the philippines
My home away from home – The Philippines is the country I’ve visited the most, with the exception from my home in Australia.
I had the absolute joy of living and working full time in Manila for half a year. It’s a country of dichotomies with beautiful islands, friendly locals and extreme poverty in some areas. Throughout my time there I saw the seedy side of The Philippines, driving through the Manila slums. On the other hand, I saw some of the most beautiful beaches on earth and made lifelong friends.
The locals are incessantly happy people. There aren’t many countries in the world where people walk down the streets singing at the top of their lungs for the sheer joy of it, but I saw it all the time in The Philippines.
Throughout my time there I developed a list of old favourites. There are places I went regularly to the point where I was known by name. I spent a lot of time in Manila from 2012 – 2015 and each time I had a set list of things to do:
- Eat Japanese in Makati
- Visit speakeasy bars
- Get a massage from The Spa
- Hit up the shops at Greenbelt for my summer wardrobe.
A visit to the island of Boracay is a must. I challenge you to find any sand as white as the beach on this island. I just love the aqua water that is so clear you can see the fish swimming at your feet.
I’ve spent a lot of time in The Philippines, but it is certainly a destination I need to get back to. There are so many different islands and areas of this country that I still need to see and I can’t wait to see my second home again.
The Most Unique And Special Places To Celebrate Christmas Abroad
With the holiday season looming, I’ve assembled a collection of fabulous and unique places to celebrate Christmas abroad.
The Ultimate Guide To Visiting The New Seven Wonders Of The World
Learn all about travelling to every corner of the earth to see all of the New Seven Wonders of the World as well as the Great Pyramid at Giza.
Exploring Jordan’s Ancient Rose City: How To Spend One Magical Day In Petra
Experience the wonders of the ancient rose-coloured city of Petra, featuring impressive buildings carved from rocks in the Jordanian desert.
Exploring Lantau Island: A Day Trip To The Big Buddha And Tai O Village
Your ultimate guide to exploring Hong Kong’s Lantau Island covering the Big Buddha to Tai O fishing village and the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car.
The Best National Parks to Visit in Africa, Asia and Oceania
A collection of the best National Parks in the world located in Africa, Oceania and Asia as compiled by a group of amazing travel bloggers.
How to spend three days in Seoul, South Korea
After a brilliant two days in Busan, it was time to head to the South Korean capital and spend three days in Seoul. I actually flew into Seoul when I arrived in Korea and spent a few hours sleeping off the ten hour flight in a hotel before popping straight on the...
