9th April - Borocay Island (Philippines)

Thursday 9^th April 2015

There are dozens of parasails in the sky around us, here in Boracay.  It does look like fun but…not for me, or for Pete.  Travel insurance just doesn’t cover this sort of activity – anything where you leave the ground, really – sky-diving, gliding, parasailing, hang-gliding – it’s not worth the risk!

And I’m not quite sure how competent the boat drivers are in any case…When we were coming in towards the beach on Tuesday, there were lots of boats whizzing about, towing their parachutes, with happycampers screeching as they dangled in the air.  One of the boats passed, cheerily and cheekily, right in front of 2XS.  WHEEE!  What fun!  Pete and I were pale with horror – hadn’t the driver happened to notice that 2XS has a big tall mast, and that the happycampers, happily screeching, were in serious danger of being cut off in mid air??  Pete slowed down and swerved as speedily as possible and the chute just missed the mast by a whisker.  Nobody noticed, or seemed the least bit terrified…we were the only terrified ones!  Imagine the mess, the screaming, the sadness!

Every day dozens, if not hundreds, of little sailing bankas go whizzing past, on their way to and from the beach.  They go at a tremendous speed and they look like little fairy boats skimming along the water.  Nowhere else have we seen bankas with sails – all of the others we have seen in the Philippines thus far either have noisy little engines, or they are paddled by a patient, strong young chap.  I want to tell them all – sails are a good idea, mate!

Our day on the island was wonderful.  We walked a very long way – well, probably not a very long way by temperate climate standards, but in the heat of the midday sun (yes, mad dogs, Englishmen, Pete and Marguerite go out in the midday sun…) it was a long and exhausting walk. 

The beach is glorious.  Fine white sand, clear turquoise water. 

2XS hiding behind other boats, from the beach

What makes it so very lovely is the thick band of tall, strong, shady palms.  This makes it possible to walk all along the waterfront without frizzling to death.  

Mind you, quite a few people do actually lie out there in the sun, frizzling away, in search of a suntan.  I feel like shaking them and saying, DON’T YOU KNOW???

On one side of the shady path is the beach, on the other – resorts!  Plus many bars, cafés, restaurants.  I imagine it would be a very nice place to bring a family.  Each resort has a swimming pool, and just a few metres away is the sparkling sea, and dozens of water activities – kayaks, sailing boats, motor boats, jetskis, various things towed along behind noisy motorboats, the lot!

We eventually decided to walk across to the other side of the island.

The main street is quite different to the salubrious, pretty beach front… But Pete thought it was great – there were hardware shops!  “You could buy just about anything you want, here,” he said, happily.  (Well no…I would really like a few new cheap & cheerful sundresses but the only ones for sale here – and here are many – say I LOVE BOROCAY.)

We found a path through to the other side – it is quite a small narrow island. 

I was very tickled by the invitation to become a member of the local Baptist Church – just think, I could chat, twitt (sic), skype and surf God whenever I so pleased!

The other side of the island was quite different.  No beaches, just thick mangroves, with some very exclusive-looking mansions and resorts.  But mainly there were poorer dwellings.  I am always fascinated to see how women arrange their washing.

This nice clean lot of clothes flapping in the breeze was firmly held in place on large barbed wire – how the clothes don’t rip, I do not know!  But if you felt like lashing out and going to a laundry, there was Sarah’s WishyWashy, ready and waiting!

We were surprised and happy to find an Ati village with people obviously living in the houses.  No of course we didn’t know who the Ati people were, but there were informative placards, telling us that the Ati were the original indigenous people, and that their village is being lovingly restored as we speak.

Eventually we came almost to the end of Boracay.  It was nearly 3pm and I was (as always…) hungry.  There is no lack of choice on this island; we headed back towards the beach.  But – a joy – there was a sign inviting us to the rooftop above a nice little supermarket – Crafty’s Authentic Indian Cuisine!  We were so very happy, sitting up in the breeze, with a 360 degree view all over the island, and – aloo gobi!  Totally delicious!!  We haven’t had Indian food for many months and we relished every mouthful.

Last night it rained!  Not just a few drops, a real downpour.  We haven’t had so much as a drop since we have been back here so it was all a big surprise, and very very welcome!  If it rains again during the day - whoopee!  I have buckets ready and waiting!

The other side of the island