FIREDANCERS OF BORACAY - FIRING UP THE NIGHTLIFE IN BORACAY

As night time fell in Boracay, the sea in this beach town of bright, powdery sand dries up during low tide signalling the end of beach activities for the day and start of a bright, lively and colorful night.  Hotels are prohibited to serve food and drinks on the beach during the day but as the late afternoon ushers in the darkness, the beachfront suddenly transforms itself into an outdoor club and restaurant. 

Of course no one will let the opportunity to get a glimpse of the spectacular Boracay sunset before calling it a day.  The low transforms the beach into a vast field of sand where beachgoers, previously swimming enjoys the cool afternoon breeze by playing land sports such as volleyball, frisbee, badminton or simply shoot away with their cameras as the sun slowly fades into the horizon.

Each beachfront hotel begins to cook its own gimmick of offering cheap affordable dinner coupled with some entertainment to attract potential customers.  Many offer eat-all-you can packages for the hungry vacationers while some offer relaxing entertainment while sipping their favorite drink and all these happen directly on the sandy beach.  You can hop on each of these establishments and take your pick.

There are no more peaceful night of stargazing on the beach in Boracay.  There are no more quiet contemplations while sitting on the sand, staring at the frolicking waves from afar.  Don't expect solitary soul-searching in this party place.  No. Boracay is what many consider as a social venue for parties, loud noise, bottomless, drinks, gluttonous eating and carnal pleasures.  If you're the type looking for solitude here, you won't find it in White Beach because because all these quiet vibes will be driven away by the sheer, loud atmosphere of the Boracay nightlife. 

One can still have that romantic moment if you're not the picky type who craves for a string quartet  serenading you while  having your candlelight dinner by the beach.  Just a simple, quiet lobster dinner that's  reasonably priced enough for anyone seeking the opportunity to experience this exotic seafood.  You just have to contend with the typical beach vendor who will occasionally approach you and offer you traditional street foods such as balut, chicharon and some novelty items that's fun to use in the beach.  Yes! that is the dinner package that Boracay candle light dinner has in store for you. There are still some establishments that don't have that loud entertainment for customers who just simply want to enjoy Boracay night without the party sounds.

Well if you're the type who prefers partying all night, this is the easiest to find because Boracay nights is what partying is all about.  There are many hotels putting up a party tent each night and they have lots of genre of music you can listen and enjoy while having dinner or sipping your favorite cocktail drinks.  Summer in Boracay is for Filipinos.  Our countrymen dominates this place at the peak of summer because of the many vacations in schools and summer outings of offices.  However, during the off-season, the place looks like a foreign resort because foreigners dominate  Boracay.  So if you prefer a quiet Boracay vacation in the midst of foreigners, clad in skimpy bathing suits, go there during the off season.  But if you prefer a summer party with loud music and plenty of people, go to Boracay in the summer.

Strolling at night can be fun in Boracay also. The tide ebbs away from the coast and you will be left with a wide stretch of sand in the dark.  Don't expect a night swim near the treeline.  The water will be very far from the treeline and probably be a naughty time to skinny dip if you're the daring type.  However, I wouldn't recommend it.  Viewing the coastline from where I am, Boracay is really infested with city lights that sooner or later will lead to the demise of this once pristine place.  I remember having read one article from Deep Ecology, a hardcore group,  that in prehistoric times, the Earth can be viewed from outer space as a dark planet; a sign that the planet is in a pristine, rugged condition.  In the present time however, when you view the Earth from outer space, you'll be surprised to find the planet littered with lights; a sign that the planet is already in a sick state.  This is very much the same sentiment I feel towards Boracay.

The best dinner experience one can have in Boracay is a lobster dinner.  The strategy for this opportunity to dine in style was simple.  We were usually having a 3 full meals with snack throughout the day in beachside restaurants that were classy.  On the 2nd day we decided to have a lobster dinner but it was a little bit expensive.  So in order to dine in style that night, we decided to be prudent throughout the day by having cheap breakfast and lunch at D'Mall carinderia where the food is a lot cheaper.  So come evening we have the budget to have the lobster dinner by the sea with a perfect view of the ebb tide and listen to the folk-laden entertainment for the evening. 

The entertainment for the night was folk music.  I don't usually go for loud disco music where people are shouting and dancing although they are really quite fun to see.  I prefer to listen to folk music because I myself was prolific in playing the guitar but as I grew older, my hands began to shake and can no longer press long upon the frets of the guitar, so I just settled for singing in videokes.

Of course the most interesting part of the night was the entry of the fire dancers.  These extreme group of dancers are usually composed of people from the "becky" sector of society but are very good in their craft.  I got an opportunity to pose with one while she was playing with fire.  They demonstrated many routines and techniques to the delight of the crowd.   I think a visit to Boracay will never be complete without watching these daredevils in the flesh.  This vacation was filled not only with breathtaking scenes of the Boracay land and seascape but with entertainment of the unique kind.  A rest and recreation for body and mind indeed!

It will take some adjustment on your camera to capture moments like this.  I like this one because of the shape that the dancer created.  However, I became obscured as I became dark in the foreground.

 This shot created a silhoutten of my shape.  At least you'll know that it is me judging from the size.  I was able to pose with a female fire dancer this time.

This is another photo of a male fire dancer although I was not able to photograph his exhibitions very well.

Finally, I was able to pose with one of the "becky" fire dancers.  She was exceptionally skillful with the fire.  And because of that I gave her a fat tip for her performance!

Well, that's it my friends!  That's my story of the Boracay Fire Dancers.  Did you know that when you wake up in the morning, you'll be surprised to find out that it looked like there was no partying that happened the night before?  The beachfront hotels are very fast in setting up tents in the afternoon in preparation for the evening's party and just like that they can immediately dismantle the tents right after the party that when you wake up in the morning you will be greeted by a clear, clean beach as if nothing happened the night before.    That's Boracay man and it only happens here in the Philippines! That's why it's more fun here folks!  So till the next story my friends! Stay healthy!  Travel and Tell!