10 July - Borocay, The New Bali?

I've had the most frustrating time this week, organising our accommodation for Boracay Island, in the Philippines. The hotel rates have skyrocketed over the past 2 years, and anything under AU$300 per night was looking pretty mediocre. But I simply refuse to pay that kind of money for accommodation for a beach holiday! To make matters worse, Waling Waling hotel,  which I had been negotiating a brilliant package with all week (and was on the verge of paying for, I might add) came back today to tell me that they were undergoing renovation. "I apologise, Ma'am, but I forgot to mention it to you the other day." AAARGH!

Why was I persisting? There are so many gorgeous destinations in the Philippines like Palawan and Bohol. Why was I hell bent on going to Boracay?

We fell in love with this island paradise when my husband and I decided to rent a 3 bedroom house right on its pristine white sands for a week in 2007. We took all our kids with us, and I can only describe our time there as idyllic. The sand is so fine that one need never wear shoes when walking Boracay's shores, even at midday. The Turquoise waters are calm, warm and crystal clear, just the way I like it. And don't get me started on the beach massages! Bliss!! And shopping? D'Mall is only a 10 to 15 minute walk away along the shoreline and filled with craft, souvenir, home and fashion boutiques. Restaurants and bars? A plethora of them line the shores of this glorious beach. In fact you don't need so much as a bycycle to get around in Boracay as everything is within walking distance. In fact, planes and cars are not allowed on the island; it is only accessible by boat.

Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315 km south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. In 1990, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and again in 1996 by British publication TV Quick as the world's number one tropical beach.

I'm pleased to say that I was able to secure some great accommodation at the Seawinds Resort through Agoda over the net. I can't wait to return to Boracay for our third time, before the rest of the world catches on to it. Judging by the accommodation rates, it just about has!

Victoria Ugarte is the Founder and Director of Postcards From Millie. Based in Sydney, Australia, she spends 3 months out of every year traveling the world, keeping you posted on the most exciting destinations, itineraries, travel tips and resources. Yearning to travel the world but no time to plan it? Ready to explore the globe but not sure of where to start? Let Victoria bring the world to you on http://www.postcardsfrommillie.com.au/

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