Travel

BORACAY ISLAND TRAVEL REPORT

Amongst the 7,107 islands that make up the Philippines lies the island of Boracay which boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the world “White Beach”!

Today has finally arrived! It’s time to leave a snowing East of England behind for the soft white powdery beaches and crystal clear waters of the tropical island of ‘Boracay’!

SEVERE weather warnings for high winds and blizzards across the South East of England are appearing on all the forecasts. Just what you need for the first leg of a three-day journey!
We dig the van out from four inches of snow and load in the bags.

On arrival at Heathrow we discuss tactics for the inevitable ‘excess baggage’ scenario!!

Top tip: If you fly with Emirates airline you are allowed to take an extra 10kg of luggage absolutely free if you say it’s Diving Equipment!

Like a military operation we set up for check-in…

Trolley position? Check!
Diving gear cover story? Check!
Extra hand luggage hidden? Check!

After some scepticism concerning the cover story, lots of smiling and our sneaky tactics the bags were finally checked in excess free!

Landing in Manila late afternoon New Year’s Eve, we catch a taxi to the hotel. It’s quite a bustling city, made even more so by the preparations for the ‘New Year’. After a quick freshen up, we head for ‘Roxas Boulevard’ to check out the celebrations Filipino Style. The streets are lit with Chinese lanterns, there are crowds of people gathering, any child able to strike a match is armed with an arsenal of firecrackers ready to deploy them, live bands are playing and Asia TV are filming the celebrations in the main square.

“New Year!!” Bang, Bang, Bang! Chinese firecrackers explode across the entire city, Jeepney horns are tooting and people are wishing ‘Manigong Bagong Taon’ (Happy New Year!).

Next day after a 30 minute plane ride to ‘Caticlan’ a small port on the island of Panay, we catch a ‘motorbanca’ (outrigger boat) to ‘Boracay’ Island.
“Wow!” as we approach boat station 2, the palms are swaying and the sun is shining, as the boat drops anchor at the most beautiful beach imaginable. It has pure white sand and crystal clear turquoise water; we’ve arrived at ‘White Beach’ Boracay.

Once we had checked in at our family run accommodation ‘Villa Paula Beach House’ owned by Jun and Maricar Sacapano, we quickly pulled our boards and kites from the luggage and caught a 50p local trike over to ‘Bulabog Lagoon’, on the windward side of the island. “In a matter of minutes I’m out on the water with the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and the warm pacific ocean spraying at my feet”, a pretty awesome way to start the year!

‘Bulabog Lagoon’

The spot is reef fringed 800m offshore and stretches over 3 bays for 2 ½ km providing a huge shallow play area for beginner to intermediate kitesurfers. There are super steady winds which blow cross-on from the NE on a daily basis, making it the number 1 kiting spot.

‘Ocean Republic’

The centre is located at the North end of ‘Bulabog’ and offers both kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons for anyone wishing to have a go!
The centre is very relaxed and the staff are very welcoming. There is plenty of storage if you ask nicely and accommodation etc can be organised with Glenn so give him a call!

Downwinder from ‘Carabao Island’

A group of 15 of us from Ocean Republic were offered the chance to take part in an 8 mile downwinder from the neighbouring Island of ‘Carabao’ north of Boracay.
Early Thursday morning we met at ‘White beach’ with our mountain of kit, ready for a local Motorbanca to take us across to the island.
We arrived at ‘Carabao’ greeted by lots of eagerly awaiting locals, perhaps a little bewildered as to why we were here. The kites and boards were unloaded off the boat and we headed towards the beautiful deserted beach, blessed with long white soft sand and surrounded by a reef. Shortly kites were being pumped up and lines set out, all ready for a fun session kiting before the big downwinder back to Bulabog beach.
After a quick liquid lunch and a few rounds of pool, the wind looked good to go. There was a brief safety meeting on rescuing procedures and then we were ready for the off.
One by one we launched our kites and hit the water, sailing out past the channel between Carabao and Boracay. There was definitely something quite surreal about being in Mother Nature’s hands, out on the open sea with land seeming so distant.
The wind became light at times and I was desperately trying to generate as much power as I could from my kite. To my distraction a guy on a Wipika rode past shouting what seemed to my horror ‘Big Fish’. As I nervously scanned the water looking for a dark figure, something catapults into the air, hovers and pops back into the water, it was a ‘flying fish’.
I could see the satellite mast at the top of ‘Boracay’ and faint outlines of kites in the distance and knew I was heading in the right direction. It was only a short distance now to the reef and then I would be on the last stretch back to Bulabog lagoon.
After a quick play in the waves I headed towards the centre. Everyone made it back safely, either by themselves or with the help of the rescue craft. It had been quite an experience and it was just the excuse to celebrate with a round of drinks in the evening!

useful Boracay info

For some good information on ‘Boracay’ go to www.wowphilippines.com.ph

Flights

International Flights: www.emirates.com
Domestic Flights: www.flyseair.com

Visa

London Philippine Embassy: www.philemb.org.uk

Accommodation

Villa Paula Beach House: www.villapaulaboracay.com
Banana Saging: bananasaging2004@yahoo.com

Places to eat out

Aria, Mango Ray’s, Hobbit’s House, Boracay Regency, Smoke’s and many more.

Places to drink

Café Del Mar, Hey Jude, Bom Bom, Red Pirates and the Juice bar.

Things to do in Boracay

Go for a sunset sail on a ‘Paraw’ sailing boat, hire a quad or Jet Ski, parasailing, snorkelling, diving, horse riding, have a massage or visit the bat caves.

Where to Kitesurf?

‘Bulabog Beach’ when the wind comes from the East
‘White Beach’ when the wind comes from the West in the ‘Habagat’ season.

Best time of year to go?

The dry cool season runs from November to February
The dry hot season runs from March to May
Best wind from November through to May

Who to contact?

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing lessons are available at ‘Ocean Republic’. For accommodation packages and advice contact Glenn Parsons.

Tel: +63(36) 288 3876 or visit www.ocean-republic.com

Costs

Once you reach the Philippines you won’t believe the cost of living, it’s dirt-cheap!

Motorbanca - P200 per person (£2.00)
Domestic flight – P3100 per person (£35)
Coke – P30 (30p)
Rum & Coke - P40 (40p)
3 Course meal for 2 – P350 (£3.50)
3hr Sailing Trip – P1500 (£16)