Boracay has many faces. Last weekend I stumbled upon a serene Boracay, where retirees enjoyed the country’s hottest destination, not necessarily due to its hot night life.

We were by chance all booked in Escondido Beach Resort, the 12-room boutique hotel haven located at the north end of the island.

It is right behind the church in Balabag, a plus point that made the difference for this writer’s family plus the three other retiree couples.

Our 3D2Ns were more serene, enjoyable, starting with the 6:30 am mass, followed by the early morning dip at the beach and the welcome treat of Jonah’s fruit juice afterwards.

Lunch was at D’Talipapa where we bought crabs, shrimps, baby talakitok, halaan and oysters and had them cooked by a restaurant right beside the market.

It was enjoyable save for the quaint smell and the necessary lowering of standards. I had to grit my teeth because the clam soup was served in plastic bowls which unfortunately reminded me of not so pleasant things.

We spent the time strolling at D’Mall and was impressed how clean it was and how well maintained.

And there are so many good shops, business must really be booming. There is the Crocs stall and so many fashionable shops selling swimwear. Hah got one suit that fitted me. Yehey. Our new-found friend was telling us that his wife is looking for "Marks and Spencer" stall. That’s how good D’Mall has become.

Several people may complain that Boracay is overbuilt but for me the island caters to everyone from the lower middle class to the very rich who want to visit the island.

Everyone can enjoy the island, it is not exclusive to the rich. Proof is that Andok’s lechon manok, lords it there in Boracay.

Entrepreneurs in Boracay claim that Jollibee and other fast food restaurants are not really welcome in the island to give local residents chance to offer their wares.

Imagine, Jollibee can suck up all the visitors at their shops, leaving nothing for local tiendas.

My bigger half kept on saying. "This is so much like Bali".

I countered this is better than Bali, I can talk to the natives.

Dinner, no contest, was at the Crab House of Escondido. There they proved that all the good press they got was no fluke.

The crab Escondido was really very good. It was not smothered in sauce and one can really taste how fresh is the crab, whose flavor is delicately brought out by mix of young onions and garlic. Ahem there was a very big difference in the taste of the crab at Escondido and the one cooked at the market. I’ll choose Escondido any time.

The sinigang soup was also very lovely.

My son who is a "calamares junkie" was very happy with the way the fresh squid was done.

Our new found friends decided to hire a canopied table at "Waling-Waling". They said that for P1,000 consumable, they enjoyed the sound of the waves and fresh salad from 5:30 to 9:00pm. Good enough deal I thought.

We hied off to another restaurant, bonding with my son, who the previous night enjoyed the third anniversary of Juice bar.

One thing about Boracay is that the island is safe and at Escondido my sister and I were very amused that the young ladies and buffed young men leave the hotel for the night life starting at 11 pm, while we were preparing to go to sleep.

My son goes back to the hotel at 5am takes a morning dip at the beach, sleeps until merienda time to enjoy the island again.

We had nightcap at Gilly’s Bar and sat mesmerized by the sound and the view of breaking waves. The ninth wave is supposed to be the biggest wave but I kept on losing count and was never able to prove to myself the adage.

If there is something I don’t like in Boracay. It is the lack of a decent cup of coffee. Will anyone please text me where I can find one there?

Prior to our flight home we had lunch at Cristine’s of Boracay Regency. That restaurant never fails to deliver. Its fettucini is sumptuous and sinigang to die for, but my partner swears by the burger and my son, what else, but squids in "three kinds of seafood" .

P.S. If you want to visit Boracay, get Seair, it is offering one of the better promos before the Holy Week. —Rosario T. Galang