The Travelling Life of Silvan Colani
February 2006 - Boracay, Philippines
It’s Chinese New Year again and what better way to celebrate the Year of the Dog on the bone-shaped island of Boracay – home of the flying dogs!!!
I’ve been to Boracay countless times and have by now run out of things to write about it. However, I never get tired of taking pictures there, so here’s a brief rundown of What to do in a week in Boracay:
Saturday
Had to get up early at 5:45am after a heavy night of pre-Chinese New Year drinks and celebrations in Lan Kwai Fong to catch an 8am flight to Manila. As always, try to spend as little time as possible in Manila and head straight for the domestic airport. Thanks to timely flights and connections, on the beach by 2pm. Awwwww.
Check into the greatest beachfront boutique hotel on the island – ARTISTA beach villas – and do nothing for the rest of the day (at least nothing I would tell you about)!
Sunset: a bit cloudy, but still spectacular.
Sunday
Kung Hei Fat Choi – happy New Year! Get up and collect some Lai See… Then do nothing. Then go for a walk, check out the new “mall” with its hideous ferries wheel and the new Chinese restaurant called “Mongkok”. Mongkok? Why not Sham Shui Po or Tung Chung? Who knows, I’m not eating there.
Mystical sunset and plenty of San Miguel.
Dinner at Jay Jays. Great fish and good music. Decide to propose to Mei to the tune of Robbie Williams’ Angels – it clearly was a sign that I couldn’t ignore. To my complete surprise (NOT!), she says YES and we’re happily engaged. Nobody else notices.
Monday
Wake up hangover and engaged. Break the good news to the assembled family members. Do nothing for the rest of the day.
Sunset in the clouds – pink and powerful.
Tuesday
Breakfast on the new roof terrace of ARTISTA (choice of Swiss or American breakfast).
Go for a dive at Crocodile Reef with a few crazy Swedes, who decide to have a photo session underwater sipping soft drinks and wearing sunglasses.
Picture perfect sunset. Again.
Wednesday
Do nothing until the sun sets. Recommended reading: The Art of Happiness, by the Dalai Lama. Puts everything into perspective.
Sit on the beach and do nothing until sun set.
More of the same, i.e. nothing, plus a brief dive on the Camia wreck. Dinner and first official engagement party at the Friday’s buffet. Jimmy clears the sushi bar.
Check out, pack up, get out, fly home.
For more on Boracay, check out these earlier reports:
March 2005 - Easter in Boracay 2005
February 2005 - Boracay Expedition 2005
January 2004 - 30th Birthday Expedition to Boracay
February 2002 - Top 10 Reasons Why Boracay is the Best
Go Back