Boracay, Philippines

I’m used to traveling for work. It usually means flying alone, landing in a cool place and connecting with the team within a few hours. 

This trip has been different. Firstly … Asia! Insanely cool to be on a continent that I don’t know. I went to Hong Kong in 2011 but outside of that, it’s a complete unknown for me. 

Secondly, James and I had planned to fly together but circumstances changed and he stayed home which has resulted in me traveling solo longer than I’m used to. 

This is a new feeling. Quite a vulnerable one, quite an indulgent one, and uncomfortable at times. Not uncomfortable in a way that I’m not happy, more just that I can feel growth in myself. This is like a new skill I’m flexing. It feels quite cool. 

Thankfully my need for planning and control has meant I’m seldom in any situation where I’m thrown a curveball. My arrival in Boracay was proof of that pudding. My pre-booked transfer to my hotel ended up being a multi-step trip that required two vehicles, going through a port, taking a boat and a 1km walk as turns out, I’m staying along the beach where no vehicles can go. Who knew! If I was in Europe or the US, I would have planned nothing and just grabbed a cab or called an uber. 

There’s also this paradigm where I’m not talking, but it’s not quiet. It’s this weird oxymoron. I’m constantly surrounded by people. I’m eating out every meal, I’m working out and about, I’m on the beach, I’m walking the island. And it is BUSY! Holy sh1t there are so many people here, yet I’m not engaging with anyone. I’m finding that quite therapeutic actually. I’m loving not talking but I’m loving not being alone. I’m loving that nobody is expecting anything from me (serious case of mom-syndrome!). 

My time is my own. My voice is my own. My sleep is my own. It’s been quite wonderful. 

So far I’ve learnt a few things about Philippines I’d love to share. 

1. It’s really affordable as a South African. Our currency is actually stronger than theirs! A bottle of water or soft drink are around R15, and a beer R20. 
2. There are of course fancy restaurants along the beach which cost more, but they’re really easy to avoid and there are some low-key local beach bars which are just as fun. 
3. I feel Boracay deserves the title “the city that never sleeps”. When I go to bed, this place is so alive. People everywhere, live music coming from every restaurant, clubs, massages, markets – it’s really cool. But – if you’re up and about at 7am. It’s the same. The live music isn’t playing but families are out, all the restaurants are open, people exercising. It’s been such a cool experience seeing it both in the morning and the night. 
4. The food is different, but very delicious. It’s a lot of meat, broth and vegetables. Most people enjoy it with rice but I’ve just been loving having it on its own. 
5. There’s very little focus on alcohol. The beaches are a no-food, no-drink place. Only water allowed. And at the bars, most people seem to be sipping on fruit juices and waters. There are beers and cocktails on every menu, but nobody I have seen is getting messy which is a real eye opener considering there are heaps of foreigners from more booze-focused locations. 

In a nutshell my trip to Boracay has been quite epic. A great balance of work and play (and sleep). I recognize I come from a seriously privileged position here, but if anyone can travel alone, even for a few days, I highly recommend it. It doesn’t have to be across the world – keep it local if that works for you. But there’s some wonderful personal growth that comes from it 🫶

Now … on to the main event in Manila.