Recently lost your job? Finished queuing up for your dole with the rest of the country? Got some free time until the backlog of the unemployed sorts itself out and you get to tell your mammy you’re on social welfare? Well then, in the meantime why don’t jet yourself off and have a bit of craic while you still can! MAURICE O'HALLORAN explains how...

When you think of going on holiday there are certain things that immediately pop into your dreamy head. Beach, coconuts, exotic attractive scantily clad locals, cheap booze, palm trees, sand, sun and a little bit of madness! Fear not, there is such a place!

Boracay is a small, tropical island situated south of Manila in the Philippines. It is renowned among travellers as one of the most beautiful places in the world and was once voted world's best beach. Relatively unknown until the 70's the island paradise has since undergone something of a transformation as a result of its growing tourism.

Getting There

Off the beaten track it can be quite an adventure in itself just finding the place. The easiest and most direct route for Irish travellers would be to fly to Manila from Dublin then book a domestic flight to the island of Caticlan and finally hopping on a catamaran that will take you over to the island in some style.

If you’re feeling more adventurous you can work your way down, island hopping from manila, however this option will also see you more out of pocket and possibly lost on some random island!

Activities

Once on the island there are many things to keep one entertained, there are the usual activities such as windsurfing, quad bike rides around the island, full-body massages and banana boat riding.

A must for any visitor would have to be coral reef snorkelling. The fabulous array of sea life and reef features to be witnessed is something you will never forget, especially if you are one of the unfortunates who collides with some painful fire coral!

 All of these are easily organised with would be agents touting prices and excursions at anyone who will listen. The majority of the locals can speak English or at least have a basic knowledge of the language. It is also used to communicate locally as there are so many dialects ranging from island to island.

Accommodation

The best area to set up camp is White Beach on the west coast of the island, here you will find an array of guesthouses, huts and hotels to stay in as well as an abundance of bars, restaurants and of course, sun, sea, sand and coconuts!

There are some top of the range hotels available but the cheaper options seem like much more fun. Most of these are situated just off the beach front and you can book a double room for a week for as little as twenty five euro with a bit of healthy haggling.

Local Knowledge

From personal experience it is advisable to acquaint yourself with a local who will let you know who you can trust, and can point out local hustlers and their schemes. We were lucky enough to befriend a young man named Jojo who took us on his own boat, round all the best locations to snorkel and even provided biscuits to feed the tropical fish, all for the price of a crate of beer from the off license!

 Interesting Cuisine

One unusual place that may be of interest to travellers is 'The Hobbit Bar', which is a bar entirely staffed and run by little people. Be wary regarding the food however, as after ordering a beef curry I was served what can only be described as wet cow snout, not very appetising to say the least.

This is a recurring theme on the island. The food is not what we are used to in the west. By the end of your stay you will most likely be sick of it, especially all the greasy fries, which are probably the safest thing you can eat. Avoid the burgers as the meat is highly unlikely to have originated from a cow.

There are of course, exceptions, an Indian restaurant situated along the front of white beach was much better fare than most, all the same, make sure that any meat you order is thoroughly cooked and try and avoid the milk or you may incur the dreaded 'Cairo trots'!