Boracay, Philippines - January 23, 2006
There has been an approximately 4 week lapse on the journal entries. Where did I go? Well, back to South Korea to teach at a winter camp. I'm back in the Philippines to continue writing about it some more!
Yesterday morning I arrived and met my girlfriend at the airport. We weren't sure exactly where we were going to go, so just went to Philippines Airlines and saw what flights were going where and when and what was available. Turned out there was one to Kalibo leaving a few hours from the time we were checking on it. Kalibo is a very close airport for getting to Boracay. So we bought those tickets.
So essentially went from Manila to Kalibo to Boracay all in the same afternoon. Arrived last night. Boracay is amazing. Powdery white sand everywhere. Crystal clear blue water all around. There is a White Beach Lane filled with tons of bars, restaurants, shops, and everything else you can imagine. Its all shaded by palm trees, so you aren't directly in the sun. Yet you have the white powdery sand everywhere along the lane, meaning you don't ever have to wear any shoes. So barefoot to the beach, shopping, eating, its great. Lots of live music everywhere.
On to local Philippines events. Last night was a match between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and a Mexican boxer named Morales. Everyone in the Philippines was watching it throughout the airports, hotels, bars, everywhere. We watched it as well. This morning, its everywhere in the front pages of the newspapers. He's really a local here of this country. I was speaking to my girlfriend about him, and she knows every detail you could possibly imagine about him. In addition, he is from the same home town as she is - General Santos. He has houses all over the Philippines as well. A month ago while I was riding in a taxi through Davao, the taxi driver pointed out one of his houses. Its hard not to get caught up in the excitement about this guy as well. The fight was great. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao just kept targeting Morales' nose until he finally went down in the 10th round. Great fight.
As to the Philippines in general. Feels great to get back. Walked all over White Beach in Boracay. Also went to the windy side of Bulabog Beach. Lots of wind-surfers over there. It was the first time I'd ever seen wind-surfing as well. They even have competitions over there. Even spectator stands to sit and watch. Amazing to see. Sometimes the wind would pick them right out of the water. Amazing.
Well, I'm loving Boracay and the Philippines. Time to go enjoy it more. Just wanted to write something today, or else it would be real hard to write later - as it always is on vacation.
More on the Philippines..
January 25, 2006
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Wintermoon2@yahoo.com