DAY 60---BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

 

   

        Here we are anchored at Boracay in the Philippines today.  They have managed to carry out the tendering operations here.  From our balcony I was watching them set up the gangway, then watched as the first tender was attempting to hook up.  I did not think they could safely do it but they are.  It is a perfect sunny day and 78 degrees this morning with an afternoon high forecast to be only 80 with a nice breeze.

Historical/Background Info:

        Another new port for us.  I guess I should have added this to the previous post.  The Philippines is an archipelago country in Southeast Asia which consists of 7,641 islands.  Total population of the all islands of the Philippines is 110 million. 

        Boracay is a tiny resort island that is only 4 miles long and 1 mile wide with a population of 37,800.  It has white sandy beaches and is famous for being one of the world’s top destinations for relaxation.  Travel magazines have awarded it “Best Island in the World”.  The Philippine government decreed a 6- month closure of the island for tourists in 2018 to undertake major renovation works, especially the sewage system which had become obsolete.  It was also closed to tourists during the covid pandemic.  

        Some of the leisure activities here include:  scuba diving, windsurfing, kiteboarding, snorkeling, cliff diving, parasailing, and horseback riding.

TODAY

                                   First tender approaching the gangway this morning.

                       This appears to be where the tenders will be docking to offload guests.

        This appears to be a floating platform for boats to tie up to for supplies offshore.  Or maybe for watersport activities to be based at.  Not sure.

        At lunch today I took some photos of the La Veranda buffet since most folks were off the ship and I had good access to take them.  I chose to get a burger and fries at the pool grill however.

Prepared salads.  There were also greens to the right of this so you can make you own salad with several different dressings.  I get anchovies here!

                                                  Cold quiches, meats, and sandwiches.

                                                    Fish, pork, more veggies, and potato.

                                                  Hot veggies, rice, and and a beef entree.

This is the carving station.  Something different carved every day.  Today is honey baked ham.  Elif, from Turkey, is doing the carving today.  I told her I was nervous with women with big knives!

Pasta station.  Pasta is partially cooked and finished when ordered.  Your choice of the sauce.

                                    Desserts.  There is also several flavors of ice cream available.

                                                   I ordered my burger and fries from Sugi.

        While having our lunch a nice couple approached our table and told us we were the most elegant couple on the ship.  Said we should be pictured in Regent's brochures.  I actually think they were most impressed with Rebecca's nice clothes.  Anyway, that was very nice of them.

        We did out treadmill time this morning and Rebecca watched her Bold & Beautiful.  She is watching Young & Restless this afternoon.  This morning I went down and printed off all our Fidelity tax documents.  Our CPA is filing for an extension but I will need to get busy on income taxes when we get home.  We are not going to take a tender ashore here.  This is basically a place to enjoy the beaches and we are not sun worshipers or beach people.  There were only two tours here and both to the beach.

        We will be sailing again at 6pm for our next stop which will be tomorrow morning at 9am in Manila.  It is 240 miles from here.  This is a port that all our Philippino crew members have been looking forward to for a long time.  Sadly, many will be disembarking for their vacations but many more will be embarking to take their place.  Many of the crew will get to visit with their families ashore for a short time tomorrow.  One of our stewardesses, Gale, will be leaving us.  Gale was Rebecca's stewardess when she was in covid isolation last October on Mariner.  We thought we would be able to wave at the families as we docked at the pier but now they do not allow families on the pier.  Damn!  

        I have arranged for a special Mexican dinner in Compass Rose this evening for us and three ladies who we normally drink with at the Mariner Lounge bar.  All three have lost their husbands and are traveling alone.  We enjoy their company.

                                         Tonight's Compass Rose menu for every one else.

        The show tonight is a production cast show, "Divos & Divas".  Yes, we have seen this show on this cruise and many other Regent cruises.

                                     Interest boat this evening as we were about to sail.