Philippines

Two months in paradise!

After years in the planning, Henry and I were excited to embarked on this adventure that would include a variety of destinations, taking us on 13 flights, ferries, Bangka (boat), metro, taxi, van, bus, tricycles, jeepney, motorcycle, horse and buggy, and lots of walking!

As we departed RDU airport (flight #1), our adventures would began with a stay at the iconic TWA hotel at JFK airport in New York. The trip continued the next day with flight #2, a 16 hour overnight flight from JFK to Taiwan where we would spend 5 days exploring the culture, people, amazing foods and night markets. Check out the pictures and our walking tour over on the Taiwan page.

Tagudin

Province in Ilocos Sur

San Fernando

Province in La Union

La Union

Dubbed the Surfing Capital of the North

Condon

Tobacco Capital of the Philippines

Vigan City

With preserved Spanish colonial and Asian architecture.

Mabalacat, Pampanga

After our visit in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur our next stop, after a 5 hour bus ride was Mabalacat, Pampanga where we stayed at the Xenia Hotel in preparation for our flight the next day.

Cagayan de Oro

Day 1 – A short hotel shuttle to Clark International airport to catch flight #4 to Cebu for a layover and lunch in the lounge before heading to Cagayan de Oro (flight #5), the capital of the province of Misamis Orientala in Northern Mindanao where our very close friends would welcome us at the airport. They were also visiting the Philippines. We planed to meet and go Island hopping together for a couple of weeks. But first, a home cooked meal with our friends relatives that evening hit the spot!

Day 2 – Sinulom Falls and Bolao Cold Spring to see the water falls, swim in the cold spring and of course eat more local Filipino foods.

Day 3 – Land tour where we visited Claveria View Deck, lunch at Julio’s at The Big C – Baluarte 955, an afternoon snack at the Del Monte Golf Course & Country Club and a drive through the pineapple plantation in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. We wrapped up the day at Amaya View, the highest peak in Sitio Niño in Barangay Indahag with a nice dinner overlooking CDO at dusk.

Siargao Island

Day 1 – A short flight from Cagayan de Oro (flight #6) to Cebu with a connecting flight to Sayak Airport, commonly known as Siargao Airport (flight #7). Then an hour van ride to Siargao Island to our accommodations, a villa that was literally right on the beach!

Day 2 – Breakfast at a local coffee shop, then a private Island Hopping tour with a stop for snorkeling in the most amazing blue and clear waters, Guyam Island and then Daku Island where we experienced a Kamayan (eating with the hands) lunch.

Day 3 – Explore Siargao Island. The itinerary included an amazing view of Coconut Mountain, Maasin Bridge River Swing, swimming in the Magpupungko Rock pool, lunch at Trogon’s Perch Oceanfront Restaurant, which is also next to the abandoned Siargao Lighthouse on Pacifico Beach and ending at Cloud 9 Surfing Tower at dusk to watch the suffers.

Day 4 – Adventures started with a 45-minute boat journey to Corregidor Island. This island is well known for its palm tree covered hills, which you reach after undertaking a small hike from the beach, after the hike was Kamayan lunch with all sorts of delicious seafood, chicken, pork, rice, noodles and fruits. On the boat ride back to General Luna we stopped at the famous “Naked Island” with nothing except white sand. No restaurants, no rocks, and definitely no trees! It’s completely bare and naked – hence the name. Our last evening in Siargao started with a catered seafood feast, where we dinned alfresco by candlelight at our oceanfront villa. After dinner we visited a cocktail bar called Manu for dessert (fried ice cream) and drinks – a must if your in Siargao.

Day 5 – Travel day, Today’s journey takes us on a flight from Siargao Airport to Cebu (flight #8) then a taxi from Cebu airport to the ferry port where a two hour ferry ride with OceanJet would take us to the island of Bohol.

Bohol

Day 1 – Once we arrived at the ferry port in Tagbilaran City, our pre-arranged driver transported us to our accommodations, but first we visited The Bohol Bee farm, an agriculture haven dedicated to bee cultivation, organic farming, and healthy eating. We ate at the restaurant as we overlooked the ocean and enjoyed their delicious food, and of course had to try the organic Ube ice cream and Halo-halo! With our stomachs full, we headed to Scent of Green Papaya Resort where we would stay for the next 4 nights.

Day 2 – Bohol land tour. First stop “The Chocolate Hills” which are geological formations that look like ‘chocolate kisses’ during the hot dry season where the hills turn brown, hence the name. Next we visited the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary where we were able to see the cutest, fluffiest and odd-looking animal – the Bohol tarsier with it’s big eyes. The tarsier is one of the smallest primates in the world. If the first two stops weren’t exciting enough, next was the Loboc River Cruise with a buffet lunch served right on the boat. The floating restaurant also has singers and musicians onboard that serenaded us while we enjoy delicious Filipino dishes. After lunch was a stop at the Baclayon Immaculate Conception Church. One of the Philippines’ oldest Catholic churches – structurally original and still with authentic materials dating back to 1727. The last stop of the day was South Palms Resort Panglao, where we relaxed on the beach under the coconut trees.

Day 3 – A short Jeepney ride from the resort to Alona Beach for a day of fun.

Day 4 – We arranged a private boat for a day of snorkeling and Balicasag Island, however the weather was not cooperating and the Coast Guard cancelled all boat tours due to high winds and waves. But not to worry, we enjoyed a much needed day relaxing by the pool, sipping drinks with dinner at Wonderland Bohol a local Thai restaurant.

Day 5 – Travel day. An hour and half ferry ride from Bohol to Siquijor

Siquijor

Day 1 – We arrived at the Siquijor ferry port, grabbed our bags and loaded into our waiting transportation for a short 20 minute ride to White Villas Resort. After settling in, a nice dinner at the resort.

Day 2 – Breakfast on the beach, then we began our tour of Siquijor. First stop Pitogo Cliff, a newly hidden paradise in Siquijor that is not normally part of the local tour stops. We watched a couple of locals dive from 40 foot cliffs into the breathtaking Sulu Sea. Next was Old Balete Tree, at more than 400 years old, the unique tree certainly lives up to its name. At the bottom of the tree lies a natural spring where the water is part of a man-made pool that was built around the tree. Inside the pool are friendly fish who happily treat your feet to a foot spa by nibbling at your dead skin. Definitely a strange feeling. After the foot spa we headed to Cambugahay Falls – this is probably the most popular attraction in Siquijor. The waterfall is most impressive as you watch the water cascading over the rocks and down into the blue water in the pool below and the jumping platforms with a rope to swing into the water like Tarzan is a must do. After swimming and rope swing adventures we had worked up an apatite. Luckily, just a short distance from the falls was a small local road side place called “Y Road Restaurant” which serves authentic Filipino cuisine. After a filling and delicious lunch we visited Salagdoong Beach where we swam in the colorful reefs in crystal clear waters and Henry braved the 35 foot cliff and jumped into the clear waters. An afternoon caffeine fix was next with a drive up to Larena Triad Coffee Shop for cappuccinos, ice cream and amazing scenic views. This place is nestled on the top of a hill in the municipality of Larena and offers panoramic views of the mountains and sea. After a drive back to the municipality of Siquijor we visited St. Francis of Assisi Church. An old Roman Catholic Church and the first and oldest parish founded in the province of Siquijor in 1780. We arrived back at the resort in time to watch the sunset on the beach.

Day 3 & 4 – At this point we had been traveling for over 34 days and took the next 2 days to rest, relax and enjoy some downtime with drinks by the pool, swimming and enjoying the beach.

Day 5 -Travel day that started early with a ferry from Siquijor to Cebu.

Cebu

Day 1 – Welcome to Cebu! After a 5 hour ferry from Siquijor and a taxi from the Cebu ferry port, we arrived at Quest Hotel and were welcomed by friendly staff and a refreshing drink during check-in. Once settled in, a walk to Ayala Mall located directly across the street from the hotel for dinner at one of over 40 restaurant’s in the 5 story mall.

Day 2 – Began with breakfast buffet at the hotel. The food choices were expansive, the service and personal attention by the staff was simply amazing. Then off to explore the historical part of the city. First was the Heritage of Cebu Monument, a representation of sculptures made of steel, brass, and concrete, depicting some of the most important historical scenes of the city. Just a short 2 minute walk, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House – among the country’s oldest residential homes and said to be the first ever Chinese house built outside of China. Continuing with a walk down Colon street- the oldest street in the Philippines to Magellan’s Cross. The cross is said to be where the first Christian baptism took place in the Philippines. Across Magellan’s Cross is Basilica del Sto. Niño – one of the oldest churches and the city’s biggest Roman Catholic church. Outside the church, many locals and tourist were lighting a candle, which is a tradition in the city reflecting the religious past of the people of Cebu. Back to the hotel for an afternoon swim and relaxing by the pool.

Day 3 – Cebu Taoist Temple – located in the Beverly Hills area of Cebu City. The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, a religion which follows the teachings of an ancient Chinese philosopher. A ritual among Taoist devotees is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.

Day 4 – My friend and I both share October birthdays and to celebrate, we all splurged with a stay at the 5-star Fili Hotel. A fun fact about this newly opened resort and casino complex is that most of the construction took place during the pandemic, where over 7,000 employees worked and lived on-site.

Day 5 – Our friends would begin the journey back to North Carolina. However, Henry and I would continue our island adventures.

Coron

Day 1 – Flight #9 from Cebu to the Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Coron, a province of Palawan. A shuttle then transported us to the Coron Bluewave Hotel. That evening we strolled through town, where we found a restaurant with a roof top view of the ocean. After drinks and dinner we were on a search for dessert- Halo-halo!

Day 2 – Breakfast atop the hotels open air restaurant, then a Super Ultimate Day Tour where we saw breathtaking lagoons, snorkeled the reefs in Barracuda Lake – famous for its layers of cold, warm, and hot water. Swam in Twin Lagoons, a must-visit paradise surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs. The days itinerary – Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Twin Peaks Coral Garden, Balinsasayaw Reef Garden, CYC Beach and Beach 91. What an awesome experience!

Day 3 – Coron Town Tour where we visited a cashew nut factory, shopped the public market and souvenir shops, climbed over 700 steps to reach the top of Mt. Tapyas for amazing views overlooking Coron, viewed the Town Plaza, Lualhati Park and St. Augustine Church, then wrapped up the day with a swim in the Maquinit Hotsprings at night, one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world.

Day 4 – Travel day. High Speed Ferry from Coron to El Nido.

El Nido

Day 1 – We arrived at El Nido after a 5 hour ferry from Coron. Grabbed a tricycle (El Nido’s version of a tuk tuk) which is basically a motorcycle attached to a passenger cab and headed to Calypso Beach Hotel, boutique standalone villas with glass front where we woke each morning to a stunning view of the islands. Let me just say, the amazing sunsets at our doorstep was breathtaking! As we walked along the beach front, we stumbled upon an Italian restaurant for dinner.

Day 2 – Island Hopping day! Without a doubt, the islands surrounding El Nido are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen and a must if visiting the Philippines. We decided to take “Tour A” where we explored three breathtaking lagoons in the clear waters of Miniloc Island. A kayak through the crystal clear waters, soaked up the sun as we relaxed on the white sand beaches of Shimizu island and explored the beauty of Big Lagoon. A full 9 hour day with stops at Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon and Seven Commandos Beach.

Day 3 – Relaxing day at the pool and walks on the beach.

Day 4 – Explored El Nido town proper – A short tricycle ride to town where of course our first stop was a local coffee shop. Then we walked along the narrow streets, checking out the different souvenir shops, watching the locals as they went about their day and had a refreshing Buko (coconut) shake then grabbed baked goods at Midtown Bakery, which is hard to pass up since you will smell it way before you see it. Wrapped up with a walk along El Nido beach front. Later that afternoon, we spotted at Boba Tea shop near our villa where we enjoyed a cool drink and took a break from the hot sun. While there, started a conversation with the owner and discovered she also owned a local resort and a beach front restaurant called Lions Sunset Lounge. We decided to try it, as it would be our last dinner in El Nido. We arrived just before dusk, was seated on the upper floor overlooking the ocean, sipped on cocktails as we watched the sunset and then enjoyed a delicious meal.

Day 5 – Travel day. The next destination would take us to Puerto Princesa by way of a 5 hour van transfer ride with a stop for lunch along the way.

Puerto Princesa

Day 1 – Upon arrival in Puerto Princesa, our van driver dropped us off at Aziza Paradise Hotel. A nice dinner at the in-house restaurant in the open-air veranda with live music wrapped up the evening.

Day 2 – A visit to the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park, a walk through the public wet market located in the center of town, then a stroll through the large SM Supermall where we enjoyed an iced coffee and cooled off in the air condition. Then a tricycle ride through town as we made our way back to the hotel.

Day 3 – Just a 10 minute walk from our hotel was Robinsons Palawan Mall for coffee and lunch. An afternoon relaxing at the large pool.

Day 4 – Travel Day. Flight #10 from Puerto Princesa to Cebu.

Cebu

Day 1 – We arrived in Cebu and took a taxi to Cebu Hotel Plus for our 2 night stay. Dinner at a local Ramen restaurant to wrap up the travel day.

Day 2 – A day to relax and regroup as we prepare to head back North Carolina. Morning breakfast at a local coffee shop. An afternoon walk to a local shopping area and dinner at nearby night market.

Day 3 – The journey home begins. Flight #11 from Cebu to Taipei, Taiwan. After a short layover, we begin flight #12, a 15 hour journey to New York (JFK) where we had a long layover before flight #13 to RDU. And just like that two months have gone by and the trip is over. So thankful for an awesome and safe adventure. Good by Philippines–until next time!