The People's Paradise

My friends and I were lounging at Obama Grill, listening to some really wicked sounds while sippin' on Rhum cola. Time seemed to gravitate towards relaxing the whole afternoon when our initial plan was to do some water activities. Our spot was perfect.  Big beach umbrellas gave us the shade we needed when the rays were just too much to bare, and the speakers pulsated beats to the tunes of vocals & deep house music.  The banana & mango shakes didn't help us from getting up our from our beach chairs,  we gulped them like water and made more in.  We were digging the doing-nothing-sorta-thing.

I had a casual chat with Christy, who was selling isaw from a stall she put up beside the bar.  She asked if I got those towels, the large yellow ones that were given away by promo girls.  i asked her if she wanted to have mine.  She smiled and said yes, cause they weren't allowed to have one as it was really for the tourists. I got mine, put it in plastic bag and handed it discreetly.  I then asked her if she knew any "cheap" accommodations in the area  - just in case I wanted to stay longer than usual and would have me stay in a more affordable lodging.  Because to be honest, if there is work for me here to sustain me, I would definitely stay here.

Bora is a place of escape, a wonderland full of possibilities... and I dunno if you, too, get this feeling - whenever I look at the sunset, it fills my heart with total surrender... calmness and serenity takes over me.  No other place in the world would make you fall in love other than Boracay.

A friend owns a hotel in the island and he is blessed to see the sunrise everyday.  He can soak his feet in the warm water after a long day at work (or should I even call it work).  The low tide summons the kids to bring out their skim boards and show off their fancy moves, the locals showcasing their handmade hats & necklaces made of shells giving every tourist a run for their money. BBQ settings, guitar strings resonating the tunes of a  along forgotten Spanish love song.  Timid masseuses soothing backaches lulling most of the clients to sleep, friends basking under the sun albeit the hangover from last night's drinking spree...couples holding each other tight as the paraw slices through the waters of the sea.

Boracay at its best

A paradise for everyone -  so much life, so much movement, music and laughter - yet the stillness of the sea strikes a perfect balance amidst all the vibrancy.

The scenery continues to amaze me.  The white. red, orange and blue specks of grounded sand and corals will always take my breath away.  I examine them closely, making sure that I wasn't daydreaming 5 years ago when a  family friend asked me to take a closer look at the  heap of sand he placed on my hand.  had it not been for his enthusiasm, I wouldn't have known that these were once shells and corals crushed millions of years ago.   I am sure whenever he tells his trivia to others, they give him the same bright-eyed  wonder as I did that day.  It was simply awesome.

And who wouldn't be amazed, a paradise recognized as number one in the world,. The splendor is magnified with the smiling faces, bountiful seafood & the cultural delights. The vibe resonates even beyond the shores of the island... ingrained in the hearts of the locals and foreigners.  Bora gives them refuge, a way of life....

Sunny days are always welcome

The culture, the sea, the people - all this give life to those who visit.

And for those mesmerized by the beauty of the island, simply stays and make it their home .