Boracay named top winter escape destination

MANILA, Philippines — Boracay continues to gain global recognition as it was named the top winter escape destination in the world by an international travel magazine.

Conde Nast Traveler recently ranked the 30 “Most Beautiful Winter Escapes in the World,” which included Boracay.

“Voted the world’s top island in our 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards, this itty-bitty speck (just under four square miles) in the western Philippines is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and Instagram-worthy sunsets,” Conde Nast Traveler said.

The international travel magazine also lauded Boracay for its thriving night scene, making it another attraction for tourists.

Among the other world destinations joining Boracay in the top 30 list are Baja California Sur in Mexico, Cape Town in South Africa and Hawaii.

Last October, Boracay, along with Cebu and Palawan, were voted as the top three best islands in the world outside of the United States by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Boracay’s powdery white sand and shallow azure water ideal for swimming and snorkeling were identified as among the main draws of the island.

Meanwhile, Cebu and the Visayan islands were recognized for the more personal vibe they gives off and the many up-and-coming restaurants and shopping options.

In contrast, the magazine highlighted that Palawan is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

“Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system. Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone loom in every direction,” the magazine said.

Last July, Boracay and Palawan were voted by readers of the international Travel+Leisure magazine as the third and first best island in the world, respectively.

Palawan received a score of 93.15, while Boracay scored 89.67.

source: beta.philstar.com

Boracay’s Famed White Sands Protected

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) --- Persons caught carting off Boracay Island’s powdery white sand will be imposed stricter penalties with the recent amendment of a Malay, Aklan ordinance banning extraction and collection of white sand and pebbles from the country’s premier holiday destination’s beach.

The Malay Sangguniang Bayan implemented amendments in Municipal Ordinance 310 recently run in a local newspaper with an aim to stop the blatant extraction of white sand from the island.

“Boracay Island, a masterpiece of nature endowed by the Almighty with powdery white sand, is being gradually dissipated by man’s selfish interests without due regard to consequences,” the ordinance stated.

The imposition of stricter penalties provided in the ordinance was also anchored on the provision of the Constitution to protect and advance the people’s right to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature and on the Local Government Code’s mandate for the protection of the environment and the imposition of appropriate penalties for acts endangering the environment.

With said amendments in place, first offenders caught extracting Boracay Island’s white sand will be fined P2,500 or imprisoned for a month or not more than three month, or both, at the court’s discretion.

For subsequent offenses, the ordinance imposes imprisonment of not less than three months or not more than six months.

The amended ordinance also said juridical persons, hotels, resorts, or business establishments violating the ordinance will be fined P2,500, imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months or both, to be imposed on the establishment’s president, manager, administrator, owner or proprietor.

If warranted, the offending establishments’ business permit may also be revoked.

Aside from the imposition of said stricter penalties, the offenders will also have to return to the beach the white sand and pebbles they extracted and collected.

source: mb.com.ph

Michael Phelps Competes in the 5xBanana Hammock Relay

Michael Phelps really meant it when he decided to go on a guys only vacation to the Maldives ... and TMZ has the bro-tastic pics to prove it.

As TMZ first reported, Phelps opted to skip traveling with his super hot new girlfriend, Megan Rossee, and instead traveled to the notoriously expensive island destination with his best boys.

Our source described the trip as "a relaxing bro getaway" that featured a lot of lounging, boating and (of course) drinking.

And he still has this to come home to. Good life.

source: tmz.com