Boracay Is Killing Me…

I go up to the northern tip of Boracay for a day with a Ukrainian woman. Puka Beach is described as a deserted beach. Compared to White Beach, the 200 people there are hardly noticeable. The strong shorebreak sweeps away quite a few bathers. I set up the kite, but the wind is taking a break today. Me too. I realise that in the last seven weeks I’ve only just lain on the beach once.

In the evening, David and Miri arrive from Bohol via Cebu. We celebrate his birthday properly with a barbecue and a few gin and tonics in a bar with good live music. Boracay eats away at my stamina. I’m tired all the time and quickly feel tired when I go out in the evening. Again today. Somehow I always just survive in places like this. I live in other places.

Boracay also eats up my money faster than any other place in the Philippines. Whereas I used to be able to travel and live well on 35 euros a day all inclusive, here it’s over 70 euros – without any big extras and with cheap accommodation. Almost every tourist who comes to the Philippines also comes to Boracay. I just don’t understand why. I’m glad to be away again soon and really travelling. At least there are shoes in my size.

The main attraction on Boracay is the total traffic collapse every evening on the only road in front of D*Mall. Some traffic policemen regulate who has to stop where and when in the traffic jam. Very funny to watch. Once again, the Japanese take the cake. They’re the only people stupid enough to hire an off-road buggy on an island with 10 kilometres of roads and 5 kilometres of traffic jams – for a measly 80 euros a day.

I have to get my visa extended. I definitely know from other travellers in recent months that the first extension in Cebu, for example, costs 3,000 pesos, or around 55 euros. On Boracay you need passport photos, passport copies and you also have to apply for a Philippine ID card. The costs for all of this add up to over 7500 pesos – just under 140 euros. Boracay is killing me…