Pages

Thursday 19 May 2016

Boracay Travel: Borocay Lifestyle


The best part of travelling does not always have to be expensive packages. Just seeing the lifestyle of the indigenous people, what they eat, what they do for a living and how they live can be a rewarding experience for me. These things which I can do for free often constitute the most memorable part of my journey abroad 
Below are pictures I took while moving around Boracay. They speak of a lifestyle - the Boracay lifestyle. Each has a story to tell.
There is only one main road in Boracay. It is nothing like the state-of-the art highways you see in big cities. It is just a small two-laned road which appeals to me for only one reason - it is very easy to cross.
There are no cars in Boracay. Neither are there buses or trains. Mostly plying the main road and broader lanes are the three-wheel motorized tricycles. Frequently you do see bicycles, motorcycles, vans and small trucks.
It is a wonder how as many as 7 passengers (8 including the rider) are cramped into a small motorized tricycle. I doubt big-sized Farangs are ever the targets of the tricycle owners.
You only need to pay 10 pesos (RM0.90)  to hop-on and hop-off the tricycles anywhere along Boat Station 1,2 and 3.
This is the island clinic which doesn't quite look like a clinic.
And this is an elementary school. 
A typical grocery stall looks like this. There are a few supermarkets but don't expect them to be as well-stocked as Tesco or Giant back home.
 A small fan does the perfect job of keeping the flies away.
These village kids still play with sand balls. Looking at them makes me feel a little nostalgic.
There are not as many street vendors in Boracay compared to other South East Asian cities. This looks like a popular snack among the Pinoys.
This eatery at the base of Mount Luho sells drinks that come in rainbow colors.
I like the idea of having my plain rice served this way. So appetizing.
Beach vendors just know how to take advantage of Borocay weather. Broad hats and sunglasses are necessities here.
Fancy drinking from a container half as tall as you? Then come to this White Beach stall.
This photo was taken on the sea off Angol Point. While we were snorkeling from our outrigger boat, a man appeared on a tiny row boat. The weather was hot and his coconuts were completely sold out!
Skewered and bbq pig innards may not be your cup of tea but if it is, there are many beach vendors that sell them. 
More innards for you.
The late comers to this catholic church stood to worship from outside as it is 'Full House' inside.
This side lane branching off the main road can be considered broad as there are many that are not accessible by motorized vehicles.
The three types of seasoning usually provided in restaurants serving Filipino cuisines: From right: cane vinegar, soya sauce, and chili vinegar. With these to whet the appetite, you may ask for an extra plate of rice.
If you wish to get a tattoo, a shop like this looks more proper compared to doing it on the open beach.
The children have found a way to earn extra bucks. Building a sand castles and renting it for people who wish to pose with it seems like easy income as sand castles with the word 'BOROCAY'  are a hit among the myriads of visitors.
Boys as young as 5 or 6 years years old are in this sand castle business.
The market is always an exciting place to visit. Here the clams and shell fish are humongous. If you don't have your own kitchen to cook them, there are nearby restaurants that are willing to cook them for a fee.
Pawnshops are doing a robust business in Boracay.
Some meaningful souvenirs you can bring home would be hand painted T-shirts.
I walked so many beaches but I have not found a single beautiful sea shell. I now know where all the sea shells disappeared to.
A group of Pinoy youths having fun with traditional musical instruments.
I find this more charming than a high rise in New York.
Why would you get a massage in Boracay if you can get cheaper massage back home? But at Ortega you can get one as cheap as 250 pesos an hour (RM22.50/hour).
There is a pub at White Beach with a very weird decor.
A motorized tricycle can be made to look pretty too.
Boracay can be over crowded so it is nice to see the quieter side of the island sometimes.
A village church in Angol, off White Beach
Pinoys love to sing. Many sing in the public oblivious to the presence of others, like this sales assistant who melodiously belt out the latest pop songs while I was shopping.
I like the Pinoys in Boracay as they are helpful and super friendly.


No comments :

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...