The Journey

From Olongapo, our fearless driver Obet dropped us off at Clark International Airport. Clark has its own history—it was once a major U.S. Air Force base, one of the largest outside America, before being converted into a civilian airport in the 1990s. Today, it serves as a hub for travelers heading to destinations across the Philippines and beyond.

From Clark, we flew to Caticlan, then took another van to the port, a speedboat across the water, and finally another van to reach our hotel. It was a journey with many legs, but each step brought us closer to the island paradise we had been waiting for.

Breakfast, Our Way

We had two rooms, each equipped with everything needed to prepare breakfast. When planning the trip, both Ella and Ronald insisted we skip the hotel’s breakfast package—they could prepare it for about one‑third of the cost. They were right.

Our first order of business upon arrival was to move all the kitchen supplies into one room, along with the chairs, so all nine of us could eat together. It became our daily ritual: noisy, cheerful, and full of the kind of laughter that makes a trip unforgettable.

Island Days

Boracay gave us everything we hoped for. We enjoyed the warm beach, strolled along the shore, and went island hopping. The water was clear, the sand soft, and the sunsets painted the sky in colors that made everyone pause.

And then there were the braids. Some of you know I’ve been toying with the idea of shaving it all off, but I’ve never been sure how my chipmunk cheeks would look baldheaded. So, I decided to get my hair braided. The first two days felt like my scalp was going to fall off, but I survived—and the braids gave me a good idea of what a shaved head might look like.

Fun fact: when you braid your hair, you must apply sunscreen to your scalp. I learned this the hard way, with a sunburn in places I never thought possible.

Boracay also offered its own quirky surprises. There’s a place on the island where they sit you in a giant pot as if you’re being cooked. Rica and Ronald tried it, laughing at the playful illusion—it was one of those moments that perfectly captured the island’s mix of fun and whimsy.

And for a touch of artistry, four in our group went out for henna tattoos, returning with designs that lasted just long enough to become part of our Boracay memories.

After four days of sun, sand, and braids, it was time to head back. We returned to Olongapo, our home base, where the rhythm of everyday life welcomed us again. Laundry was done, rest was taken, and this time we treated ourselves to a home‑service massage—another small luxury that made being back feel just right.

Closing Boracay

Boracay had been a chapter of joy, laughter, and even a little daring, but the journey wasn’t over. In just a few days, we would be heading north to Baguio and Banaue, ready to take on the rice terraces and the stories waiting there.