Boracay, Penang & 44 Places to Go in 2009
This piece of news is a tad too old, but am retelling it here because I don’t think too many local bloggers made mention of the fact that Boracay Island made it to the New York Times list of “44 Places to Go in 2009.” (January 11 issue, ugh.)
In fact, I just stumbled upon this a few weeks ago while researching about Penang, Malaysia – the other Asian country in the list, along with Phuket, Thailand and India. It does make we wonder if they made the list before the security situation in the latter two countries.
Not to be a killjoy about it, but don’t you think listing Boracay JUST NOW is too late in the day? Boracay as one of the “44 Places to Go in 1999 ” would have been more apt, as all my friends rave about how a gem it was back then in the early days, without all the overcrowding, pollution and high prices.
Still, some news is better than no news. We all know that our dear Boracay deserves it, because it is more naturally beautiful than Bali or Phuket! All other underrated Philippine islands deserve it too, but I bet international publications will mention them 10 years too late 
I do agree that Penang is the culinary destination it is touted to be. That place just reeked of food as a way of life! I do believe we have our own Penang in the Philippines, and the closest place I can think of is Pampanga. It really is high time that the local government of that province get the traditional vendors together and market Pampanga as the must-go to place for culinary delights in the Philippines. It is not too far from Manila either.
Anyhoo, more about Boracay and Penang in my next posts.
P.S. Suddenly, I like to go to Marrakesh!
I really think I could travel more if only I wasn’t scared shite of flying …. and my vacation credits aren’t close to nil 
What a bummer.
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“Bali or Phuket”???? huh?!? are you serious? Have you ever been here to Boracay? This place is a dump compared to other SE Asia resort locations. Heck, they cant even keep the electricity turned on, the water makes people sick, the ocean has a high level of bacteria from 2 sewage runoffs.
There was another site that had dozens of people goto that Times listing and vote Boracay higher.. and every one of them admitted to having never been here.
Thats called LYING. Fake reviews. Liers. And to say this place is more beautiful than anywhere is just silly, theres trash all over the island. Ugly construction on every beach face— which BTW, is supported by the DOT.
Oh, and lets not forget the lot used to raise foul smelling noisy fighting cocks right on white beach. In an empty lot with squatters and trash everywhere. Thats the exact opposite that ANY tourist in the world wants to see directly on the beach.
Almost all of the horribly disgusting noisy construction sites are owned by politicians families, not forigners like the media keeps saying. Just look at the liscense on the wall.
And the dirty prostitutes/ladyboys here just dont stop bugging people, even married couples walking hand-in-hand. That doesnt happen even in sex-tourism cities.
I’m not saying Boracay is horrible, but its really only good for being listed as a backpackers or pensioneers destination. Not as a resort location.
MIlton, I did say Boracay is “more naturally beautiful” because that’s the truth. Take away the garbage, cramped establishments and all, Boracay will shine out like the gem of a beach it should be. This is all what my friends who saw it in the 80s and 90s say. Unfortunately, it’s 2009 now and Boracay’s uncontrolled development is rearing its ugly head.
Marrakesh could be interesting – what about Essaouira? Visited Morocco myself, from Algeciras, years ago.
All the touts made me homesick for Turkey, where they were better-behaved
I had to Wiki Essaouira…I have to admit, that looks good too
Looks like anywhere I’ve never seen!