Phillipines

SIARGAO

A surfers paradise, a yogis paradise, a Bali before Bali. There wasn’t a Jolibees, McDonalds, or Hilton in sight. I guess the island would’ve needed flushable toilets before they could think about ripping up the land and propping down a hotel chain.

I learned how to surf, saw the most beautiful palm tree forest, and - I kid you not - motorbiked for hours on some of the best roads I have ever driven on. NYC toll tax dollars couldn’t have done what the Filipino government did with these roads.

Siargao is as beautiful as it sounds and as memorable as it seems.

El Nido is an absolute riot - in every single way. Our flight from Puerto Princessa to El Nido got canceled because of a daunting thunderstorm. So, naturally, we decided to do the 6 hour drive up. It was the most violent monsoon I could’ve dreamt up. The driver was also the worst driver. We drove in pitch darkness, almost crashing over 15 times, and I yakked three times.

Once we got there, it was a different type of riot. The days were full of lazy island boat hopping, fresh coconut drinks, and volleyball games with the locals. But the night was reserved for the hundreds of australian and british tourists who’ve taken abode on the one beach hostel - Outpost Beach Hostel. At 11pm, the mass exodus of tourists migrated from the beach hostel to the best (and only) bar in town - Pukka Bar.

The food was delicious, the people were kind, and the islands were beautiful. Time didn’t matter and we were in our own little privileged paradise - able to use our wealth and american passport to indulge in a world that so many were trying to flee from.

El Nido

en route to shaka cafe; siargao, phillipines — en route to shaka cafe; **siargao, phillipines**

Coron

When I think of the Phillipines, I think of Coron.

Beautiful sunsets, down to earth people, cerulean blue waters, and the best memories.

We stayed at Hop Hostel, which felt more like a luxury hotel than a hostel. At night, we’d watch the pink and purple sunsets overlooking the water, while conversing with the most down-to-earth travelers until the sunrise. In the morning, we’d eat a delicious Filipino breakfast of bangus, eggs, and rice, before heading over to our boat to go island hopping. Coron is simply beautiful and memorable.

A two week Itinerary

in the phillipines

Day 1 - 3 (Siargao):

Get a smoothie bowl from Shaka Cafe
Go swinging on a coconut tree over the Maasin River
Try a surfing class for ~$10 around Cloud 9 Pier - or just watch a sunset
Revel in the beauty at the top of Coconut Palm Tree Road
Rent a motorbike and drive down Burgos Coconut Road
Day trips to Sugba Lagoon, Sohotan Cove, and the Magpupungko Rock Pools

Day 4 - 7 (Cebu & Moalboal)

Cebu was an absolute pain to get to. You can easily skip this leg of the trip

Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls
Swim with whale sharks at Oslob (we skipped this for our own ethical reasons, but its one of the main activities that people come here to do)
Head to Panagsama Beach to swim with thousands of sardines and turtles!
Try the insane mango dessert at Venz Kitchene

Day 11 - 13 El Nido

Stay at Outpost Beach Hostel - best secluded beach location, best boat tours, and super fun
Do a boat tour (A, B, C, and D). Our hostel combined two tours in one, which was a great use of our time and money. In the end, it doesnt matter what tour you do - you’ll get to swim the bluest waters on the whitest beaches
Nightlife: Pukka Bar

Day 14 - 17 Coron

Stay at Hop Hostel. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Stay there.
Do the extreme boat tour so you can hit Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, and the Twin Lagoon
Grab a motorbike and drive around the entire island!

Day 17 - 18 Manila:

Skip. We decided to stay a night so we didn’t miss our morning AM flight. We killed the day stuck in the worst traffic I have ever seen in my life (this is coming from an LA kid - I’m talking 3 hours for 10 miles). We came, we saw, and we never have to do this again. Skip, skip, skip.