Boracay is a small island in the Philippines, that until I learned I would have 5 days to spend in that country, I had never heard of. I assumed that it would be a peaceful tropical island, lightly populated, with secluded beaches where I could relax and catch up on my sleep before flying across the Pacific.

Whoops! Boracay turned out to be a very popular tourist destination, particularly among newly affluent Chinese tourists, with a smattering of Europeans and Russians as well. Although you don’t see them in my photos, the main beach at Boracay is occupied by thousands and thousands of people. This makes a special challenge for a landscape photographer, especially to photograph the Madonna of Boracay.

Nighttime provides no relief from activity, as the party ramps up right on the beach, complete with disco bass beat until 4am. If you want to party, Boracay has got you covered. If you want to sleep, be careful which hotel you choose.