After being in snowy Seoul freezing everyday I was really looking forward to my New Year's vacation to Boracay. We had worked Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas and had a very stressful month so I was BEYOND ready to relax on the beach. Boracay is in the Philippines and is home to the slanted palm tree that is on almost every one's computer. We left Saturday morning on the 5:00am bus headed to the airport. After traveling on bus, plane, taxi, plane, bus, ferry and tricycle a total of 19 hours due to layovers and delayed flights we were all ready to crash once we got there. The next morning we woke up and laid on the beach most of the day with beautiful weather. Molly, Katie & I got manicures & pedicures on the beach and were total beach bums most of the day. That evening we went on a sunset sailboat cruise. All the boats in Boracay are not like any other boats I have seen. They are mostly all wooden and have long poles on either side making them kind of look like a spider. 
On our sailboat their was a netting on either side so we were able to lounge on the net out above open water. The sunset was amazing and being out on a sailboat watching it go down made it even better. We then went out for dinner and met up with some of Tyler's friends that were staying on the island. The next morning, New Year's Eve, we went snorkeling. They took us out for about 5 hours. We were supposed to go island hopping on this trip but the waves were too bad at the other islands. Instead we went to 2 snorkeling spots and had lunch on another part of the island overlooking the water. That evening we had reservations at a buffet on the beach. 
Every night on Boracay there are numerous buffets set up along the beach. The four of us had dinner and then went our separate ways. Molly and I met up with some friends from the previous night and they told us they would be doing a pub crawl for the night. We of course signed up with them. This pub crawl had about 60 people and took us to 6 different bars. There were beach bars, rooftop bars and dance clubs. We rang in the New Year with an hour long firework show and live music on the beach. It was an amazing night and a New Year's I will never forget.
The next day consisted of a lot more lounging on the beach, drinking fresh coconuts and soaking up paradise. This was Katie's last day because she had to head back to work so we went out to a nice dinner that evening. Molly and I then hung out on the beach drinking sangria and listening to live music. The next morning we had to move to a new hostile so we packed our bags and headed out to check in to our new place. By this time I had developed quite the heat rash that was driving me crazy and spreading on my legs and arms. I couldn't take it any longer and before it could get any worse I decided it was time to go see a doctor. It is not a vacation with me and Molly without one of us having medical issues. It also allowed us to check out the health care in another country. It was quite the experience and not like any other doctor I have been to. I sat in a plastic chair at a plastic table with only a sheet separating me from the waiting room. The doctor told me to avoid the sun, lotions, chicken, eggs, and seafood as any of these could worsen the reaction. As all of us know that is exactly what every beach vacation is all about so I nodded and smiled took my steroids prescription and went on my merry way. I was not going to let a heat rash ruin my vacation and planned on still hanging on the beach but luckily for my legs sake it was cloudy the next 2 days so it allowed me to heal a bit.
The next morning we went on a booze cruise to Ariel's Point to go cliff jumping.There was a storm coming in so the waves were very intense and they were constantly moving the boat to try to avoid the HUMONGOUS waves. Once we got to Ariel's point Molly & I jumped off the 5 meter (16.4 ft) jump as we planned on working our way up to the highest at 15 meter.Tyler of course just went for the biggest first. I guess we should have worked our way up faster because shortly after our jump the skies opened up and it began to pour. Luckily they had quite a bit of covered area so the buffet and lunch were not ruined. After raining the rest of the day on us it was time to head back. The waves were even worse at this point as it was still pouring. Lucky for me I do not get sea sick because I would have been doomed if I was. That evening we had a Sushi dinner and met up with some people from England we had met at Ariel's Point. The next day we decided we needed to see the other side of the island. We got on a tricycle (which is there main form of transportation in Boracay) and headed to Puka Beach. We spent the day walking around and taking pictures of some of the many breathtaking views the island offered. We headed back to our side of the island for sunset since it would be our last of the trip. The sunsets in Boracay were absolutely stunning. Words or pictures just can not do this place justice. There are constantly sailboats passing by as the sun is sinking and every sunset was something you would see on a postcard. Molly & I of course had to take our usual jump shot picture because it would not be a vacation without one. On our last night we went to an open air fish market. Here is where you could walk up and down numerous aisles of fresh fish, many of them still swimming in tanks. You got to pick your seafood selection. We chose fish and mussels. You then take it right around the corner to a restaraunt where you tell them how you want it prepared and they cook it in front of you. This is probably the freshest seafood meal I will ever eat and it was absolutely delicious. The next day it was time to check out of our hostile, say our goodbyes to friends we had met and bid farewell to paradise. It was not easy leaving especially knowing we would be heading back to snow and freezing temperatures. We then stayed one night in Kalibo next to the airport since we had a 6:00 am flight the next morning. After another long day of traveling due to layovers I finally made it home, only to find out my washer machine was frozen, which meant I couldn't was my gross beachy laundry and my kitchen sink was frozen as well. Oh well, so is Seoul life! My vacation was absolutely amazing and I could not have asked for a better way to bring in a New Year! It really made me look forward to traveling for 2 mths throughout SE Asia in the beginning of March.
