Holiday in the tropics: Why it’s more fun in the Philippines
January 10, 2012 118 Comments
Our own paradise on earth - El Nido, Palawan
Uninhabited island in El Nido
Island hopping in El Nido
“It’s more fun in the Philippines”, goes the new tourism campaign slogan that’s sweeping my home country which has been going viral in the last couple of days. I’m actually very happy that finally tourism is being given a boost. It’s high time for the Philippines to shine as a must-see country in Asia. Thailand has its “Amazing Thailand” campaign and Malaysia has its “Truly Asia” slogan. The Philippines was left out for a long time in the cold when in fact, she has so much to offer.
I’ve got a long way still way to go with my Loire Valley castles blogs but what the heck…let me blog about the many fun things to experience and see in my beloved Philippines. I’ve seen those gorgeous pictures of must-see places so let me show you this country through the eyes of my Dutch husband who really see the fun part of the Philippines like any tourist would.
The financial district of Makati in the distance
There’s no denying that just like any developing country, the Philippines has high poverty incidence which exists side by side with enormous wealth. Thus, it is normal to see high-end cars alongside rickety buses and cars on the highway, to view shanties in the metropolis with the high rise buildings of the financial district in the backdrop. The drive from the airport to the hotels in the more opulent areas like Makati will mean passing through congested areas with ambulant vendors selling anything from “balut” to household merchandises, beggars asking for small change, flimsy built shops that offer vulcanizing services, cellphone charge loading, etc.
Meeting friends mean eating and more eating
To holiday in the Philippines is a combination of fun, pleasure and discomfort (to those who never experienced brownouts for instance). When meeting family and friends, expect that to be a marathon of eating after eating. Being invited for a snack means finding ourselves guests to huge parties so there are times when the hubby would ask if it is possible to meet my friends just over drinks and no more food
The hubby and the jeepney
My husband and I are unconventional travelers. We hate organized trips so we always take the off the beaten tract kind of adventures. We’ve traveled by plane, buses, tricycles, jeepneys and motorcyle to reach places that we want to see. I remember a time when we were in Camiguin and we wanted to see a waterfall. We were told that the way to go there was either to hike for 5 kilometers or go by motorcycle. To our surprise, there were 7 of us in that motorcycle.
Hidden Valley, a tropical rain forest resort in Laguna which is south of Manila
Hidden Valley Resort
We were last on holiday in the Philippines way back in 2006. It was for 2.5 weeks with half of the time visiting family and friends. We stayed a few days in Manila, then off to Lucena City where I used to be assigned as a bank officer to meet up with friends and former colleagues, then to Bicol to see my family and then off to El Nido, Palawan (that place which we would never miss for the world).
Riding a carabao
Driving a jeepney
Meeting friends in Lucena was fun. My husband was able to satisfy his wishes of riding a carabao and a scruffy horse and then driving a jeepney. He thought it was so easy to ride a carabao as he see very young boys on top of carabaos but realized that some things were easier thought of than done. Then it was off to driving a jeepney which he thought was also a very cool thing to do but realized that it was not built for his size and comfort. He struggled with the drive because the jeepney did not have even the standard direction indicator, the steering was tough and he could barely see what was in front of him because his sheer height means that his eye level was far higher than the small Filipino driver behind the wheel.
Island hopping to uninhabited islands
Having this place all to ourselves, what more can we ask for?
Grilling tuna for lunch
Freshly grilled tuna, island-style
Fun with children who serenaded us with lovely local songs
Our holiday was capped by a trip to El Nido, Palawan, the place where our love story started way back in 1996. We were then both backpackers who met on the beach with that excellent view of limestone mountains. We remained true to that memory of our first meeting, backpacking again and stayed in a simple cottage by the beach. We enjoyed our glorious days in this island paradise, island hopping every day and having picnic on the beach. We saw the guests of the exclusive resorts in El Nido also visiting the uninhabited islands where we were — they were ferried by speed boats and the resort staff would set up table for them with the finest table cloth and the finest china and were served posh meals. We, on the other hand, far enjoyed our meals of barbeque and grilled tuna with the boatmen with us.
Transporting a pig, Palawan-style
We felt so sorry to leave the island as during our stay, we developed an excellent rapport with the people we met there. Some evenings we were serenaded by the children who were just so happy to regale us with their stories. My husband cannot think of any best place to be for holidays. The best holidays are those filled with happy memories, with inconvenient experiences that stick to memory long after the holiday like our stay at a pension house in Taytay where we stayed awake the whole night because the bed was just filled with bed bugs.
Market scene that we really love
We saw and experienced a lot of things that we will forever cherish. Most of all, what makes the holiday more fun in the Philippines is the friendliness of people we met everywhere.
More pictures here:
About Malou
Love the Philippines.
wrands
http://www.justmyphoto.wordpress.com
Thanks a lot.
Great post! Super in-depth and makes me want to beg all my Filipino friends to take me along their trips.
You should visit my country, tag along with your Filipino friends.
Very interesting insight. Some beautiful places. Hidden Valley-what a lovely name, I think I’d like to go there!
I’m glad that you like this insight of my country. Hidden Valley is a lovely rainforest resort, its natural springs are fed by the watershed of a dormant volcano, Mt. Makiling. It is a lovely place and a real paradise.
How amazing! Thanks for sharing what you love about the Philippines. The tropical beaches, that delicious looking tuna. I bet the jeepney ride was hysterical! And I can’t get over that pig!
I’m glad that you like this post. I love to show a different side of my country and without the superficial photoshopping done by others and hiding the fact that there is poverty for instance. My country is beautiful and I am very proud of the genuine sincerity of my people, their strong faith in God and resilience in the face of the many tragedies and calamities.
I love these candid shots, it all looks so fresh and natural
and the jeepney ride pic definitely made me chuckle!
You should be working for the Tourist Board!
Thanks for the encouragement, Andrew. Maybe that’s a good career move especially as being a banker these days is not a good thing anymore
Brings back memories of when we lived in the Philippines – we went to Palawan for a few days and it truly was magical. Having a beautiful island to ourselves, those amazing transparent waters, the lagoons…It was quite some time ago, but I definitely remember it well! Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing!
It’s good to know that you’ve been to Palawan. On my first trip there in 1996, I was so amazed by the sheer beauty of the place. And speaking of those lagoons, we went there at low tide so we could see the corals and so many colorful fishes at close range.
My wife and I lived in Southeast Asia for three years but regrettably couldn’t fit in a trip to the Philippines while we were there. Your photos make me want to return to that part of the world for a visit!
Time to return for holidays there, Brett!
i can’t help but feel some sympathy for that poor pig!
Greta shots, though you look a little cramped in that vehicle!
Ha, ha, ha! The people there has to improvised.
Lovely pictures. You make the Philippines sing, Malou.
Thanks a lot, Andra. There’s so much to see and do in my country and I’ve hardly seen that much. I hope next time we’ll have more time to see more.
I want to be there!
Holiday in the Philippines is fun, Gilly!
I had truthfully never considered travelling to the Philippines, but the beaches and rainforest look amazing! I think meeting the locals is one of the best parts of any trip!
The Philippines was never well promoted as a tourist hub compared to our neighbors (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, HK, Macau). I hope that in sharing my own experiences, I am doing my 2 cents worth of bringing pride to my country
Amazing photographs. Looks like you had a great time! Thanks for posting : )
Thanks a lot, M. Yes, we had a great time on this tropical holiday.
Excellent travelogue; thanks for taking the time to put it all together.
I’m glad that you like this post, Kerry.
Philippines looks breathtaking. And also the picture with the kids in it. Funny
Indeed it is a beautiful country with many breathtaking sceneries. And the people are warm and friendly everywhere.
Malou, Thanks for the temporary escape! As always, your photographs are exquisite. The colors are fantastic! And the jeepney. I’m now “jonesing” for jeepney. Very cool!
I’m glad that you like this post, Theadora. Riding a jeepney seems to be every tourist’s dream when they go there. Driving it though, is another thing.
Yahoo its More fun in the Philippines because of our natural beauty and cleanliness country we Are proud to be.
Hey, I’ve been to Manila and Cebu once many years back. Lots of surprises. Loved the food – simply fantastic. And I can never forget balut.
That’s nice to know that you’ve already been to my country, Gintonic. Did you like “balut”?
I’m going to the Philippines in June– I will definitely go to El Nido now!
You’ll love it in El Nido, Risa.
Beautiful pix. A visit to some of those beachside areas is now definitely on my bucket list!
You’ll love those uninhabited islands all to yourself…
very nice photos and write-up. it’s very evident you guys had loads of fun.
Thanks a lot for the appreciation, Samir Clark.
Great pix
Thanks a lot, Delia.
I should have known you were Filipina, the name and the looks
I loved this, I lived in the Philippines for just one year, but loved the people and the countryside and yes, there was poverty clashing with skyscrapers as in all Tropical countries, but we also saw the countryside with its beautiful furniture makers, and yes, the beaches and the islands and the glorious food. Wonderful people, wonderful place, with nothing to envy Thailand. All I remember from way back then was Iniibig Kita, Gustong gusto kita and Mahal kita, loved the nuances (hope I got them right). And I remember the San Miguel Beer, pare! advert. I had good friends there, it would be nice to go back sometime. Thanks for posting.
I’m glad that you love this post and can still recall Tagalog love phrases. One year is a short time to really know the country but I hope someday you will return and reconnect with very good friends who I’m sure will be overjoyed to see you.
The pictures are so beautiful! What a lovely place.
I’m glad to know that you like the pictures. It is indeed a lovely place.
I have a classmate who is from the Philippines. She’s one of the sweetest people I know. I believe that where a person comes from influences their personality, so no wonder she is such a nice person look at what a beautiful place she comes from.
That’s very kind of you to say, Danielle. I’m glad that the Filipinos have made a very positive impact on you.
Paradise Philippines style. WOW. Awesome scenery.
Yes, it is paradise personified. I hope one day you will also get to see this place for real.
Great Pics!!!
May we use some of your pics for FilipinoFestival.com ?
Sure but please acknowledge that you took them from my blog.
That looks amazing!
Thanks a lot, Missy.
Hi Malou,
I just absolutely love your blog, your pics and stories are amazing. I will definitely make sure to come back here more often!
Speak to you soon,
Sherisse
Thanks a lot, Sherisse. See you soon.
I was alternately laughing (at the pictures of your husband hunched over in the jeepney and on the carabao) and feeling proud because you wrote with such honesty but obvious pride in our country. Magayunon that paragraph where you acknowledge what it’s really like here but still managed to convey the message that ”hey we’re no worse than other developing countries but maybe we’re better”, hahaha.
Wonderfully written, Malou, as always.
Thanks a lot, Tita Buds! I have to be honest about the open realities in our country. I see that the campaign to promote tourism is good but those responsible should also not sugar coat the daily realities. When I see the pictures of the many travel destinations in our country, of course I’m so proud of them. However, we can’t escape the reality that there is poverty, the cities are crowded or that there are certain places which are dirty and unsafe. Being honest is the best way to not disappoint tourists who come and visit out country.
My husband loves the Philippines but he looks at our country with open and pragmatic eyes. I introduced him to everything Pinoy…from sisig to dinuguan. He just draws the line with balut
I agree. No where else in the world that celebrates Christmas like Filipinos do. I can be anywhere in the world but my heart beats and says, “there is no place like home!”the warmth, joy and love during Christmas is just magical.
Yes, I miss the way we celebrate Christmas back home. I miss the frenzy and the chaos before the big day. I miss the Christmas carols on the air that start as early as September.
Looks like a wonderful place to visit one day. I will have to put it on my list. Your pictures are fantastic
The Philippines is beautiful. Unfortunately, it has been overshadowed by its neighbors in the tourism business.
What a great story! My husband was stationed on an aircraft carrier in Subic Bay and we lived in Cubi Poit for 2 years. The country is beautiful! In reference to holidays, I always loved the way we could wear sundresses embroidered with poinsettias on Christmas! Amazing food too.
Strangely enough, I’ve never been to Subic and that’s one of my regrets…not having seen enough of my country when I was still there and had all the chances. Christmas is fun there too as it is already in the air as soon as September start.
Have you ever been to Baguio? We used to stay in a cottage there and, since it was cool, could make a fire in the fireplace. We explored all over the island. Loved the food!
Yes, a couple of times. I love it there.
thank you for liking and following my blog.. your post is very inspiring. It inspired me to dig deeper and explore our home country – the Philippines. I am going home this year and I will definitely photo blog about the Journey! Thank you x
Happy to meet fellow Pinay here in blogosphere, Lizzy. I’m looking forward to your photo blog about your trip back home
Oh my! I wish I could go island hopping. The Phillippines look so lovely. I’m originally from Indonesia, but I have family in the Netherlands.
I really enjoy reading your blog. You seem to be such a talented cook as well!
You have lots of islands in Indonesia too. Must be fun to do island hopping over there too. Not surprise if you have family here because of the colonial ties. I love Indonesian food because it has also become so much a part of the Dutch cuisine.
It’s enlightening to read this blog coming from you & your husband’s perspective. The Philippines is very special in its own simple ways and the joy and experiences we have there are priceless. Glad to know that your husband fulfilled his local goals there. Hehehe… The Carabao and Jeepney ride are pretty funny, I could just imagine.
And ohhhhh i got *kilig* (how do i translate that? hehe) learning of your palawan memory.
I guess it is also my responsibility to present the true realities in our country. I know that others only want to show what’s beautiful omit the not so beautiful aspect of our country but there’s just no way that we can avoid that. Instead, we should let the world know that our country is beautiful and its people are friendly and hospitable despite the imperfections.
Hubby and I met on the beach of El Nido and it was love at first sight. How’s that for that “kilig” moment?
Lovely post and nice photos.
“El Nido” means “The Nest” by the way
Thanks a lot. Yes, this place is called El Nido or The Nest because of the special birds that build their nests in the limestone cliffs. These nests are made from the saliva of these birds and are a prized delicacy for the Chinese market. Ever heard of “Bird Nest’s soup”?
That explains it .
I was trying to figure out the name Like the place is nice and comfy like a birds nest hahahaha
the real explanation was good.
Thanks
I’m glad that you find the explanation useful
These pictures are breath-taking! I hope I will be able to travel to here one day.
Thanks a lot. I hope too that you are able to see the beauty of my country and enjoy the hospitality of the Filipino people.
That looks so beautiful! Gorgeous colourful photographs and such a romantic story too!
Thanks a lot, Felicity. Yes, ours was a very romantic story meeting on the beach of El Nido
Am glad you and your hubby retained your romantic links to our country. Thanks for visiting my site, and I wish you both a happier year ahead on your off-the-beaten-path journeys.
I take pride in the beauty of the Philippines and the genuine hospitality and friendliness of our fellow Filipinos. My husband is equally proud as well of anything Pinoy. He is well integrated into the Pinoy way of life having worked for while in our country as a geologist and was assigned in a remote place.
I love your blog and your pictures. SOmeday, I hope you find your footsteps here in Holland too
I hope so too! Let’s cross our fingers on that. And thanks for the compliments.
Dear Malou,
I have just found out about El Nido several days ago thanks to the Net and a dream (long story)
but anyway, thank you so much for writing the story of your El Nido trip here. I enjoy the write-up and the pictures, and it makes me want to visit El Nido even more! Greetings from Indonesia :*
Hanny
Thanks a lot, Hanny.
Indonesia just like the Philippines is blessed with beautiful islands with powdery white sandy beaches. Now that it is pretty cold here and having a bit of the winter fatigue, I’m really longing for the warm weather and can’t help but miss El Nido and its amazing beaches.
this is lovely! the heavens that are on this earth. I would one day like to visit the south east asian countries and enjoy the heavens there . . .
Indeed this place is like paradise on earth. Once you’ve been there, you’ll always have that longing to return.
Oh my GOSH! I must add this place to my list of travel destinations!! The photos make me long for summer on a beach…
Yes, you must! This place is really beautiful and has a charm of its own.
I like it! Definitely love to have some roast Pork. Great article. Good job.
Hmmm…indeed why not have lechon on the beach? With lots of refreshing drinks and rice, I can’t think of where else to be.
I love your comment about getting together with family, “a marathon of eating after eating.” Some things are universal and that one, where a family sits and talks and eats and talks and eats, is a favorite of mine. No rush. No time pressure. Just relationships and good food.
Thanks a lot! In Philippines, at times we’re still busy with lunch but the merienda and dinner are already being planned. Meeting family and friends will always revolve around food.
Fantastic!!!
Maraming salamat.
What a great post! I will put the Philippines on my list for sure!
Thanks a lot. I hope that one day you will also get to see the beauty of my country.
Beautiful pictures. It sounded like fun until you got to the part about the bedbugs.
Ha, ha, ha! I guess that was part of the whole experience. It made us appreciate going back to our hotel and eventually flying back to Holland.
Gorgeous – your post does any tourism board proud. You are so right – the Philippines should definitely be added to the bucketlist! I am still dreaming of an extended Asian adventure (time through Thailand was so fast …. if I didn’t have photos, no one would ever believe I had been!!!) …hope to do it right next time! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot. Anita. The Philippines has lots to offer just like the other Asian countries in the region. Culturally, it is also interesting because of the Spanish influence in every facet of life which makes it unique compared to other countries in Asia.
Very nice, great photos, well written! Enjoyed it! Mark Daly
Thanks a lot, Mark.
Thanks for the follow!
Wow, these are beautiful places that I’ve never been to in the Philippines! My mom is from Cebu so I’ve been there about 8 or 9 times, but never to any of these places you mentioned. I will definitely add them to my list for my next trip.
Found your site very interesting and will be trying out your recipes very soon. Interesting to know that your mom is from Cebu. Lovely place, been there 3 times. THe Philippines is quite big and scattered so there are just plenty of interesting places to see.
Wow, what a beautiful paradise! I’ll look at your pictures often during our cold New Hampshire winters.
It is what my husband and I call our own paradise on earth. We met each other on this beach over 15 years ago that is why this place is so special.
Thanks for the beautiful photo-journey! I live in SE Alaska (Ketchikan) and there is a large Filipino community here. I’ve come to appreaciate some of the wonderful foods from the Philippines and have it on my list of places to visit one day! Your photos just added to my interest! ~ Sheila
I hope that someday you will get to see the Philippines too and be charmed by the places where I’ve been. Lovely food, places and people…certainly worth the visit.
Beautiful pictures!! The Phillipines look amazing, although I’ve never had the opportunity to go, but would love to! Wonderful post with lots of information!
Thanks a lot. I hope one day that you will find your footsteps in my lovely country.
Love the pictures. Beautiful!
Thanks a lot for the appreciation.
Oh, thank-you so much for sharing photos that were not set up for a tourist magazine and therefore showed ‘real’ people enjoying themselves in the Phillipines. Who knows? One day, my husband and I might get there.
Happy to do my own share in promoting Philippine tourism but looking at it with a more realistic view.
This is absolutely beautiful! My grandmother is Filipino (I am a quarter) and originally is from the city Iloilo. She’s always wanted her grandchildren to visit the islands and now I can see why.
Great photos and blog.
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