Hubby Bala and I were so surprised to see, how much the island of Boracay has changed over the years. In 1997, around the time of our 2nd wedding anniversary, there were only a handful of resorts to choose from. Booking one also proved to be quite bothersome. A long distance call must first be placed to the island operator, who in turn, will connect you to your resort of choice. Eateries at the time had very limited dishes, too, and with only two to three restos offering buffet dinners. Food selections were pretty much the same when I came back in ’98 with my childhood bestie Dianne.
One thing remains the same, though. The four kilometer long White Beach is as gorgeous as ever! And the sensation of just stepping on its powdery white sand was enough for me to say, that the almost four hours of travel from Quezon City to Boracay was all worth the effort!
Although specks of green algae were noticeable, most especially in Station 1, the bluish-green waters still proved to be a refreshing retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
While touring the island, I’ve noticed that Boracay was filled with foreign tourists, mainly from China and South Korea, where the island is being promoted in a big way. These Chinese and Korean nationals have become a significant part of the 1.2 million tourists that Boracay attracts annually, which although impressive, still falls short of the 2.5 million visitors that Phuket commands.
But all of us are hoping that with the on-going Caticlan Airport Development Project being led by the winning bidder, San Miguel Corporation, which also happens to be one of Asia’s most trusted conglomerates, the airport will indeed be given a major makeover, enough to meet the goal of drawing three million more tourists to Boracay.
With that said, here are some of the blog posts that you can expect out of our Boracay escapade:
Flying To and From Boracay
Affordable Accommodations at Casa Pilar Beach Resort
Exploring Boracay Stations 2 & 3
Trying Out the Popular Jonah’s Fruitshake and Snack Bar in Boracay
Buffet Dinner For Just Php 295 at Bamboo Bar & Resto
A Refreshing Time at Lemon iCafe, D’Mall Boracay
Comfort Food Pairings at D’Mall Boracay: Sharetea & Bite-Club Grilled Burgers
Delish Seafoods at Plato D’Boracay
Snack Time at McDonald’s Boracay
Relishing Our One-Of-A-Kind Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Boracay
Souvenir Shopping Around D’Talipapa, The Original Talipapa and D’Mall Boracay