Chic Delights: Boracay Island

One of the best products coming from the Philippines are the South Sea pearls which are mostly harvested in the Seas of the Southern region of Mindanao and also from the Visayas. Luckily, when we visited the D-Mall in Boracay Island which I featured in Discover Boracay, we discovered this shop, Salic Collections that sell South Sea Pearls, Jewelry and Diamonds. But our focus here were the pearls. The locals in Mindanao and the Visayas would traditionally harvest these oysters with these natural pearls by deep diving into the Seas. These pearls sold in her shop range from pure, unpolished and unset pearls to polished and fully set pearls in a variety of sizes and colours. Believe it or not! We were shown trays after trays of different pearls in different sizes, colours and different price ranges. It will truly depend on your budget and your preferences. We were in Pearls and Jewelry heaven in her store! Luckily, she allowed me to photograph her and her store which I am proudly sharing here with you all.

These were the large polished pearls set with diamonds and gold or silver.

Too bad I didn't get her name but she was such a sweet and unassuming Lady. She is a Muslim Filipina residing in Boracay Island. There are Muslim Filipinos in the Philippines who mostly reside in Mindanao and some here in the Visayas region. Her mother is the one who created all of these beautiful and spectacular jewelry. She is showing us here this beautiful unfinished bib necklace made from Mother of Pearl. Isn't that just so spectacular? I just hope she and her family are safe and doing well as the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda also lashed on Boracay Island last week.

Here is another unfinished bib necklace and behind her are more Jewelry Collections created by her mother from local raw materials in the Island. In case you will be in Boracay Island, you can visit her store at Salic Collections, Stall#7, D-Mall Avenue, Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines. Check out their Facebook page here.

As reported in the News last weekend, there were apocalyptic devastation in the Southern Visayas Region of the Philippines brought by the Super Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. The Government of Canada will match every donated funds to these registered Canadian charities therefore doubling the impact of your donation. Please help the Filipinos affected by this Super Typhoon as they are in need in this critical time of Food and Water by donating to any of these Worldwide Organisations:

the United Nations World Food Program (@WFP), Typhoon - Philippines.

Canadian Red Cross - Typhoon Haiyan Fund.

UNICEF Canada - Typhoon Haiyan Fund.

Thank you for your support! Have a wonderful weekend!

Aerial View of Boracay Island.

Boracay Island is one of the 7,100 Islands of the Philippines. The island is located in the Southern Visayas, about one hour away by airplane from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It was our first time visit and we were in awe as our Airplane flew by the Island. There are two Airports in the Southern province of Aklan, Kalibo and Caticlan to reach Boracay. We landed in Caticlan Airport then rode the private Boat of Shangri-la Boracay to reach the resort which I featured in my Blog post Shangri-la Moments in Boracay. The island boast a long stretch of the World's best softest white sand beaches and clear, warm waters of the Sulu Sea. Boracay is also proud of its Night life by the Beach. Even Travel + Leisure Magazine named Boracay the second World's Best Islands for 2013 which was eclipsed by Palawan, another Island in the Philippines. When we were planning our trip in Manila, we asked the Concierge at our Hotel, what are the things to do there? Besides, the night life, there were shopping and also numerous fun water sports to choose from. Come and join me as we discover Boracay.

This was the view from our Airplane before landing at Caticlan Airport in Aklan Province.

Docking Stations at Caticlan, Aklan to cross going to Boracay Island. See how clear the waters are?

These are traditional motor Philippine boats supported by bamboos to balance the Boat. As you can see here, the locals use Bamboo sticks to turn the Boat around before turning on the motor to travel towards the Boracay Island.

One of the things to do in Boracay is to have fun with the water sports from Para-sailing to Banana Boat rides. These are Stations situated in the middle of the Sulu Sea. Govenment Officials have moved these Water sports stations far from the Beach shore for safety, peace and more space for Visitors to enjoy the Beach.

According to the locals, this is World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao's Boracay house and his Resort.

Well, for the Shoppers like me, D-Mall is the Shopping Mecca here in Boracay. As you can see here, the Tri-cycle (yellow cab in Motorbike) is one of the traditional Filipino mode of transportation especially used in the Island.

D-Mall offers many shops for souvenirs and anything to do with the Beach and Water sports.

D-Mall was built over the white sands of Boracay so prepare to come in your Beach slippers.

Colourful stalls and items all for sale at D-Mall.

I just got to take her photo. I am having my fashion moment here with her. She was looking for a Hat.
After trying out several stalls, she finally found her hat that matched her ruffled yellow dress.

At the end of D-Mall is the Beach at Station 2.
This area goes alive at night with its pulsating Night life and Restaurants along the Beach.

As the saying goes, the best things in life are free. These corals scattered along the Beach are for free.
We chose and brought home some of the best corals just scattered here on the Beach.