I couldn’t have been more empathic — except for the frolicking on Puca Beach, I didn’t like Boracay very much. In fact, my first reaction upon seeing the beach was, “Where’s the beach?” Because all I saw were bars, restaurants and shops. That was summer of last year. Last week, Speedy was back in Boracay on an office sponsored trip and he brought home about 200 photos. I was viewing them on the LCD screen of his Olympus Stylus 720SW and when I saw these, I felt cheated.
Shucks, this rocky islet was completely underwater when we were there last summer. In fact, the nearest we got to it was while riding in a boat.
And now people can actually go up the thing? What the heck?
The answer, of course, is tide. High tide and low tide. The narrow strip of beach I so hated last summer is now a wide expanse of white sand where one can run, throw frisbees, play football and do a hundred different things that just aren’t possible when people crowd what is already a very limited space.
Now, the beachfront looks like this. Unbelievable! Amazing!
Gee, I could have been more appreciative of Boracay had I seen the beachfront like this.
Lesson learned: before flying to a beach resort — any beach — check the tides. No one wants to spend so much and enjoy so little.
I went to Boracay once in Jan of ’06, and again in Feb of ’08. January ’06 was definitely better! Not too crowded, but still lively, and not too dead either. Feb ’08 was pretty dead, and there were so many Koreans who would litter, and whip their shlongs out, and take a piss right on the beach. Nothing against Koreans, but the ones I saw then were very disrespectful. Now I’m not sure if that’s a seasonal thing, or if the clientele really has changed over the past few years… :-\
Gabby, I think the more a place become popular, the crowded it becomes. When we were there, Filipinos would just drop their empty plastic cups on the sand especially at night. It was only nice very early in the morning when most people were still asleep.
WOW. Just Wow. I’d definitely keep that in mind. Beats experiencing 20° weather during winter.
Hehehe makes you feel like dumping everything and go rolling on the sand, doesn’t it?
I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks Connie! Have a good day!
For one reason or another, I have not been to Boracay or Palawan. Buti pa mga anak ko. Hopefully, they will take care of the place and maintain it well. Alam mo naman, pag dumadami na ang tao, maraming nasisira.
wow, nice shots
….I was also a bit disappointed the first time I saw Boracay last summer…it was full of litter, esp station 2, and I asked “where do all those taxes they collect from us tourists go?”…another disappointment was the sight of those restaurants, bars and eateries on the beach…they cheapen the area…well, some parts were still ok, tho’…Puca beach was one of them, and the boat ride to the islands, esp. the snorkeling part 
…not the adventurous nor sporty type, I never thought it could be so much fun, watching the different schools of fish…i may go back, after all…
you’re kidding, right? Tides reverse every 12 hours…not yearly or monthly. Apparently you were here last time for less than a day (or missed that fundamental fact of 5th grade education)
ganda naman ng pics ni sir speedy
ganda ng 3rd pic, in varying shades of blue.
Excellent tip! The pictures already made my day.
Islander, No, I was there for three days. I don’t know what YOU missed.
Tito Rolly, mahal naman kasi sa Palawan. And the overland travel from the airport to the resorts, 2 to 3 hours. Argh!
Ruby, re “another disappointment was the sight of those restaurants, bars and eateries on the beach…”
Exactly. Their presence has made the island lose its charm.
Dinah, sa LCD pa lang ng cam nya, that photo caught my eye at once.
d0d0ng, it’s a tip I intend to follow hehehe
I was wondering why you hated Boracay so much; now I understand. Was there December 1991 (our honeymoon) November 2001 (to celebrate 10th year anniversary with the kids), and May two years ago. Definitely better beach around the Christmas season rather than summer, and yes, it was a lot better 17 years ago before it got really commercialized. So for your readers who haven’t been there yet, go now before you totally miss seeing the beauty of the place.
Ate Connie, You were in the wrong side of the island. We were in Boracay last 2006 and we had a wonderful time. I have yet to make a post about it. Now that I have a MacPro
I can also edit the video I took during the vacation.
Ma’am Connie, would it be possible for me to lift some of your Boracay photos to add in Preserve Boracay group which I created? Photos will be posted as is. Thanks
Nope, sorry.
Ok Thanks just the same =)