Coronavirus leaves Aussies stranded in island paradise

Three Australians are finding that being stranded in Boracay is a five-star nightmare.

Australians Elias Harrak, left, Tanila De Silva, Hasindu Saranguhewage have been trapped in a five-star resort on the island of Boracay since March 13.

The ultimate fantasy for young Aussie travellers is becoming trapped on an island paradise.

At least it was in the pre-coronavirus world.

But in these post-contagion times, this dream is fast turning into a five-star nightmare for three Melbourne men castaway on the island of Boracay.

Best mates Hasindu Saranguhewage, 27, Tanila De Silva, 30, and Elias Harrak, 29, arrived in the Philippines on March 13 and set about partying at the Henann Crystal Sands Resort.

There was plenty to entertain the thrill seekers between the resort’s three pools, beach activities and eating and drinking in the exotic bars and restaurants.

The shadow of COVID-19 had been darkening for some weeks, but like hundreds — probably thousands — of other Australians, the trio pushed ahead with their holiday.

Within a day of arriving in Boracay, the pandemic worsened, and President Rodrigo Duterte imposed strict travel bans, cutting the trio off from returning to major airports, and a flight home.

“We had ourselves an escape route home booked for Monday the 23rd and now that too has been cancelled,” Mr Saranguhewage told The Australian.

“Our biggest issue is all flights out of the country come from cities with closed-off ports and airports so we can’t even leave Boracay to get to them.”

Their emergency calls to the Australian embassy and DFAT has resulted in their details being logged, but nothing else.

Mr Saranguhewage said their plight may be unfolding in paradise but it was still distressing and had left them feeling anxious about how they would return home.

“To the outside world it must look like we are just trapped in paradise. However, most of the shops here are shut down,” he said.

“All tourist activities — including all beach activities, including kite surfing, jet skiing etc — that we saw all happening on the first day we arrived here, and the few restaurants that may be still open here, are all looking eerily empty.

“It’s a very unpleasant feeling and as the days keep going, we are all left feeling very anxious as none of us know when we will be able to return home.

“Mentally it has been quite challenging, as all activities here have shut down, a curfew has also been imposed on the island so we just spend most of our time in our hotel.

“We try our best to eat well … and physically keep our body moving by going for a swim in the beach or pool or hitting the gym.”

Saranguhewage, left, Harrak and De Silva in their hotel room.

The Melbourne mates have bumped into at least seven other Aussies in the same situation.

The Crystal Sands Resort shuts on Monday, and many of the islands other hotels are closing too.

“We are still trying to find a replacement hotel to move into tomorrow,” Mr Saranguhewage said.

While the men feel safe in the resort, they are anxious about the ferry ride and five-hour drive, if they are even cleared to leave Boracay.

“With many police checkpoints, we are worried if authorities will be able to guarantee our arrival at one of these airports safely. That’s if authorities here do manage to organise a charter flight for us.”