To truly discover and appreciate a place, do away with those brochure and information sheets provided by your travel agent. Surely, you wouldn’t like to see a place through the eyes of another. And so why go the well-trodden path when you can find for yourself the other side of Boracay?

Boracay receives about 100,000 visitors annually, and to think that this island has an area of just about 10.32 sq km and has an approximate length of only 7 km. Imagine that, you could walk from end to end in a couple of hours.

With these fast facts you think it’s impossible to find a secluded part of the island. You’re wrong; because there are still parts of this dream destination that are fairly unexplored. If you would like to shun the accommodations and rowdy activities of the commercial beaches, look elsewhere and you would probably find a hidden treasure.

There are the Private Mountain Casitas branded as Boracay best kept secret. They are charmingly perched at the hills above the beach of Bolabog facing Panay Island. Casitas is a Spanish term which means ‘little houses,’ and indeed, each casita is a diminutive dwelling constructed of bamboo and other wood materials.

The architecture of these cute houses is conducive to relaxation – a wooden floor to lie on with big pillows to cushion you; a thatched roof to mute possible downpour, and a balcony to offer you an unobstructed and encompassing view of the seas and the surrounding islands. But don’t be fooled by these rudimentary structures as these are equipped with the indispensable modern conveniences – hot and cold shower, cable TV and Wi-Fi connection.

The site says only two of these casitas are offered for occupancy, Casita 1 is for private use only. That’s bad news for many who want to see Boracay from a different point of view.

Boracay is also a paradise for nature lovers. Aside from its pristine beaches and diverse underwater ecosystem, this island also boasts of diverse flora and fauna species. Its inside terrain is the hospitable host to hundreds of flower, orchid, and plant species. May is the month of flowers in the Philippines, and during this time witness the colorful display of different blooms around island -– frangipani, hibiscus, and bougainvillea among others.

Discover an alternate angle of Boracay as you explore the network of paths interconnecting the numerous sitios and learn the way of life of its villagers. And do you want to know how those sweet fruits on you iced shakes look like? Inside the island of Boracay are small villages that have backyard farms of mango, papaya, jackfruit, and calamansi (Philippine lemon).

If you crave for a local’s narration of the history of this dog-shaped tropical island, talk to the friendly villagers and hear firsthand their classic, and oftentimes clashing, versions of Boracay’s road towards international fame. An informed perspective of its socio-cultural roots would make you appreciate more the charm of this little island paradise. Visit Boracay now.

Christine Powell is a native of Boracay Island, Philippines. Besides it’s year-round warm tropical water, the powdery white sand continues to mesmerize her. While not exploring, kitesurfing, scuba diving, or sharing her insights about Boracay with travelers, she can be found at http://www.boracaycommunity.com and http://www.boracaynation.com, her favorite Boracay social networking sites.