Wanderlust Friday: Boracay, Philippines

Boracay is a small island in the Philippines located approximately 200 miles from Manila. Though the island itself is only 4.5 miles long there are multiple amazing beaches to choose from. White Beach, the most popular, is known for it's breathtaking sunsets and powdery white sand; Yapak Beach is also called Puka Shell Beach for the unique shells along the shore; Bulabog Beach located on the opposite side of the island as White beach is known for a quieter vibe; and Balinghai Beach is a romantic secluded cove on the north end. Due to the island's size most visitors navigate around by renting a bicycle or motorcycle. The best time to visit the island is during the dry season, locally known as the Amihan, which usually ranges from September or October to sometime in May or June.

The name Boracay can be attributed to different origins. One story says that it is derived from the local word "borac" which means cotton in reference to the color and texture of Boracay's white powdery sand. Others say the name was used by the original inhabitants of the island with "bora," meaning bubbles, and "bocay," meaning white in describing the water rushing ashore. Another version dates the name back to the Spanish discovering the shore and being told the shells were called "sigay". When the Spaniards asked the original inhabitants, the Atis, what they were planting they told them "boray", a type of vegetable seed. Thus, the name Boracay. 

Take a peek at my pictures below and see why Boracay was awarded Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Award and is often voted one of the best beaches in the world!

Sunset view of Willy's Rock

Ariel's Point, Borocay: $30 for unlimited drinks, food, boat ride, cliff jumping, tunes and an awesome day in the sun per my friend Tenille

 The diving board up close and personal

D'talippa Seafood Market

  

Food @ D'talipapa Seafood Market

A Few Things to Pack in My Bag

hat, bangles, sunglasses, dress, tank, shorts, bathing suit, sarong, yoga mat, towel

images 1, 2, 3, 4 via Wikipedia
images 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are from my friend and world traveler Tenille Knight

Joyeux Anniversaire to Me

7 years ago I discovered a little thing called wanderlust during my 1st trip abroad to Paris. 

I think it's time for a revisit.

In the mean time I will settle for good red wine, cheese, and fresh baked bread.

wan·der·lust

  [won-der-luhst] 

noun a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.

Wanderlust Friday

Normally I try to feature a place that I've had the pleasure of traveling to or the next destination that provides me with enough daydreams to get me through the work day. Instead, today I have decided to share my "life will be complete when" ultimate travel to-do list. Yes, I am a believer in Bucket Lists, and I can't explain the satisfaction that ensues when I see another place checked off. Honestly, there are few places I would turn down a chance to travel to whether in the USA or internationally. Recently I sat down to update said lists and realized I have officially been to 31 out of 50 of the States. Bring on #32! Very rarely do I rate the order in which I aspire to visit any of the destinations, because I prefer keep it spontaneous. For example, last summer with a little under 3 weeks until departure date I booked a trip to Europe and checked off Norway, London, & Sweden even though I vowed to travel to South America before crossing the pond again. However, for years I had dreamed of cruising down a fjord in the majestic countryside of Norway so when the opportunity presented itself I couldn't say no.

MY LIFE WILL BE COMPLETE WHEN TRAVEL LIST

Morrocco

one word: majestic

Brazil

beaches, beautiful people, and a little Samba on the side. yes, please?

Thailand

 the amazing food would be worth the journey alone and the best beaches in the world

Istanbul, Turkey

modern day meets ancient exotic

Argentina

 regardless of the fact that I have heard endless amazing things about Buenos Aires I look forward to a nice full glass of Malbec while relaxing in Mendoza....I would also love to ride along with a goucho, drink some yerba, and eat a nice hunk of steak followed by admiring the lustful dance moves of the tango

Italy

 a month and nothing less

Bolivia

 while in Peru the reputation of the hearts of the Bolivians from other travelers resounded 

Costa Rica

to experience La Pura Vida

Vancouver, BC

just because

New Zealand

 have you seen Lord of the Rings?

Croatia 

jagged coastlines dotted with lighthouses and amazing views of the Baltic Sea

Ireland

 my homeland!

Isreal

would love to submerge myself in the rich history

Mongolia

arriving via the Mongol Rally would be pretty rad

Czech Republic

beer, opera, and amazing architecture oh my

South Africa

mountains, beaches, wineries

Japan

hot springs and cherry blossums

Greece

white washed buildings, blue tile roofs, and bronzed bodies

Australia

everything seems bigger and better and the accents sexier

Denmark

just to eat at Noma

Austria

to hop and skip and sing to the sounds of music in the countryside

Philippines

beautiful beaches and smiling peoples

India

a shock to the senses (isn't that often needed?) would be worth it to see the biggest love story ever written err built and the indescribable richness of the culture

So my list kept growing as I was typing, and I realized I really need to start planning my next trip.

WANDERLUST FRIDAY: Éire

With St. Patrick's Day celebrations well under way today's feature is the great mother country of Ireland. Having the last name Quinn I have always considered my ancestry to be solely Irish forgetting all of the other influences in my lineage. Images of pale, freckled faced children with curly red hair frolicking in endless green pastures while their bearded fathers were in pubs singing tunes over pints of beer are primarily what come to mind. Lots of knee slapping and pints 'o sloshing is mixed in as well, and somehow the accent has a bit of pirate tone. While I like to daydream that my ancestors lived on a vast estate complete with large flocks of sheep and a castle overlooking the rugged coastline, I know that they more than likely fled to America as a result of the Potato Famine.

No one can dispute the influence the early Irish settlers have had on America. The most widely recognized is St. Patrick's Day. The Irish have celebrated this cultural and religious holiday, which commemorates St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland and the anniversary of his death, for over 1,000 years . Since it falls during Lent, families would attend church in the morning and celebrate during the afternoon. Lenten restrictions would be lifted on the consumption of meat and alcohol so people would dance, drink and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

One day I wish to visit this beautiful country and experience all of its finer things.......

Breathtaking 

Donegal

Sybil Head, Dingle Peninsula

Cliffs of Moher

Newgrange- built around 3200BC making it older than Stonehenge AND the great pyramids

*top image found here

WANDERLUST FRIDAY: Miles to Cross

The same dear friend who precipitated my love of travel shared this wonderful book with me a long time back titled, Miles to Cross,. Mike Howerton shares his wonderful physical and spiritual journey around much of the world. As a college student he set out to find out what life was really all about. This entailed Europe by train, USA by motorcycle, Britain by hitchhiking and Central America by jungle bus or any other possible means of transportation. During this amazing time of carpe diam he realized his physical journey is much like his spiritual one. In addition to endless travel inspiration, my favorite part of the book is Mike's Wanderlust Tenants.

Wanderlust Tenant #1: Notice things.
- Mike writes that wherever you are is a gift and you don't even have to travel somewhere to practice this tenant. If your eyes are not open you will never be able to live a life of appreciation regardless of where you go. Notice things. The trees budding out. The smell of freshly cut grass. Sunsets. A gentle breeze. By doing this you remain open to wonder.

sunset, Honolulu, HI

Tenant #2: Know yourself.

- Mike encourages us to believe that who we are is a gift. In order to get to know ourselves we must spend time listening to our restlessness, our dissatisfaction, and to our emptiness which will tell us about our heart's deep longing. By spending time doing this we learn to be comfortable with who we are and stop projecting our issues on those around us. Then, we can truly appreciate the beauty of life that surrounds. Notice things and never complain.

quite time in the Garden of Turia, Valencia, Spain

Tenant #3: Never complain.

- Life is a gift therefore there is no room for complaints. Complaining only incites anxiety, selfishness, and misery. Gratitude on the other hand combats all of these things. Mike encourages us to be thankful for where we are, who we are, and what we are experiencing. This frame of mind results in a type of peace that follows regardless of the circumstance. Notice things, know yourself, and never complain.

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Tenant #4: Love.

- Mike concludes that you will see others and their needs when you notice things. You will be able to draw near to others and allow them to draw near to you when you know yourself and drop your defenses. You will become selfless when you embrace a no complaints attitude. By doing these things you are able to serve and ultimately love others. Notice things, know yourself, never complain, and love.

Warhol exhibit, Valencia, Spain

during Las Fallas, Valencia, Spain

* image found here

WANDERLUST FRIDAY: The Catalyst

When I was finishing up college a dear friend set out into the great unknown to follow his dreams. This same dear friend was the catalyst behind my first big girl journey aka my discovery of travel. I was entering my second year of graduate school with a mere 2 week break between classes. During this break I managed to be in the wedding of my best friend 6 hours away and squeeze in a trip abroad. My first trip abroad. I must confess I skipped the first few days of that semester to make the trip happen and never regretted it for a moment. As far as I was concerned craniofacial anomalies and phonetics could wait. There were much more important things at hand like discovering every inch possible of Paris. Inexperienced traveler that I was showed up without any forethought other than I was on a mission to have a good time. I had just finished summer school and the last thing I wanted to do was read another book. Fortunately, my friend was living there working as a tour guide, so for 6 wonderful days I was a sponge. Six wonderful days were filled with wine, museums (Louvre? What's the Louvre?), being honked at while dodging cars on bicycles, Sacre Coeur, crepes, Notre Dame, the discovery of Nutella, Luxembourg Gardens, fending off admirers, pate, the Eiffel Tower, Catacombs, croissants, Les Invalides. I still remember the sounds of the streets filled with motos and horns drifting in the windows throughout the warm nights. From the moment I stepped foot on that wonderful continent of Europe I got "that feeling", and I haven't stopped going since.

My favorite place- Sacre Coeur

view of the city from Sacre Couer via

Luxembourg Gardens

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Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame Cathedral 

thought by many to be the finest French Gothic architecture in the world via Trip Advisor

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Source: Flickr / celinenyc

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le sigh.....Laduree

Take a peak inside. Love their signature mint green color.

Yum. Yum. Yum.

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  photo by Peter Turnley/Corbis via National Geographic

Streets of Paris

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Pinterest

Photo by Steven Greaves

Me- Paris- 2006