Melt your troubles away on Boracay`s White BeachAn impression by Keye Chang, contributing writer (released in Taipei News, June-06-2006)

Boracay`s No. 1 attraction is the four-kilometer White Beach that is reputed to be the finest in the world. The surrounding water is shallow and the sand - one of Boracay`s awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping phenomenons - is finer and whiter than the ones I had ever seen. (Come high noon, the white sand is almost blinding in its radiance.) The moment my bare feet touched Boracay`s baby powder-like sand; inhaled its clean, salty air; and saw the island`s morena (dusky) beauties, I felt myself "unclenching."

All of my worries, troubles, and exhaustion melted away. To me, a perfect day in my little shangri-la means lazing around the beach all day and guzzling bottles of ice-cold beer. If you are heading for Boracay, don`t forget to bring a pair of shorts, T-shirts, flip flops, bottles of sunscreen, a decent pair of shades, a camera, and speedos. Walking barefoot is the norm there.

In addition to napping, beer-drinking, and people-watching, you may engage in several other leisure activities in Boracay.Why not get a relaxing massage under the shade of a coconut tree? Or do a little boating? If you feel like getting a bit more exercise, do some windsurfing, trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Sailboating and kayaking are also popular sporting activities, with Boracay playing host to the annual Paraw Regatta, an international sailboat race that makes use of the native outrigger. Dive sites surround the island and are ideal venues to both neophyte and professional divers. The good thing about joining trekking and mountain biking trips is that you also get to explore the island`s charming villages. Those excursions will also take you to the edges of Boracay`s scenic rocky cliffs, and to several hidden beaches.

The more adventurous traveller may go boardsailing at Bulabog Beach. Located on the eastern side of Boracay Island, this boardsailor`s mecca draws enthusiasts from all over the world, especially during the peak season from November to March. In January, it is the site of an International Funboard Cup.

Bargain shopping is another fun activity in Boracay. The island`s vendors sell unique souvenir pieces, trinkets, and native accessories made of shells and semi-precious stones. Island cuisine naturally rules in Boracay. Seafood is served in various ways: Grilled, fried, poached, and even raw. A local delicacy, kinilaw or ceviche, is thinly sliced raw fish with a tangy vinegar dressing. In other parts of the country, kinilaw is served with diced green mangoes, kamias (a tart local fruit), premium vinegar, and red onions.