even bad things happen in paradise
Four days into our month-long stay in Boracay, our apartment got broken into. In the dead middle of the night.
In the morning, I walked out into the living room and reached for my toiletries bag sitting on a shelf. It wasn’t there. Okay no biggie, I thought. I just misplaced it. I paced around the tiny living room, lifting cushions and shifting chairs. A few seconds later, I saw my toothbrush and Invisalign braces (both of which I stored in my bag) sitting in the kitchen sink.
Now something was definitely not right. I may be absentminded at times, but I knew I wasn’t that frazzled that I would mistaken the kitchen sink for my toiletries bag.
“Something happened!” I burst back into the bedroom where D was still in bed. “My bag is gone and my toothbrush is in the sink!” I probably sounded like a crazy person.
It took me only moments later to figure out that my camera (the light DSLR I had splurged on after the point-and-shoot got pickpocketed in Chile) was also gone.
And then, I knew. We’d been robbed while we slept, just a door away.
After a quick inventory check, our missing items came out to: my Cannon camera, our tube of toothpaste, my toiletries bag containing all my makeup, and D’s Havaianas flip flops.
Apparently the thief didn’t care for the Ray-Bans that were sitting right next to my toiletries bag. And he was oh so kind to throw back out my toothbrush and braces. Because you know, that would have been really cruel to rob someone of their dental care items.
Initially, we were pretty bummed. D moaned the loss of his flip flops (really?!), while I moaned the loss of my camera, which had been a major splurge.
We notified our airbnb host/building manager of the incident. Later in the afternoon, we bumped into her again talking with a couple of others. “They lost stuff last night too,” she said. “He got his mangos stolen.” “And they took my panties!” the other woman piped up.
Really? Others lost mangos and panties? Mangos and panties! As if this is supposed to be some huge consolatory revelation!
But in all honesty, I wasn’t all that upset. Mostly, we marveled that nothing worse had happened. My passport and credit cards were left untouched, a miracle in itself. And no one had barged into our bedroom brandishing kitchen knives and demanding our electronics as well. Really, it could have been a lot worse.
Before long, we were laughing over the odd assortment of items that the thief deemed steal-worthy (toothpaste and not Ray-Bans?!). I could even see the humor in the fact that I managed to get two cameras stolen within a year. D bought some fake Havianas for $4 on the beach and soon, apart from the new habit of sleeping with a dresser pushed up against the bedroom door, we more or less forgot about the incident.
Life on the island went on as normal. No one wears makeup to the beach anyway and I was happy not to lug around a camera in the heat. I didn’t miss any of the stuff that had been stolen. In some ways, it even left like a reprieve.
It wouldn’t be days later until I discovered that something else was gone.
Remember how D and I slept in separate bedrooms for a couple of nights? We lasted exactly two nights apart before I moved myself and my clothes into D’s room. But here was my mistake: I had left my backpack sitting in the second bedroom as there was nothing I immediately needed in it. Of course in retrospect, I shouldn’t have left it there. But what can I say, I never thought anything would happen. I thought the entire apartment was our safe place.
Two nights after I moved out of the second bedroom, we got robbed.
The next morning, I did a quick once-over and nothing appeared missing or out of place in the second bedroom. So I just assumed that the thief had only performed a quick swipe of the living room before high-tailing it out of there.
A few days later, I noticed a couple of clips laying next to my backpack. Immediately, I knew where they came from. I had put a couple of clips around a small coin purse, containing one single gold pendant.
This pendant was given to me by someone very special. Someone who believed in me and supported my dreams and treated me as family. Just before I left on my travels, he bestowed upon me a gift of his own family’s tradition: a Saint Christopher charm given to those embarking on a journey in order to bring the traveler back home safely.
At the time, this act brought me to tears. As we said goodbye, I clutched the pendant and cried and promised that I’ll be safe.
Though it is precious in material, its significance to me is priceless (it could have been made of plastic and it’d still be worth more to me than diamonds). D had advised me not to bring it on our travels, but I couldn’t leave it behind. So I put it in a pouch, and put that pouch inside a hidden pocket for safekeeping. It may be silly, but every time I felt nervous on a flight, I thought of that charm tucked in my backpack, keeping me safe.
Already knowing what I would find, I reached inside the secret pocket. Just as I thought, the coin pouch was gone.
Immediately, I started shaking from rage. This was not just a quick swipe of the living room. Someone had sat there, and meticulously searched through all the pockets of my backpack until they struck gold (literally).
I wasn’t mad about losing the other stuff. But now, I was absolutely livid.
“I don’t want to be here anymore,” I told D. The thought of someone on this island walking around with my charm, unaware and uncaring that they stole a piece of someone’s heart, made me sick.
That day, I looked up flights out of Boracay. Over dramatic, yes, but our time here had been marred and how can I enjoy the rest of it now? Unfortunately, they were all more than I was willing to pay.
So we stuck out the rest of our month on the island (I know… boo hoo, poor us, stuck on an island). I ended up having a perfectly good time even though this heartache lingered in the background. When our stay was up, I found myself simultaneously sad to leave and relieved to get to a new place where the memories aren’t so tainted.
leaving Boracay on the ferry
It’s been a month now since the robbery and I’ve yet to replace any of the stolen items. I’ve learned that I don’t feel any less confident without makeup and I take pictures just fine with my iPhone. If anything, this incident has one positive in that it’s simplified my life even further. I no longer have a bulging bag of makeup that I hardly use or a camera I was constantly afraid of breaking. This literal lightening of the load also feels like a burden lifted, though the loss of Saint Christopher still hangs heavy on my heart.
I guess in some weird way, this incident taught me what’s important to me. But thief, you’re still a bastard. (And I hope karma gets you.)
Have you been robbed while traveling?
P.S. Next post will be more uplifting! The rest of our month on Boracay really did turn out perfectly alright. Next, I’ll show you a typical day in the life on Boracay!
Sorry about your loss and to hear about the robbery :( My dad always travels with a very similar St. Christopher charm and has for so many years so I can imagine how devastating it would be to lose. I’ve been hearing and reading about so many robberies lately… it’s really making me think twice about leaving anything anywhere!
I ‘m still sooo upset every time I think about losing the St. Christopher! :'( I just couldn’t believe that even the house wasn’t safe!! We’re extra careful now even with leaving stuff in the house and we’re also more careful to ask that the rentals have deadbolts and stuff. :(
wow, so scary! and heartbreaking. I’m glad you ended up having a decent rest of your stay. I don’t know how I would have reacted!
I know! I’m so upset still!! I just think to myself that at least nothing worse happened. :( We’re not sure still how the thief got in, but the window of the second bedroom is a possibility, so I just think.. what if I was still sleeping in there?? I guess I’m glad nothing worse happened, but I’m still so sad!! :(
Oh, that’s awful. My mum bought me a St. Christopher’s pendant before I embarked on a solo trip around South-east Asia some years ago, and it would’ve broken my heart if it had been stolen. It’s the items that can’t possibly be replaced (photographs and sentimental gifts) that you miss the most. A travelling friend and I were robbed in Cambodia whilst on a motorbike, and as angry as I was that the thieves had got away with a camera and hundreds of irreplaceable photos, I consoled myself with thoughts of how much worse the situation could’ve turned out. Aside from a few scrapes and bruises and a bump on the side of my head, we were safe and alive.
Omg! How scary that you got robbed on a motorbike!! I am glad that nothing worse happened (like what if I was still sleeping in that second bedroom alone?… but then I also think… maybe if I was still sleeping in there, the thief wouldn’t have entered :/) But I love that you also have a St. Christopher pendant. Keep it safe!!
Omg. I know precisely how you feel! A year or so ago a gypsy broke in our house… and stole nothing! Not the computer, iPads, jewelry nothing! Apparently thieves are particular around the world. In Italy the want gold and cash. A
What?! I can’t believe they didn’t steal anything!! How strange and lucky, but also scary to KNOW that someone can just break into your house like that!
What a bummer! I’m with you — my first reaction would have been to look for flights out of there. I hate when bad shit happens and then the rest of your experience in a place is tainted.
And I know exactly what it’s like (and how much it freakin SUCKS) to continue to discover items missing days, weeks, even months later. When I was in college, my car was robbed in LA shortly after I’d moved all my stuff out of my dorm room for the summer. For months I was still discovering new items missing. And among them: my retainer… I will forever blame that jackass for my teeth being slightly crooked again… though I can kinda chuckle at it when I look back at it now.
Anyways, I’m happy you’re safe. After what you’ve been through, I hope karma allows you to have an EXTRA awesome time at your next destination!
I have to say that I kind of laughed at the retainer part! I’m a teeny bit happy that they decided they didn’t want mine, though I would gladly have traded it for my pendant :/. Ugh that’s horrible that they robbed your car! I can’t believe that I’ve never been robbed or lost anything while in LA!
And thanks! I am having a blast in Taipei right now (love this city already)!
Ahhhhh no, how awful, I’m so sorry! Sentimental stuff is definitely the worst to loose, I would have been so sad too and would have been looking at flights. You’re so positive to look on the positive side though, it’s always the way to get through :)
I honestly am not sad at all to loose the camera and makeup, and definitely learned that I could travel without those, and that I’m even happier without worrying about them. But I seriously feel like a piece of me is missing without the pendant :(. I’m trying to be positive and just thinking that at least nothing worse happened! It would have been scary if I was still sleeping in that second bedroom alone and the thief came in.
Oh my… I would have DIED. I’ve been to lots of places that are less than secure, but (knock on wood) I’ve never been truly robbed. I even left my wallet somewhere in Taiwan, only to go back and find it, everything still inside. I know my luck will run out eventually, but I guess this is a reminder that you can never be too careful!
But still, you’re right to remember that it could have been worse– an armed robbery, stolen identification, other really complicated stuff. So glad you guys made the most of your stay!
Oh wow, that’s amazing that no one stole anything when you left your wallet somewhere in Taiwan! I feel really safe here too, but I did get warned by a friend that robberies happen in Taipei too, so I guess you can never feel too comfortable and let your guard down! I hope you never experience anything like this!
I think the first time, the thief was just testing your reactions by randomly stealing anything that they can grab quickly. Then he noticed that security has not increased and nothing is going to happen so the second time he took his time to rummage through your bag and went off with gold.
Anyway, it still sucks and I hope karma will “take care” of that bastard..
We were careful to do a full security check every night (all the windows and doors) after the robbery. I think it was all in the first night. Because my passport + credit pouch was in the 2nd bedroom too, and I noticed all the cards weren’t in their proper pockets, but nothing was taken so I couldn’t be sure either that someone was in there. And I guess it was my fault not to thoroughly check the backpack right away, but maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference anyway. But who knows, maybe they did somehow come back, and if in that case, I suck and feel even worse now that I failed to keep my pendant safe. :/
I’m so sorry to hear this! It’s the sentimental things that are hardest to have taken. x
Thanks Amanda. It really sucks! I couldn’t care less about the camera and makeup, but I’m so devastated about the pendant!
Ack, that is heartbreaking (though I did laugh out loud at the flip-flops!)! I too have a St. Christopher charm that was given to me for safe travels – the very bizarre thing is that I literally *just* checked on it earlier today as I realised I simply hadn’t noticed it for a while (I attached it to my house keys a few years ago!). I was very relieved to make sure it was safe and sound still there. I’m not religious, but it is still a very special token to me. Incredible coincidence to read about your own charm today! I hope another finds its way to you on your journeys x
Same here, I’m not religious, but it was so special to me! It’s funny because like you, I didn’t notice it all the time (and I’m really mad at myself for not thinking about it when I took some of my stuff out of the second bedroom!), but I loved that it was there and now it feels like a part of me is missing. :( Keep your precious St. Christopher safe!! x
Oh, that’s awful! I can’t believe the thief came back like that!
I don’t think he came back. I think it was all done in the same night, but I just didn’t notice that my charm was missing until days later. :( But another commenter said maybe he came back, and if so, then I feel even worse!
Oh my goodness how awful. So sorry this happened to you!
Thanks Kaelene. Getting robbed while traveling is one of the worst things ever!
Oh my, that’s horrible! I’m so sorry you had to go through that. That thief better prepare for some seriously bad karma! I think it takes a lot of strength to see the silver linings in these kinds of situations, so I’m really glad that you can see the positive side. And while he may not be in your possession anymore, St. Christopher still did his job – because you survived the situation completely safe and unscathed (which is by far the most important!)
That is true Courtney! He did protect me by keeping us safe! I am grateful that nothing worse happened and that my passport and cards didn’t get stolen either. That seemed like a mini miracle right there!
Aw, Anna! I’m so sorry that happened! I know I’d be livid at the camera and the gold chain. But also grateful that the travel documents and credit cards were left intact. It’s hard to enjoy a place that was tainted with such an experience, but I’m happy that you were able to do so!
Surprisingly, I wasn’t upset about the camera. When I saw it was gone.. it sucked in the way that it was expensive and practically new and I knew I wouldn’t buy another one. But it also felt good to no longer have that responsibility, you know? But I was SO devastated over the pendant!! I did try to enjoy it the best I could, but I guess it’s not that hard since I love beaches and the island life, ha!
Ahhh I got chills hearing about your realization that the charm was gone! That’s terrible, I’m sorry. Being robbed just feels so violating. I do hear you about the hauling around of the camera and being scared that you’ll break it though. Way to look on the bright side. Also, I’m pumped that you’ve started posting so frequently – love it.
I know! I’m still so sad when I think about it! Losing the camera sucked since it was still pretty new, but I am honestly glad that I’m no longer hauling it around (and D NEVER offers to carries it for me! ha!), and since I was too cheap to get a camera bag for it, I was always afraid of breaking it!
Yay thanks! I got a sudden wave of motivation and wrote a lot of drafts. Hopefully, this will continue and I won’t burn out!
Ohhhh I’m so sorry!! My biggest fear while traveling is getting robbed. And you’re right, sometimes it is not the most expensive the one that we miss the most. Glad that you managed to enjoy Boracay anyway, seems a wonderful place.
We’re always so careful when we’re out, but I never thought this would happen in our home!! And now I know to always keep my valuables in sight. I sincerely hope you don’t experience getting robbed on your travels!
Oh no! That’s so awful! I think that’s a fear we all have when we travel, that we could be robbed, or lose stuff, especially since we carry such valuable things. I’m happy you could at least enjoy the rest of your trip, but it’s completely understandable that the place is now tainted in your eyes. Some people just want to see the world burn…
For a positive spin, just imagine a someone trying to see your camera:
“Go on mate, give me 500 bucks for the camera”
“nah, don’t think so”
“Go on, I’ll throw in some panties and mangoes too! 500 bucks, the lot!”
Just hoping to make you smile :) Not mocking! (I’m not heartless!)
HAHA! Thanks for making me laugh!! I’m SO upset that they got one of my most valuable/sentimental possessions. Now I know to never let anything like that out of my sight. :( But I just keep in telling myself that it could have been worse.
And btw… Is that line from the Batman movie? :P
I think that’s the thing that hurts the most, people taking something of sentimental value. Have to say, I’d be pretty sad if someone took my camera, but it’s not only valuable but I am attached to it in a sentimental way too.
I know it will never be the same, but you could replace it with something simple that you could wear all the time. Might have been nice to replace it with something from the island, in a kind of “screw you, I won’t be defeated” kind of way.
I’m not sure, I wasn’t thinking of Batman at the time. You mean the “world burn” comment? It’s a comment I’ve heard before, I don’t remember where, I just like it and I think it explains some things in life quite nicely.
I did get a puka shell bracelet while there (just because it was pretty) and I never take it off, but I’m not attached to it or anything. I see what you’re saying, but now I’m also feeling a little bit disgusted that I’m wearing this bracelet instead of my charm, lol. I guess sometimes, it’s still hard for me to separate it out my bad feelings towards the island!
Just wow, omg. So many things happened in such a short period of time. I’m also glad nothing worse happened, like what if your boyfriend would’ve heard the noises and a confrontation would happen, you know? This is the best possible scenario. I’m sorry about the pendant and everything else :/ But that thief was weird, mangos, panties, toothpaste, it doesn’t make sense. I’m happy that things got better and you learned a lot though. You’re a positive machine!
Thanks Isabel. I’m grateful that nothing worse happened too. What if I kept on sleeping in that second bedroom alone and they went in there? Or like you said, what if we did wake up? Or what if they took my passport and cards, which were all right outside too. I shudder to think of the other scenarios!
I’m so so so sorry you were robbed! The only time “I” was robbed was my team’s volleyball bus while we slept in a hotel. A bum broke in and took an iPod, volleyball shoes, some random other clothing, and our team food. I can remember how upset I was (as the coach and supervisor), and nothing of mine was actually stolen, so I can’t even imagine how you guys feel, even still. The make-up was probably expensive, but aren’t you glad to be free of that?! The other things…especially the pendant…all I can say is I hope they are replaced with deeper and more meaningful moments of something in the future. A good reminder to keep our important items close at hand.
Oh I can’t imagine how horrible that was! Getting anything stolen feels like such a violation. I did have some expensive makeup items, but it does feel good to be freed of it! Though I can’t imagine why in the world the thief would want used makeup, lol. Especially since they were all in states of serious use. I’m so upset about the pendant, but at least I have my memories and the card that he wrote when he gave it to me. :(
Oh no! I think I would have been upset at losing my makeup, but especially that St. Christopher’s medal. When I was planning on taking the kids to Manila, my parents sent me email after email about what a dangerous place it it. (They grew up there.) I defiantly went anyways — nothing like being a middle aged woman rebelling against her elderly parents who live on a different continent — but ended up being paranoid the entire time I was there. I’m glad that the robbery didn’t mar your trip too much.
I heard about Manila being a dangerous place too (and read one blog account of a family being robbed in broad daylight by a gang of 10 yr olds). But that wouldn’t stop me from visiting someday. I’ve also heard about what a wonderful city it is too. I just know to be extra careful now! I’m SO upset about the pendant still, but I did recently get another item wishing me safe travels from a person very special to me. :)
What an eye opener! Sadly, I’ve never traveled outside the U.S! I’m in Florida! I’ve always wanted to visit other countries, but were always reluctant!
In general, travel outside of the US is not dangerous at all!! So don’t let stuff like this stop you! In a year of travel, this was the worst thing to happen to us. The only other incident we had was a pick-pocketing in South America. As long as you’re careful to keep watch over your stuff and exercise general common-sense, you’ll be completely fine!!
Boo!!!! Sorry about your lost sentiment :( He SUCKS ASS.
Anyway, just wanted to say that i LOVE your blog. Chanced upon it while researching for boracay. Im going next month with a couple of friends. Thank you for being so honest and adorable!
I’m from Singapore and I’m sorry to tell you that even on the 40th floor, there are still cockroaches hahaha. It’s the rubbish chutes outside on the corridors that leads them up! But we don’t see as many as you did. Poor thing! The next time you come to Singapore, I’d be glad to bring you around more :) Singapore is only boring without a local Singaporean guide! Feel free to email me! [email protected] It was lovely to meet ya and I’ll be keeping track of where you are, hopeful to read up on your adventures! xx
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment Jane!! It really made my day! I would LOVE to meet up and explore with a local next time we’re in Singapore!! I’m sure there is so much to do that we can’t discover on our own! I’ve been to cities that would seem boring to others, but because I had a friend there, I had the best time!
And enjoy your time in Boracay next month!! We were quite disappointed with some of the stuff, but we really did have a good time there. It really is a gorgeous place so there’s no way to have a bad time! And should shouldn’t get the green algae at this time either. :) And oh, if you love fresh seafood, D’Talipapa is a must!
Sorry about your loss, I feel your pain!
I recently (Tuesday 16 June) had my bag with belongings, cash and cards stolen from a chair at the Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa run by Henann Group of Resorts.
As a guest staying in the hotel it was disappointing to learn they refused to pay any form of compensation for a loss which occurred in their own marked out area on the beach, right under the watch of their security guards.
The resort manager Dindo Salazar said they take no responsibility and that they are forced to hire 3rd party security guards by the government. He indicated that upon speaking to the security firm that the 2 guards on duty that morning were to be relieved of their duties.
The police at the station where the crime was reported told me the resort should take responsibility for thefts at their property. Seems like common sense, socially responsible, and good customer service to do so. This especially when a
paying guest has been stolen from, inconvenienced and stressed from a theft off a resort chair.
The police said there was a report that the thief took my bag and slid it up the front of their shirt, then took off down the road. Apparently this all happened on a very quiet beach at 7am without the security or other resort staff noticing.
I was told by Dindo that my request for compensation could only be authorised by the owners of the resort, and after he brought up my case with both Karl Chusuey and Henry Chusuey (owners of Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa and Henann Resorts) that they refused to pay.
Take this as a warning about the safety of Boracay, and the perceived safety of leaving your belongings within the secure area of resorts.
Oh no! I’m so sorry about your loss too. I know how much that taints the entire vacation :(. I am thankful that my passport & credit cards weren’t taken. Thanks for sharing your story though and warning others about what could happen. I guess you can never be too careful, even in front of a nice resort!! i think Boracay is a beautiful place, but that’s just too bad that stuff like this is so common there!