Traveling Light in Paradise: Boracay and Manila 2012

What does it mean to travel light? I traveled to six places in 2 weeks with just 1 backpack. I usually always travel with a small carry on roller style bag, but this time a friend and I both took the challenge that – Less is more. We both agreed to go back-packer style and travel with only 1 backpack. I went from Shanxi to Beijing to Taipei to Boracay to Manila back to Beijing and then to Chongqing.

For this post, we will focus on Boracay and Manila. After Taiwan it was OFF to the Philippines. I had never been there, but was excited to go. I first flew in to Manila then had to transfer to a smaller plane to get to Caticlan. Then when we landed we had to take a boat to Boracay.

I must say, it seems very appropriate that we had to… fly in, take a smaller plane, then take a boat to get to Boracay. It seems like you should always have to do something like this to get on such an amazing tropical island.

The weather was amazing. It seems “amazing” and “beautiful” are the only two words I can use to describe the place, but the island was really spectacular. When I think back I can start to feel the rays of sunshine and the fresh smell of the ocean water.

The island has a front side and a back side. There is a really long strip filled with resorts, bars, restaurants, and shopping. You can get massages on the beach or choose to pick up an activity. There are people with signs and you can just drop by and then they can take you on an adventure of your choice. One of the more relaxing and affordable ones is a sailboat ride around the island. Grab a cool drink, some sunblock, a hat and shades, and relax on a 45 minute sailboat ride with water lightly splattering your feet and legs while the wind flows through your hair. There’s a lot more that I didn’t have time to check out, but would love to go back and do.

Fresh coconut anyone? There are people offering fresh fruits along the beach. I highly recommend getting a coconut and a mango or two or three… For the coconuts, try to get one that is not already chopped open. The first coconut my friend and I bought tasted a little stale, but fortunately we decided to try again. After we finished the coconut juice, this local kid with a big machete type knife hacked it open for us.. then showed us how to turn the coconut shell into a makeshift spoon to scoop the meat. You have to eat the coconut meat – so fresh and so tasty. If you don’t eat the meat inside, it’s a huge waste.

There are quite a few resort options in Boracay. Pretty much any type and price range to suit your needs. There are plenty right along the beach — and for short term stay, I would recommend staying beachfront. There are some that are a block away from the beach which are cheaper and feel even more local, but if you are only there for a few days or a week I prefer the feeling of waking up and walking outside to see an amazing beach and great blue ocean. Since my stay was only a few days we opted for a nicer middle end one. This place was so new that some rooms had not even ever been occupied yet.

So how did I go 6 places in 2 weeks with 1 backpack?
I got a mid-sized mountain climbing backpack and rolled up a weeks worth of clothes, my passport, phone charger, 13″ laptop, and toiletries and was off. The laptop was the heaviest item. As for clothes, you just hand wash them as you wear them and lay them out to dry. They can dry in about a day or two. Compared to using a washing and drying machine– It’s actually better for the earth. I actually have another friend who buys high quality outdoor geared quick dry style clothes and he only brings 2 of each item (pants, shirt, underwear, socks) and as he wears one, he will wash the other. He can go for 3-4 weeks at a time like this. I didn’t go to that level, but I think it is impressive in many ways.

As for food – There was an awesomely priced all you can eat seafood buffet spot. I also remember the fresh coconut meat, a ripe mango on the hot beach, and a plate of bbq chicken and rice under a tree. I think I am an island type of person because everything about the life here was amazing. Anyways, I think I’ll let the pictures above do the rest of the talking.

Next stop was back to Manila.

I was in Manila very briefly, but out of all coincidences– I ran into my friend Sam on the set of The Bourne Legacy! It was incredible. I was so far from home, hadn’t been back to LA in so long, and was only in Manila for two days and at dinner I unexpectedly ran into a familiar LA face. That really made my day!

I ventured out for some food the next day and found this Chicken parmagina which was delicious.

This adventure was filled with amazing food, warm weather, and new sights- just the way I like it. My traveling amigo was super cool to travel with because we both were into traveling backpacker style. We were able to make this entire trip with just one backpack! The more I travel, the more I realize “less is more”. There are so many things we think we need, that actually hold us back and the more I strip away the more I realize “The things you own, end up owning you.”

Tyler Durden (Fight Club) says “It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.”

Not to sporadically jump from fun tropical adventure to Fight Club quotes, but I think this was one of the takeaways from this trip– that it’s more important to enjoy life than possess material things beyond what you truly need. Nowadays I prefer to spend on experiences and adventures.

In the end, all you’re left with are your stories.