Boracay, Here I Come!

When I was younger I never exerted much effort to go to Boracay. I know that tens and thousands of people from all over the world flock to this island every year, not to mention the Filipinos from the nearby 7000+ islands who brave air, sea and land to be in this 'paradise'. But for a small-town girl living in a province just four hours away by land, it wasn't that exciting, really. It was always there. Accessible. Anytime I want to, I could go. My parents weren't much help either. They were too busy trying to make a living to support my sister and me, and vacations were expensive leisures that they thought they just couldn't afford to prioritize over our basic needs. But hey, I wasn't really interested, so I didn't care.

I don't remember exactly who planned the first trip, but somehow my parents decided one day, that we should go. I was already in college then, and was pretty excited. I've always loved living in a city that was so close to the beach. The apartment I grew up in was a 10 minute drive to the beach in Roxas City. I also knew from pictures that Boracay was supposed to be beautiful, and have read so many articles about it, and at this point, I was intrigued.

But no picture or article could have prepared me for the sight of the island of Boracay.

I remember sitting in the 'pump boat' (or as locals call it, PAMBOAT), which we had to take from the port in Caticlan, Boracay's drop off point. The fifteen minute boat ride wouldn't normally bore you when you have your whole family beside you plus cousins talking non-stop around you. In true Filipino fashion, I think half my clan was in the boat. We practically took the whole boat for ourselves. Come to think of it, I think my dad actually paid for the whole boat to take exclusively our delegation!

Anyway, I was sitting there, and I see this thin white line ahead of us. Could it be? Are the stories about Boracay THAT accurate? Are those pictures the real thing?! IS THAT THE FAMOUS, WORLD-RENOWNED, POWDERY BORACAY SAND I HAVE HEARD AND READ SO MUCH ABOUT?!?

It was. Plus waters so clear you can see your feet when standing in chest-deep water. Plus corals and fishes so diverse they shame that special you saw on TV. Plus seafoods so fresh, you practically caught them yourself. Plus nightlife and shopping so vibrant, you don't seem to have left the city. Plus people so nice you feel right at home!

As soon as I got off the boat, I kneeled there in the sand, and i thought "This is Paradise...." How God can create such a fine piece of work and tuck it, hidden in an island remote to the rest of the world, and now have me here, touching it....is magic.

That was years ago. Now I sit here in Manila, in my office. I'm praying that on my way home, I don't get stuck in traffic for more that hour (a blessing when travelling in Manila). And while I am physically in the Philippines' big city, mentally, I am gone. Off to a shore whose powdery white sand and crystal blue waters will embrace me three months from now. My vacation time may be three months away, but I am gone.