlan Jetty Port). From Caticlan Jetty Port, it's going to be a 15-minute boat ride going to Boracay Island's Cagban Port followed by another 15-minute land trip to the resorts on White Beach.

When my friends from Oman visited the Philippines, this is where we celebrated the welcoming of a new year. It was a night filled with wonderful memories and since I promised myself to visit again, so here I am. We got there via plane the last time and wanting to try something new, I chose to take a ferry and bought my tickets a month before the trip from 2GO Travel. When the day arrived, I went to Buendia and took a bus at Jam Liner heading to the Batangas port. From there, I got on the ship heading to Caticlan Jetty Port.

A look at the sunrise from a ferry.

It was an 11-hour journey. I arrived in Boracay tired and without proper sleep. I was at the port when Lorraine, my agent from GJM Travel and Tours, sent me a message telling me that my accommodation was upgraded from a lodge to a hotel at no extra cost. When she said I'll be staying at Blue Dawn Boracay, I was so grateful. Though not at the beach front, it's one of the nicest hotels that I've been to. Finally, something to brighten up my gloomy day!

A view at The Deck, the hotel's rooftop bar.

I would sleep the entire day, woke up in the evening then went at The Deck to have dinner. I grab a couple of beers on the way back to my room and drink it while watching some shows on the television. Afterward,  I went back to my sleep.

I woke up early the next morning refreshed and decided to look around. I saw many boats docking along the shorelines and seems that people are coming in from all over the place.
  

I was talking with one of the locals when he saw my camera. He mentioned that if I'm looking for somewhere peaceful, quiet and away from the crowd, I might find a lovely location to take photos at the far end of the beach. I told him that he just read my mind as it is actually part of my plan and then he laughed. I took his advice and started walking towards the direction he pointed me at.

As I wander, I noticed that the farther I get, the structures, as well as the people are becoming few. 

I passed by the luxurious Asya Premier Suites and how I greatly admire their setting.

A tunnel beside the Asya Premier Suites.

On the other side of the tunnel, I was welcomed with a view of a rock formation.

I set my camera aside and just sit on the sand, savoring the serenity all the while enjoying the view. It's one of those moments I wish I had my guitar with me. Anyhow, looking at the horizon, I finally realized why Boracay, though it seems to contradict, is indeed both a ''party capital'' and a ''paradise''. It's sometimes quite amusing to see the two sides of the coin.

I went to D'Mall in the afternoon to buy souvenirs for my mom, my sister, and my friends. I was on my way back to the hotel when I happened to pass by an artist playing guitar and singing folk songs the La Reserve's beachfront open bar. I wondered why I hadn't heard him play during my last stay.

Delighted with what I am listening to, I decided to grab a seat near him, buy a bucket of beer and a plate of nachos while I indulged myself to the sound of the mild and mellow acoustic. We started having a conversation and talked about how we share the same passion for the ''oldies but goodies''.

He was even kind enough to ask me jam with him which I did. I'm a bit drunk so I don't know whether I'm still singing in tune, but I remember seeing a lot of people passing by to which some of them would give a smile. I don't mind singing my heart out, though. ''To be in Boracay is to have no care in the world!'' is what they say.

Next thing I knew, a group from another table joined me and appreciated my so-called ''performance''. Them being ''music lovers'' as I am, a small conversation with random strangers won me new friends and the bucket of beer meant just for me ended up being shared. I went back to the hotel at midnight with a smile on my face.

The following evening, I went out with the same group and headed to D'Hobbit House for another entertaining evening. What makes this restaurant different is that you will be served by a midget wait staff. We didn't come for that attraction, though. We went there once again to enjoy each other's company, the food, the booze and sing along with the band.

I went home on the fourth day and learned a lot of things in this little adventure of mine. I guess one of them are the benefits of travelling solo where you'll be inclined to talk and acquaint with anyone who would surprisingly later become your friends. Though I was alone, it proves simply that a man can never be an ''island'' in Boracay.

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