Oh man, it’s been an awfully very long time since I crafted one among these posts highlighting my upcoming journey plans. The reality is, I’ve been TERRIBLE about planning my travels these previous couple years. It actually doesn’t assist that I’ve been reserving journeys comparatively final minute because of imposed quarterly visa runs, leaving little time to do a lot analysis. However principally, I’ve simply been deliberately hanging out on the “wing it” facet of the journey planning spectrum. And you realize what? Not planning or researching for journeys has resulted in me lacking out on some actually cool stuff.
So this time, I’m doing issues in another way. I booked my flight to the Philippines just a few months in the past as a result of it’s someplace I’ve been DYING to go to for years, not simply because I’ve to go away the nation once more. And with hundreds of islands beckoning, I figured it couldn’t harm to perform a little analysis to find out which of them I most needed to see.
Welp, “some research” became me studying my Lonely Planet cover-to-cover and planning out each single day of my month-long stint within the Philippines. I’d forgotten how enjoyable it’s simply to plan my travels! As an alternative of getting one month of pleasure, I acquired to squeeze out one other two months’ value earlier than takeoff.
Don’t fear although, I’m not doing a whirlwind tour of the nation! Sluggish journey is extra my jam today, so I’ve deliberate a couple of week per location. I believe that is particularly sensible for touring the Philippines, because it takes awhile to get across the nation (be it flights between islands or long-ass bus rides throughout them). I’ll be island hopping, doing ALL of the water actions, and staying in some actually cool lodging alongside the way in which.
Right here’s the place I’ll be frolicking from September 18 – October 18:
Picture by way of Trover.
I knew that I needed to make the most of the superior diving within the Philippines and possibly even get my superior open water certification, so early on in my analysis I got down to discover the most effective island for diving within the Philippines. There in all probability isn’t a “greatest” right here just because there are SO MANY dive websites within the Philippines, with such a wide range of marine life and wrecks. Suffice it to say that my brief record was, er, not so brief.
Then I met somebody who had not too long ago been diving on Malapascua and couldn’t cease raving about it, and as soon as I glimpsed her Instagram images I used to be offered! I really feel like Malapascua presents an awesome mix of beautiful white sand seashores and distinctive marine life (together with thresher sharks and the uber-colorful mandarin fish), which makes it an awesome match for my pursuits.
I’ll be partnering with Evolution Diving to finish my superior diving course and will probably be staying of their beachfront lodging.
Picture by way of Trover.
The island of Cebu is a significant hub within the Philippines and tends to be a preferred jumping-off level for the encompassing islands. I’m utilizing it for precisely that, and because of this I’ll be passing via Cebu metropolis 3 separate occasions. I’m a bit of cautious of the web scenario on the smaller islands I’m visiting, so I’m relying on Cebu to supply extra dependable wifi so I can get all my work accomplished on time.
In my analysis I got here throughout the devastatingly cool Henry Lodge in Cebu and initially balked on the considered paying $80/evening for a lodge room. I nearly by no means spend that a lot on lodging as a result of I’d fairly spend my time exterior exploring and my cash on outside actions. However then I assumed, effectively, since I’ll principally be working and hardly exploring, and since I’m nonetheless lusting after this lodge weeks later, possibly I can justify the splurge. Plus, I really feel like this room might simply go for near $300 within the western world. $80 is such a steal.
SO I BOOKED IT!! I’ll have two nights on the Henry Lodge in a large room that appears one thing like this (although actually, all 24 rooms of the dimensions I booked are utterly distinctive, so it might look nothing like this):
Picture credit score: Booking.com
I in all probability wouldn’t have recognized about Siargao had I not stumbled upon this blog post, however I’m so excited to be staying on this little island! Siargao is an aquatic adventurer’s heaven and a world-renowned surf spot. I’m partnering with Kermit Surf Resort to carry you protection of ALL the outside adventures on Siargao, together with browsing, stand-up paddleboarding, island hopping, yoga, rock swimming pools, caves, and kayaking.
Picture by way of Trover.
I didn’t notice {that a} huge worldwide surf competitors can be happening throughout my keep and that lodging has been principally booked out for months, so I’ll be leaping between 4 completely different resorts in 7 days. It’s cool although, as I’ll get to expertise a wide range of lodging choices from hostel to surf resort to boutique lodge.
Additionally, can we discuss me FINALLY studying tips on how to surf?? I imply, shouldn’t I’ve taken care of this ages in the past since I now reside in Australia? I suppose now’s an excellent time to admit that I’m truly scared to surf. Equally I’m fascinated by it and love to look at surfers do their factor, so I believe this will probably be a worthwhile problem for me. Want me luck! (Slash supply me ideas!)
Picture Credit score: Lux Siargao
El Nido is what actually put the Philippines on the map for me and catapulted it to the highest of my bucket record. I imply take a look at it!
Picture by way of Trover, edited by me.
Island hopping is the factor to do right here, and I’ve zero objections to that. I’ve a full week at El Nido and will probably be staying at Spin Designer Hostel for many of this time, so I’m hoping to fulfill some adventurous vacationers there to discover extra of Palawan with (learn: drive me round on their bike to take a look at close by seashores and waterfalls!).
Picture by way of Trover.
Okay, so the most important purpose I booked my Philippines journey effectively upfront is as a result of I’ve had it in my thoughts for months and months that I needed to attempt to make it to a TBEX on this facet of the world. I’ve been a journey blogger for practically 4 years now and in some way have by no means attended TBEX – I really feel like that should be some type of report!
For you non-travel running a blog (i.e. regular) of us, TBEX is a journey running a blog convention held yearly in 3 areas around the globe (North America, Europe/Center East, Asia) the place journey bloggers and journey trade professionals get to community. This yr, TBEX Asia is going on in Manila. There are workshops, talks, seminars, and events to attend too, however principally it’s concerning the schmoozing (aka my least favourite factor to do subsequent to cooking and cleansing). Between studying tips on how to surf and forcing myself to community extra, I’ll be effectively out of my consolation zone at occasions on this journey – however I believe it’s an excellent factor. Right here’s to popping out stronger on the opposite facet! Additionally, if any fellow bloggers have any recommendation for TBEX, kindly depart it within the feedback, TYIA!
Taal Volcano. Picture by way of Trover.
Sadly all of the TBEX press journeys happen after the convention (and after I fly again to Australia), so I’ll miss out on these. However I did get onto a Pre-BEX day journey to Taal Volcano which entails a hike or horse journey up the summit. Even cooler, Taal is the world’s largest island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island (did you observe that?).
I considered reserving one of many TBEX associate accommodations close to the conference middle, however they’re dearer than the Henry Lodge and don’t appear to be well worth the splurge so as an alternative I’ve booked a one-bedroom Airbnb condo close by for a fraction of the worth. (Use this link to get $35 off your first reserving on Airbnb. It’s an superior method to reside like a neighborhood when you journey! And it’s what I’ve been utilizing in-between home sits in Australia.)
So this time, I’m doing issues in another way. I booked my flight to the Philippines just a few months in the past as a result of it’s someplace I’ve been DYING to go to for years, not simply because I’ve to go away the nation once more. And with hundreds of islands beckoning, I figured it couldn’t harm to perform a little analysis to find out which of them I most needed to see.
Welp, “some research” became me studying my Lonely Planet cover-to-cover and planning out each single day of my month-long stint within the Philippines. I’d forgotten how enjoyable it’s simply to plan my travels! As an alternative of getting one month of pleasure, I acquired to squeeze out one other two months’ value earlier than takeoff.
Don’t fear although, I’m not doing a whirlwind tour of the nation! Sluggish journey is extra my jam today, so I’ve deliberate a couple of week per location. I believe that is particularly sensible for touring the Philippines, because it takes awhile to get across the nation (be it flights between islands or long-ass bus rides throughout them). I’ll be island hopping, doing ALL of the water actions, and staying in some actually cool lodging alongside the way in which.
Right here’s the place I’ll be frolicking from September 18 – October 18:
Picture by way of Trover.
Malapascua
I knew that I needed to make the most of the superior diving within the Philippines and possibly even get my superior open water certification, so early on in my analysis I got down to discover the most effective island for diving within the Philippines. There in all probability isn’t a “greatest” right here just because there are SO MANY dive websites within the Philippines, with such a wide range of marine life and wrecks. Suffice it to say that my brief record was, er, not so brief.
Then I met somebody who had not too long ago been diving on Malapascua and couldn’t cease raving about it, and as soon as I glimpsed her Instagram images I used to be offered! I really feel like Malapascua presents an awesome mix of beautiful white sand seashores and distinctive marine life (together with thresher sharks and the uber-colorful mandarin fish), which makes it an awesome match for my pursuits.
I’ll be partnering with Evolution Diving to finish my superior diving course and will probably be staying of their beachfront lodging.
Picture by way of Trover.
Cebu
The island of Cebu is a significant hub within the Philippines and tends to be a preferred jumping-off level for the encompassing islands. I’m utilizing it for precisely that, and because of this I’ll be passing via Cebu metropolis 3 separate occasions. I’m a bit of cautious of the web scenario on the smaller islands I’m visiting, so I’m relying on Cebu to supply extra dependable wifi so I can get all my work accomplished on time.
In my analysis I got here throughout the devastatingly cool Henry Lodge in Cebu and initially balked on the considered paying $80/evening for a lodge room. I nearly by no means spend that a lot on lodging as a result of I’d fairly spend my time exterior exploring and my cash on outside actions. However then I assumed, effectively, since I’ll principally be working and hardly exploring, and since I’m nonetheless lusting after this lodge weeks later, possibly I can justify the splurge. Plus, I really feel like this room might simply go for near $300 within the western world. $80 is such a steal.
SO I BOOKED IT!! I’ll have two nights on the Henry Lodge in a large room that appears one thing like this (although actually, all 24 rooms of the dimensions I booked are utterly distinctive, so it might look nothing like this):
Picture credit score: Booking.com
Siargao
I in all probability wouldn’t have recognized about Siargao had I not stumbled upon this blog post, however I’m so excited to be staying on this little island! Siargao is an aquatic adventurer’s heaven and a world-renowned surf spot. I’m partnering with Kermit Surf Resort to carry you protection of ALL the outside adventures on Siargao, together with browsing, stand-up paddleboarding, island hopping, yoga, rock swimming pools, caves, and kayaking.
Picture by way of Trover.
I didn’t notice {that a} huge worldwide surf competitors can be happening throughout my keep and that lodging has been principally booked out for months, so I’ll be leaping between 4 completely different resorts in 7 days. It’s cool although, as I’ll get to expertise a wide range of lodging choices from hostel to surf resort to boutique lodge.
Additionally, can we discuss me FINALLY studying tips on how to surf?? I imply, shouldn’t I’ve taken care of this ages in the past since I now reside in Australia? I suppose now’s an excellent time to admit that I’m truly scared to surf. Equally I’m fascinated by it and love to look at surfers do their factor, so I believe this will probably be a worthwhile problem for me. Want me luck! (Slash supply me ideas!)
Picture Credit score: Lux Siargao
El Nido
El Nido is what actually put the Philippines on the map for me and catapulted it to the highest of my bucket record. I imply take a look at it!
Picture by way of Trover, edited by me.
Island hopping is the factor to do right here, and I’ve zero objections to that. I’ve a full week at El Nido and will probably be staying at Spin Designer Hostel for many of this time, so I’m hoping to fulfill some adventurous vacationers there to discover extra of Palawan with (learn: drive me round on their bike to take a look at close by seashores and waterfalls!).
Picture by way of Trover.
Manila / TBEX
Okay, so the most important purpose I booked my Philippines journey effectively upfront is as a result of I’ve had it in my thoughts for months and months that I needed to attempt to make it to a TBEX on this facet of the world. I’ve been a journey blogger for practically 4 years now and in some way have by no means attended TBEX – I really feel like that should be some type of report!
For you non-travel running a blog (i.e. regular) of us, TBEX is a journey running a blog convention held yearly in 3 areas around the globe (North America, Europe/Center East, Asia) the place journey bloggers and journey trade professionals get to community. This yr, TBEX Asia is going on in Manila. There are workshops, talks, seminars, and events to attend too, however principally it’s concerning the schmoozing (aka my least favourite factor to do subsequent to cooking and cleansing). Between studying tips on how to surf and forcing myself to community extra, I’ll be effectively out of my consolation zone at occasions on this journey – however I believe it’s an excellent factor. Right here’s to popping out stronger on the opposite facet! Additionally, if any fellow bloggers have any recommendation for TBEX, kindly depart it within the feedback, TYIA!
Taal Volcano. Picture by way of Trover.
Sadly all of the TBEX press journeys happen after the convention (and after I fly again to Australia), so I’ll miss out on these. However I did get onto a Pre-BEX day journey to Taal Volcano which entails a hike or horse journey up the summit. Even cooler, Taal is the world’s largest island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island (did you observe that?).
I considered reserving one of many TBEX associate accommodations close to the conference middle, however they’re dearer than the Henry Lodge and don’t appear to be well worth the splurge so as an alternative I’ve booked a one-bedroom Airbnb condo close by for a fraction of the worth. (Use this link to get $35 off your first reserving on Airbnb. It’s an superior method to reside like a neighborhood when you journey! And it’s what I’ve been utilizing in-between home sits in Australia.)