Boracay, Philippines

I work with many Filipinos, many....so many in fact that we call them the 'Filipino Mafia' as it seems they run the entire Bangkok operation. The thing about Filipinos is that they are wonderfully, warm, fun, optimistic and engaging people. I've yet to meet one that does not embrace life with the most inspiring of attitudes. So when some of my Filipino coworkers invite me to go to Boracay with them over a long holiday weekend, I did not hesitate.

As you no doubt know, it is amazing to visit new countries and cultures, but even more so when one does it with local guidance.We flew into Manila and spent one night, leaving bright and early the next day to make our way to the island of Boracay. Boracay has a reputation of being the most beautiful island in all of Asia, and as far as I can tell this reputation is well earned. I have never in my life seen such amazing crystal blue water and such powdery white sands. I don't know why it is that the earth's most beautiful places are so damn hard to get to, but 1.5 days and 2 planes, a few taxis, a motorbike and a ferry later, there we were....in paradise.
The things you do in "Bora" (as the locals call it) are typical kinds of beach activities, but somehow they take on a new level of enjoyment in such a beautiful place. Fresh fish and crab, cold San Miguel local beer, beachside massages under the palm trees, naps in the sun. The Filipinos say that magical things happen in Boracay and I believe them.
And then there was the "Flying Fish." Very uncharacteristic of me, but apparently at 36 one can still be vulnerable to peer pressure....I joined 2 coworkers (as you will see clearly not Filippino!) on this crazy float of sorts pulled by a power boat. It stayed airborne almost the entire time, I screamed almost the entire time, but it was in fact fun!
Four amazing days in Boracay....and I do not have many photos to show for it because we were in the water so much. But I must share with you the sunset....this is the sunset that both inspires one to poetry and stuns one into breathless silence. Beyond what words can describe...I only hope the photos give you some ounce of the transformation that takes places as day becomes night in splendid Boracay. I will return.....if for no other reason than to see the sunset again.