Philippine Islands - beaches and more beaches. AKA no snow!

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Well, we must be honest. We follow the weather reports on CNN and boston.com and although we feel for our family, friends and neighbors, we don't miss the white stuff at all. Instead, we have been island and beach hopping, seeing a different kind of white stuff...... that being white sand and white caps on the waves. Sorry, but I told you we were being honest!

We left Manila and flew to Cebu only to spend the night before catching a flight to Palawan, our first of several islands on our itinerary. Just driving in Cebu was a bit of a reality check. So many people, cars, buses and dark streets. Our hotel was next to a HUGE, AND I MEAN HUGE, mall. The kind you can get lost in for days! The air con, as well as open rooftop area for eating, cinema and every brand store you can imagine, is the draw. There was a supermarket that reminded us of our Singapore expat days, filled with western delights. Marshmallows, Skippy peanut butter and Hagan Daz ice cream to name a few.

We arrived in Puerto Princesa, on Palawan, checking into a lovely hotel, called Hibiscus Gardens......with guess what on our bed, a beautiful hibiscus flower. Immediately grabbed a map, walked towards town and ended up having one of our best meals so far! The Kalui restaurant had a Balinese theme, beautiful wooden floors, carvings and a "set meal" that was so good, we came back a 2nd time (almost the next day, but waited a week). Very unusual behavior for us, but each dish was unique, delicious and beautifully presented, coconut and all. Yum.

Went to the local beach and crashed for the day. The thing to do in Princesa is to explore the underground river cave. So, 630am the next day, off we went with 8 others in a van and did just that. This place was recently named the newest 7th "natural" wonder and although we initially "wondered why" (ha!), it became clearer after our visit. Sorta amazing river in a very long cave tunnel (approx. 5 miles).  How these places are found we'll never know?
More on river, click here.

The next day was another 630am start, this time with 16 in the van, to El Nido, a beach town in the north, known for its day island hopping, scuba and snorkeling trips. El Nido gets our "in the top 5" places to date on this trip, award. We both really loved the place. Laid back, great beaches, warm water, delicious food, including fresh fish and friendly, fun people. Our hotel was next to a boat builder, so a bit of noise, but nothing compared to the confused roosters. They crowed like it was always morning! And, mornings from our deck or while having breakfast on the roof top, were both worth crowing about! Just picture perfect.

We took one day trip (trip A of A, B, C and D options) out on the boat, stopping at lagoons, hidden lagoons, in open water for snorkeling and white beaches. Prepared grilled lunch was good until oops, our camera fell into the water. Saved the stick with pics, but sadly, think we lost use of the camera. Shit happens. My back up camera, phew, will have to do, until we can check out the other. We discovered local beaches after a bit of Googling, and were thrilled to walk their sand and play in their waves. Really idyllic. We so enjoyed being so close to local life as well as the beach scene.

Seriously, she was the only one "running" the store!

Zip line at Marimekmek beach

Nacpan and Calitang Twin beaches

Next, we returned to the Balinese restaurant and then flew to Bohol, our next destination. What does one do on Bohol? Why you go to the Chocolate Hills of course. There are over 1247 hills, all mostly the same shape and height and, at certain times and seasons, look brown, like chocolate. There are 4 legends as to how the hills got their name. We are sticking with the type of vegetation that grows on the hills. As for their same shape.....beats me! Click here for more.

A Japanese banana eating contest
at Chocolate Hills?!

And the winner, after 14 lbs
Watch out Joey Chestnut!

A recent earthquake left several churches in ruins, but were still worth a stop to see the architecture. The other highlight on Bohol and a must see, are tarsiers, a very small, cute nocturnal monkey-like animal,  that are almost as protected as koalas........they are in demand by poachers and/or harmed by innocent curiosity seekers, due to their small and fragile size. Most unusual, are their BIG fixed eyes. They don't move! These little guys feed at night on bugs and hang out under cool leaves during the day when you can find them. More on tarsiers, here. The Alona beach down the road from our hotel seemed pretty benign until we went back at night. Tables set up on the beach, lights, music, fire dancers made the place come alive. Another "way to go" and pat on the back to Aaron, for finding this place!

As we met more and more locals, we realized that we put together quite a good itinerary! Many agreed on our selection of islands, many had yet to visit them their selves but want to. As non-divers, the draw for us was diversity in landscape, culture and beaches. We did well, as I sit here and think of each place to share with you. Siquijor (pronounced seeky whore), was up next. We ferried over to this small enchanting island, known for just that, being mystical and  enchanted.

Just a lovely, quiet island where our hotel, Villa Marmarine, sat on a private beach. Our hosts were a Japanese Filipino family and everything about the place had Japanese touches. Walking the beach, exploring sites by motor scooter were our only "to dos" here. The island is 73 kilometers, or approximately 45 miles all the way around. A perfect day trip with stops for lunch, feeding fish foot spa!!? and a few pics.

Our bungalo on beachfront

The fish tickle!

The island of Negros (rhymes with legos), is our last stop in the Philippines,  before flying back to Cebu, to fly to Kuala Lumpur on our way to Lombok, Indonesia. We stay in Dumaguete, the college town of Silliman University, the 1st American university, founded in 1901, in Asia. Click here for more info if interested.

We rent another scooter, this time to discover waterfalls, red rock hot springs and some of the island. Our final day takes us to two lakes called, Twin Lakes, tucked away, 15 kilometers from the road. The only way up, is for the 2 of us to ride on the back of someone else's scooter. My mom would not have been happy. No helmet, no pictures. It was very cozy (and our driver took good care to keep us safe).

On to KL to rendezvous with my dear, former work colleague, Chandra, for dinner, before meeting traveling companions, Donna and Carol (who we met on our Costa Rica trip last year) in Lombok. Lombok will pave our way to Bali, where we will volunteer for 2 weeks.

More from Lombok! Ciao!
Susan and Aaron