Boracay Offers An Ideal Escape From Civilized Civilization

Boracay Island, Philippines

Boracay Island combines crystal clear waters, sugary beaches and lush landscapes into an idyllic tourist haven that is guaranteed to fascinate and lull visitors into tranquil harmony with its simplistic beauty. Travelers commonly refer to Boracay as a heart stomping, unbelievably magical Island in the middle of the Philippines. A paradise set in the South China Sea.

The small island, only seven kilometers long and one kilometer wide at its narrowest point, is located just off the northern tip of Panay Island. The northern and southern parts of the island rise with elevations of 100 meters above sea level. The Island has numerous scattered villages interconnected by a maze of intriguing jungle pathways.

Boracay boasts the world's finest beaches - a broad 3.5 kilometer stretch of sun-drenched sand, washed by perpetually turquoise-ish water, a nature worshipper's heaven on earth.

White Beach runs almost the entire length of the western side of the island. During the peak season (December till July) White Beach is ideal for day frolics in its warm water, to cool off from those sweaty summer's tropical heat.

Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a cool northeast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind; south-west monsoon.^[4] Amihan and Habagat seasons are generally associated respectively with the El Niño and La Niña global weather patterns. The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west.

Daytime temperatures on Boracay generally range from 77-90º F (25-32º C) from the beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, increase to the 82-100º F(28-38º C) range until the onset of the Habagat season, and moderate back to the 77-90º F (25-32º C) range with the start of the Habagat season. During Tropical Storm periods, temperatures can fall below 68º F (20º C). Tropical Storms can impact Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season.

During this period the opposite, eastern side, forms the windward shore, with almost continuous onshore winds and protective reef that are ideal for both the Scuba divers and Surfers. The eastern shore also contains numerous shelter homes, rewarding the ardent student-backpackers with many great scenic spots.

The main beaches are dotted with water sports outlets, offering the latest equipment for rental and expert instruction at reasonable prices for Scuba Diving, Wind Surfing. Boracay is becoming Asia's most popular to-go area with good shallow coral dives and nightlife within easy reach.

For more leisurely pursuits, many local hotels and holiday resorts offer all-day around the island trips by motorized bangkas and paraws (native sailing boats), with stop-offs at the northern caves, near Yapak, home of Boracay's giant fruit bats, locally called "Flying Foxes" and the 'Kar-tir' Sea Shell Museum with Filipino shells on displays in Ilig-Iligan.

The island's center extends a natural invitation to hike or mountain bike its many trails, criss-crossing its gently hilly slopes, while offering occasional glimpses of far-off sandy coves, fringed by palm trees....really...it sounds so exciting, I could come in there right now.

Your hike could extend to Puka Shell Beach, located on the Island's northern tip, facing Carabao Island. Puka Beach is the home of Boracay's famous and at one time plentiful Puka shells.

At sunset, a walk along the length of White Beach attracts many early evening walkers, before the serenity of the ocean views are over-taken by the awakening of Boracay's night life, offering numerous economically priced restaurants, discos, and bars that add an international affair to the evening.

At the end of the day, watch the spectacular sunsets from the beachfront bars which offer expertly mixed tropical cocktails to titillate your early evening loins.

Boracay offers an ideal escape from civilized civilization, but if one needs to remain in contact with the rest of the world, international phone, fax and e-mail services are always available.

Boracay is on the brink of a worldwide epidemic, which within the next five years will probably convert its current tranquillity into the hub-bub of a major commercialized venues.

Palawan is a Tropical Paradise That is why Josie and I will travel here again soon. We can get lost here and find ourselves when the stress of daily life is too much. I dream of one day living here and walking the beaches everyday. Maybe fish in the early morning and sea shell pick in the low tides. The air is breathtakingly clean and the waters that bounce off the beaches is crystal clear. Fish abound everywhere you snorkel and it seems time stands still here.

Two great photographs of a Filipina Girl on the beach and another of her in a secluded lagoon. There is a reason for the smile on her face.