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For me, the year begins in October, when the winds which have buffeted White Beach for several months finally swing around once again to the eastern shores, the clouds part and the sun comes out in all its glory.The months leading up to Christmas are probably my favourite time to be there, with the advantage of good weather, lower prices and relatively few tourists.
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Christmas usually marks the beginning of the busy season, though traditional celebrations are mostly replaced with lively parties and revelry on the beach. New Year is a hectic whirlwind of concerts, events and general excitement, culminating in a spectacular midnight fireworks display spanning the length of White Beach. The show often lasts for an hour or more, and is not to be missed.
In January, the island plays host to the Funboard Cup – the annual windsurfing competition which attracts entrants from around the globe, and in the town of Kalibo on mainland Panay Island you can experience the colourful Ati-Atihan festival, when locals dressed in flamboyant costumes dance through the streets to an accompaniment of lively drum beats.Watch out for the Paraw Regatta too, when Boracay’s native outrigger sailing boats compete in an exciting race along the beach front.
Throughout the following months, the island is a hive of activity and beach sports are extremely popular. Competitions are held for kiteboarding, dragon boat racing, ultimate frisbee, volleyball and beach soccer, and sun worshippers throng to Boracay’s picture perfect beach to soak up the rays. Tourism peaks during Chinese New Year and Holy Week (Easter), when the party people arrive in force, and you can dance the night away under the stars to the sound of live DJs and popular bands as well as ethnic music and tribal shows.
If all that partying has left you feeling a little weary, remember that even during the busiest months peace and quiet can be found on the numerous beaches and coves around the island’s coast, and a day in one of Boracay’s luxurious health spas is the perfect way to relax and detox.
Whether you are here for a romantic break, a family vacation or a fun-filled activity weekend you are bound to find something here to suit your tastes. Popular activities include scuba diving, horse-riding, sailing, snorkeling and beach-hopping, and in the evening there is a wide variety of restaurants to tempt your taste buds, and a friendly, laid back nightlife scene.
As high season draws to an end around June, island residents are almost relieved as the crowds disperse and Boracay becomes peaceful again.The “Habagat” (south-west monsoon) wind arrives on White Beach, bringing frequent rain and the occasional storm of typhoon. Die-hard islanders will always find a way to amuse themselves though, and the more adventurous among us take advantage of the strong winds to practice exhilarating water sports such as paraw-sailing and kiting. The eastern side of the island comes to its own during low season, and because of its calmer waters, Bulabog Beach is the new location for jet ski rides, banana boats and other fun family-friendly activities.
During these quiet months, friends take the time to bond with one another over a meal, a bottle of wine or a backgammon board, and when the sun makes an appearance the breeze on White Beach is lively and invigorating.
Whatever your objective, be it partying, pampering or relaxation, there is a place and a time for you on this ever-changing island.
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Many people have tried to define exactly what it is which brings people back to Boracay year after year. Is it the friendliness of the people? The cosmopolitan atmosphere? The restaurants and nightlife? Or the beautiful beaches and scenery? Gazing upon another breathtaking Boracay sunset, I realize that it is all of these things and more. The elusive secret ingredient? A healthy dose of “Island Magic”.
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Published: Philippinewide Magazine
and http://www.boracayspot.com/
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