The Pinay Solo Backpacker

I meant to write a happy story…

but I  don’t wanna lie.

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun."

During the early part of  the year,  I’ve been sorta threatened by my floating status.  I used to have a plan, now I don’t know what to do.  I just wanna explore the world, immerse in different cultures, meet diverse people and learn from it all and hopefully come home a better person.  And of course, I wanna write about it and make the memories vivid with my humble captures.

Cool huh!?  Not quite.  The sad truth is, if you’re someone like me whose not raised from an affluent family and you’re raised in a society that measures success by your social status, power, bank accounts, and just about anything tangible that can be sold,  having such a dream  would label you as  fiasco!  Almost everyone around me thinks that’s crazy! How can anyone  live like that???

So there came a point when I  finally gave up.  Instead of traveling,  I am to  join the rat race, work abroad, earn big bucks like the rest of my classmates in college, buy a fancy car and an expensive house and lot, marry a wonderful  man, build a family and live happily ever after in a posh village.

So I thought,  before I  bid goodbye to our dear Philippines… there’s one place that I must visit…

and that’s how I ended up in a plane toIloilo and from there, a van to Boracay!

aerial shot of Iloilo

At that time, the only airline that fly directly to Caticlan is SEAIR. I haven’t experienced boarding with them, but I hope I will in the near future! It was February 2010 when I planned a short trip to Boracay,  but since I’m headed to Panay Island, I thought of revisiting Iloilo and  setting foot in Guimaras.  I intentionally saved Boracay for last.

It was a 5 hour van trip to Caticlan passing by a series of   quaint towns, paddy fields, and mountains.  You can never go wrong when you fly  to Caticlan, the province of  Aklan boasts of  impressive tourist destinations  aside from Boracay.   So the next time you fly with SEAIR to Boracay, do some side trips!

(sunrise in Capiz). the public applauds the fireworks but not the sunrise.

At the port in Boracay, I took a tricycle, since I am alone, I had to pay Php100, the driver asked me where to go.. I just said “Boracay po”.  ” Ma’am mahaba po ang Boracay.  “Sa D*Mall nlng po kase  yun naman ang sentro eh,” the driver answered.  So I  agreed.

When I entered D*mall I was surprised to see how crowded and bustling Boracay is.  Stores, hotels, shops, restaurant  and bazaars are booming everywhere.  Tourists and local vendors  offering every imaginable water activity are scattered all over.  “This isn’t  my type of  beach”,  I murmured.  But as I  slowly head towards the beach, it felt different.  For someone like me  whose an avid fan of  secluded beaches and simple life, having backpacked mostly fine secluded beaches in the country  yet never  had the chance to visit a lively tropical beach before, the 1st taste of  Boracay is surreal. 

Trust me, it's paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed...-The Beach-

Boracay is an epitome of  a tropical paradise…the powdery white sand, the turquoise water, the bohemian feel! Boracay is Boracay!

I  would’ve jumped to the beach right away if it weren’t for my  heavy backpack.  I can’t roam around in the 4km  White Sand beach with it.  So I asked the guard for directions to station 3 where the cheapest  accommodations  in Boracay can be found.  I must admit  though, that I  wanna stay in a clean, comfortable beachfront hotel like  Microtel Boracay, with landscaped exterior,  & great room view, inviting pool & cozy lounge to mention a few. 

backpack backpack!

Sometimes I  wanna take a pause from backpacking.  Like anyone else, I get tired too with long road trips, when you can just fly with SEAIR. I sometimes  get pissed off  by smelly hostels with hard beds and  I do long for clean rooms with chiropractic beds like the ones in Microtel Boracay.  Ahhhh… I  dream of  touristy travels too just like anyone else!

But oh well, I’m pressed for time and I only have 2 hours left to enjoy the beach so I had to find a pretty cheap place.  I left my backpack  in my  humble guesthouse and carried my valuables, and like a carefree child, I ran towards the beach, too excited to explore it. I took photos  of  almost everything that I find interesting ….

while the Europeans are dying to get a tan

Filipinos are hiding from the sun

and the Japanese? it's all about diving!

I`m on a seafood diet -- I see food, I eat it.

The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who have tattoos, and those who are afraid of people with tattoos.

next destination--> undecided.

I didn’t notice that time has gone by so fast. I was completely immersed with taking photos, observing diverse people, and window shopping that my tummy started to rumble.  I  searched for a good place to eat, but every restaurant seems full as everyone is in groups…  and it hit me.   I saw a not so crowded fast food chain and ordered. As I was waiting for my food, I suddenly felt so alone.  I  was envious.  Everyone around me is laughing and having a good time!

Made me wish I am  with my sibs or with my friends, but they  can’t join me because of my weird schedule.

I’ve never felt so out of place in my solo trips than in Boracay.  That’s the sad truth.  No matter how striking the beach is, I think  it is best enjoyed with a company.  I guess it’s the aura of  happy people in groups that moved me.  I wanted to do the reef walking, para sailing, diving or island hopping but I just felt like I can’t do it alone in Boracay.  It gets lonely there when you are alone.

awww...lunch by the beach. happy!

2 hours has gone by, I had to get some souvenirs and no matter how much I wanted to take a dip in the beach, I can’t  because I am about to miss my  return flight which is still in Kalibo, an hour away from Caticlan.

Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach. -Michelle Held-

So that’s my story  on how I  first met  Boracay.  It was brief.  I’m  all alone, and I wasn’t even able to take  a plunge into the water like those kids above!

reminders of the carefree days. building castle in the sand.

I wanna give justice to Boracay. I wanna experience flying directly to Caticlan, I wanna experience being there in a group, and staying in a comfortable hotel. When I was young, it’s one of my dream beach, and I should be glad that I’ve finally lived out my childhood dream…walked in barefoot on it’s powdery white sands and witnessed those turquoise waters… yet somehow something is missing…

I  wanna write a happy story about Boracay but I don’t wanna lie.

I don't want another empty chair.

*This is my entry to SEAIR and Microtel Boracay’s Bloggers’ Tour contest  (click the hyperlinks).

My dear readers,  help me get in to SEAIR  & Microtel Boaracay’s  Bloggers’ Tour contest.

1st step:  Click HERE and be a fan first of  SEAIR

2nd step: Look for my post on the fan page wall and click the LIKE icon

Thank you in advance!

I do encourage you to join this contest as well!  You too can take a chance on winning this all expense paid trip along

with other bloggers.  Just  write a blog entry telling them why you should be chosen to join the tour.  For more details, check out the SEAIR   click this —> Facebook Fan Page .

Happy travels everyone!  And God-luck to all!

How to Get to Boracay:

From Manila Domestic Aiport you can fly to Caticlan via  SEAIR’s visit:  http://flyseair.com/

Where to Stay:

Microtel Boracay visit: http://www.microtelphilippines.com/

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Gael Hilotin

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