Not Your Ordinary Boracay

Posted on March 17, 2011 in Boracay

Pictures of white sand beaches, strips of classy restaurant and hotels, massage offerings, etcetera fill the mind of a traveler when the word “Boracay” is mentioned. Everyone seems to have memorized the shops you see from Stations 1 to 3. I mean who doesn’t now the famous D-Mall, Willy’s Rock and Summer Place- names that yuppies seem to include in their conversations even while at office. Why not? It’s cool to be in Boracay.

Trivia: Station 1-3 are called that way because back “when the sands were sugar-white and bats ruled the sky” in Boracay (1980 up till the early 90’s) these are Boat Stations, were locals park their outriggers from a day of fishing. How I wish I was able to visit the famed island during those times.

Anyway, I would like to share some spots that can be visited in a day; unfrequented mainly because tourists are concentrated on Stations 1-3. Warning on the last spot, dude!

Puka Shell Beach. I go here after waking up late because of too much partying the night before. This could have been the nearest look of Boracay White Beach in the 80’s. My fave spot in the whole island as this is a bit far from the hotels. Eco Village takes care of this beach and no one is allowed to build a structure. I love this as I can just spread my blanket and just lay below the coconut tree not minding the time.

Take your shirts off and have some tanlines. Your sandals, carry it? A leisurely walk would might tempt you to visit the nearby Carabao Island (already a part of Romblon). Don’t worry about getting sands in your nails, as you can always have your nails made when you’re back at home. Today your feet wants the coarse sand and little shells.

If you are really bothered, you can bring some comfy shoes while having a nice beach walk.

Puka Beach untouched, (located at the northern part of the island, see topmost image)

Take get back to Station 2 by noon to have some lunch and then you go to…

Mt. Luho. I first saw this while having my training run last year at the outskirts of the island. Just about 10minutes of hike on the eastern part, near Bulabog beach where kite surfers congregate. The upper deck has 360° view payoff, a must for every visitor as this is the highest elevation in the island. You can also see a mini-zoo here, although I’m not a fan of this because I want this poor creatures to be free in the wild.

Entrance fee: Php50

Bulabog beach as seen from Mt.Luho (can be found on the eastern side, Brgy. Balabag)

Just below this hill, walk about a mile and you will see

The Dumpsite (or what they call as Municipal Recycling Facility). As a traveler, I am very wary of those who doesn’t take care of the environment and trash their garbage in any place they wanted. For those who love Boracay, you should take a look at the dumpsite at Brgy.Balabag. Here goes all the trash, plastics we bring. It’s like a mini-Payatas where scavengers abound. Not really a tourist spot, but an eye-opener.

Boracay Dumpsite, this is where all our trashes go (located at Brgy. Balabag). Photo credit: C. Tan

I just thought that this would somehow bring back conscience to the frequent visitors. Let’s not wait until all of the island looks like this.

Go back to the white beach and maybe try skimboarding, this is a fusion of surfing & skateboarding. Just for a few bucks and get some dose of adrenaline when you get to learn riding it.

Must be hungry for dinner already, have some carbs and don’t end the day within chillin’ at Bombom Bar (Reggae and Acoustic Music) or if you are into partying, go to Summer Place or Club Paraw (party starts at 12mn).

____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Besides what other Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ shared for this 5^th edition of Blog Carnival on the “Best One Day Itineraries,” I offer you my untouristy itinerary in the renowned white sands of Boracay.

Special thanks to Travel Photographer Karlo de Leon of 4AM Chronicles, http://www.karlodl.com. You can also click the blog carnival logo to view the past editions, I tell you all are must-read.

Tags: blog carnival, Boracay

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lakwatsera de primera
March 17, 2011 at 10:02 am

You’re right, Puka Beach is the closest thing you can get right now if you want to experience Boracay back then when only a few backpackers knew about this paradise. The sunset here is also spectacular minus the frantic crowd

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Josiah
March 17, 2011 at 11:02 am

James, I don’t know the names of the malls in Boracay. I’ve never been to Boracay. And I’m not excited to go there as well since I’m not a fan of nightlife and crowds but your post made me want to go there. Thanks for sharing this and for the eye opener of what effect our trash may bring. I wish there were more responsible tourists here in the Philippines.

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nina
March 17, 2011 at 12:14 pm

Yesss Puka beach is love!

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chyng
March 17, 2011 at 3:31 pm

what?! may mini payatas sa Boracay?

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- journeyingjames
  March 17, 2011 at 3:46 pm
  
  and it will be as big as payatas kapag di natin inalagaan ang isla. sad right?
  
  Reply
Ivan
March 17, 2011 at 6:10 pm

hmmm.. garbage hill?! baka naman may plano sila mag-harness ng methane in the future (biomass electricity source)… alternative

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JeffZ
March 18, 2011 at 1:06 am

The more na nagiging popular ang boracay (though uber sikat na), nagiging prone to sa mga pasaway na peeps na walang habas na nagkakalat kahit saan.. I just hope na with all the campaigns to take good care of Boracay and other islands in PH, sana eh gawin naman ng mga tao ang share nila…

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pinoy boy journals
March 18, 2011 at 1:48 am

actually, yung garbage problem ang di ko alam kung paano sosolusyonan. Clueless kung ano dapat gawin?

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Ariel
March 18, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Been to Puka Shell Beach twice just last week James. The first super ganda talaga, but yung second may mga kalat ng mga trees. Malakas din hangin at alon last Thursday.

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Eric
March 19, 2011 at 8:29 am

That I don’t like about when we take advantage of our tourist spot..we visited places to relax and enjoy but we left rubbish that destroyed the place…the rubbis is an eye sore….so disheartening.

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Pinoy Adventurista
March 19, 2011 at 9:09 am

looks like Puka beach is the place to be when in Boracay… thanks for sharing…

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Jona
May 12, 2011 at 7:23 am

“I just thought that this would somehow bring back conscience to the frequent visitors. Let’s not wait until all of the island looks like this.”

This should also raise awareness among us travel bloggers/writers. Instead of emphasizing the touristy aspect of our trips, we should also delve into societal immersion.

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- journeyingjames
  May 13, 2011 at 3:57 am
  
  that pic was taken years ago, i dont know the latest situation now, i hope its better now or else we might not see our children and grandchildren enjoying this part of paradise.
  
  thanks for the comment, i agree with you. more to come!
  
  Reply
ohmski
May 12, 2011 at 9:17 am

it’s good that you posted about this. there are already efforts on how to rehabilitate Boracay to regain it’s paradise image. i’ve spoken to one of their aggressive volunteers that they are doing everything they can in order to make the island clean as it should be.

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- journeyingjames
  May 13, 2011 at 4:07 am
  
  that’s good news! please update me with the rehabilitation schemes and its development. i’ll visit this place when i visit boracay this year. thanks a lot sir!
  
  Reply
crazy sexy fun traveler
December 3, 2011 at 12:24 pm

The dumpsite does not look nice at all!

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- journeyingjames
  December 5, 2011 at 11:52 am
  
  and that’s the trash of 2006…
  
  Reply
batanggala
December 21, 2011 at 5:20 pm

been in boracay recently.. it’s really AWESOME!

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Couple Pinas Traveler » Aklan again for the month of April 2012!?
January 23, 2012 at 8:24 am

[...] don’t wanna miss Boracay of course. According to James a great blogger and traveler, his “Not your Ordinary Boracay” article would be the best thing to do in that famous Island. I don’t wanna be in a crowded [...]

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