the philippines

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.