Aklan: Boracay, A Pseudo Paradise Island

Boracay a Pseudo Island Paradise

“I’ve lived on the Island my whole life” said Gaga. Despite the name, he’s a male somewhere in his early to mid-twenties, a little over 5 feet in height and his tropical brown island skin along his chubby constructions is adorned with tattoos. We stumbled upon him that evening when my writer companion was looking for a place to get a real tattoo. Jay, one of the members of the comedy act of SPIT who’s knowledgeable with tattoos was there to help her out and found Gaga’s tattoo stall to be more competent among the line of tattoo stalls along Boracay Beach.

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El Nido: Helicopter Island and Sunset at Ipil Beach 2

El Nido Helicopter Island and Ipil Beach

“We can’t make it to Snake Island”, our boatman who doubles as our guide, Charlie informed us. It was already late mid afternoon and Snake Island is far down south of Bacuit Bay. We were also told that we needed to refill our fuel soon lest we got stuck in the middle of the bay. We headed to an island they called Helicopter Island, said to be named after its shape. But it looks a lot more like a whale to me.

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El Nido: Matinloc Island Shrine and finding the Hidden Beach

El Nido Matinloc Island Shrine and finding the Hidden Beach

Making our way back at the central channel of Taiputan-Matinloc Islands we docked on a beach where Matinloc Shrine is located. Shielded by walls of limestone, It’s a charming place that I felt it’s like a small piece of Greece with its architecture. There’s also a large platform facing the beach on the opposite island. Standing there gave us a surreal panorama of the aquamarine waters and limestone cliffs in every direction or angle.

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Guam: Reunions at Tumon Bay

It was all about family. Meeting relatives from my mom’s side and celebrating my Aunt Shirley’s 80th birthday in Guam was the main reason I found myself on this side of the USA. As an island nearer on the coast of the Philippines than that of mainland it was much easier to go there, cheaper as well especially with the cost shouldered by my sister from the US just to accompany my mom whose adamant to travel alone.

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El Nido: A relaxing afternoon at Corong-corong Beach

That little stint up at Pasadeña to see the Makinit Hotspring and Nagkalit-kalit Falls was partially a sad discovery. The hike was a welcome activity but I’m really concerned on how El Niño has affected our environment. It’s a wake-up call to everyone that the threat is real. We may not be feeling it outright inside our doorsteps in the suburbs but it’s happening out in the wilderness. And it’s not an exception for a place we call “The Last Frontier” in the Philippines.

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El Nido: Snorkeling Shimizu Island and Lazing at 7 Commandos

Snorkeling Shimizu Island and Lazing at 7 Commandos

Stuffed and rested, our boatman, Felix signaled us that we should be going. We’re getting too comfortable at the Secret Lagoon Beach and remembered that there are still a couple of stops before the afternoon ends. About 10-15 minutes south of Miniloc Island is an islet they call Shimizu Island (Others spelled Zimizu). It’s supposed to be one of popular snorkeling spots in Tour A.

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El Nido: Miniloc Island’s Secret Lagoon Beach

El Nido Miniloc Islands Secret Lagoon Beach

Exploration of Miniloc Island continues. We passed over the exclusive Miniloc Resort under El Nido Resorts since it’s private, we can’t go down there. And just when we thought we had enough of the Lagoons, we found ourselves on a very scenic beach called the Secret Lagoon Beach. A couple of playful puppies welcomed us at the beach on where would be our lunch stop for the day.

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