Boracay....Pronounced Bor-ah-kai
Trip Start
Apr 10, 2007
1
6
13
Trip End
Apr 27, 2007
Boracay, Philippines
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Took yesterday off so I could take a break from the sun. I was bordering on overexposure from Monday's SCUBA outing, so I opted to stay shaded for most of the day. Spent it having a leisurely breakfeast then walking the beach path and looking around in the shops. An oversaturation of beach "Hawkers" working the beach, in Boracay. But unlike many other places in the world, they do know how to take no for an answer. They will continue to work you several times a day, but politely leave you alone when you say no thank you. Typical souviners, knock-off Rolex watches, watersports and island tours seem to run the gambit. Oh you say you want a massage on the beach?......well you can have that too! Had one of the BEST BBQ'd Babyback Rib dinners, ever, last night. I hardly ever eat ribs, but these things were fantastic. Took a recommendation from someone I met at the hotel pool and I was not disappointed. Gasthof's was the name, and I think it is owned and run by some German guy. Sat out at a table set-up on the beach and dined under the clear night sky above the South China Sea. Maybe the ambiance had something to do with how good my meal was.
Did not dive today as I overslept and opted to spend the day around the beach and hotel pool, with my new book. Had a little too much fun with some American tourists I met down at the pool, and got back to the room kinda late. They have been here over a week and took me to some of the better places that were off the beaten track from the beach. I seem to be one of the few Americans that have discovered the Philippines, and I hope it stays that way as I want this place all to myself!
Have a dive trip scheduled for tomorrow. So far it seems like my ear problems might be minimized if I take a few days off in-between dives. I'll see if that was a valid strategy after I return home and don't have to go to the Dr for swollen eardrums. Tomorrow's dive is a wall dive about 20 minutes from the beach. Unfortunately, none of the dive operators have larger boats with a covered deck to avoid the sun. So I will have to be careful and cover-up for the trip out and back. There is no escaping the sun, here, and I do not want to be in misery.....
Well........I hope this time works like a charm and I can post my updates and pictures. If not, I may just have to accept that reality and update when I arrive back in Manila on Friday. Can't remember if I have internet access on Palawan. If I do, I'll post a trip update from there.
All is well........Getting sad that I am going to have to leave in 2 days, but excited to see Palawan. From what I can sense right now, I think another Philippines adventure is in the cards in the very near future.
