Ariels Point

It was a day that rivalled perfection. We head out to Ariel's point, an intoxicating island known for its cliff jumping, gathering visitors to let go of fear and jump off its 15 metre peak platform. This place only exists to relieve you of your apprehension and rediscover your faith in fun and adventure. Starting out in the morning we leave Boracay, following one another into the water holding our possessions as high into the air as possible as we clamber onto our wooden vessel which resembles the Asian Noah's ark.

If you're looking for a good time in Boracay this is something you want to do, the entire time is fueled with unlimited drinks, giving you the liquid courage needed to tackle the impending 15 metre jump. From the moment you board music is pumping, drinks are drank and moods are lifted with anticipation of our first sights of Ariel's point. 

 Ariel's point is a jungle covered cliff side sanctuary set up in the name of party preservation, where nothing but good times are to be had. After walking through a small cave system you are at the footsteps to a maze of sheltered seated areas to chill, central is the bar worked by some amazing new drinking buddies of mine. It's a place you'd think modern Tarzan would call his local, or something out of the movie 'the beach'. 

 The people here are the epitome of Filipino hospitality, welcoming and cheerful. They are also a great example of the Filipino drinking culture, that there's always a reason to drink, even if it's that you nearly jumped. The atmosphere is the perfect mix of zealous care-free excitement, creating imminent good vibes that have to be felt to be believed. The main attraction pulling people in is the the cliff diving. With five platforms ranging from 3,5,8 even 12 and the massive 15 metre jump jut out from the paradise cliffs into the deep blue ocean below.  

 From the moment we get there the most daring of the group are leaping off the 15 as the rest of us look on in hesitation to see if they survive. From above and below the views are epic, watching the crazy's risk their lives for a free fall moment of pure fun and exhilaration.  

 The beats keep pumping, and we wait for songs that get us in the mood to take on the challenge. Walk the plank and although you know you shouldn't you look down anyway, take a second, or in my case a minute count yourself down and shout out a swear word or two and just jump. 
The fall seems to go for a little longer than expected, I remember thinking "I could of lit up a cigarette by now". Then you hit the water. You relax in the moment you meet the water, the fall is over, you re-surface, you're alive and think "let's do that again!" 

 With lunch served and the drinks still flowing, we round off the day swimming in the ocean watching from the floating barges below egging on fellow jumpers. It's peer pressure at its finest, counting people down against their will and calling them out when they don't jump. 

The boat ride home included a battle between countries as we played a drinking game of spin the bottle, as we spun a bottle of captain rum if it landed on you it was your shot. Downing two bottles of rum between us and shouting out cheers, we lift our spirits high, as Australia and Canada banded together do it for the commonwealth against Sweden and Denmark.  

 After a drunken walk home through the ocean, Dominique and I found ourselves listening to one of the friendliest and talented Asian Rastafarian band of bohemian brothers, sipping on San Miguel and inhaling argile/shisha as the night went on.

First Stop Philippines.

  I've never travelled this south of the Philippines, or ever been quite this touristy when here. Far from the northern mountains where my family comes from, I'm in Boracay, the paradise jewel of the Philippines. Here every day is a Saturday, life's so chilled its on ice.

Boracay one of the hundreds of islands that makes up the archipelago, it's reached by ferry after an hours flight from Manila. I have my first tastes of this lazy town, as I arrive at 9 everyone slowly meanders without any pressures to be anywhere anytime soon. The people still moving slow assuming this is due to the drinking of last night. Perching myself along one of the beachside eateries munching on the chemical free fruits and their sweet nectar, watching the boats glide by.

A long strip of pristine white sand beach is lined by palm tree after palm tree, azure waters and cloudless skies are in every direction you look, and when the sun beats down it's practically blinding. The beach is just steps away, kids are running free cartwheeling across the sand, bands cover Bob Marley, seafood so fresh the guy that caught hasn't even taken a shower. The rest of the world is also here to play here in this paradise, with the outgoing tide washing away your problems and leaving you with a layer of constant sea salt in your hair. 

 This is all met by an adjacent boulevard of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and vendors trying to make theirs and take advantage of the flooding amounts of tourists. Where hidden from view behind the towering hotels, a mere 10 meters away a sorer sight is seen as local life continues to bustle seemingly unaffected by the riches next door. This is the Philippines, this is South East Asia, pockets of wealth mixed in with province and overcrowded urban sprawl in countries finding their way in a world moving faster than their known way of life. 

Fresh coconuts and rice filled breakfasts are the norm, with rum being the popular choice of drink here as seafaring towns do drink along with the local San Miguel and Redhorse beer. Fruit juices and shakes take the place of coffee and tea, sand is always between your toes and every where really and you can't take a bad photo around here if you tried. Welcome to the Philippines, where V's are pronounced like B's, F's like P's, the cars sound like they're talking to each other with the constant beeps, the humidity hits you like a wall, it's where a cousin can be found on every corner and every women treats you like her own child.