Boracay: My Happy Place, My Birthday Destination

**BORACAY**, a small island paradise in the Philippines, has captivated me with its beauty and endless charm. I've visited this island paradise numerous times, yet each experience has been unique and unforgettable. Whether it's the vibrant summer sun or the refreshing monsoon rains, Boracay never fails to amaze me.  In my previous post, I listed all the reasons why I keep coming back to Boracay. This time, I am going to share with you my birthday trip to Boracay this year. ## My Recent Boracay Adventure This year, I celebrated my birthday in Boracay with my dear friends CJ and Chiarra. Our four-day, three-night adventure began in Antique, a neighboring province, before we set sail for Boracay.

	
	

## Exploring Boracay's Shores On our second day in our Antique-Boracay adventure, we arrived on Boracay Island at noon, eagerly anticipating our island exploration. We left our bags at our hostel's reception area since it was still too early to check-in and immediately headed to the beach. It was Chiarra's first time in Boracay, and while she was initially disappointed by the presence of green algae on the shore, she quickly embraced the island's beauty.  ## Boracay's Famous Fruit Shake Before going back to our hostel to check-in, we decided to try Jonah's iconic Fruit Shake, which is near the street going to our hostel. I had savored their delicious shakes years ago when they weren't too mainstream, but this time, the prices had increased, and they had expanded to multiple locations. ## Boracay Sunsets: A Spectacle of Colors With our bags settled, we strolled along the beach, capturing memories through photos. While I'm not the most photogenic person, I encouraged CJ and Chiarra to strike their poses. I attempted a few poses myself, but the camera's presence made me feel awkward. LOL

	
	
	

We continued our walk along the beach until we found the perfect spot to witness Boracay's magnificent sunset. Years ago, on my first visit to Boracay, I was mesmerized by the colorful sunsets. The sky transformed into a canvas of indescribable hues, as if the world was painting an emotion that I couldn't comprehend. Chiarra, too, was speechless, captivated by the beauty of the Boracay sunset. 

	
	

## A Surprise Birthday Celebration After the sunset, we explored D'Mall for dinner options and ended up at Jasper's, a *karenderia*/restaurant known for its affordable and delicious meals. What I love about Jasper is their home-cooked foods, delicious yet very affordable, and always packed with people, especially at dinner time. We strolled along the shore after dinner, passing by vibrant restaurants, bars, and clubs. We opted to lie on the sand, feeling too old to party anymore. Haha. Or maybe, we just didn't know how to party anymore like we used to.

	
	

Back at our hostel, I was scrolling through my phone at the hostel's lounge area when CJ and Chiarra surprised me with Happy Birthday balloons and a small cake. I was genuinely touched and shocked by their gesture, and I'm incredibly grateful for their friendship.  ## Boracay's Untapped Wonders After a few drinks, we called it a night like some 50-year-old people HAHA, knowing that Boracay had more surprises in store for us the next day. There are still many hidden coves, lesser-known beaches, and off-the-beaten-path trails waiting to be discovered. Boracay's untapped wonders continue to entice me, and I can't wait to return for another unforgettable adventure. [//]:# (!pinmapple 11.96837 lat 121.91886 long Boracay: My Happy Place, My Birthday Destination d3scr)