First of all, our list of the words symbolizing our 30-day stay in Philippines:
Mango, calamansi, buko, diving, whale sharks, turtles, sardines, sea, swimming suits, massage, tricycle, flip flop, scooter, kinilaw, beach, green, jeepney.
Our itinerary in Philippines was focused on the Visayas islands (Bohol Island, Siquijor Island, Apo Island, Negros Island and Cebu Island):
- Arrival in Manila
- Santa Elena (Adeline and Miguel’s home), with excursion at Taal Lake and stay at San Benito Farm
- Flight from Manila to Tagbilaran (on Bohol Island)
- Alona Beach, on Panglao Island (on Bohol Island)
- Freediving (also on Panglao Island but on the north coast)
- Tubod Beach, in San Juan, on Siquijor Island (Coco Grove Resort)
- Apo Island (diving & snorkeling with turtles)
- Dumaguete, on Negros Island
- Santander, at the South tip of Cebu island (to see whale sharks in Osbol)
- Moalboal, still on Cebu Island (sardine run)
- Boracay Island (relax)
- Departure from Manila
What we liked most / our highlights:
- Our stay at Adeline and Miguel’s place (and the warm welcome by the family)
- Alona Beach (the Pyramid hotel with its swimming pool, its bar and its restaurant on the beach, and the fire dancers on the beach)
- The Coco Grove resort on Siquijor Island and the tour in scooter (with the Cambugahay Falls)
- The dives on Apo Island
- ‘Coco’ movie in Dumaguete
- The snorkeking and the diving with the whale sharks in Oslob (although Jules didn’t vote for the diving part)
- The canyoning in Kawasan Falls
The atmosphere / vibe of Boracay (and its nice White Beach) was also very much liked (except by Isabelle).
What we liked less:
Our “problem” in Philippines was the size of the double beds in the hotels. When we were sleeping in a family room (2 double beds and a single bed, often one mattress on the floor in fact), Isabelle and I slept in turn in the single bed, to have more space… The other less enjoyable thing in the hotels was the shower sprays (jets), which are terrible.
We’ve spent a great month in the Philippines, nicely prepared by Isabelle. It was good for us to have such a relaxing time after the first 4 months of our trip that were very much busy. The number of “visits” was reduced to its minimum in the Philippines. We could relax and let go (take life as it comes). Also, just the fact to spend the whole month wearing flip flop helped us to unplug… The whole family enjoyed this month mostly spent on the beach or in the water.
Isabelle summarized her (very positive) feeling in a post on our Facebook page (Gift World Tour).