#also. i KNOW japanese crowds are quieter than like western crowds

[cheolism]

someone shouted at fuma that he was "sexy sexy" and mans just fucking blushed and got bashful jasdfkjl;sd THIS MAN SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MUCH SWAY OVER MY HEART

[becauseiamnotanelephant]

Tokyo, part 2

After a really nice, quiet night at the hotel, we met up with Sam and Mel for breakfast and blew $40 for what should be the cheapest meal of the day, but this hotel is ridiculous. They only had a few hours before their flight so we opted to see a few things around the hotel together. 

First stop was the famous Shibuya crossing, which was pretty cool to see but hard to capture from the crowd. Its also a holiday here, so I don’t think the crowds were what they would be during rush hour. From there, we walked to Yoyogi park, near where we were yesterday, to see the famous shrine of Tokyo. We are pretty shrined out at this point so it was a nice touch that there was a wedding taking place - good to see something different.

We walked from there to Cat Street, a cute narrow street with boutique stores, and said our goodbyes to Sam and Mel. We took the train to see the Imperial Palace and gardens.  It was a nice place to walk around; there is something really peaceful and calming about Japanese gardens. Kind of makes you want a pond with koi in your backyard with perfected landscaping. We realized we don’t know much about the Japanese Emperor, and after some research, still have a lot of questions.

Adjacent to the park, which was huge, was a very basic and boring skyline. It was surprising that Tokyo wouldn’t have a nicer skyline than Dallas or another standard US city. We walked past the buildings to some streets closed off to cars (maybe for the holiday) through some very expensive shopping areas. There is an insane amount of shopping here, but also an extreme amount of high end shopping. We stopped in a fancy french macaron place and the cafe in the back was full of people despite ridiculous costs for each item. There is a lot of money here.

We happened upon a cool pop up exhibit with 2019 design award winners; I always like seeing cool new industrial designs, and like that cities are places where you can stumble on unique exhibits. We were starving at this point so stopped for lunch in a department store basement, but it was so high end that we just got something simple to hold us over and ate by the escalator, which was the only place we could find seats. For the thousands of square feet of food retail in these stores, there are no actual food courts.

Graham has had internet service for free on this entire trip so far but for some reason it just stopped working at the mall. Having internet and google maps here has been crucial - the streets have no names and there are rarely perfect grids, so without his phone and his navigation skills, this trip would have gone very differently. So we mapped out our route via wifi at the mall and set off.

En route, we came across a giant Sony walkman, which lured us into another cool free exhibit documenting the timeline of Sony walkman, with actual models from each year thst you could play and listen to. It was fun to walk down memory lane but also funny to think that other kids at the exhibit had no idea what a walkman is for.

We took the train to the famous Shinjuku neighborhood where we had planned to stay our first night but it was too expensive. Its definitely had a Times Square vibe with endless neon and bars and endless activity. Honestly, I am really glad we didn’t stay here our first night; the Asakusa area is so much quianter and “old” Tokyo vibe. In fact, it’s hard to believe it’s even the same city. 

We walked around the neighborhood, saw the spot of the famous Robot Restaurant, and eventually made our way to the much smaller but equally as crazy Golden Gai section - four or five super narrow streets completely lined with two levels of super tiny  bars. Like they can fit at most 6 people tiny. 

Most were closed since it was only around 7 pm, and most are closed to foreigners anyway (“members only”), but Graham picked one on the second floor and we grabbed a drink. Honestly, we just crave any opportunity to sit after all the walking we have been doing, but its nice to grab a drink anyway and make the most of being on vacation. The stairs to the bar were about 2” deep and at about 45 degree slope up; it was practically a ladder at that point. Despite the other patron smoking, it was a cool spot and my new discovery of a shandy drink of half beer/half ginger ale is pretty damn good.

From there we got back on the train to the “bohemian” neighborhood of Shimo Kitazawa. These quieter areas are so much more our style; the Brooklyn to Times Square of nyc. We walked around; lots of cool shops and restaurants, many crowded, especially the Japanese pubs that serve food (itzakaya). While we were looking for a spot to eat, we found the equivalent of a Verizon store and went to see if we could figure out why Graham’s service disappeared. I guarantee no one behind the counter had any clue what he was asking, but as we stood there trying to communicate, his service kicked in again, miraculously. And we were off.

We found a nice spot to eat that was recommended by the guide book; one where you take off your shoes and sit on the floor. As we are settling in and trying to figure out what vegetarian options exist, this Japanese woman crawls up next to me and starts asking questions and showing me her favorite item on the menu. I thought it was a weird way to take someones order, assuming she was the waitress, until the waiter came up at the same time and asked for our drink orders. At that point, as Graham describes it, my "New Yorker" side came on strong - I am generally ok with lots of things going on at the same time, but this woman was invading my personal space, I was being asked for my drink order before I had a chance to even see the menu, and we were trying to figure out if there was even anything Graham could eat at this place. I don't do well in those situations, apparently. The woman got the hint and left and the waiter decided to come back in a bit. It may be in their culture to be interested in talking to westerners to practice their English, but at some point, I drew the line.

After a very good dinner (deep fried corn is amazing, btw), we walked back to the train station and got off at our stop, which is apparently a huge and very busy station outside the famous crossing. We luckily stumbled upon a walkway on the second floor of the train station and I was able to get a great shot of the ped scramble. We took some other cool photos and then called it a night.

Photos are saved here.

[drinksanddestinations]

Close observation of the vibrant bar culture in Taipei reveals that the real cocktail revolution is taking place here; in this capital city of the tiny island-country Taiwan. It’s truly a melting pot of cultures from all over Asia and the western world. Rojita Tiwari reassures this after spending a week in Taipei, mostly barhopping, tasting different styles of cocktails and interacting with some of the finest bartenders from Taiwan.

Victor Yang with his boyish charm moves swiftly behind the bar from one end to the other at ‘AHA Saloon’- creating cocktails with the accuracy and precision equivalent of a perfect lab work – all this while striking a conversation with his guests seated at the bar table. Aki Wang’s den ‘Indulge Experimental Bistro’ is a place where one can spend hours while listening to him passionately explaining each and every flavour of the tea liqueurs that he creates with the handpicked teas from across Taiwan. At ‘Fourplay’, five minutes into the conversation with Allen Cheng and he wins your heart by serving you a drink exactly the way you want, as you pick your own ingredients. Nick Wu’s personal touch in every element of his sophisticated ‘Bar Mood’, from the selection of furniture to stocking up the bar with only syrups and juices made of local ingredients, also occasionally spoiling guests with an unusual cocktail off the menu- these bartenders are all magicians of their craft.

Interestingly, Taiwan’s bar culture wasn’t always vivacious. The country saw an upsurge in its-otherwise negligible-drinking culture during the nineties. There was a time when night outs meant hanging out with friends at the teahouse. But things have changed over the years. While minimalistic approach towards the décor and the drinks at these bars also suggest the fact that almost every aspect of the Taiwanese life draws inspiration from Japanese culture, the versatility, and ease with which the younger generation has adopted the virtues of the east and west is commendable. A reflection of which was seen in a lot of the cocktails that I tasted during my visit.

Here are the 6 must-visit bars across Taipei that could leave you with an experience of a lifetime.

1) Indulge Experimental Bistro – For the art of Tea & Cocktail Mixology Aki Wang’s Indulge Experimental Bistro was awarded the Best Bar in Taiwan Award at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018 held in Singapore. Located in a posh residential area in the quieter by lanes of central Taipei, the place is totally missable, unless you are looking for an herb garden outside a building. But as soon as you enter, you feel the place has a soul. The friendly staff, a very talented female bartender manning the bar with ease at a peak hour, an exceptional kitchen serving some delectable food items prepared with fresh produces and locally sourced ingredients, Indulge Experimental Bistro is a delightful place to unwind after a busy day. Divided between a casual dining area and an underground semi-formal cozy den space that serves a wide range of spirits including some rare single malts, cognacs, and Japanese whiskeys, Indulge Bistro is an experience. The drinks menu boasts of a wide range of tea cocktails such as Four Seasons Spring Cocktail (The Green tea liqueur with Tanqueray No. Ten Gin, Pomelo and Lemon Verbena), Ruby Black Cocktail (2018 Ruby completely fermented black tea liqueur with Deveron 12 YO single malt whisky, Beetroot, Raspberry, Rose & citrus reduction) and many more, it is truly a tea enthusiast’s dreamland.

2) Marco Polo Lounge at Shangri-La – Signature cocktails and the view Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei should be your choice of place to stay while you are in the city. The hotel reflects the perfect blend of luxury, elegance, and class. It has an impressive Gin bar on the lobby level called Lobby Court that offers some rare and exciting local gins. For those who like to enjoy their single malts and cigars in a quieter corner, Li Bai Bar is the place. With a collection of more than 40 whiskies served inside the classic English style charming bar set-up, this should be your pick for a dram. But I would choose Marco Polo Lounge on the higher floor of the hotel, not only because I know that the bartender Kevin Luo can mix up a great cocktail using the local Taiwanese liquor Kaoliang, called ‘Marco Polo Had A Farm’ but also because the lounge offers one of the best views of the TAIPEI 101 building and also of the cityscape.

3) AHA-Saloon for a speakeasy drinking experience Victor, Jeffrey, and Kae, the award-winning bartenders decided to open a bar on the main street in Taipei and made AHA-Saloon one of the most popular hangouts in Taipei. You may have to be lucky or patient enough to find a seat at AHA-Saloon but ones you have entered inside, you are in for a great show. It’s not just the way the cocktails are prepared here by these star bartenders, the glassware, the décor, an exclusive private-members only area upstairs with a wall display of some of the rare whisky labels, makes this bar a must-visit. And, while you are seated at the bar, ask for a ‘Meet Shalimar At Mine’- cocktail made with pandan, yam, and juice from the Taiwanese native plant wood called Calocedrus. Interestingly, the bar serves only drinks. So, if you get hungry, just step out and you have plenty of local food to try out on the street.

4) Bar Mood – For more than just one drink Bar Mood is in no way a regular fine dining bar. Located in one of the busy by-lanes in central Taipei, the place is every bit chick, minimalistic and edgy. As you enter, you can hang around at the welcome bar area if in the mood for just one drink. The bar has a special tie-up with Cinco Jotas from Spain so it serves the fresh, delicious, flavourful Acorn-fed 100% artisanal Iberico Hams. But, you only get to enter the main bar if you are ready to order more than two drinks. Once you are inside, you may not want to ever leave that place. A bar that serves cocktails with some of the finest spirits and uses only homemade syrups and juices made from local ingredients sounds perfect. Right? The bar food at Bar Mood can leave you with a completely satisfying and indulgent experience; this place speaks of bespoke luxury. Choice of Cocktail – Mood Tiki (Ron Zacapa 23 yr. old, Homemade spice syrup, Salty Starfruit juice or apple juice and fresh lime juice).

5) Cocktail on Tap – For a night of revelry and Just Drinks Picture this. A cocktail bar in the middle of a small by-lanes in a residential area (almost every area is residential in Taipei), absolutely packed from inside and crowd spilling outside to the street at around 9 pm on a weekend. The bar serves around 20 cocktails, all on tap, at an affordable price and open till the wee hours of the morning. No food and no seating. So fill your stomach and wear comfortable shoes if you are heading to ‘Cocktail on Tap’. Favourite pick, Sherry Cobbler (Sherry wine, Zubrowka vodka, pineapple, sugar and citric acid).

6) Fourplay – For authentic Made To Order drink experience In one of the best neighborhoods in Taipei city is the playground of four players, former colleagues who decided to stay unconventional and run a bar, which is as much about the cocktails as about the experience. The customer is the king here; at least, that’s what the players would make you believe. The drinks look stunning here and taste absolutely exceptional. While the cocktail names and shots like Marijuana and Smoky Rose might intimidate you, this is also the perfect place to ask for a custom-made drink. Go for a local Kaoliang based cocktails or stick to your regular drink with a local twist or just go crazy with your choice of shots here. Fourplay could be a playground for a drinks expert but it could also allow enough playtimes to a regular cocktail lover.

This article was originally featured on  Luxury Launches website.

Pub hopping – The 6 best bars to visit in Taipei Close observation of the vibrant bar culture in Taipei reveals that the real cocktail revolution is taking place here; in this capital city of the tiny island-country Taiwan.

[foundtheworl]

New Post has been published on Found The World

New Post has been published on https://foundtheworld.com/divers-guide-east-bali/

A Diver’s Guide to East Bali for Scuba Diving Lovers

Bali reached international fame some time ago. It has long been a destination for surfers, tropical island lovers, and those looking for a temporary (sometimes permanent) escape from reality. In this sense, Bali is old news – however, Bali never gets old.

This South East Asian island has a certain mystic about it that has been drawing travelers, tourists, and ex-pats for decades. Is it the ocean’s swell? The unique mix of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity? Or perhaps it’s the near-perfect weather, practically guaranteeing year-round beach lounging.

No one would blame you for taking off to Bali. I’m guilty of it a few times myself. But it wasn’t for any of the above-listed reasons. While I certainly have nothing against surfing and sunbathing, my draw to Bali was for a completely different reason: Scuba diving.

What’s so good about diving in Bali?

I’ve done quite a bit of diving in South East Asia. As an employed dive instructor, I’ve jumped around from the east and west coast of Thailand to the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia. I’ve gone on multiple dive vacations to exotic places like Borneo, to the deep waters of the Philippines, to random, unplanned dive trips off of Koh Rong, Cambodia.

But there was always something about the idea of Bali that excited me more than all these places. Bali’s got it all; reef and wreck dives, deep water, current, massive schools of fish, sharks, turtles, small and crazy looking creatures, and tons of other tropical marine life.

Starting point

I was traveling with my boyfriend during my first trip to Bali. We were both employed in Malaysia as dive instructors and were in need of a short vacation. What better place, we thought, than Bali. It was just a short flight away and we were especially excited to check out some new dive sites.

We flew into Depansar International Airport and immediately jumped in a van to take us northeast.

I’d heard a lot about Bali, particularly the crazy party scene of Kuta, located in the south of the island near the airport. Kuta attracts backpackers and young Australians with promises of wild and cheap beach parties. Not really my scene anymore. We decided to skip this party animal’s hot-spot and head to a quieter part of the island.

TIP: If you’re not into the tacky tourist scene, get as far away from Kuta/Depansar/Seminyak as possible. Built up resorts, westernized restaurants, and countless souvenir shops as far as the eye can see are all you’ll find here.

So, where should you go? I’m glad you asked…

A Peaceful Haven

We’d done some research before arriving in Bali and knew we didn’t want to stay in the south with the 18-year old spring breakers. We settled on a small village called Amed, a 2 ½ hour drive from Depansar Airport, on the far east coast of the island. It looked small, quaint, quiet, and most importantly, was in close proximity to some amazing dive sites.

Amed

When we arrived in Amed, it was exactly what I’d be hoping for; narrow roads, mom and pop style restaurants, and cozy accommodation options. We picked Kadek Homestay, a small family run guesthouse in the middle of the “main drag” (if you could call it that). The property was shrouded in a garden jungle and backed directly onto the beach.

Kadek Homestay – garden and sea view                    

The first of many special things I noticed about Amed was the black, volcanic sand. It makes sense once you look up and see the powerful and prominent Mount Agung towering over Amed. The dark color of the sand gives the whole beach an edgier, more curious appearance– I couldn’t wait to see how that translated underwater!

Viewpoint over Jemeluk Bay with Mount Agung in the background

Diving in Amed

Amed is, by far, the most laid-back place for diving I have ever visited. You would be hard-pressed to find a place that’s more easy-going.

As card-carrying PADI dive instructors, we had all our own scuba gear with us. The only things we needed were a few weights and two tanks. We wandered into a dive shop just a few hundred meters from our guesthouse and chatted with the employees for a few minutes. They recommended a few dive sites that were just down the road and off the beach. Because we were dive professionals, we were able to go diving safely on our own. The dive shop rented us two tanks for $5 each and threw in a couple of kilo weights for free.

We stacked the tanks sideways on the floor of our rented scooter, wore as much of our gear as possible, and balanced the rest on the handlebars as we took off in the direction of the beach.

Pyramids

We found the spot the folks in the dive shop had described to us – a dive site known as “Pyramids.” We assembled our gear on the side of the road, used the references the dive shop had given us for an entry point and walked into the sea.

As soon as we were underwater it felt like we were on the cusp of a night dive; the black sand and twinkling sun on the surface was reminiscent of a sunset dive. We descended down, looking for the man-made pyramid-like structures we were told about. As the current pushed us along, the first pyramid came into view.

Suddenly there was a pop of color. It came from the bright soft corals that consumed the structure. Angelfish, moorish idol, trumpet fish, and damselfish flitted happily around. Upon closer inspection, we found dozens of small, colorful creatures like nudibranch and shrimp.

After a few laps, we drifted along to the next pyramid, then the next. More awesome soft corals, sand-burrowing string rays and flounders, and tons of colorful fish.

After we surfaced we had a quick swim to shore, dissembled our gear and hopped on the bike again. I couldn’t get over how such a simple and easy procedure could yield such a great dive. I didn’t know it yet, but it was about to get easier and better….

 Big smiles after our first dive in Bali

The U.S.S. Liberty

If you’ve done any research about diving in Bali, you’ve read about this world-class wreck dive. The U.S.S. Liberty sits literally just off the beach in Tulamban, the neighboring village of Amed.

We decided to dive the U.S.S. Liberty the next day at sunrise in order to beat the crowds – as the most sought-after dive in Bali, we knew by mid-day the site would be mobbed with divers.

We managed to get our hands on a phone number to a local who delivered tanks to dive sites. We called, thinking this was too good to be true. Sure enough, the man on the other end confirmed the story. So, we thought we’d push our luck – did he have 15-liter tanks instead of the typical 12-liter? Yes, he did. Did he have Nitrox? Of course. Could he deliver two 15-liter Nitrox tanks to the U.S.S. Liberty dive site tomorrow morning at 6 am? No problem.

The next morning, we met our “tank guy” in the parking lot. He rolled up with our tanks and an analyzer to check the oxygen level of our Nitrox tanks. All good. He stated for us to call him when we were finished and he’d come pick up the tanks. Our dive at one of the most famous dive sites in the world cost us $7 each.

Gearing up for U.S.S. Liberty in the parking lot among snoozing locals

Once our gear was assembled we walked down to the beach. A local pointed us in the general direction of the wreck.

Walking down the beach to the dive site – you can see how close the dive site is to the beach by the other divers already in the water, about to descend.        

The Dive

We experienced one of the best dives of our lives in the next 80-minutes. The wreck itself is staggering. It’s 120-meters long and has been sunk for over 50 years. The top of the wreck sits at 5-meters and the deepest point is roughly 30-meters.

There are many wide-open areas to safely swim through, over, and under the ship. The shimmering black sand sets a fantastic background for the vibrant soft coral that has grown all over the wreck. The pink, white, and purple fluorescents seem to light up the whole area.

Cruising over the top of Liberty      

Exploring the inside of Liberty

And, oh my goodness, the marine life – schools of snapper, trevally, and hump head parrot fish patrol the grounds. Colorful angelfish, giant puffers, and porcupine fish drift lazily by. Red-tooth triggerfish flutter around and sea snakes twist their way by. The wreck is also crawling with exotically colored nudibranch and shrimp. The site is like an ancient, underwater playground. Simply beautiful.

One of the coolest parts of the dive was the garden of snake eels in the shallows. We spent almost 10 minutes observing their hide-and-seek behaviors at the end of the dive.

Snake Eel Garden in the shallows of U.S.S. Liberty

We loved it so much we dived it again the next day.

Japanese Wreck

Another ridiculously accessible shore dive in Amed is the Japanese Wreck. It’s shallow and often used as a snorkeling site as well. We’d heard great things about it, even though the maximum depth is only 12m, we wanted to give it go.

The dive is laid-back and boasts lots of small critters, like nudibranch and colorful reef fish. As usual, big soft corals and sea fans, all brilliantly colored. If you’re up for a longer dive, swim off the slope until about 35-meters – there’s a coral plateau waiting to be discovered.

Jemeluk Bay

We also wanted to explore the bay which was just a 5-minute scooter ride from our guesthouse. Jemeluk Bay is a large area hosting several relatively easy dive sites.

On the eastern side of the bay is Jemeluk Drop-Off AKA Jemeluk Wall. As the name suggests, the rocky, jagged reef drops down to depths of roughly 40m or more. We followed the reef with our right shoulder and surfaced at the eastern point of the bay. Another great dive with loads of healthy barrel sponges, soft corals, and swarms of small tropical reef fish – especially in the current at the end of the dive. Look out into the blue for the chance to spot some bigger pelagics!

***********************************

This literally just barely scratches the surface of the diving in East Bali. There are some truly amazing local dives that we didn’t have time for, and some that lie even further off Amed’s east coast; Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. If you’re looking for some intense diving with strong currents and mind-blowing marine life – head here after Amed.

The diving we experienced in Amed and Tulamban guaranteed that we’ll return again one day. Not only was the diving top-notch, the ease in which we were able to dive was incredible. Of course, if you’re not a certified and very experienced diver, I would never suggest diving on your own. And in Amed, there’s no need to anyway – there are plenty of small, local diving shops dying to take you beneath the surface.

Amed and the rest of Bali are stunning regardless of whether or not you’re a scuba diver. From viewpoints, scenic motorbike drives, Hindu cliffside temples, miles of beaches, and consistently epic swell – Bali never disappoints.

[furilia]

Where to Go in The Philippines: The Perfect Itinerary

New Post has been published on https://www.furilia.com/where-to-go-in-the-philippines-the-perfect-itinerary/

Where to Go in The Philippines: The Perfect Itinerary

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It’s tough to think of a more beautiful corner of the world than the Philippines, with white sand beaches, bath-temperature water, and incredibly friendly locals.

These islands, 7,107 of them to be exact, are worth a departure from the typical banana pancake trail in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam! The beaches are regarded as some of the best in the world, as are the diving opportunities, and the welcoming nature of the Filipino people is unwavering.

But with so many islets to choose from offering up various culture, adventure and culinary delights, where do you even start to plan an itinerary and figure out where to go in the Philippines? Well luckily enough, Charlotte and I have spent roughly two months in the Philippines and have wrapped up our experiences into one neat little package below. Let’s get to planning your perfect Philippines itinerary:

Manila

It’s likely that you’ll begin your journey in the capital, Manila. A city bustling with people, Spanish colonial architecture, street vendors and Jeepneys.  Many travellers use Manila simply as a gateway to other destinations in the Philippines but we would recommend spending at least a day there in preparation for the rest of your adventure. It will also give you enough time to purchase your bus ticket to the North of Luzon, acclimatize, and sample street food like quack quack (battered quail egg) and caramelized bananas.

Quick Tip: Take a Jeepney ride for as little as 10PHP to a random destination in town. Just get off where you feel spontaneous!

Stay: Book your Manila stay here.

North Luzon (Banaue / Batad Rice Terraces)

North Luzon is very much overlooked in the Philippines with travelers opting for pristine white beaches and crystal cobalt seas instead. However, we would highly recommend a trip into the mountainous region for a glimpse into the World of the local rice farmers and stunning craggy landscapes. The UNESCO Banaue rice terraces are a key highlight of any trip to the North.

Top Tip: Most travelers visit Banaue due to the UNESCO title stamped across its name, however just an hour up the road (or up the mountain) lie Batad rice terraces which are just as beautiful and have far fewer tourists.

An overnight stay will allow you to live like the locals in a traditional stilt house built into the terrace. A trek to a neighboring waterfall is also on the agenda here and highly recommended! Wear a bathing suit and take a dip!

How To Get There: Overnight buses such as Ohayami run from the Sampoloc area of Manila for $19, which can be purchased a day in advance or on the day of (subject to availability). They leave at 9pm.

Stay: Batad Transient House (traditional stilt house) for just $11 with a delicious breakfast!

Sagada

Home to the infamous hanging coffins, the Igoret tribes of the North have long practiced burying their dead in coffins nailed against the side of cliffs, believing they will be closer to heaven.

This tradition is slowly dying out, so this is a rare chance for a deeper glimpse into traditional tribal life. You can hop off at Sagada on a return bus trip to Baguio from Banaue.

Quick Tip: Sagada has VERY limited ATMs and the one we did find had zero money, resulting in frantic phone calls home to wire money to Western Union Transfer! Take enough cash for your trip to Sagada.

Stay: Book your Sagada stay here.

Baguio City (Mount Pulag)

No trip to North Luzon is complete without visiting its highest peak at 2,926m above sea level. If that sounds like too much trekking for some then do not fear! Most of the journey is done by Jeepney to a mountain village where you stay overnight in a local house before taking on the summit in the early hours. In total the trek takes approximately 4-6 hours after reaching the village with a couple of rest breaks before reaching “the sky of clouds”.

Quick Tip: Most tour operators will drop you back at Manila providing you advise that you want to be dropped off here INSTEAD of returning to Baguio. If you follow this itinerary chronologically, this is ideal as we’ll be flying down south next.

Go With: Mount Pulag Adventures

Stay: Book your Baguio City stay here.

Boracay

A small island in central Philippines, Boracay is the top tourist draw of the Philippines, and for good reason! White beach takes center stage framing a 4km slice of paradise, once voted the best beach in the World (check out our guide to the best beaches in the Philippines)! An array of restaurants, resort accommodation and bars feature heavily along the main beach stations, while the back beach offers perfect conditions for water sports. Bar crawls, cliff jumping and ATV tours are all on offer here!

Quick Tip: We recommend spending 3 or 4 nights in Boracay. Once you have partied your way through the island it will probably be time to move on anyway!

How To Get There: Fly or ferry. We took the overnight ferry to save on accommodation and boarded from Batangas (reachable by 2 hour air conditioned bus from Manila). Ferries should be booked a few days in advance with 2GO Travel and they depart from 9pm and sail overnight to the port of Caticlan for $19 arriving at 7am dependent on sea conditions. From here passengers take a 10 minute boat across to the island.

Stay: Hostel Avenue is the only beach front hostel in Boracay opened 2017 for $17, located on White Beach.

Coron

Located in the province of Palawan, Coron is where you will find those Insta perfect dragon-esque landscape rock formations that penetrate the skies and inhabit turquoise lagoons below them. THIS is one of the reasons we first put the Philippines on our bucket list and trips to Barracuda Lake (fresh water lake), Kayagan Lake and the small and big lagoons are an absolute must on your visit here and can be booked one day in advance in the main town. Coron is also dubbed as the shipwreck capital of the World due to a large number of sunken Japanese vessels all within a 20-minute boat ride of the main town.

Quick Tip: The town is quaint and buzzing with other travelers. In our experience, we preferred to avoid the crowds and booked a private charter with another couple to take us to the best snorkeling spots when the hundreds of orange lifejackets had already left. This also means you can hand pick your sightseeing spots and all for as little as a $25 increase on the popular tours!

How To Get There: For approximately $90 we opted to fly from Caticlan (Boracay) to Coron and boy was it worth it! Boarding a small 12 seater Air Juan plane from Boracay you can swoop across the archipelago of the Philippines marveling at the tiny, Maldives like islets beneath you. A highly recommended way to see the Philippine landscape in all its glory!

Stay: If you’re confident in speaking with the locals by now, a cheaper alternative to a hostel on the main strip is to walk the quieter streets of the town and find a friendly local who will offer up his spare room for free or for half the cost of a hostel. Still to this day staying in ‘Sheila’s’ room while she was away at University was one of our favourite stays of all our travels!

El Nido

Sticking with Palawan, El Nido is the next obvious destination to go to in the Philippines to get your jaw dropping landscape fix! The town is a traveler’s paradise, housing an array of budget accommodation, charming restaurants and bars and also ample diving opportunities. Take an island hopping tour, inclusive of small and big lagoons, 7 Commandos Beach, Snake Island and Cudugnon Cave. Tours start from around $26 inclusive of three or four destinations, oh and lunch is included too. Sold!

Quick Tip: If your budget allows, we would highly recommend putting some money toward an island hopping expedition from Coron to El Nido. Sailing in and around some of the smallest and most remote islets of the Philippines was truly breathtaking. Sandbar slices of paradise, camping on secluded beaches and snorkeling in some of the clearest waters in the World were some of our favourite moments from the whole of our Philippines trip, not to mention singing Karaoke in a locals home with only the local villagers and rum to keep us company! For us, this was THE way to see the real Philippines at its most authentic.

Go With: Buhay Isla run 3 and 4 night expeditions between Coron and El Nido ports.

Stay: Book your El Nido stay here.

Cebu

Our visit to Cebu was mainly focused around one sight in particular, Kawasan Falls. This picturesque waterfall that plummets into the turquoise lagoon below has quickly become an instagram favorite and when you see it, you’ll understand why! We would highly recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds.

The falls can be easily accessed from the main entrance. Take a tricycle from your guesthouse and they will already know where you want to go!

Quick Tip: For the more adventurous traveler and for an alternative way in to the falls, opt for a canyoneering experience where you will be thrilled with 2-10m cliff jumps into the azure waters below. Taking a dip in such mesmerizing waters is highly recommended in any case, but to do it all with a rush as you jump and jolt from the limestone cliffs above is all the more exhilarating! Your experience ends at Kawasan Falls; the perfect end to such an adventure.

How To Get There: Vans regularly leave from the town of El Nido to Puerto Princesa every hour directly to the airport. You can choose to either explore Puerto Princesa or fly directly to Cebu.

Go With: We opted to canyoneer with Highland Adventures and found them to be reliable with all safety measures and equipment in place.

Stay: Book your Cebu stay here.

Oslob

It has always been a dream of ours to swim with whale sharks in a natural environment. We are so jealous of Kristin’s authentic experience with whale sharks in Mozambique and as avid divers we await the day until we get to see such a rare moment!

Although we were not 100% happy to swim with whale sharks while they are being fed, we did in fact get to swim with them in Oslob as part of a tour we were doing. They are some of the most beautiful creatures we have ever laid eyes upon as they graciously swoon in the waters collecting fish that are being served for them. We caved into the experience here as we justified the experienced based on the sharks being allowed to come and go as they please, but we await an authentic experience with much more excitement!

Be My Travel Muse generally does not support animal encounters like this that alter the animal’s natural behavior, but it felt remiss to leave this off of the itinerary since many people do want to have this experience. It is here to provide information rather than encourage you to participate, however. More ethical alternatives where the sharks are not being fed include the Bay of Los Angeles in California, the Maldives, Mozambique, and many others depending on the season.

Bantayan Island

An off the beaten path island that is often overlooked by many taking the main tourist trail but conveniently located north east of Cebu. Still a hidden gem, locals will welcome you into their guesthouses with open arms for you to explore powdery, undeveloped white sand beaches, local cafes, fish markets and of course skydiving! Yes, you read that correctly, Bantayan island is home to the only place to skydive in the Philippines and of course we had to try it!

Quick Tip: Although we were there largely to skydive, Bantayan ended up one of our favorite destinations in the Philippines due to the untouched landscape, local food, secluded sands, and of course the friendly Filipino people. Take a bike ride between Santa Fe and the neighboring village and stop off at the local cafes (which are essentially villages houses) and take in the local life sipping on cheap, cold beer. You can thank us later!

How To Get There: Take a taxi to Cebu North bus terminal. Board a bus to Hagnaya (3 and a half hour from Cebu City for $3.62). At the Hagnaya terminal boats to Bantayan island leave every hour up until 4pm and cost $3.85.

Stay: Book your Batayan Island stay here.

Visa Requirements

Always check your visa requirements before entering the country but for most, you can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days, providing you have evidence of onward travel.

Extending your visa is a simple enough procedure however. You can apply to do so at the Bureau of immigration to allow 59 days. We would recommend not doing this in Manila and opt to extend on one of the smaller islands such as Boracay as the procedure is much more simple and a lot quicker.

Getting around: Luckily, travel in and around the Philippines is relatively inexpensive, though may require some forward planning.

Buses: Many destinations within provinces can be reached by bus, especially in the North and at short notice too should there be availability. All are air conditioned, cheap and some even provide a snack! We recommend an overnight bus as the perfect way to save on accommodation while getting from A to B. What’s not to love!

Jeepneys: Do take a Jeepney when possible! Not only is a good way to sample local transport in a pimped out American armored vehicle but it is also cheap too.

Boats / Ferries: Given the Philippines has some 7,000+ islands, this should be no surprise. Many online agents provide bookings in advance (1 or two days is sufficient) and overnight ferries in particular are comfortable and air conditioned depending on class. You can also buy tickets directly at the port to save on fees, but during holidays expect to have to wait a few days to be able to book!

Flights: Flying between provinces isn’t actually as expensive as it first sounds, should you fly at the right times and between the right destinations. It also allows you to see the archipelago from above too! We think that’s worth the money all by itself.

Taxis: Many city provinces such as Manila and Cebu have taxis, however the cheaper alternative is a tricycle (motorbike with side cart). Tricycles are a great way to zip around and are also considerably cheaper than taxis. Always ask to journey on the meter and it is always worth researching how much they should charge per km to avoid overpricing.

So have you fallen in love with the Philippines yet? These secluded white slices of sand, the clearest waters in the world, the culinary local delights, and the spirit of the Filipino people all make this country one of our favorites in the world. All this, coupled with the relative cheapness to many other similarly beachy destinations and ghe ease of getting around makes it an absolute must visit!

We hope this helped you put together an itinerary and figure out where to go in the Philippines, but please feel free to ask any questions you have in the comments below.

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About the Authors: Charlie and Charlotte are the wanderlusting couple behind The Wanderlovers. They have swapped their city life in London for an action packed journey across the globe. Hand in hand, they’re taking on one country at a time and creating a life they don’t wish to escape from! Through their couple’s travel and lifestyle blog they hope to inspire future travellers that anything is possible if you just buy that one way ticket … Go Live!

Related posts:

Bantayan Island: A Hidden Gem In The Philippines

Offbeat Travel: Bottle Beach on Koh Phangan

Island Hopping In The Philippines

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