Simply Stunning BORACAY

Conde Nast Traveller, an award-winning travel magazine, hailed Boracay as the top island destination in the world for 2016. The magazine described the island as "itty-bitty" island. I don't exactly know what it means by that. But to those who have been to Boracay, you will definitely be amazed by its white and powdery sand beaches and nightlife.

Boracay is originally home to the Ati or Aetas. Boracay probably derives its name from the local word borac "which means white cotton with characteristics close to the color and texture of Boracay's white and sugary and powdery sand."

We visited Boracay in July of this year. We visited before as a family but this time we were making it special because we were celebrating 12 years of blissful marriage with my wife and we stayed overnight in the island.

I was born in the province of Antique which is about 2 hours away from the town of Malay, the jump off point to the Island of Boracay. I was lucky to be one of the people who experienced Boracay in the late 1980's when Boracay was probably just starting to get famous. There were less people who were traveling to the island back then. There was no electricity in the island. Fresh drinking water was transported by boat from the main island of Malay. Tourist boats ferrying people sailed only at the daytime because probably of limited navigational equipment and radio communications. 

I relished the moment when we stayed in the "Kubo" and "Payag" to eat our packed lunch because there were few restaurants back then. 

But today Boracay has transformed into and world class tourist island with many tourism related facilities that lined the whole stretch of beach front to cater to the still growing number of tourist that visit the island. You can do snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, parasailing, kiteboarding etc.  Not to mention the awesome nightlife activities. There are many nightlife venues to choose from. Some bars have fenced the small portion of the beach to showcase stage shows and fire shows, and live bands. 

Big brands like Andoks, McDonalds and StarBucks have set up business also. Of course, they have to go where there are lots of people. It is pure business. But Boracay has become too crowded and even walking along the beach road during peak hours is very slow because hundreds or even thousand of people walking altogether. Our hired tricycle from the Boracay port had to to make several detour to avoid traffic jams along the main road going to Station 2 or D Mall, for example.

HOW TO GO TO BORACAY

There are several ways to reach Boracay:

1. Via the RORO (roll on roll off). There are number buses of plying the Cubao-Visayas route via Batangas port-Calapan port in Mindoro-Roxas port in Mindoro and Caticlan port all the way to Iloilo or Antique. At the Caticlan port you can get to the ticket to Boracay Island. Travel time from Cubao to Caticlan port which includes two boat transfers is approximately 13 hours and total fare is about 1,200 pesos

2. Fly Directly to Caticlan. Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan is the most convenient way to reach Boracay. Skyjet Airlines is operating daily flights from Manila to Caticlan airport or please check your local airlines and ticketing office which airlines is flying to this airport.   

3. Fly to Kalibo Airport. Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia are local airlines that serve several flights from Manila and vice versa. There are also available international flights to nearby Asian cities.

Hand painted shirts 

white and powdery sand of Boracay

WHERE TO STAY IN BORACAY

There are several hotels in Boracay. Its just a matter of choosing which one will fit your budget. I knew the rate is cheaper if the accommodation is far from the beach. For us, we chose to stay at Villa Simprosa Resort because of its location close to the beach. Amenities are basic and ok. There was a small fridge and TV.  We settled nicely with 5 people including 2 kids.  

WHERE TO EAT IN BORACAY

Where to eat and what to eat is never a problem in Boracay. There several fancy restaurants you can choose from and have several choices also. Price wise ...... hmmmm its quite expensive to dine in Boracay since mostly it caters to local and foreign tourists. But would not hurt budget a bit if you can bring packed foods, instant noodles or several bottles of beer from the mainland, for example.  

Sunset in Boracay

WHAT YOU NEED TO PAY

Beside the accommodation and food, you need to pay the following at the Caticlan port jetty:

Pumpboat P 25, Environmental fee P 75, Terminal fee P 100, total of P 200 per person. From Boracay port you need to pay the ff: pump boat 25 and terminal fee P 100, total of P 125 per person. Terminal fee is waived for children below 5 years old. For Aklan residents with valid ID's who travel to Boracay, they have separate lane and only pay boat fare.

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Development is inevitable. But I hope people in Boracay will embrace change without destroying its natural beauty and charm.