Can I tell you...about Boracay. On my way to Hong Kong for a business trip, I made a slight detour to Boracay island for some R&R.
I haven’t been here in 3 years and I definitely miss it. It’s only 35 minutes by plane from Manila to Caticlan and then another 20 minute 'banca' boat ride to the island. 
The Philippines has a lot of beautiful beaches but this place is still very special to me. I used to come here when it was just backpackers and there was no electricity. Very Robinson Crusoe!
My really good friend Bacchus Zulueta has permanently lived here for several years now, leaving the hustle and bustle of Manila. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. He put me up in the fabulous “pool villa” at the Mandala Resort Spa. The villa is tucked away up on the hills and offers a great panoramic view of the beach, the Sulu sea and neighboring islands. It’s so tranquil and quiet. The only sounds you hear are birds chirping.
The villa also has an indoor/outdoor pool with sliding doors that open up so that you can go from the bedroom to the pool to the deck all in one fell swoop. Very sexy! How could I say no? The Mandala is famous for their treatments and being the spa junkie that I am I had to try their award winning signature “hilot” treatment involving heated cups on your back. It ends with a healing drink of warm "salabat" (ginger tea). I felt like a new person! 
I met up with friends from Manila, Tito Herbosa, Manolet Dario (DJ extraordinaire) and Teresa Herrera(host of Project Runway Philippines) at Discovery Shores Hotel beach front located in Phase 1, probably the best beach on the island.
White sand as far as your eyes can see and in the afternoons when the tide is low, you can walk into the sea for about a mile and the water only goes up to your waist. The water is so clear, warm and inviting, you never want to leave. 
Evenings were spent having cocktails at Hey Jude, the coolest bar with the best music on the island or watching Carla, a teenage trannie perform and dance with fire balls. Fierce! 
Whenever I'm back I make it a point to indulge in some local delicacies like “chicken inasal” , “boneless bangus” and Philippine mangos (they’re the best, really!)
This is comfort food for me and I can't seem to have enough...mangos! Time flies when you're having fun and before I knew it, my time was up. I was sad to leave but I was anxious to see my samples in Hong Kong. Back to the real world. I love little mini getaways. Don't you?
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24 comments:
gosh Rafe, you can actually set up and publish your own travel mag. Very well said and done.
Rafe, I don't even know where Bora Bora is!! I've heard of the place and it looks absolutely exotic.
After reading your post, I'm now craving some mango smoothies. ARGH!
Damn, those mangos look juicy and that island sure looks like paradise. And can we talk about that villa!
I can not wait to visit this place. Most are probably saying "YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE YET!!" I know, I know, I am getting there. What a splendid get away that you so deserved. Mmmm, mangos from the Phils are definately the best! *mwah* *mwah*
so much fun!!! lets do it again... this time, you will dance in the rain with me! Miss you already!
xo,
T
Rafe,
You really have style primo! ... All the way to your blog site. Thanks for the shout! Looking forward to reading more of your adventures all over..... and chilling with you once again in Bora... Cheers!!! ✈
Seriously Rafe, I am totally jealous of you now, you have the most sublime holidays!
My favorite spot under the sun. The very first time I went there was back in 1987with my cousins Gerry and Ricky Ledesma, nephew and son of Don Ramon Ledesma Jr. and it was breathless. No roads, no buildings, no electricity, no maddening crowds, to describe it as paradise would be an understatement. Five years later would mark the second time I went back. It's amazing what 5 years of greed and neglect could to what nature made and nurtured for hundreds of years although parts of the island ( esp. in stn-1, balinghay, balicasag) still retain some of its original charm. But nevertheless I am looking forward to coming back, had a lot of wonderful memories there, most were made under the summer stars. Boracay in my mind..
God, I miss Boracay!...was just there but once you're on the jetty and flying back home...it all seems like a dream! The latest thing at D'Mall (dontcha love the name?) is this fishnet mini dress/cover-up to throw over a bikini. I would've rocked it, but then, I may look like dugong trapped in the nets...! Getting all nostalgic now seeing your pix...
so impressed with your blogs,you seriously have to write a book now.
want to send you a tape recorder so you can lock in your thoughts.
better still ,someone should do a reality on your travels alone(i know there are too many reality's but so boring ).
seriously there's money there.
I am still so jet lagged,don't know how you do it.
whoa!! lucky you!! u get to go to the beach like every day!! man i Wish i were you ~redheaded bandit/ swiss girl
Ps. check out our new blog!! www.ourplaylist.blogspot.com
Were you there on the 1st week of June? I saw someone who looked like you (in prints!) at Discovery Shores.
that could have been me, yes I was there 1st week of June and I definitely wear prints...almost exclusively.
This post really makes me want to go to Boracay again this trip with Raymond!
Love and kisses from Paris!
V + R
I think it's great that you can still see the "FABulous" in Bora. A lot of people I've talked to complain about how overdeveloped it is yada yada yada. Seeing it through your eyes brings back memories of my first trip to the island in 1988. Bravo!!!
Mtk, keep in mind though that I was there during 'low' season which to me is the best time because it's...relatively empty and quiet. Dying to discover other FAB beaches our country.
Always a pleasure to have you around old friend, and certainly always a pleasure to read your travel blogs! Find it hard to get off the island since I moved here, so will have to live and travel vicariously thru your eyes.:-)
i think a friend of mine vacationed in bora recently. i couldnt believe the pictures it was so incredibly beautiful.
save me some mangos too :)
wow cool but there's a place in french polynesia (tahiti) where there's an island called bora bora too !! hahha funny !! nice trip dude !
Actually, the island is called Boracay but almost all Filipinos call it by its nickname, Bora.
A lot of similarities with Tahitians and Filipinos though so I'm not surprised. Thanks for the comment.
so jealous!
low season is the best time to go! just came back last week. been a big fan of your blog and your bag (though i think they dont carry the mens selection in GB5).. mabuhay and more power
I was just there a few weeks after the typhoon. People said not to go, but I went anyway. It was just breathtaking. Best of all, there was hardly anyone around. Only drawback, there was hardly a buko in sight.
never been there yet :( ...i envy you...but i must really really go see bora!
cheers!
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