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Near the island of Panay, in the central group of islands in the Philippines collectively known as Visayas, lies the tropical isle of Boracay. With its powdery white sand, vast expanse of coast, and exciting nightlife, it has become the quintessential Philippine summer destination.

Tucked away behind three private coves is the sprawling estate of Fairways and Bluewater Boracay Resort. It is a 120-hectare property that is isolated enough to provide its guests with a tranquil and serene ambience, but close enough for a quick shuttle ride to the main beach for shopping or a night out.

Due to the resort’s sizeable land area, guests have to be shuttled from their rooms to the clubhouse. It’s a pleasant ride, and the staff are so welcoming and accommodating. I was delighted when I entered my room. It was extremely spacious and contained two queen-sized beds. The beds were comfortable and as I settled in, I could not help but notice how the light streaming in from the windows made the room feel so light and airy. Seventy percent of the rooms in Fairways are newly constructed, which make it a top choice for couples and groups who place a premium on space, comfort, and class.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF RIDE
As I browsed a hotel brochure in my room, one of the resort activities immediately caught my eye. “Horseback Riding”, it said. In Boracay? Riding was an activity that I normally associated with the mountain city of Baguio, six hours north of Manila by car. I had never gone riding on a beach. I did not know they even had horses on the island (in fact, as I later found out, the horses were specially ferried in from Baguio for Fairways). Intrigued by the unconventional activity, I signed up right then and there for a ride the next day.

The following morning, I was greeted by a dapper-looking jockey, who was handsomely suited in a red and black uniform. He was leading a petite horse to the alcove on the beach where I stood waiting. The jockey assisted me in mounting the steed and gently led us both toward the golf course’s back nine. It was late in the morning and the time was perfect for a quick horseback riding adventure, as it was neither too cool nor too hot in the day.

The ride began with a climb towards an elevated vantage point. As we inched up the small hill that leads to the back nine, the tropical bushes crept lower and lower to unfold a dramatic view of the bay where the stony bluffs framed the sprawling blue horizon. There were a few white sailboats gliding across the flat blue surface, leaving behind a trail of white foam. A few bancas, or native bamboo catamarans, were pulling into the harbor as the waters gently ebbed on the shore. The scene was so picturesque, and the weather so cooperative, that I had to ask my jockey to stop for a while so I could admire the view and take a snapshot. He was kind enough to oblige, as was my horse, who patiently struck a pose for the camera.

It was a lovely, leisurely ride accented by spurts of adrenalin. On the flat roads of the course I would tug a little at the reins and the horse would eagerly canter down the path. After about an hour of riding, we made our way back to the beachside, passing through a shaded area. On either side of the road were trees with dark purple berries. My guide broke off a small branch and offered me the fruits to snack on. Sweet with just a hint of tart, it was a pleasant way to end the ride. As we reached the shore, I decided to go for my last hurrah, leading the horse to a full gallop on the sandy beach. It felt incredible to experience for the first time the unadulterated pleasure of riding full speed across a pristine sandy shore. Quite a memorable way to start the morning and a good way to work up my appetite for lunch.

BEACHSIDE PAMPERING
The morning adventure left my knees a little weak, and after eating a hearty meal, I retired to my room to relax. Sitting on my night table was a sign from the Maris Spa advertising spa packages. Perfect, I thought. What better way to unwind from a morning jaunt on horseback than a full body massage? I picked up the phone and called to make an afternoon appointment.

The Maris Spa offers room service treatments, which are very popular with their guests. However, I was curious to see the new treatment rooms and opted to take a shuttle to the Fairways beach cove. The spa is ideally situated by the shore, and each treatment room has its own personal cabana. I chose the Maris Express Package, a four-in-one treatment with a body pack, facial mask, tummy wrap, full body massage, and Jacuzzi bubble bath. The attendant at the spa showed me a menu with various choices per treatment; each herb or flower offered a benefit for the body and skin. Seeking total relaxation, I chose the ingredients that would give me a soothing yet invigorating treatment.

My masseuse was very skilled. She knew how to apply pressure in the areas where I needed them the most yet was also gentle enough that all my anxiety melted away. The wrap treatments were an interesting surprise. My flesh tingled as cold cream was painted on me with a brush and soft tissue was wrapped around my body. The treatment was followed by a warm compress that eased away my tension. It was the perfect remedy to the aches I developed after horseback riding. I felt utterly at peace and returned to my room contented.

KOREAN DINING
Fairways and Bluewater also boasts of the only restaurant that serves Korean cuisine on the island. Situated by the pool, a short walk away from the clubhouse, is the Bi Won Korean Restaurant. It is a simple, unassuming eatery that is open from breakfast to dinner. Bi Won serves both traditional lauriat style meals and hot pot dinners.

We were presented with a variety of appetizers to start our meal. Apart from the usual kim chi and potato, there were also some new dishes that the chef had developed to suit the Filipino palate: chili sayote and kangkong. Korean spice is unique; it seems subtle at first then sears slightly after. It was also strangely addicting, and even before the meal began, I was already filling myself on the many starters.

For our main course we ordered the house specialty, kalbi jim or beef rib stew with fried egg, and jap chae glass noodles. Jap chae is my favorite Korean dish, and Bi Won did not disappoint. Adding to the authenticity of the meal were the traditional slim metal chopsticks and rice bowl. It was a pleasant and laid-back dinner that my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed.

A PRIVATE PLAYGROUND
The Fairways and Bluewater beachfront offers a distinct experience as compared to that of its Long Beach counterpart on the other side of the island. The cove fronting the Fairways Clubhouse is exclusive to the resort, which makes it an ideal spot for vacationers who prefer privacy and seclusion.

A keyhole cliff stands to one side. On the other, the lapping waters have carved little niches and a small cave in the tall jutting rocks. This time of year is known as the Habagat, when the monsoon rains begin to creep in on the island. So I was extremely pleased that morning to find that my prayers for continued sun and good weather were answered. Dropping off my things on a lounge chair, I walked barefoot over the white sand to the still water. The sea was cool and incredibly clear. I could see all the way down to the sandy floor, where two little fish were playfully tailing me as I swam around. The Fairways coast is idyllic: one could sit for hours in the shallow water, basking in the sun and admiring how the sea transforms from shades of pale white to aquamarine to navy as it meets the sky at the horizon.

Shortly before noon, my friend and I noticed that a waiter was serving a family a round of fresh fruit shakes. It looked very enticing, and soon afterwards we found ourselves gravitating towards the beachside bar. To cool off from the heat, we decided to refresh ourselves with a couple of fruit shakes and an order of pizza with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes.

While they were preparing our orders, I decided to visit a statue of the Virgin Mary that I noticed earlier. The statue stood at the entrance to a tiny cave. Tucked inside the grotto was a quaint little chapel, big enough for only ten pews. Strategically placed lamps cast dramatic shadows on the cross of the risen Christ. The same soft white sand from outside lay at my feet. Austere and romantic, the chapel inspired a certain sense of awe despite its humble size. It would make a fantastic venue for an intimate wedding.

Our food arrived a short while after I left the chapel, just when my stomach was beginning to grumble. On our first two days we had opted to dine in the clubhouse restaurant and this beachside meal provided a delectable change of pace. Naturally sweet and refreshing, fresh fruit shakes are the ideal summertime beverage. My shake was the perfect compliment to our thin crust pizza order. The sun-dried tomatoes were delicious – so much so that we ended up polishing off the entire ten-inch pizza between the two of us! Having had our fill, we spent the rest of the afternoon idling away our time in the sun and sand.

A WHOLE SLEW OF ACTIVITIES
As an aspiring adventurer who is always up to try something different, I love how Fairways and Bluewater offer its guests a different perspective of Boracay. Apart from the usual water sports and beachside lounging, we were given the chance to play a little bit of golf and cruise around on an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Bug Car.

On the day that I had decided to try the ATV and Bug Car, the Habagat weather had returned. Our day started later than we had intended because of the rain, which meant I had a limited amount of time to try the rides before I had to leave for my flight. Undeterred, I suited up in a plastic poncho and took my seat in the Bug Car.

It was a relatively tiny vehicle, a bit like a bumper car with a metal frame on top and thicker wheels. I was still a bit nervous when I left the shed and only accelerated very slowly at first. Once I became a bit more confident, I began to take more risks, speeding over rocks and small mounds. This was one tough little car. Mud splattered on my feet and I could hardly care. It was so much fun to splash over puddles and climb rocky hills. Sadly, I barely had ten minutes on the car since I had to turn back and get ready for my flight. As I was preparing to leave, the attendant told me that the resort also offered an hour-long trail to the top of the highest peak in Boracay. If she was trying to entice me to come back for seconds, she certainly succeeded. The Bug Car experience is something I’m definitely looking forward to next time I return to Boracay.

For a different taste of Boracay, Fairways and Bluewater is an ideal destination. My four days gave me a teaser of what the resort had to offer, but I definitely want to head back to play a round of golf, trek up the mountain, or go snorkeling by the neighboring coves. At Fairways and Bluewater, you are offered an experience that encompasses more than the beauty of the beach. It makes a journey to the other side of Boracay worth your while.