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Philippines 2019-2020

December 2019 - January 2020
What better way to celebrate entering a new decade .... The big 30!! Read more
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  • Philippines 2019-2020
    1
    Day 1

    Day 1 - Manila

    December 27, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Well we made it safe and sound to Manila. After a few short delays and inefficient airport systems, we headed to our hotel, the Crowne Plaza, thanks to the Johnson family spoiling us in we have no doubt will be the fanciest accommodation we'll have this trip.

    We made it just in time to catch some breakfast .... This place would have to have been the best breakfast spread we have ever seen, from bread, egg, indian, asian, dessert and fruit stations, you name it and it was available.

    After a quick shower, breakky and coffee (operating on minimal sleep) it was time to head to White Cross Children's Home. White Cross is very symbolic and close to my family and something I have always wanted to experience.

    We arrived and were welcomed by the staff of White Cross.... There was even a beautiful sign welcoming us. Our first stop was the babies room .... This dorm had 8 children under the age of one, both girls and boys all from very different circumstances where their parents could no longer look after them. Our hearts were stolen by one boy in particular whose name was Dillon, an 8 month old boy who was a koala and just wanted cuddles ♥️

    We had lunch with the staff before heading back to our hotel room for a quick nap and some sun by the pool.

    Dinner was in one of the restaurants in the hotel before an earlier night and some down time.    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 2

    Day 2 - Moalboal

    December 28, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    An early start before we headed to the airport to catch a plane to Cebu Island. Not sure how the traffic Manila was going to be, we added an extra hour to the schedule just to be safe.

    A quick coffee from 'the best coffee in Seattle' at the airport and we were off and up in the air. We were lucky enough to meet a lovely couple waiting in line to get a taxi to the bus station and were also on the 3 hour journey to Moalboal. We split a taxi between the four of us and made the hike through the different towns to Moalboal.

    I left Dylan in charge of the accommodation and although I gave him grief about the place we were staying out, turns out it's one of a kind.... Roos Guesthouse. If I were to describe Moalboal, it's a rustic, under developed, coastal town that has an incredible vibe. Tuk tuks and motor bikes are the way to go!!

    We are located 5 min from the main beach of panagasama beach .... Full of of beach front huts, snorkelling and diving. Being on the west coast, sunsets are incredible .... Overlooking the beach!!

    A quick bite for dinner at Venz restobar for dinner and we hit the hay!!    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 3

    Day 3 - Moalboal

    December 29, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Up at 3.30am ready for a sunrise at Osmena peak.... Our driver was late so we decided to reschedule for the next day .... Back to bed for an extra 5 hours of sleep to catch up on what we have missed the last few days.

    A quick breakky at the local guesthouse and we off to explore the town and what was on offer. We found a beach shack off the beaten track that was peaceful for some $2 rum and coke and $2 beers over looking the beach.

    We snorkelled for a few hours and saw sardines and a TURTLE .... He was spectacular!! We followed him in the coral for a while before making it back in before dinner.

    The sunset is too good to miss down here, we caught the last glimpse before heading for a quick bite to eat and an early night.    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 4

    Day 4 - Moalboal

    December 30, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Attempt 2 - up at 3.30am for our sunrise tour at Osmena Peak. Our driven Ruben was waiting for us on a motor bike.... We jumped on the back and we were off. It was a 1.5 hour ride up the top and we made it just in time for sunrise. Our guide knew the perfect angle to get the best photos over looking the mountain creations. Back on the bike and we were off to kawasana falls to canyoneer through the falls. As people who aren't adrenaline seekers, this was nerve racking but worth every step. From jumping off cliffs, climbing the falls and swimming through the crystal clear water, it was unreal. Dyl managed to make the 6 m jump but that was the limit.... I called it quits after the 4 m jump. 3 hours of navigating rocks, body weight and adrenaline ... We were pooped!!

    An afternoon siesta and a few hours by the beach in the afternoon with a bottle of rum to watch the sunset was exactly what we needed.    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 5

    Day 5 - Coron

    December 31, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    New Years Eve!! This time last year we were in Puno in Bolivia.... Now we are here in Coron in the Philippines.

    Breakky and coffee from the local coffee place we found (coffee - 5/10) we had a 3 hour ride to the airport to catch a flight to Coron, a small island off Palawan. A small propeller plane that seated 40 people ... Valium almost required took an hour with some rough landing.

    We explored Coron town for an hour, grabbed a bite to eat and watched the sunset.

    We met up with our friends from Sydney at a rooftop bar overlooking Coron, $5 cocktails saw us into the NYE with a huge display of fireworks. Safe to say the Pina Colada's will not sit well today whilst sailing on the water.

    Island life for the next 5 days 🌞🏝️    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 10

    Day 6 to 10 - Tao Expeditions

    January 5, 2020, Sulu Sea ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    So we are slightly behind eight ball after being disconnected from reality for 5 days. We have been on a tour from Coron to El Nido, sailing through the hidden islands of Palawan.

    Lots of down time, snorkelling, delicious food and even some late night karaoke were some of the things we got up to.

    Our first three days were predominantly on the boat, stopping every few hours or so to snorkel or explore islands. We were able to swim and snorkel around an old ship wreck that had sunk many years ago and was close enough to the surface to see without diving.

    Our sleeping arrangements were beautiful straw huts on each island overlooking the beach. They simply had a misquote net, a thin mattress and a sheet ... Very simplistic.

    Day 3-5 were spent on an island at the so called Tao Farm, a beach side set up with a bar, beach beds and huts. So lovely to unwind and spend quality time together even though we were in a tour group of 23.

    Unfortunately.... Dyl and I were sick as a dog on the final night with a bug. This knocked us our for 24-48 hours. Luckily this was the last night before we arrived in El Nido at Vanilla Beach in our beautiful glamping accommodation.    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 11

    Day 11 - El Nido

    January 6, 2020 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Well what a HUGE day!!

    After a 12 hour sleep we were well and truelely feeling better just not quite 100%.

    Dylan had organised a private boat to take us on a tour to see different islands in El Nido. The weather wasn't in our favour and tour C was cancelled. We rebooked to do tour B which going ahead. The weather was starting to clear for us. Our boat arrived on the beach we were staying at and we were off.

    Our first stop was papaya beach ... About a 10 min boat rude. We were the first to arrive and had the whole beach to ourselves. We walked down the beach and the sun shot through the clouds and started to highlight the beautiful water. Here I am taking photos and I turn around to see Dylan on one knee with a ring (for those who want the soppy version, hit me up privately). Let's just say I'm one lucky girl!!

    Off on the tour we went, exploring snake island, caves and beautiful private beaches before the weather turned terrible and we headed back to mainland.

    Still not feeling 100% and overwhelmed (I was anyway) we spent the afternoon resting and telling our family and friends.

    Dinner was spent overlooking the water and although we couldn't quite stomach alcohol, lemon and ginger tea did the trick!! Reality hey!!

    Hopefully some drinks tomorrow along the beach.

    My sister's reaction was by far the best - photo below (sorry Paige haha)    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 12

    Day 12 - El Nido

    January 7, 2020 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    An early night after an emotional day, we woke up to some clearer skies and the sun was shining. First stop was to get nails painted and the re growth covered. Dylan met up and we went to explore Vanilla Beach and find a local cafe to have a morning coffee. We checked out and headed to our air bnb accommodation for the final night in El Nido.

    We had a drink and a bite to eat the Outpost back packers before chasing the sunset with the drone.

    After getting back to our room, we realised that all of our washing had not come back from the last place we stayed. We decided to head across town in a tuk tuk to see if we could track this down. Unfortunately they had seemed to have misplaced it. Lucky for us they compensated us for the missing items (the one and only lorna jane leggings).    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 13

    Day 13 - Port Barton

    January 8, 2020 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    An early morning start and we were off to catch a bus from El Nido to Port Barton, roughly 4 hours.

    We grabbed some snacks and headed to the local bus station. We were crammed into an 8-10 seater van, knees up around the shoulders and we were off. Making our way down the coast, we arrived in Port Barton at 11.30am.

    Port Barton is an untouched coastal beach town with minimal infrastructure. The beach is lined with beach huts serving food and drink. The streets are very basic, littered, basic buildings and roads with no gutters.

    We checked in to our accomodations, one of the more fancier places as it had aircon. Aircon in PB is a luxury. Our room was very basic but it certainly did what we needed it too. We decided to set off and head somewhere for lunch. We walked the few blocks that make up PB and found a local place recommended by lonely planet. Plastic tables and chairs, no english spoke but great food!!

    We continued walking the streets before laying on the beach for a few hours and getting a massage.

    Dinner with rum and coke and local beer before an early night.    Read more

  • Philippines 2019-2020
    Day 14

    Day 14 - Port Barton

    January 9, 2020 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    A day to remember - Dyl's 30th birthday 🎉

    We woke up after a lovely sleep in and made our way to the beach front for breakfast at our accommodation. Coffee, omlette and pancakes were on the menu this morning with a stunning view of the ocean.

    I gave Dyl his birthday pressie - to celebrate his 30th we were off to mission hills in China in July for a 5 day golf adventure. Staying in a 6 star resort with our own caddies.

    We went for a walk around the streets to explore the local markets before getting out the drone to capture the beauty of PB coast line.

    We found a modern tourist wine bar and had cheese and wine to celebrate. We then made our way to a beach shack for a sunset drink on the sand with live music and a great atmosphere .... Magic.

    Dinner was fresh fish at our accommodation followed by some wedding planning.    Read more

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