So where to start? Well the beginning might be a good idea but I'm thinking by the time I listed all my experiences, everything I had done and all the people that I had met in the Philippines I would most definitely bore you half to death. That and my friends on Facebook have most probably seen most of it, well a Facebook friendly edit, all before.
So here goes on my best bits of the most beautiful place I've ever been in my life. The Philippines!
On leaving Ireland (just after the best send off from the best friends) I'm not going to lie but I was shitting myself! I mean after so many weeks of being so busy and saying goodbye without actually thinking of the reality of travelling half way around the world solo I think it's pretty understandable. This wasn't helped at all by a two gruelling flights with a stop if in Dubai but was eased a little with an amazing stop at the village hotel in Singapore.
The next day i had a flight which i was suprised i caught on time and as i took a bus from Kalibo and a ferry journey from Caticlan it quickly turned to night as I made my way to Boracay in the dark. Eek! What did help was the amazing feeling of freedom as my entire journey i tried to calm myself by listening to Bob Marleys Legend album on repeat. Redemption song will never sound the same for me ever again.
Even with the help of Bob I somehow still made it off the ferry and in a blind panic whilst being hounded by what seemed like every Asian on the island. I quickly agreed a ludicrous amount with a motorcycle rider who took me down some super twisty roads to my hostel, or at least I hoped!
I did eventually arrive and after getting shelter from the seemingly never ending downpour I was given a free beer from some friendly staff and shortly after headed straight to my bamboo bed. Exhausted!
Although I had already started my adventure the next day for me felt more like a start to a new life. It was then I met the amazing Ford an Carolyn the two I dubbed my "mum and dad" also that day I met Chris, a super friendly German and Peter the first hot Australian I got to meet on my trip. That night we partied and the next morning as I walked from Perers room dressed in the same clothes from the night before I felt I had accomplished something great.
My new life had started with a bang and nothing from there on in was going to stop me in the Philippenes.
Nothing so far has in fact. I have met so amazing people and seen some amazing sights already. Here's a few of my favourite....
^ My first sight of the amazing White Beach on Boracay. Still slightly shaky from the night before it was on this day I found out the sea was my new favourite hangover cure.
^ My first day discovering the island. This was my first encounter with Asian people's obsession with tall white men and women.
^ I could seriously could this as one of the best days I've ever had! This day, sailing, snorkelling and getting stoned was pretty sweet!
^ I had such a day with Sophie, Michael, Olivia, Andy and Chris on Balabog Beach. I also got really quite burnt. Lesson learnt there!
^ The amazing Puka Beach, Boracay!
^ The Boracay beauty day!
^ Full moon times followed by a super fast bike ride home... Eek!
^ After my first big scare, getting lost and crapping it in Cebu City, Tumalog falls with Sophie and Peter was pretty breathtaking.
^ Swimming with Sophie to see the whale sharks. There are no words.
^ Malapascua was the most beautiful yet! Jon and the staff at Villa Sandra were great (thanks Olivia) and after a week of weed and waking up in hammocks I was in heaven!
^ This pretty much says it all!
^ My favourite spot right on Bounty Beach, Malapascua :)
^ After meeting these guys, two lovely Norweign girls on the bus from Malapascua I decided to hit the beautiful islands of Bohol and Panglao. The week that followed with visits just about everywhere from the famous Chocolate Hills to the rice terraces and the amazing beaches was nothing short of breathtaking....
I was asked to describe the Philipennes by another traveller the other day. My only reply was UN FUCKING BELIEVABLE!
So far I couldn't have asked for a better trip. The most sensational of all starts was had and after seeing so much and taking so much too I feel so content. Content with the fact that I can travel and take more than just pictures and pointless stories of holidays in hotels. I feel I left the Philippenes a changed man. Over my recent past and more ready than ever to grab the future by the balls, to buy the ticket and to take the ride! To Borneo...
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