What is the first thing you think of when you read "BORACAY"?

[Maria B]

:sunshine:
sun, sea & sand ........ long stretch of fine white sand :Wave: Where I can have a good massage...:Wave:

[raynaputi]

a relaxing vacation.. :Jump:

[scott&ligaya]

paradise....ruined... over developed and in danger of being polluted by sewage. real shame

[Dedworth]

An overrated/overpriced mug destination as per scott&ligaya's post #3

[Bluebirdjones]

Overpriced, over-developed, and being taken for a ride....

[Maria B]

:):Wave: I agree though even Station 1 is now a bit crowded compared long time ago. It's too commercialized. Unless if u stay away from the white sand beach & go somewhere like Nami Villas or West Cove. It all depends how u indulge and enjoy the nature. If u want quiet part or u want to party...It's just me, I cannot resist the sun & sea in Boracay cause I just love to swim & stretch myself w/ my sarong on the white sand beach have a good massage with a mango fruit shake...;):Wave:

[Moy]

money and:do_it::xxaction-smiley-047:Cuckoo::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Maria B]

:Hellooo:moy
:icon_lol: money? i won't plan any travels w/o it coz i'm a food addict :icon_lol::icon_lol:

[dan&pam]

THE MALL :icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol:

[Moy]

:Hellooo:moy
:icon_lol: money? i won't plan any travels w/o it coz i'm a food addict :icon_lol::icon_lol:

and am complety agree lets save a sack of chips then and go fishing in BORA:cwm24::omg::D

[tone]

I must admit I went there in May for the first time (possibly the only time) and I liked it - found it ok but depends what you're looking for - its certainly louder and more towards people who like a party/club atmosphere which is pretty much what a mid 20's Filipina (like my Mahal) would prefer!

With so many nice places in the world I tend not to go back to the same place twice but I am keen to visit the Maldives again.

But Boracay was ok for me. The downside was the lack of service and poor quality of the Boracay Mandarin Hotel. its the worst hotel I have stayed in - in Asia..

[Maria B]

THE MALL :icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol:

:icon_lol::icon_lol:how can we forget the mall :Hellooo::icon_lol:

[Maria B]

and am complety agree lets save a sack of chips then and go fishing in BORA:cwm24::omg::D

:icon_lol: i don't go fishing in Bora, i swim w/ the fish:Hellooo::icon_lol:

[Maria B]

I must admit I went there in May for the first time (possibly the only time) and I liked it - found it ok but depends what you're looking for - its certainly louder and more towards people who like a party/club atmosphere which is pretty much what a mid 20's Filipina (like my Mahal) would prefer!

With so many nice places in the world I tend not to go back to the same place twice but I am keen to visit the Maldives again.

But Boracay was ok for me. The downside was the lack of service and poor quality of the Boracay Mandarin Hotel. its the worst hotel I have stayed in - in Asia..

May is a good season to visit Bora as u can feel the heat of the :sunshine: & the sea looks like inviting plus a bonus of a wicked view of sunrise/ sunset. We do not mind which hotel we are into because what matters most, u are with your mahal ;):xxgrinning--00xx3:

[tone]

May is a good season to visit Bora as u can feel the heat of the :sunshine: & the sea looks like inviting plus a bonus of a wicked view of sunrise/ sunset. We do not mind which hotel we are into because what matters most, u are with your mahal ;):xxgrinning--00xx3:

Maria - yes you are completely right - we had 4 great nights there - and a very enjoyable helicopter ride (first time) which was excellent. It was a surprise for my Mahal cos she said once a while back she really wanted to do this.

I have a great photo collection from Bora - I should load up a few here...

Thanks Tone

[raynaputi]

I've been to Boracay three times already and the last time was I went with my whole family...I would never get tired of Boracay..:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Maria B]

Maria - yes you are completely right - we had 4 great nights there - and a very enjoyable helicopter ride (first time) which was excellent. It was a surprise for my Mahal cos she said once a while back she really wanted to do this.

I have a great photo collection from Bora - I should load up a few here...

Thanks Tone

:):xxgrinning--00xx3: Oh that's lovely. That's the important thing of all. Relax, chill & enjoy! That's what all we need...holidayyyyyyyyyyy. I'm glad she loved it. Post pics when u got the time. Me? I still don't know how to upload pics in here lols:icon_lol:

[Maria B]

I've been to Boracay three times already and the last time was I went with my whole family...I would never get tired of Boracay..:xxgrinning--00xx3:

:Hellooo::Jump: weeeeeee me as well with my barkadas ( best mates ) we are fed up with island hopping in Mactan, Cebu, Malapascua & Bantayan Island & Panglao Island in Bohol. For a change, we wanted different but we can't get enough of Bora :Jump::Jump:

[Tawi2]

Pollution,noise,a shadow of its former self,and a pale immitation on several of the thai islands it seems to be trying to imitate,wouldnt go to Boracay again,saw it in its glory days,a lot has changed and not for the better.

[Maria B]

Pollution,noise,a shadow of its former self,and a pale immitation on several of the thai islands it seems to be trying to imitate,wouldnt go to Boracay again,saw it in its glory days,a lot has changed and not for the better.

:Hellooo:that's the most common comment that I've heard since last 2004...it's best for family quality time & with bestmates to spend biking, hiking, diving, island hopping & if u want to party all night long although there really is a nice place in the Philippines to go to. Just like my hubby, he prefers the quiet place & not too commercialize :Wave:

[Terpe]

I know and accept all the usual negative comments. That's what happens when a place gets too popular and over commercialised.
But...... for me it's still a great place to go for a long weekend. It's got plenty of atmosphere and plenty of nice people still around.
Plenty of beautiful places in this world that have become too famous, doesn't mean you won't have a great experience. I always do whatever. Look at Niagara Falls for example, but people still go and still enjoy the experience.
Don't be too hard on Boracay.
If you've never experienced it just try it, like hundreds of others you can at least experience something different. It can be very romantic.

[Moy]

:icon_lol: i don't go fishing in Bora, i swim w/ the fish:Hellooo::icon_lol:

then swim with the fish no problem:D:action-smiley-081: and ill make sure the rod have 2 hooks:yikes: to catch the fish and you :yikes::icon_lol:hehe:Wave:

[Moy]

"Decades ago, Boracay Island was an almost possessively guarded secret so that only a few knew of its existence. Tourism only began to develop in the 1970s,[6] when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise"

In :) davao city there are beautiful beaches/resort might not be modernized and famous like Boracay does but its beauty is beyond to what youll expect too:rolleyes::D at a reasonable price:)

http://samalbeaches.com/index.php/Resort-in-Samal-Island/Beach/Resort/Rocky-Beach-Resort.html
http://samalbeaches.com/
http://www.philippinebeaches.org/2010/11/boracay-sta-maria-davao-del-sur/

http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/ (one of my fav beach/resort when i live in davao:) and
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?hl=en&prmd=ivnscm&resnum=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1024&bih=619&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=beaches+in+davao+del+sur&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=beaches&hnear=0x32f76c3ef20f40e3:0x1a175267690cdfa9,Davao+del+Sur,+Philippines&cid=6948559173244511500

[Tawi2]

then swim with the fish no problem
You do realise "swim with the fish" is an idiom for murdering someone and dumping their corpse at sea :cwm24:

Your right,Samal mightnt be as "polished" as boracay but for peace and quiet it beats the more publicised boracay hands down,and Talikud ;)

[Moy]

You do realise "swim with the fish" is an idiom for murdering someone and dumping their corpse at sea :cwm24:

Your right,Samal mightnt be as "polished" as boracay but for peace and quiet it beats the more publicised boracay hands down,and Talikud ;)

:yikes: oh yes i do realize tawi :icon_lol: some call them in davao DDS..:D(Davao death squad) or in other term salvage in the sea swamp:NoNo::bigcry:
we use to camp and explore the open sea of Talikud Island:Jump::D

[Tawi2]

There are two dugong sometimes hang around Talikud,beautiful place,glad its not well known :xxgrinning--00xx3:
Heres a pic of Boracay :rolleyes:
I know about the DDS Moy,and have seen salvage though not in mangrove swamps but on waste ground a long time ago.

[stevewool]

loved it stayed at fairways and then at station 3 , gets my vote:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Englishman2010]

I had 10 days there last April & May, it was OK, a bit too commercialised, but compared to a Brit seaside resort I know where I'd rather be, places like Skegness and Blackpool are far more tacky, they have crappy weather and the sea's far too cold to swim in. White Beach is the one that everyone has heard of and it is stunning to look at, but I preferred Puka Beach, it's still a decent size but only one beach shack/cafe to speak of and hardly anyone there - perfect:xxgrinning--00xx3:
It is over priced and probably over rated, but I enjoyed myself there and I'd probably go back again at some point, but not soon as there are still lots of other places in The Phil's I want to see first.

[Arthur Little]

I am keen to visit the Maldives again.

Yes ... according to my daughter & son-in-law, the Maldives are "something else" ... truly special ... and they've often said they'd love to revisit them one day. :)

[Arthur Little]

As for Boracay ... I haven't, as yet, been to this much acclaimed island retreat for the "rich and famous" ... but my wife has promised to take me there on our next trip to the Phils ... IF we've any money left after she applies for British Citizenship. :D

[Maria B]

then swim with the fish no problem:D:action-smiley-081: and ill make sure the rod have 2 hooks:yikes: to catch the fish and you :yikes::icon_lol:hehe:Wave:

make sure the muggets is a beef flavour w/ spices in it :icon_lol::icon_lol::Hellooo:

[Maria B]

"Decades ago, Boracay Island was an almost possessively guarded secret so that only a few knew of its existence. Tourism only began to develop in the 1970s,[6] when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise"

In :) davao city there are beautiful beaches/resort might not be modernized and famous like Boracay does but its beauty is beyond to what youll expect too:rolleyes::D at a reasonable price:)

http://samalbeaches.com/index.php/Resort-in-Samal-Island/Beach/Resort/Rocky-Beach-Resort.html
http://samalbeaches.com/
http://www.philippinebeaches.org/2010/11/boracay-sta-maria-davao-del-sur/

http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/ (one of my fav beach/resort when i live in davao:) and
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?hl=en&prmd=ivnscm&resnum=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1024&bih=619&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=beaches+in+davao+del+sur&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=beaches&hnear=0x32f76c3ef20f40e3:0x1a175267690cdfa9,Davao+del+Sur,+Philippines&cid=6948559173244511500

:xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:lots of nice beaches and island resorts in the Phils. I just didn't mentioned in the thread coz we are talking about Bora-bora :) Love samal and pearl farm too. Everytime I got off the plane at Davao airport...hmmm I can smell the freshness of air and durian too. lols. But indeed there are lots of secret paradise in the Philippines. :xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Maria B]

It is over priced and probably over rated, but I enjoyed myself there and I'd probably go back again at some point, but not soon as there are still lots of other places in The Phil's I want to see first.

:xxgrinning--00xx3::):Wave:

[Maria B]

Yes ... according to my daughter & son-in-law, the Maldives are "something else" ... truly special ... and they've often said they'd love to revisit them one day. :)

it's like an island paradise. Lots of Filipino staff working there as well:)

[Maria B]

[QUOTE=Tawi2;303876]:
Heres a pic of Boracay :rolleyes:

:xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[sars_notd_virus]

What is the first thing you think of when you read "BORACAY"?

white sandy beach and a cold san mig light:D

[Maria B]

white sandy beach and a cold san mig light:D


:xxgrinning--00xx3::):Wave:

[Tawi2]

I dont drink alcohol so substitute that for a nice cold ice cold coke :) I could probably name 15 or 20 fantastic white sand beaches that never get any exposure whatsoever and are devoid of tourists,anyone ever been to Gumasa beach in Sarangani?Or sandugan on siquijor?

[Maria B]

I dont drink alcohol so substitute that for a nice cold ice cold coke :) anyone ever been to Gumasa beach in Sarangani?Or sandugan on siquijor?

& a refreshing mango fruit shake...:xxgrinning--00xx3::) only heard about Gumasa but haven't been. Been to to the magical & mystic island of isla del fuegoooooo "Siquijor" stayed at Coco Grove & rent a bike to galivant the island & rent a jeepney to tourist spots. Beautiful and inexpensive. Thumbs up!

[Tawi2]

Nothing mystical about siquijor,I spent a lot of time there before a tarmac road ran around the island,just superstition without substance,I went to see the mambabarangs making their "spells":rolleyes:
I stayed in coco grove a few times,did you see Rocky the dancing parrot?:)

[Maria B]

:icon_lol:
Nothing mystical about siquijor,I spent a lot of time there before a tarmac road ran around the island,just superstition without substance,I went to see the mambabarangs making their "spells":rolleyes:
I stayed in coco grove a few times,did you see Rocky the dancing parrot?:)

Yeah how can i forget Rocky. :) I've been to one lolo (grand dad) I forgot the name because he's a well known mambabarang. I was just very intrigue because ever since I was a kid, Siquijor is famous about it & I'm an avid fan of this program Sports Unlimited (abs-cbn) where they featured this 2 mambabarangs...I bought a potion for good luck (for business) I bought it for my mum store. Lots of potions to buy like if u want a man to love u lols:icon_lol: geee, that was expensive. About a 50mls bottle, it was Php1,500...:yikes: They said, that it's good to visit Siquijor during holy week. Until now my cousins asked me to come back but I've got no time. All work (& no play :icon_lol:).
But I love it. Thumbs up to Coco Grove:xxgrinning--00xx3: It's peace and quite just like Sumilon Island and Malapascua Island in Cebu...

[Tawi2]

I've been to one lolo (grand dad) I forgot the name because he's a well known mambabarang
Maybe Jesus Butalid?Rocky has been there forever,always dancing :icon_lol:

[johncar54]

We were there in March 2006 (dragon boat race time). For the two weeks we had storms, heavy rain, high winds and high seas. (the dragon racing was cancelled). The power was down most of the time (no air con etc). The small boats were unable to re-stock with diesel from the mainland, so even the private generators were down.

When my wife arrived in Fuengirola and saw the 7miles of sandy beaches she asked what all the enthusiasm for Boracay was !

[scott&ligaya]

the rich and famous go to Amanpulo!!!! now that is Philippines top island

http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpulo/home.aspx

Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and others go there

[Maria B]

Maybe Jesus Butalid?Rocky has been there forever,always dancing :icon_lol:

:icon_lol:rocky always showing off :D I remembered it now, the place in San Antonio-Juan Ponce. Met his daughter & sons all mambabarangs in their house. I'm not good in remembering names but I couldn't forget the faces and the places. It's like a memory card in my head :icon_lol: my diary & old photos are in Cebu & our cam before wasn't digital yet (2003 & 2004)...poor me:Cuckoo:

[Maria B]

When my wife arrived in Fuengirola and saw the 7miles of sandy beaches she asked what all the enthusiasm for Boracay was !

:xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3::)

[Maria B]

[QUOTE=scott&ligaya;303945]the rich and famous go to Amanpulo!!!! now that is Philippines top island

http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpulo/home.aspx

:NoNo:oh no. that's one of my top list of places to visit in the Phils. But it's too much...can't afford it :icon_lol: It's my friends & cousins dream too. In Cebu, we just ride a jeepney, go to Mactan to Maribago Blue water or Hadsan & swim like tadpoles there hahaha....:Cuckoo: But :xxgrinning--00xx3: thumbs up to Amanpulo.

[Tawi2]

San Antonio
He does live in San antonio ;) it was most probably him.

[Maria B]

He does live in San antonio ;) it was most probably him.

:rolleyes: think jesus is the one whom they called jess & is not as old as juan ponce. Is jess a younger bloke with the dancing sticks? I mean he just look at the sticks & say prayers in silent and the sticks will move... oh I don't know. I think I've got dementia symptoms now:icon_lol::icon_lol: Guess, San Antonio got lots of mambabarang.

[Tawi2]

Is jess a younger bloke with the dancing sticks?
You have a GOOD memory :xxgrinning--00xx3: He also plays the guitar and the dolls "Dance" ;) I once saw an old guy in San Antonio strum away on a guitar and he made dead fish swim :Erm: funny people but nothing more than skilled illusionists :icon_lol:

[Maria B]

You have a GOOD memory :xxgrinning--00xx3: He also plays the guitar and the dolls "Dance" ;) I once saw an old guy in San Antonio strum away on a guitar and he made dead fish swim :Erm: funny people but nothing more than skilled illusionists :icon_lol:

:xxgrinning--00xx3::doh that's it. But I haven't met jess. Only the old lolo, juan. Much as I wanted to witness jess doing his rituals, my frenz rather want to go swimming. We are also scared to stay outside when it's getting dark. :Cuckoo: At the beach front we also wanted to see this fireflies, I mean bunch of them at night because that is what the island is famous of. The island glow at night. But a resident there told us that due to lots of development, it's hard to see them at night as they live in this trees (i forgot the name again), & it's almost gone now:NoNo:

[Tawi2]

The island glow at night.
I stayed there for three months once,didnt see any more fireflies than I saw in Mindanao,the spanish called siquijor isla del fuego,island of fire,some say because of the fireflies,and some say its because the island was born of a volcanic eruption,if you get to Mt Bandilaan the islands highest point and wander around you see volcanic rocks protruding,I think thats the substance behind the name.Nice island though :)

[Maria B]

[QUOTE=Tawi2;303965]didnt see any more fireflies

:rolleyes: it's ashame that old people used tell stories about this. Even my dad says the island glitters at night. I only seen 3 fireflies there :icon_lol:. I seen 1 in Cebu :icon_lol: Haven't been to Mt. Bandilaan, but only in Mt. Hibok-hibok in Camiguin & Mt. Apo in Davao.

[Tawi2]

I only seen 3 fireflies there
I saw a few but your right,they arent any more prevalent on Isla del fuego than anywhere else in Pinas :icon_lol: I did see genuine St Elmos Fire or at least thats what I think it was on Siquijor so that could be another reason for the name :Erm:
Done Hibok2 and Mt Apo :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Maria B]

[QUOTE=Tawi2;303969]St Elmos Fire or at least thats what I think it was on Siquijor so that could be another reason for the name :Erm:

must be Santilmo ( St Elmos Fire ) & not fireflies:icon_lol: