The ant is knowing and wise,
but he doesn’t know enough to take a vacation.
Clarence Day
If you have more than 7,000 islands, you run a pretty good chance of making the list of the world’s best beaches. Boracay Island in the Philippines is renowned for its powdery white sand and clear blue waters. Though its main stretch now feels more like Miami’s South Beach with rundown buildings sandwiched among the new, this island and many others in the archipelago have beaches that remain untamed. My vote for best beach always goes to the one with soft sand, calm waters, tree lined shade and service with a smile nearby. After almost a decade away, even I am impressed by Filipino hospitality.
To me, paradise means basking in loving kindness and cheerful helping hands, a dinner table that stretches as far as the horizon full of friends/family, and large platters of my favorite seafood! Neither luxury nor squalor, relentless heat nor humidity gets in the way of everyone sharing an easy laugh and a lilting accent. Among the variety of cultures I’ve observed in my travels, wealth always brings many comforts that are easy to love. The indomitable Filipino spirit and charm are powerful reminders that happiness exists with or without it.
Click on “Leave a Comment” (above left) to share your definition of paradise.
To get to this beach, you must…
Cross a deep ocean or two,
Brave flipflop traffic,
And risk being charmed by the locals.
What is a beach without palapas and coconuts?
My kind of charcoal grill has style
Tinikling is the traditional Philippine dance between 2 bamboo poles
that relentlessly snap at your heels
My favorite breakfast, snack, drink, shade, souvenir, etc…
Catch of the day
A little shell of a crab poked my toe–
making sure this night owl wasn’t just sleepwalking on the beach at sunrise
Not all crabs are created (or cooked) equal
Many happy returns!
© Sharon Birke
201 697 1947
Glamour Portraits of the Goddess in Every Wife & Mother
xoxox
Powerful Goddess Portraits 
Sep 20, 2013 @ 08:57:40
I’ve been told of Boracay and you’ve shown us….oh yessss, I’m goin, someday!
Yum, coconut!, I have never had coconut that fresh. And it looks like a place where crabs have good taste in a couple of ways…;)
Paradise for me ranges from my favorite destination, Jackson Hole, Wyoming to tropical visions of tranquility as you treated us to here and one similar that I enjoyed earlier this year, Maui, Hawaii. Already planning a return next year but staying in Hana or should I just tell the pilot, keep going!
Thank you Sharky for sharing images of such a beautiful place and the sweet faces of children always bring smiles.
Mountain
Sep 26, 2013 @ 17:56:48
Yes, do tell the pilot to keep going!
xoxox