“Have you been to Boracay yet?” is a question everyone in the Philippines asks. The keyword is yet, because eventually everyone in the Philippines goes to Boracay. Boracay sits comfortably on the throne as the Philippines number one vacation destination. In fact, it was rated as the world’s #1 island in 2012 by Travel + Leisure Magazine. It’s not just that it has beaches, it’s the sand that is as soft and smooth as powdered sugar, it’s the always-just-right-temperature water, the sea breezes and warm temperatures, and enough beach-side hotels and restaurants to keep you entertained for several months.
We stayed at the Bluewaves Beachhouse. Perfect location, and they bake amazing bread there for your morning toast and eggs. My favorite meal was at the Lemon Cafe. The lemon martini is a cant-miss item on the menu. Unfortunately, we went back for a second time, and the drinks were awful, so consistency might need to be improved.
Yes, that is dog. When I walked buy, a bunch of men were enjoying roast dog for lunch. They called out to me and told me how much the loved it, just to get a reaction, I suppose. So, so, so gross.
Vietnam has the best beer in SE Asia. There are many varieties for sale, and most of them are based on European styles from colonial times. Freshly brewed beer is also available on the sidewalk. Unlike bottled beer, it has a more hoppy, fresh taste, and has less alcohol.
(below right) A caterpillar tractor inside one of the boats. 
(below) Nudibranch – soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusk which sheds its shell after its larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms. Wikipedia
Going into the wrecks could be a bit unnerving. This trip marked the first time we dove below 100ft. To add to that, it was inside of a boat, and we had about 7 minutes before we had to begin to ascend. We trusted our dive master, who had been through the wrecks thousands of times. I couldn’t help but think that if he had a sudden heart attack or something, we would have to find our own way back to the surface. That would have been very difficult, and even more scary. 
below – Mandarinfish, one of the most beautiful fish in the world.
Below – Lion Fish, the second most venomous fish after the sting ray. Non-lethal to humans, most of the time.
The profile of a face can be seen in the rock below.
by P-Lo
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