Minh Duc

Locked in the middle of West Africa, just south of the Sahelian belt, lies little-known Burkina Faso. Peaceful Housesbut desperately poor, overshadowed by neighboring Mali's famous Dogon territory, the unassuming country formerly named Upper Volta hardly surfaces on the tourist map. Yet Burkina Faso boasts a few simple gems, such as the village of Tiebele, renowned for its unique architecture.

“THIS time it was going to be different.” I thought to myself on my return to Boracay, arguably Sailboatsone of the best beaches in the world and a source of Philippine pride. Boracay’s fine white sand is so fine it literally would fill the crevices of your toes, the miniscule grains conforming to your sole’s every curve. Its waters were so deep a blue that the sky seemed to shy away in shame.