I just realized today that with the exception of January and June, I’ve always had a trip out of town every month this year. There were even some months when I had more than one trip out. And the truth is, it can actually take a toll, not just on the body but in an Oprah Winfrey kind of way, even on the spirit. Between packing and preparing for trips, actually going on them, then blogging about them and posting pictures on Facebook(!) then preparing again for the next trip, well, I guess it’s not so “sustainable” to be constantly on the go.
I do really love traveling —and this blog is definitely a testament to that. It’s just that, with the amount of travel that I did in the recent months, I realized that I need and want some sort of breather. I need time to relish the memories of holidays taken—to have enough time in between trips to cherish the last trip and to anticipate the next one. So now, I’m going to cherish the down time this weekend and in the coming Christmas season. While this is the time for some to go on their holiday trips, I’ll be looking forward to going through the pictures still stored in my external hard drive and enjoying the warm fuzzy memories of my travels.
Such as the trips I have taken to Boracay for work in September. Traveling for work is indeed very different from going on holiday simply for myself. There was a time when I had to wrestle with enjoying such an idyllic place as Boracay with knowing I was there in connection with my job (even usually easy sartorial choices had to be reexamined). There was even one time when I was in Boracay but I only just dined, entertained business associates, and slept in my hotel room and didn’t even get to see and enjoy the beach and the famous sunset—-that in itself made it a very different (unusual) Boracay experience for me. Don’t get me wrong—I count myself lucky to be able to do this as part of the job. In my previous work, the traveling was limited to office workshops/seminars and while I had good memories from those trips, being in charge of arranging the workshops also brought their own share of stress. But this time, it’s Boracay itself (with Caticlan of course) that is now an essential part of the job. And honestly, it was quite disorienting to grapple with Boracay as a holiday destination and also as work.
So it was a good thing that on my last trip there, I could say that I somehow really found a balance between being there for work and just enjoying myself (and almost as if I’m really there on holiday!). I also love the fact that I’m getting to see Boracay at different times throughout the year. Boracay in the peak season is quite different from the low season (like for example, having a picture of yourself taken at White Beach without any one in the background is next to impossible during the peak months). And after six trips to the island, it was only last September that I finally tried body boarding and skim boarding! I also got to finally meet a certain Aklan mayor who might even be a distant relative—with this job, the world is ever expanding and yet, it is a wonderful small world indeed.
Somehow, everything about Boracay that time was just quieter, more laid back, cleaner, more beachy rather than touristy especially at the super wide beachfront of Station 1 and not at the D’Mall area. While I was there with some colleagues, there were some rain showers but somehow, that only made me appreciate near-paradise all the more—especially when we had these to pass away the afternoon: fresh fruit shakes, early happy hour with pink flamingos at half off prices, isaw, and the beautiful golden hour. Then, we were showed around and wined and dined at the incomparable Discovery Shores. Of course, the Koreans and Chinese tourists were very much still everywhere in Boracay in their fully clothed glory, but oh well what can we do!
Sharing with you now the pictures. And have I mentioned already that I had to do this for work? 🙂 I wish everyone a happy weekend! Cheers! 🙂
Running sneakers | Women’s Nike Air Force 1 Shadow trainers – Latest Releases – Ietp , nike air max 97 lemonade yellow dress
Hi I am researching vacation spots in Boracay and came across your blog. The hotel you stayed in looks really nice. Was it child friendly, and if so what was the name of it please?
Thank you!
uy san nakakakuha ng blogger passport?!! gusto ko rin nyan! 🙂
Hi Christian, I got it at Tickles 🙂
Hi Shirley, the pictures of the hotel in the post are of DISCOVERY SHORES BORACAY. It’s one of the best hotels in Boracay and yes, it’s child friendly. There are so many hotel options in Boracay that you can consider. If it’s your first time and you want to be “closer to the action”, look for hotels at Station 2 (I would recommend Astoria, Red Coconut, and Boracay Regency). But if what you want more is relaxation, look for hotels in Station 1—which tend to be quieter and the beachfront there is nicer (this is where Discovery Shores is located). If you have any more questions, just email me 🙂
I miss Boracay!:)
When we go with the kids, we always stay at the Boracay Regency. The full-sized beds are great for co-sleeping. I would love to stay at Discovery Shores during my next visit. Your photos are superb and you look great!:)
Btw, to answer your question about the blog pics… i use Instagram… an Ipad/Iphone app… I then upload all the instagram pics to my desktop and use photoshop to make the collage.:)
Judy, the pics are all great and lovely, but the one with the fried bangus just makes me want to press a fast-forward button to when I can finally eat one of that!
Chrissy
Thank you so much Phenomenal Woman! 🙂 I’m already using Instagram via my Ipod Touch—will surely try your Photoshop collage tip 🙂
Hi Chrissy!! Let’s make a note already of what we’ll order when you come back home—including that daing na bangus! 🙂 Can’t wait to see you!
Hi Sunset Goddess! May i know how you planned/budgeted for this trip? Thanks a bunch. Love your blog! :))
Thank you 🙂 This particular Boracay trip was for work so in terms of budget, almost all expenses (except the skimboard lessons) were charged to the company 🙂 Fortunately, I’m going again to Boracay very soon and this time, will be there on vacation. Will provide budget details for that trip here after the trip so please watch out for that 🙂
Will do! Thanks SGM! 🙂
Your experiences in Boracay are fantastic! The beach, swimming, mouth-watering foods, delicious shakes, gorgeous resorts, so hard to resist. Boracay is the perfect place to enjoy and relax!