Travel To Boracay

Not many people think of paradise when they think of the Philippines. With over seven thousand islands, the Philippines is sure to hold many secrets. The tiny tropical island of Boracay is one of those secrets that the Western world is not privy to. This is paradise. At only 7 kilometres long and 1 kilometre in places, the island is tiny. It has not been established for sure how Boracay came to be named so, but some locals will tell you that it comes from the word 'borac' meaning cotton, referring to the soft white sandy beaches and coves lined with palm trees. The water is crystal clear and perfect for snorkelling or diving in with many divers claiming its coral the most beautiful in the world. Accommodation on the island ranges from very cheap to very expensive, as you can stay in bamboo huts or luxury 5 star hotels. The Shang Gri La hotel, designed by a Hawaiian based architect firm, has just been completed after 10 years construction. It promises luxury that blends in with its rain forest surroundings and a world class spa, comprising of both guest rooms and villas. At the other end of the scale there are guest houses right on the beach that cost under $20 US per night. One such beach on Boracay is Diniwid, a small cove that has some beautiful guest houses and a small bar, overlooked by a lush green cliff side. Because Diniwid is fairly secluded there are few tourist who visit making it a lovely quiet getaway, so you can enjoy a cocktail on the beach watching the waves gently lap against the shore. After dark the small restaurant serves delicious food, which can be eaten on the beach lit only by candle light and the stars, very romantic!
Boracay also has a lot of activities for those days when you wish to burn off some energy. In D'Mall, the shopping area at the centre of the island is a large climbing wall of about 15 metres with several routes to the top, to suit the beginner to the advanced climber. You can also hire mountain bikes on white beach and tour the island in just a few hours, watch out for pot holes though! The local Filipino people are very friendly and helpful, but as with all people there maybe one or two bad eggs, though during my two week stay we did not encounter one problem. But remember to always be respectful and do not raise your voice to them, it would be rude and insulting. The night life on Boracay is great also, with people from all over the world coming together to party. Watch out for the lady boys, there very convincing. The Hobbit Bar has to be seen to be believed. One of two (the other is in the capital Manila) bars owned and run by people suffering from dwarfism. Not politically correct but I think in the Philippines it's one of the better paying jobs for such people. Everyone seemed to be having a good time in the party atmosphere.
We exchanged most of our money for Filipino Pesos before we got to the Philippines but discovered marginally better exchange rates on the island from some of the currency bureaus. There are also cash machines and banks in centre of the island so its convenient too as you can spend your money fairly quickly (those cocktails go down too fast!). Prices in restaurants are cheap compared to other holiday destinations but the quality of food can vary. Eating in the fast food restaurants in D'Mall takes careful consideration. Overall, for those lucky enough to visit Boracay it is something you will remember for the rest of your life.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

I recommend everyone should travel to Boracay, the beautiful paradise of the Philippines. This tiny tropical island is a paradise of palm trees and beaches, especially the idylic White Beach, with very friendly local people.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated