Boracay: A perfect island getaway

BORACAY has come a long way from a somewhat sleepy island in the 1980s with nipa huts and little infrastructure to a first class resort destination, and is voted one of the best beaches in the world. This place is the perfect island getaway that offers warm blue waters, powder-fine white sand, and a palm-fringed four-kilometer beach front.

Boracay has all the ingredients of a fun-in-the-sun resort destination with diverse choices of delectable food, pulsating nightlife and a wide variety of sports and activities.

Recently, the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) held its National Conference at the Regency’s Boracay Beach Resort. Since my family is involved in rural banking, the clan decided to make the event a family outing, bringing most of the young kids. Our children and their families went a day ahead. Rey and I were picked up from the Caticlan airport by the Regency van and ferried us to the hotel where Peter Rey and Tintin families were on hand to meet us.

The RBAP evening fellowship of dancing to live-band music and fire-dance performances was electrifying. Tops were the bacchanalian dinner which consisted of several lechons, oodles of shrimps, sashimi, oysters, etc. I developed a bum stomach the next day!

An all-water sports activity was planned for us the next day. We contracted a group of tour guides for an island hopping. Our first stop was to the Crystal Cove Island Resort where a lot of walking in between entering two caves was imperative.

At the Crocodile Island, we swam and snorkeled. Lunch was at the Ilig-Iligan Beach while our young kids cavorted by the sea shore. The Banana Boat ride was exhilarating with salt water splashing straight at our faces and drenching us to the bone!

Next, we were brought to a large bamboo platform in the middle of the sea for a high-speed and heart-stopping Jet Ski ride! Another risk-taking activity was Helmet-diving. The kids snoozed throughout the ferry boat ride on our way back to the hotel. JB hosted a Chinese dinner in Hap Chan located at the Regency Food Plaza.

Our children and their families flew back to Manila a day earlier while Rey and I stayed another day. We had a two-hour buffet breakfast at the Regency’s Sea Breeze, enjoying the wide variety of delicious international delights while seated and relaxed with the stunning view of the beach.

A kilometer-walk by the beach up to D’Mall (shopping area) was invigorating. By late afternoon, I took a dip in the sea followed by swimming at one of the Regency’s pools.

This perfect island getaway was simply amazing and remarkable!