They say Boracay is a travel rite for tourists in the Philippines, both for foreign and locals, but it was never really on my travel bucket list ever since. Boracay was never my cup of tea, or maybe because I grew up living in Cebu, where beaches are everywhere. Nothing compares.
So when my favorite cousin, Ate Jihan, flew in from the US with her son and husband, she told me she’s getting me plane tickets to the “country’s most famous island” (or so they say), I was a mix of grateful and skeptical. — thank you, Ate Jihan for the tickets.
My expectations were standard: endless white sand and a sea of bikinis and trunks. But what I actually found was a different kind of energy. Instead of a wild beach party, the shore was lined with tourists leisurely strolling past vibrant restaurants and shops. Was I on the right spot? I’ve heard there were different kind of station in Boracay, and Station 1 was the most expensive; they said we were on Station 2.
It felt less like a deserted paradise and more like a bustling coastal town. As you can see in my featured photo, it was literally us eating at McDonald’s, as I don’t have much photos. Honestly, looking back, I think I was so caught up in the moment that I barely took any other photos during the entire trip.
Ate Jihan completely spoiled me, checking us into the beautiful Henann Regency where she even got me my own separate room. Because we were on a strict three-day itinerary, we didn’t get to discover every hidden corner of the island, but the packed schedule was part of the fun.
My absolute favorite highlight was the sunset cruise. There is something incredible about sailing into the golden hour, drinking cold beer, and partying with random strangers who feel like lifelong friends for a few hours. The food on board was completely bland, but hey—at least there was food, and the vibes more than made up for it!
Boracay wasn’t the traditional island vibe I anticipated, but I loved it anyway, purely because of the unforgettable company of my cousin. Will I visit again? Maybe, but not anytime soon. Still, it’s an experience, and I finally say I have visited Boracay.
