Boracay, our first and possibly only stop in the Philippines, has delivered on the incredible beach part, but is not a great way to get to know the country as a whole. The island is full of an amazing diversity of tourists, Filipinos from all the other islands, Russians, Japanese, and all kinds of Europeans, (thankfully, not many Americans). The diversity of wildlife meanwhile is mostly limited to drunken tourists and underwater.
The main beach in Boracay is White Beach, stretching about 3km along the west side. Made of the softest sand, it is incredibly calm (at least this time of year). Even now during peak season, there is more than enough space for everyone to enjoy the beach. It would be an idyllic place if not for one main thing – vendors, so many vendors. They tout everything from selfie sticks to boat rides. They are ever present even when you are eating dinner at one of the countless beachfront restaurants.
We’ve been swimming and playing in the ocean everyday. Eugene bought me a waterproof camera for my birthday (well really he bought us a camera). It’s been a lot of fun to use (see the pictures below).
When we aren’t in the water, we are eating or drinking by it. The best beachside drinks were actually well above the beach, over looking the scenery, from atop the Nami Resort at the small beach just north of White Beach, Diniwid. Though the sunsets were quite nice from the beach right next to our own Hotel, Daves Straw Hat Inn.
While Boracay has fulfilled the beach vacation we were hoping for quite nicely, we cannot help but want to learn more about Filipino culture while we are here. More on our quests for a little adventure in the next post.
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- A sandbar in the ocean, is a perfectly safe place to put the tripod, right?
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- Chilling on the beach before sunset
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- Diniwid Beach, which is really still part of White Beach
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- Waterproof cameras make playing in the ocean at White Beach even more fun.
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- Playing in the ocean, sporting our super practical goggles (Rochelle’s are prescription!)
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- Underwater camera fun!
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- The view from the restaurant where we have some awesome drinks.
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- Volcanic Rocks at Diniwid Beach
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- There are a few interesting living things in the tide pools in these volcanic rocks at the north end of White Beach.
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- Rocky end of White Beach on a cloudy day
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- Waiting for our mango shakes with rum at a restaurant high above the beaches of Boracay.
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- Scenic sunset from White Beach with a traditional Paraw sailboat
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- Psychedelic sunset at White Beach – those clouds turn incredible colors
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- Sailboat takes a wedge out of the sun.
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- White Beach sunset with paddleboarder
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- We never realized how many colors could appear during a sunset.
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- We have been drinking so many mango shakes, which are usually just fresh mango and ice blended. Sometimes they have rum too…
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- Nothing like ending a day of doing nothing by doing more of nothing
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- A resident puppy of one of the beachside bars we frequented.
These pictures are incredible! I’m using your blog for tips. I just found out I’m headed to the Philippines with the Academy in April! And Davido and I will get to spend a week traveling together after the expedition is done. Beer on beaches looks awesome! I really just can’t wait to swim. It looks like your swim lessons are paying off- and prescription goggles? Davido will be jealous.
PS Apparently all of our food is covered for the expedition, but we have to buy our own mango shakes since the last time they went the bill for shakes cost more than the food!