Boracay

We arrived in Boracay Sunday afternoon after a brief flight from Manila to Caticlan, on Panay Island. A quick banca and motorized tricycle ride got us to our destination, and we quickly checked into the Frendz guesthouse, recommended by Lonely Planet. However, despite the bright, sunny weather, we found it a little dark and hot and set way back from the beach so we decided to move the next day. An air con room is essential for the hot and humid weather we are experiencing. We dined right off the Main Road at an Indian restaurant, enjoying veg curry, aloo gobi, rice, and samosas.

Since our last trip in 1994 the place has changed dramatically. What was once a laid back, sleepy place now has development all over the island. Most of the development is concrete buildings, many 4 stories or higher. The hilly areas have big tourist resorts cascading down the slopes. Compared with my first trip here in 1982 it is of course like night and day. Back then, there were just a few nipa huts on the beach. Alan and I stayed almost a month before leaving for Kalibo and the AtiAtian festival. We stayed in our own private hut right in the middle of the beach. Our entire bill (food, lodging, and a couple souvenir T shirts) was well less than a thousand pesos. We spend almost twice that per night for our current lodging!

Monday we moved to Ban's guesthouse right on White Beach. It was dry all day and we were able to walk to the north end of the beach and visit the beachside Catholic sanctuary. We dined (veg fried rice, veg curry, rice and fruit shakes) at a nearby beach side eatery. We returned later in the evening for happy hour and enjoyed pina coladas, mango and pineapple daquiris, and other tropical drinks.

Tuesday we went to Bulabog beach on the north side of the island to see sunrise. Because it was cloudy we were not able to see the sun well, however. From there we walked north around the wider and higher elevation part of the island, returning to White Beach from the north. We also walked to the south end of White Beach to see more shops and resorts. There we took a pizza lunch. It was rainy most of the day so we hung out in the cottage move than we expected.

This morning Maitri and I walked again to Bulabog beach and then headed south to walk most of the beach area. Then we turned inland and returned to the main road thru a rather slummy area in the center of the island. Today we will continue to walk around the island.