How does one describe Paradise? I just visited Boracay Island (accent on the second syllable), the crown jewel beach of the Philippines, I understand. With a four kilometer long "White Beach" on its SW side, indeed as white as I've ever seen, and with almost tepid, shallow water a gorgeous turquoise color turning to darker blue, it brings people from all over the world. Swimming, walking, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, eating seafood buffets, shopping -- it has it all, along with a few beggars and little kids selling anything from soup to nuts! Of course you can find all the cheap jewelry and t-shirts normal to tourist attractions. I resisted buying a t-shirt, having plenty already!
I stayed at Shenna's a small hotel along the tourist walkway, with only a narrow grove of coconut trees between me and the water. For P1500 a night and a balcony from which I could see the water and the droves of tourists passing below, it was a real steal! Along this narrow, shaded walkway are many hotels (large and small but not tall), souvenir shops, gift shops, clothing stores and street vendors, along with more restaurants than you can count. It all fills up with people all summer (which is just ending). And don't forget the many alleyways in the open air "d-Mall" which heads back from the beach, full of more shops of every kind and for every economic need.
I left on Tuesday, by which time the crowds had gone down dramatically. Most businesses are open throughout the year, of course, as there is no snow to close the beach, just rain! I look forward to visiting in the off season, for a little more peace and quiet.
Sitting at an open bar, chatting with friends, listening to local bands, enjoying San Miguel Light with all-you-can-eat seafood buffets for under eight dollars.....well what else could one want for a vacation? Just looking at the colors of the water made me wax poetic! It seems, however, that I can't go anywhere without ingesting some kind of bug! I didn't last long, but....
Speaking of snow, the sand is so fine, almost as white as snow, and I just couldn't keep from gushing over the color of the water, as well as the stunning sunsets! Really, it's a stunning place!
Back from the tourist area, however, I saw the normal poverty, alas. I'm sure many of those locals work in the hundreds of shops and hotels, but obviously do not reap many benefits.
I bought some shells - one large, fluted clam shell conviscated at the airport! Only $5 lost, but! Luckily they let me keep a beautifully polished nautilus shell. If I hadn't talked them into letting me take it, since, after all, it was sold to me there, I would have thrown a fit, I think!
What a racket! I WILL communicate with someone about getting their act together. If they are going to allow vendors to sell shells to tourists which cannot by law be taken from the island, then they need to communicate with those vendors, or shut them down. I'm sure that if I had taken a boat there would have been no problem. I also don't doubt that the confiscated items get sent back and resold! Am I becoming a skeptic? It would make for a nice circular business, don't you think? Sell and confiscate, over and over!
I've added a slide show of pictures. They tell it all. Enjoy them! And if you are looking for an island paradise vacation, go to Boracay (accent on the second syllable)!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
Those 'vendors' are all part of the "Boracay Muslim Vendor Association" and do not have to report a single sale or activity to any government oversite....ever. Perhaps you missed the story but 3 terrorists were arrested in their compound on the south end of Boracay several months back. Some people want them investigated for funneling money to terror groups and for being piraters of DVD's, importers of fake jewelry (no, not a single bit of that is real).
I'm curious about the nautilus shell, there are none of those creatures in these seas. As a regular deep diver here, I can attest to that. But the longer cone shells...that was likely a cone-snail. Also known as a "puka" shell and when they're worn down to the wide, flat section they are common necklace material. There is only a law in place for collecting them from a certain beach here...but not taking single items out of the country.
You got robbed by the police is what happened. But hey, this is the Philippines. Voted the single most corrupt country in SE Asia for 2007. That shell wont be sold back on the beach, it will be given to a concession sand in the airport to be sold on comission.
Sorry, your only fault was having a canadian passport, they dont tend to like whitey here very much.
Post a Comment