I never would have agreed with the marketing team behind the Philippine's latest travel hashtag, but after my week in Boracay I feel I must somewhat agree. With so much to do yet with so little time, the four of us are caught up in what to do next. Our week is passing us by, and Boracay has more to offer than we ever thought it would and we want to take it all in. There isn't even adequate time to relax poolside.
Our days go a little something like this. Wake up and slowly make our way to breakfast, finishing up somewhere before 10 and by the time we end that meal we're getting ready for the next. The biggest challenge we face is choosing where to eat amongst the varying selection of places that serve rice. Each meal was a feast as our appetites never seemed to waiver. My top choice in Boracay, Paradiso Grill. After a good few hours of getting our act together with a nap in between we get on with the day. We take on the sun soaked days like kids high on energy drinks, choosing to only do things that had a chance of risking our lives. Paddle boarding, scuba diving, cliff jumping, quad biking, it was amazing we fit in as many naps as we did. And I've never signed so many waiver forms.
Day in and day out we continue to meet people. Between a good mix of locals and fellow travellers the strip becomes full of familiar faces. Admittedly we were still working on names til the day we left, so we may have resorted to just calling out to people based on country of origin.
On our slower days, typically our hangover days, energy escapes us. Somehow exhausted from a day of doing nothing. The fresh coconut water helps. Here may I mention the best massages in Boracay are at Yasuragi Relaxation Spa, a hidden gem in station three.
As slow as time is around here in a blink of an eye my week here is up and I have tanned too quickly and too much. Endless amounts of fruit shakes are in my tummy, I think I've still got sand in my hair and water in my ears. I've got another ukulele, 6 new novelty shirts including matching father daughter Jack Daniels shirts and 10 or so magnets.
Before I call it quits I have to tick off two challenges set to me by some friends.
1. Balut
A somewhat delicacy of the Philippines, is a developing duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. It is commonly sold as streetfood. Vendors walk the strip yelling out the known call 'BA-LUT!' When we gathered the courage and pulled one over, I ask for the youngest they have, 16 days. Our waiter at the restaurant for the night assists us, showing us the ropes. It's kind of like an Oreo, First you crack it open, then you suck out the liquid and finish off by downing the embryo and in my own personal experience but 'you can have the rest of my yolk'. It ain't as bad as the hype makes it out to be, seeing as I have been listening to all my life. Although I did get the mildest version. A bit tough, quite chewy and better off without the vinegar. In the end nothing to be scared of. I ended up having two.
2. Cocomungas' 15 shots
A bar with a challenge, it's as simple as 'still be standing after 15 shots'. The menu is set, tequila appears several times as does Baileys and even Tabasco sauce, thank fully so does my favourite bourbon yet also my most feared, Sambucca. I still want to vomit at the thought of it. My strategy, take five at a time, we re-arrange the shots to my strengths and weaknesses. There is no time limit but if I know myself well, the longer I wait the less likely I'll get to the 15th. From first to last shot it took me an hour and I got the shirt!
Boracay is well travelled to for a reason, it's a beautiful, fun with a vibrant atmosphere running on its own happy energy. Although it is different from the Philippines I know, I'm happy to of had my time here. I can't wait to return and see Palawan, and visit my provincial town in the mountains reunited with family and a simpler way of life. But that will have to be another story.
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