Boracay

Taking in the northern part of the Visayas and Palawan, this is a sprawling area of scattered islands, many of them home to stunning white beaches and offshores coral reefs, including Boracay and El Nido, two of the country's most popular resort areas, The region also host some spectacular annual festivals, most notably Dinagyang held each of January in the city of Iloilo.

Iloilo is both one of the Visaya's most important cities and a historic place, a site colonized by the spanish in the very early days of their takeover of the Philippines. The surrounding areas bears some of the marks of the colonial presence, mainly in the form of fortress-like churches, the most famous being a World Heritage Site located in the town of Miagao.

Right: An afternoon view of the northern end of Boracay's magnificent White Beach. Stretching along much of the Island's west coast. White beach is lined for almost its whole length with reataurants, bars, hotels and the ubiquitous coconut palm.

Boracay

The Philippines' most popular tourist attraction, Boracay is a tiny island, barely 8 Km. long, lying off the southern tip of Panay, one fo the Visayas' main landmasses. Discovered as a holiday paradise in the 1980s by backpacking travellers, the draw has always been its credible White Beach that stretches 5 Km. along the west coasts. While those early backpackers might have found only very basic accommodation, today Boracay boasts some world-class resort hotels and is very much a mainstream tourism destination. Though it might be difficult to find solitude on White Beach these days, the sand remains stunningly white and fine, and the sea azure and crystal clear.

Above left: A sailing  outrigger, or 'paraw', sits on the shore at the southern end of White Beach awaiting customers, Paraw's are widely available for hire on Boracay, for peaceful wind-driven tours around the island, free from the typical clatter of a 'banca' engine!


Above right: The northern end of White Beach, Boracay. Sun-loungers. parasols, swaying coconut palms, fine white coral sand and a gently lapping azure sea; what more could one ask for from the archetypal tropical beach retreat?

Above: A long much of its length. White Beach is backed by a sandy traffic-free path lined by hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars and hotels, plus a liberal scattering of souvenir and snack stalls, all catering to a wide-ranging international clientele.

Above left: Built of thatch and coconut timber, Nigi Nigi Nu Noos is a long stablished restaurant in the centre of White Beach. These traditional materials were standard on Boracay few years ago, ensuring that the development blended in well with the rural setting, though this is increasingly giving way to concrete.


Above right: At Puka Beach close to Boracay's northern tip. a souvenir stall displays wind chimes made from shaped and painted sea shells.