Sea Walk

Pangan-an Island
Cebu

Going to Pangan-an island by boat is easy, but if boat rides make you dizzy, you can take a walk….

Pangan-an is an island-barangay that belongs to Lapu-Lapu City. It is situated east of Mactan and right next to Olango. It used to be a legendary fishing ground with fish stock abundant enough to feed China. Fishermen from faraway places regarded the waters surrounding the island as a place in which to fish, and the island itself as the place on which to eat - kan-anan (dining area). In time, kan-anan became Pangan-an and the name stuck, but the fish stock gone.

An old riddle asks, in the middle of the sea, what can you see? The letter “e” you say? Wrong! In the middle of the sea is - a waiting shed! Yes indeed, a waiting shed stands proudly right in the middle of a channel that separates Olango Island from Pangan-an. It is used by tricycle drivers waiting for riders, and vice versa. Tricycles, in the sea? That’s right. At low tide, the area will be completely dewatered as if a hole underneath sucks the seabed dry. This is not your typical sand bottom seabed, but an immense flat-coral-bedrock. You can see the two-wheel mark that snakes across the channel and thins toward Pangan-an. It is a visible nautical highway. But who needs a ride, when you can walk? You will see flocks of birds in v-formation against the backdrop of all imaginable cloud formations. If you are lucky you will see a distant rainfall or a rainbow. It is a walk you will not soon forget.

Halfway through on our way back, water started to seep on our path. As if having minds of their own, little headwaters crawled toward our feet. The sea has awakened. Within minutes, this vast expanse of flat rock was covered with sparkling ankle-high water. At this time, the waiting shed was half-submerged and we were soon surrounded by waste-high seawater. It feels like Moses’ Red Sea crossing. The walk was longer and tiring, but the open space and the ultimate freedom it brings was worth tiring for. On the edges are coconut islets, protected from strong waves by walls of mangrove forests.

It was late afternoon. The clouds already started to pale on the horizon. We met locals along the way, traveling the same path as we did. I waved hello and was rewarded by shy smiles. I figured, our ancestors from faraway places came here not necessarily on land bridges, but on foot, just like we did at low tide when seawater retreated to reveal that flat bottom bedrock….
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Terraced Masterpiece

Rice Terraces
Batad

The rice terraces look majestic but there is more to it than meets the eye. The concept of the terraces is simple enough: In order to grow, rice needs water, which the mountain slopes can not hold. But what was borne out of necessity has become something else - a terraced masterpiece, a baffling transformation, a phenomenal sight worthy of UNESCO’s world heritage list. Due to its sheer size, the rice terraces flood your vision. But it is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the other senses. The vast space, the absolute quiet, and the wind softly brushing your skin almost bring you back to the dawn of civilization when our ancestors were carving those mountains. Come. Be there. Be awed. And let your spirit be lifted up the heavens.

There are as many rice terraces as there are little villages in the canyons of Ifugao. The world famous Banaue Rice Terraces is just one amongst many. It offers a stunning panorama you can view from a platform on a bluff surrounded by shops selling souvenirs. But the best way to go is visit Batad, one of the more famous and photogenic rice-terraces-villages. From the bus station, a tricycle will bring you in an hour on its foot. From there, a good one and a half hour trek on backcountry trail will bring you to Batad’s view deck, making those postcards come alive, and your adrenaline pumping for more. When we came, a shaft of light fell directly on one of the terraces squeezed beneath two slopes. It was long and narrow, and creeping up towards the mist and low clouds. It was mesmerizing, surreal, literally, a stairway to heaven.

The massive 10-foot rock walls that hold the rice terraces together is the heart of the matter. No special mortar was used, just plain rocks, mud and hay, but strong enough to survive generations. Water from springs on mountaintops is channeled through irrigation canals beside slope fissures which are then brought to individual paddies by hollowed out bamboo poles - What struck me the most is its simplicity in such a grand setting, and the fact that it hasn’t changed for thousands of years.

The 8th wonder experience has brought a fresh perspective of who I am. I suddenly became proud of my heritage, of who we are as a people, and of what we have contributed to the world. It is time to pay homage to what our ancestors have ingeniously created and which has given them immortality. I did already....

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The Fanged Descendant

Romania

Eastern Europe

Harvard educated Dan is from Romania but works for prominent politicians in Washington D.C. We’ve worked together in the Philippines in 2010 for a candidate in the presidential election. As the campaign went full throttle all over the country, we watched a newsflash featuring a pregnant woman allegedly blood-sucked dry by a mananaggal (a witch with bat-like wings and flies with only its upper body). Laughter erupted at this amusing break in the barrage of political campaigning. I said, “Dan, do you have witches and monster stories like these in your country? “ He was obviously taken aback at my query. He said, Are you serious? Haven’t you heard about Count Dracula? I replied, “Yes of course, so?” He said, “Well, Dracula was Romanian!”

Romanians are among the friendliest and most hospitable people on earth with an innate sense of humor. They speak a Latin-based language called Romanian, a phonetic language, so words are pronounced as they are spelled. For a bit of trivia, Romanian is the second language spoken in Microsoft, because the company is full with Romanian IT specialists.

Central Romania encompasses Transylvania – home of Dracula! But it's also a place with unique architectural treasures, such as castles, fortified churches and centuries-old houses. Fringed by the peaks of the Carpathian Mountains is the medieval city of Brasov, located just three hours north of Bucharest. Its famous landmark is the Black Church which got its nickname after the Great Fire of 1689 blackened its walls. A designated European Capital of Culture is Sibiu. It has colorful houses on cobblestone streets, bounded by imposing city walls and defense towers overlooking a river. And located just a half-hour drive at the foothills of the Cindrel Mountains is Marginimea Sibiului - a string of 18 ancient villages!

Romania was a kingdom in 1881 then a republic in 1947. This was when Nicolae Ceausescu headed the Ministry of Agriculture, then Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces. He rose in the Politburo so fast until he became General secretary in 1965 and consolidated power in 1967 by becoming President of the State Council. His condemnation of Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia earns him praise but he soon became a dictator obsessed with megalomaniac building projects and eventually overthrown by a national uprising in 1989. When he left office, he almost drained the country’s finances.

I told Dan, “I’m sorry man, our finances just can’t keep everybody for the duration of the campaign.” He said, “Oh no worries and good luck, and I missed my coffin.” I said, What? My coffin. I slept in it. He grinned and attempted to bite my neck! It was a joke that kept me thinking - He did have sharp and longer than usual incisor teeth, and he smelled differently, and the suits he wore were old fashioned, more like 15^th century fashion. And he did say he came from Transylvania! Could he be a descendant of the Count?
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Persians

Persia

The Middle East

“You are very beautiful. I’ve always been intrigued by the beauty of Arabian women.” I said this to compliment her. “Excuse me but I am Persian, Arabs are a different people.” Sepideh rebuked as if I just blasphemed the Koran. Like me, most Filipinos are more attuned to what’s happening in Europe or the United States, but not Persian Gulf states. There are many Iranian students in the Philippines mostly enrolled in nursing, dentistry and the medical field. If not for them, not much is known about Iran nor the other countries in the Middle East. Through them I’ve learned that Iranians are Persians and Iran used to be Persia, a glorious empire in the ancient world.

Now, it’s hugging the headlines. The controversy is centered on its nuclear programs and the United States is threatened by a futuristic nuclear-ready Iranian military. Stop it! sayeth the superpower. But it adamantly says, No! and the Iranians agree with their government’s can’t-bully-me stance. This defiance is a slap in the face for somebody used to having its way around, and its quite amazing to see a relatively small country stand up to a lone global superpower. But as I dug deep into history, the present controversy can be traced back many years ago, and was rooted not in uranium enrichment, but to a more basic commodity everybody can relate to - oil….

It began when Britain and the Soviet Union pursued their colonial interests in oil-rich Iran. They came in during WWII, stayed, and reaped huge profits until Mossadeq came into power. He nationalized the oil and petroleum industry but was overthrown by a CIA-backed coup in 1953. This was followed by an era of close alliance between Shah Pahlavi and the American government, which not only shared a huge pie in the billion dollar oil industry, it also had border access to its cold war rival - the Soviet Union. But as the rapid growth of oil revenues in the 70’s and 80’s strengthened the Iranian state, it weakened US influence in Iranian politics. Nationalism rose and the 1979 Revolution became unstoppable, which deposed the Shah and passed the reign of power on to the Ayatollah who became the most steadfast anti-American ruler in history. 

When the Shah fled, he was granted US asylum right away. In retaliation, the angry Iranian mob stormed the US embassy in Teheran and 52 diplomats were held hostage for 444 days. They demanded the Shah’s extradition to face trial back home. Succumbing to pressure, the United States released the Shah after the Algiers Accords was signed, but Egypt took him in. Like an old wound that refuses to heal, what followed is an era of turbulent US-Iran relations, strung more than 30 years now, one event at a time….

“My father’s cousin was in that plane when it was hit by US missiles.” Sepideh narrated. It was near the end of the Iran–Iraq War in July of 1988 when USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian Airbus bound for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The attack killed 290 civilians. In its aftermath, An Iranian navy Captain sent this haunting letter to the one who pushed the button - Navy Captain William Rogers of USS Vincennes. "All Iranians felt they have a cousin that died in the tragedy. So you can understand the loathing we felt for America?" I said, “But it’s all part of history now. It’s in the past. Things change. People change.”  She said, “But the wound is inside. It cannot heal….” She was in a pensive mood now. “Ah let’s talk about something else.” I said. “When I go to Persia where will you bring me?” Her eyes lit and said, "I’ll show you Persepolis. It rivals Greece’s or Rome’s ruins. And you have to eat faloodeh!"
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Samurai House

Kanagawa Prefecture
In the Outskirts of Tokyo

Erected on a foothill, we stayed in a century old Samurai House. It has two-foot thick grass roof and sliding wooden windows pocked with small square openings covered in white paper. It has low beds and low tables, and on one corner, a sword.

At night we shared stories back home. "As an archipelago, the sea naturally separates the Filipino islanders." I told Sudarshan, one of the more colorful characters in this motley group. He is from Nepal and speaks a heavily accented English. "In time, things develop apart and distinct from one another like the languages we speak." I continued. As I came to know, a parallel situation is true of Nepal, which straddles the Himalayas. Though only a strip of land on a map, the tall mountains isolate groups of people from one another making it possible for multi-cultures to flourish including diverse spoken languages.

Ana joined us after hearing our mountain talk. She was particularly fond of pictures with mountain backgrounds, and when she clicked the Rice Terraces folder in my computer, she was totally blown away! Small wonder she is from Tallinn, the capital city of the Baltic state of Estonia. She said that except for humps and mounds here and there, her country is totally flat. In fact the whole area (eastern shores of the Baltic Sea) which includes the republics of Latvia and Lithunia, and the Russian enclave Kaliningrad are flat places. It is topographically the European equivalent of African prairies. I promised her that when she come to visit Philippines I’ll show her all our tall mountains, carved mountains, and mountains with hanging coffins! She was thrilled, and then gasped hearing the last one. 

It was already late and a chilling wind blew from the mountains. Somebody must have come in and didn’t close the door. I closed it while Ana put out the paper lanterns. Then I heard a loud noise. Somebody was snoring already – Sudarshan.
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Darth Vader Cloud

Lake Duminagat

Mt Malindang

The community showed little surprise when we came, but they were welcoming just the same. In a low voice (as if someone was eavesdropping) they said something to us, which sounded more like a plea than a suggestion: To not be noisy up the crater….

It was a clear day and despite the pleasantly cool wind, the sun warmed our skins. As we approached the ridge (actually the crater ring), I broke a sweat. A narrow path snaked down the lake below surrounded by age-old trees. The lake looked like a mirror reflecting the white clouds. We came to a clearing by the edge of the lake to where a fallen branch was half submerged in the water, the rest of it was covered in moss. We found our individual rocks and sat. It was comforting. We started talking and the talking turned to laughing, and the laughing turned to laughing really loud until….the sun disappeared.

We looked up. A sliver of dark cloud clawed its way down towards the forest canopy just above the crater. We became quiet. For a while it hovered as if waiting to strike. Silence descended upon us. We were still. Unmoving like the rocks we sat on. We only stirred when the menacing dark cloud slowly dissipated in thin air. Then we gathered our things and left, gently, with only our eyes talking. It seemed that if we tripped on the tree roots and stumble, the lake will open up and swallow us alive.

We talked about this over and over back at base camp. At night under a starlit sky in the midst of the jungle, we gathered around a bonfire with some local people for a conversation so creepy it was difficult for us to crawl back inside our tents: “There are certain people. We don’t see them but we hear them. Talking, laughing, swimming in the crater-lake. Sometimes in the middle of the night we hear cars and trucks go up the crater. Engines scream as if stuck in mud. They pass by our houses. We hear their feet shuffle. They are there. In the direction of where the dogs look, and howl….”
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Red Sky

So it’s true: If the sky glows red just after sunset, it will be sunny the following day. It rained, it snowed, it hailed a few days before, but now we are having blue skies and abundant sun. Dad used to tell me this. He would gaze westward, point at the sky and says: It’s hot and sunny tomorrow. The next day, it’s sunny and hot all right. He was right 100% of the time! I thought this to be true only in my country but I experienced it in LA. Just a fluke? Or maybe the vernal equinox is responsible for it. Ahh Spring is here....
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Changing Seasons

This is not about global warming or depletion of the ozone. It’s about the seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall; and why there are no seasons in some places. The Philippines for example, refers to the seasons only as wet and dry, or rainy and summer; which is really about having more rain (rainy season) or more sun (summer - in April, May, June) in a given period of time. There are no falling leaves, or snowy days, or new growth in spring. Places close to the equator have this type of climate. Further north (France for example) or further south have the seasons. But what’s causing the seasons to change? 23.5 degrees, that’s the answer.

Relative to the sun, the earth is tilted at a 23.5 degree angle as it rotates unto itself. This tilting has a dramatic effect on the amount of sunlight reaching the earth as it revolves around the sun. When sunlight hits the equator directly, there will be equal hours of day and night. This happens during an equinox, which literally means equal night. In a given year, there are two equinoxes: one in March (Vernal), the other in September (Autumnal). 

Vernal equinox heralds spring. At this time, night and day are equal in duration, but days get longer as we move toward summer. The longest day happens during the Summer Solstice (June 21). After that, days get shorter as we move toward the Autumnal equinox when day and night are equally long again. After the Autumnal equinox, days get shorter and the nights get longer. The longest night happens during the Winter Solstice (December 22). After that, nights get shorter until it’s equal in duration again with day during the Vernal equinox. And the cycle repeats itself. And as long as the 23.5 degree tilt is kept, the behavior of the seasons will more or less remain the same.

Wherever you want to go in the world include the seasons in your travel itinerary; it spices up the experience, and sometimes, the whole experience itself revolves around it: Sweden has the Ice Hotel built around winter and holds itself together for the duration of the season before it thaws in spring; one of Japan’s best-loved travel destinations is visited in springtime – the Cherry Blossoms; beach destinations are booked in summer, and fall is best traveled by those who prefer cooler temperatures and striking colors.

23.5 degrees. The tilt - it built the seasons.
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Brittany

Brittany, France

A senseless incident happened in Toulouse, southern France recently, world condemnation followed. I have passed that way a few years ago on my way to Sete in the Mediterranean coast. Toulouse is at the center of European Aerospace Industry being home to the aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus, the European satellite navigation system Galileo, and the Toulouse Space Center.

Toulouse reminded me of Laurianne and Fiso. They are from Brittany (french Bretagne) in the northern part of France, and like some present day Bretons, they speak an ancient Celtic language called Breton. We were surfing in La Union, Philippines in January this year. Early in the day both were preparing crepe, which they claimed to have originated in Brittany, where the best crepes in the world are cooked. But crepes were first made in TOULOUSE, I said as a matter of fact (I made it up). NO! It’s in Brittany, our place! They burst out together in indignation as if I just blasphemed the Holy Grail.

Brittany is a region northwest of France. It’s a peninsula jutting out westward to the Atlantic Ocean. St Malo, is its most visited city, made famous by its adventurers and pirates, who for centuries have been preying on ships that round the western tip of France. Not to miss in St Malo is Cape Horn Museum they said. It’s dedicated to sea explorers and yes, to its notorious pirates.

Through Brittany, you can access Mont Saint-Michel, located right at the border between Brittany and Normandy. It’s a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey erected on a rocky outcrop right in the middle of the sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most visited tourist attraction in France next to Paris.

Hey Laurianne, when I come to Brittany will I find some crepes there? I teased. Yes of course! she said, and I hate you, go away! I laughed out loud then grabbed my surfboard and headed to the beach….
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An alternative way to travel or part of your travel itinerary is joining a workcamp from a few days to three weeks depending on the project duration and description. It’s a fun way to know a place and it’s people (anywhere in the world) and it doesn’t cost much. For workcamps in France contact SJ France. Book a cheap flight to France and remember to always travel light.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a city in the desert. The place is arid, barren and inhospitable, where only the hardiest creature survive. You can’t set aside grass and twigs to let it rot to fertilize the soil because the air is dry. Fallen leaves just darken, curl and be blown by the wind to litter the surroundings. All organic matter dries up and gets brittle. Rainfall is a rarity. There is no moisture. In fact the place is so dry it turns the air electric. Touch any metal: door knobs, spoons, and windowsills, and expect to get charged. Water is precious here sourced hundreds of miles away to Lake Mead, which is threatened to dry up. The winds howl constantly. It’s very hot during the day and very cold at night. It’s a wonder how the city came to be. So how did it become?

Here’s the story: WWII saw the rise and fall of military giants. The lessons of war changed the way countries see each other, and war itself has attained a commercial status. There was a race for a more advanced and sophisticated war material and paraphernalia. Countries having the resources to develop it did so clandestinely, and Las Vegas’ isolation was key reason to make it a military test hub, shielded away from the eyes of the world.

With the military coming are adult entertainment and gambling. To be socially acceptable, the gambling was renamed gaming. The UFO, science fiction’s cream pie was a decoy to steer away interest and suspicion on military tests in the area. So a cause for concern became a source of wonder, entertainment and maybe of fearful delight for aliens and other life forms. So the military came, then ordinary people, and they keep coming.

The end of WWII signals the beginning of the cold war. The initial “success” of the atomic bomb was a cause to rejoice, then it becomes a scare, then a power tool. Hence, the country’s fixation for further development of more advanced military power and equipment. But many other countries are doing it too, each one capable of, God forbid, starting a nuclear holocaust. So there will be no WWIII because humanity knows it will destroy the planet and every life in it.

Today Las Vegas is a huge magnet that draws tourists in. On a clear day, you see them coming in planeloads. I tell you it’s busy up there, the smoke trails stitch the skies. But there are no more military tests, no more UFO yarns, only loads of entertainment and fun. It’s a city of light and more; of abundance and indulgence; of extravagance and reckless abandon. Yes it empties your pockets but you go home full of magical spells and excitement only Las Vegas can offer.

They say it’s a city to die for. And if you haven’t been to Vegas, you haven’t lived at all….
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An alternative way to travel or part of your travel itinerary is joining a workcamp from a few days to three weeks depending on the project duration and description. It’s a fun way to know a place and it’s people (anywhere in the world) and it doesn’t cost much. For workcamps in the USA contact VFP. Book a cheap flight to Las Vegas and remember to always travel light.

La Crescenta-Montrose, Los Angeles

It rained, hailed, then the sun came back, by nightfall, the temperature dropped. In the morning the San Gabriel Mountains were clothed in white as snow fell during the night.

La Crescenta-Montrose is a Census Designated Place (CDP). It is neither part of a city nor municipality but belonged to the greater Los Angeles county. It is a suburban geographic area high up the mountains located just 30 minutes away from downtown Los Angeles. It borders posh La Canada and surrounded by the more famous neighboring cities of Glendale and Pasadena. In this predominantly white neighborhood, it is interesting to note that there are a distinct population of Armenians, South Koreans, Filipinos and Persians.

There are a number of accessible public parks, the nearest being Dunsmore and Two Strikes, and my favorite Crescenta Valley Park where you run on grassy footpaths, plus hiking trails through the woods. It was originally called Hindenburg Park in honor of President Paul von Hindenburg of Germany. 

A not to miss place is Old Town Montrose, the center of local commerce and trade where you can buy locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables. On sunny afternoons, the place is ideal for walking along its shady tree-lined streets where shops, stores and outside dining abound.

As I wrote this article, snow was falling again. It’s cold outside. But I was warm inside, intoxicated by the aroma I only know so well - hot coffee was brewing....
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An alternative way to travel or part of your travel itinerary is joining a workcamp from a few days to three weeks depending on the project duration and description. It’s a fun way to know a place and it’s people (anywhere in the world) and it doesn’t cost much. For workcamps in the USA contact VFP. Book a cheap flight to Los Angeles, California and remember to always travel light.

Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica, a city, a pier and a beach.

Santa Monica is a city kissed by a section of the Pacific Ocean coastline. People flock there on weekends for a host of beach activities, swimming, surfing, volleyball, group exercise, and what not. There’s good vibes there all the time.

Santa Monica is also a pier with famous landmarks: a 1916 carousel and ferris wheel. Hook and line fishers line the edge of its timber platforms while tourists stroll, stopping once in a while to check on restaurants and novelty shops.

Santa Monica is also a beach. The sea beckons swimmers, but at times it’s cold, cold enough to steer you away from the water. Only surfers defy the cold by donning on thick wetsuits, and warmed by the promise of a splash of stokes.

When I entered the parking lot, I noticed two things: The cars were parked slanted in my direction, and two men looked my way with a funny look on their faces. I was in the wrong entrance! Back at home, I noticed a ticket wedged between the wiper and windshield – a ticket citation. It stated that I did not pay the attendant, but I did. I sent a contest letter right away with a very brief explanation of my visit, along with the ticket, and payment receipt enclosed.

There was nothing unusual about my brief stay to raise suspicion, much less be issued a ticket citation. But I reckon this to be a way of reminding people to be always vigilant, and to know their rights, and to exercise it when needed. In this paperless age, this practice keeps the postal office alive. To facilitate postal mails, the mailbox has a red flag on one side you can raise to alert the postman. If proper postage is placed on the envelope, the addressee will get it.

The experience has taught me three things: 1. to always reply soonest if the government says so, 2. to always observe the way cars are parked, and 3. to always keep tickets and receipts. But this is minor compared to the many thousand things Santa Monica can offer to delight visitors like you and me, so back to the wonders of Santa Monica.

I was closely watching a motley group doing yoga, squatting on the sand with eyes closed. There were other groups scattered in the vast open brown sandy shores. After the session, the trainer beckoned me to come. I approached. "Join us next time. Are you a trainer?" He asked. "No." I replied, delighted at the compliment. He summed up briefly the regular activities sanctioned by the city to rev up visitor traffic. It’s such a welcoming place and absolutely worth the visit. "Come back soon." He said. "Yes!" I replied, "Absolutely!"
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An alternative way to travel or part of your travel itinerary is joining a workcamp from a few days to three weeks depending on the project duration and description. It’s a fun way to know a place and it’s people (anywhere in the world) and it doesn’t cost much. For workcamps in the USA contact VFP. Book a cheap flight to Los Angeles, California and remember to always travel light.

The Philippines (Third of Three Parts)

The Philippines

THIRD OF THREE PARTS: Focus on The Visayas

1. Cebu and Bohol

Without a doubt, Cebu and Bohol are the best diving destinations in the country in terms of accessibility, practicality and safety, and there are plenty of dive sites to choose from. There are waterfalls, white sand beaches, and exotic offshore islands to explore. Cebu is your international gateway to the Visayas. It is historic and cosmopolitan. Bohol is equally welcoming and boasts of the world famous Chocolate Hills, an astounding natural wonder. By boat, the two islands are an hour away from each other.

2. Boracay

It is the best beach in the world. The powdery white sand, the crowd, the vibe, it’s electrifying. The western side contains the beaches and banana boat rides and sailing, while the windy east is best for the serious wind and kite surfer. The sun coming down and setting under the sea mellows the place a bit as everybody gets awed, but it gets vibrant again by nightfall with fire dancers swaying to the beat of live music from beach clubs. Boracay is your definitive beach experience. Book domestic flights from Manila or Cebu.

3. Dumaguete and Siquijor

Dumaguete is your city by the bay. It has a unique charm that lures visitors to come back for more. Silliman, a reputable university is the heart of the city, pumping new blood in, keeping it vibrant, trendy and forever young.

Pack and go!

Siquijor is wrapped in witchcraft, so they say. It is full of witches flying around at night on broomsticks. Boracay maybe the best white sand beach in the world but you will hate the packed crowd on peak months. Siquijor is your Boracay sans the crowd. It has the same powdery white beach quality. By boat, it’s just an hour away from Dumaguete. There are regular flights to Dumaguete from Manila or Cebu.

Pack and go!
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An alternative way to travel or part of your travel itinerary is joining a workcamp from a few days to three weeks depending on the project duration and description. It’s a fun way to know a place and it’s people (anywhere in the world) and it doesn’t cost much. As of the moment there is no active workcamp organization in the Philippines but if you intend to travel within Asia, there is plenty to choose from. Contact NVDA to direct you to the right workcamp organization in your country of choice. For workcamps in Asia, click here. For workcamps in Europe and anywhere else in the world, click here. Book a cheap flight to the Philippines and remember to always travel light.

The Philippines (Second of Three Parts)

The Philippines

SECOND OF THREE PARTS: Focus on Mindanao

1. Siargao and Lanuza

Siargao and Lanuza are both in the Caraga region of Northern Mindanao. International surfing competitions are held here regularly. Surf lessons and equipment rentals are available. It’s surfing at its best and more - this is the place for nature lovers. The seascape, the caves, and mountain passes are breathtaking. Most of those who came return, but some came, stay, and made it their home.

More info on Siargao. Pack and go!

More info on Lanuza. Pack and go!

2. Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro

Camiguin is paradise island. No pun there. It’s just what it is. The landscape will blow you away. It’s prehistoric, volcanic and literally smoking hot. Dip in one of those hot springs and you will know what I mean. If you want to experience paradise, click here.

Pack and go!

People flock to Cagayan de Oro for adrenaline-pumping white water rafting by the Cagayan river. There are sections for beginner rafters, advanced, and for athletes seeking the fastest rapids. Night rafting can also be arranged. More info on Cagayan de Oro.

Pack and go!

3. Davao

Davao is your international gateway to Mindanao. It’s home to the Philippine Eagle, largest in the world. Samal Island is a must-see site for beach goers. If you’re the sporty kind, hike up Mt Apo, the country’s tallest peak with it’s one of a kind natural pygmy forest – overgrown by leprechaun-size trees. For more info on Davao click here.

Pack and go!
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An alternative way to travel or part of your travel itinerary is joining a workcamp from a few days to three weeks depending on the project duration and description. It’s a fun way to know a place and it’s people (anywhere in the world) and it doesn’t cost much. As of the moment there is no active workcamp organization in the Philippines but if you intend to travel within Asia, there is plenty to choose from. Contact NVDA to direct you to the right workcamp organization in your country of choice. For workcamps in Asia, click here. For workcamps in Europe and anywhere else in the world, click here. Book a cheap flight to the Philippines and remember to always travel light.

The Philippines (First of Three Parts)

The Philippines

FIRST OF THREE PARTS: Focus on Luzon

I know this place very well. It's my home country. The Philippines is an archipelago of 7107 islands, grouped around the 3 main islands of Luzon, Visayas and Minadanao. The official languages are English and Filipino, which are spoken widely all over the country. It is home to the 2^nd happiest people in Asia and among the happiest in the world.

There are 5 sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List: 1. Baroque Churches of the Philippines, 2. Historic Town of Vigan, 3. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, 4. Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and 5. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Below are personal suggestions when traveling in Luzon:

1. Manila: Manila is your gateway to the Philippines. It’s historic; it’s cosmopolitan, and has all the amenities of big cities. Must see sights include the world famous Manila Bay Sunset, the “Walled City” of Intramuros and your 24-hour flea market shopping at Baclaran. More info here.

2. Tagaytay: It’s your quick and easy getaway from the hustle and bustle of Manila. It’s in a high elevation so the weather is cooler. There’s plenty of restaurants and the view of Taal volcano is spectacular and it’s possible to come to the volcano’s crater on horseback. More info here.


Pack and go!

3. La Union: It’s for the surfing enthusiast and beach lover. It’s a 6-hour bus ride from Manila. Since there’s heavy daytime traffic, I suggest you travel at midnight to be there by 6am. There’s plenty of hotels by the beach or you can rent a room from local houses. Surf lessons and equipment rentals are available. There’s more info of and around the area here.


Pack and go!

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An alternative way to travel or part of your travel itinerary is joining a workcamp from a few days to three weeks depending on the project duration and description. It’s a fun way to know a place and it’s people (anywhere in the world) and it doesn’t cost much. As of the moment there is no active workcamp organization in the Philippines but if you intend to travel within Asia, there is plenty to choose from. Contact NVDA to direct you to the right workcamp organization in your country of choice. For workcamps in Asia, click here. For workcamps in Europe and anywhere else in the world, click here. Book a cheap flight to the Philippines and remember to always travel light.