Boracay has always been my happy place.
My first visit in 1999 remains fresh in my memory, like it happened only yesterday.
Those were the times when staying in Station 1 meant you were going to be dropped off by your bangka transfer from Caticlan directly in front of your hotel (a luxury that I miss).
Not only was Discovery Shores nonexistent then, but we used to have picnic lunches underneath the coconut trees where the huge, modern-style resort now sits.
First experience
Boracay saw my two sons grow up. When they first experienced the island, they had plastic pails and buckets in their hands. As they became adolescents they began to appreciate the beauty of the island and the fun activities that came with it. Now that they are young adults, Boracay means friends, clubbing, sunset, sunrise and everything nice.
So, yes, Boracay literally means “fun” to my family. We have always looked forward to our annual trips to what has consistently been ranked as one of Asia’s best beaches (and on occasion the world’s best beaches).
Many trips to “Bora” have also allowed us to create very fond memories with friends and the rest of our family.
Birthday weekend
As my 50th birthday approached, it became clearer and clearer as to where I would celebrate this great (and somewhat daunting) milestone. It would be with the people most dear to me, and it would be where all the times and occasions that are so close to my heart have been.
My birthday weekend began on White Beach, the main beach and central attraction in Boracay. As the island was being developed, it has naturally become busier, but it has also become the site of great restaurants and bars to enjoy meals and a drink (or two).
As always, my family and I had a great time—massages on the beach, meeting up with friends, cocktails and dining. At this point, I didn’t know that I was about to discover a hidden gem that combines the excitement of the bustling White Beach with the serenity I remember from when I would visit years ago.
We had a longstanding invitation from a very good friend who is the proprietor of a boutique resort on the opposite side of the island.
Rieseling Boracay Beach Resort on Bulabog Beach is only a 10-minute walk from D’Mall, but it feels like another world. I’ve always felt that Bulabog Beach was on the neglected side of Boracay Island and was more suited for the athletic and adventurous types, with its kite boards and other demanding sports. But when we ventured the short trip, what a wonderful surprise!
Pristine
As soon as we got there, it immediately reminded me of the Boracay that I used to know, with its pristine white sand, blue seas and an abundance of coconut trees. I had unwittingly rediscovered the Boracay of the past, where I could lounge by the beach, get a massage under the coconut trees but without hearing the loud music and chatter coming from nearby establishments and the incessant vendors flogging items from sunglasses to pearl earrings.
Rustic, far less touristy than White Beach, it was perfect.
Rieseling Boracay is quaint, comfortable and tastefully done. The tropical architecture made for beautiful structures. Indigenous materials were used appropriately, resulting in a very attractive resort.
The rooms are big, in good condition and with a view of the ocean. The resort is right on the beach. You are literally on the sand as soon as you step out of your room. A few feet away is the clear blue water.
The warm service, the serenity of the resort and of the whole beach itself were nostalgic. I have my friend Sandy to thank for inviting us to her resort.
I now know that Boracay is not lost. You can find it on the other side of the island, and hopefully it remains this way for a very long time. –CONTRIBUTED
Rieseling Boracay Beach tel. +6336-2882505 www.rieslingboracay.com