Travel Blog: My 7-day vacation in the Philippines

Serene beaches, beautiful islands, bustling nightlife, scrumptious food - the Philippines was like any other archipelagic country and much more.

Made up of a group of 7,100 islands in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is known for tropical rainforests, exotic wildlife and stunning beaches that attract various tourists from across the world. During the first week of March of this year, me and my family decided to visit Boracay and Manila.

The Philippines had been on our travel bucket list for the longest time. However, we as Nepali citizens, didn't require a visa to enter the country, which made it a much more attractive option for us.

So, on the night of March 3, with our bags and suitcases in tow, we embarked on a 20-hour journey. Our travel route involved a flight to Bangkok, followed by another one to Manila. After that, we had to take another one-hour domestic flight to Caticlan and a 20-minute ferry ride to reach our final destination, Boracay

Day 1: ATV Park and Paraw Sailing

We started the first day of our trip by visiting an ATV Park. The park had a big river with different local tour companies taking a section of the river. On one side of the river, they had built a small ATV park and offered other water activities like crystal kayaking, paddle boarding, zip lining and more.

We spent the first half of the day partaking in these activities, enjoying the sunny weather, splashing in the river and devouring local food and drinks.

In the evening, we went on a sunset Paraw sailing experience, which is a popular local boat activity with a boat equipped with two outriggers and two sails. We sat on both sides of the boat and set off as the sun began to dip below the horizon.

It was an incredibly enjoyable and thrilling experience. The strong waves caused the boat to bounce up and down while the wind tousled our hair. A large number of sails took part in the activity, so witnessing the scene of these boats against the backdrop of the stunning sunset was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

We ended the day with dinner at a restaurant called, Balicay, which served delicious local cuisine with ample vegetarian options.

Day 2: Island Hopping and Helmet Sea Walk

The second day of our trip started early in the morning, as we went on an island-hopping tour. Our first stop of the tour was snorkelling in the middle of the ocean, and then we went to visit Crystal Cove Island.

Crystal Cove Island housed several ruins and offered picturesque views of the ocean. But the highlight was the two caves where we had to walk down steep stairs to watch the crystal blue water lapping against the stones. We could also swim or snorkel in the cave, but we decided not to.

After the island tour, we were taken to another island for lunch, followed by the final stop at Puka Beach. Since this beach is included as part of the island tour for various companies, it was very crowded. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed our time there, as we strolled along the shore, sipped coconut water and ate ice cream at the shacks while admiring the tranquil view.

Later, we went for a helmet sea walk, where we wore an oxygen helmet on our shoulders and were guided by divers to the bottom of the sea. We were able to feed the fish, admire the coral reefs, and snap some photos in a designated area. Initially, I was a little scared. But I am glad I did the activity, as it was a thrilling and unique experience, despite feeling cold underwater.

We ended the day by exploring D'Mall, which is a commercial hub of shopping, dining, entertainment and more.

Day 3: Mount Luho and Party Yacht

The following day, we hopped on a tricycle for a visit to Mt. Luho, the highest peak on the island, right after breakfast. From the viewing deck on top of the mountain, we were treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire island.

Post-lunch, we boarded a party yacht for two hours. The yacht offered complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages as it sailed around the ocean, providing us with stunning views of the sunset.

To wrap up the third night, we strolled along the white sand beach and explored the area between Station 2 and Station, before having dinner at one of the local Italian restaurants.

Day 4: A Relaxing Day in Boracay, Philippines

During the final day of our stay in Boracay, we decided to take things easy for the first half of the day. We stayed at the hotel and enjoyed a leisurely swim in the pool while soaking up the sunny, summer atmosphere.

Later in the evening, we took a stroll around Bulabog Beach, which is famous for its pristine waters and kiteboarding activities. To cap off the night, we settled in one of the beach clubs located along the white sand beach for a few drinks and dinner.

Day 5: Binondo Chinatown

On the fifth day of our Boracay trip, we took a morning flight to Manila. Once we checked into our hotel, we hopped into a cab and headed to SM Mall of Asia for lunch and some light shopping.

In the evening, we visited Binondo, which is the oldest Chinatown in the world. Unlike other Chinatowns that I've visited before, Binondo was much larger in area rather than just one street. The area also had a church with unique architecture, which we saw only from the outside.

To end the night on a high note, we had dinner at Din Tai Fung, which is an award-winning Taiwanese restaurant.

Day 6: City Tour of Manila

Our last day of the trip started with a visit to Manila Ocean Park, where we were amazed by the larger-than-life aquariums filled with an incredible variety of fish. We even watched the fishes swimming right above us in the ceiling.

The highlight for me was the jellyfish exhibit, which had these beautiful creatures floating in their tanks, with their vibrant colours on full display.

We then went on a walking city tour around the Intramuros area that included 5 attractions.

• Baluarte De San Diego - One of the oldest forts inside Intramuros used during the Spanish colonization

• Museo De Intramuros - An ecclesiastical museum of various artworks, sculptures and more.

• Casa Manila - A living museum featuring the lifestyle of a Filipino family during the Spanish colonization

• Distileria Limtuaco Museum - The oldest existing distillery in the country

• Fort Santiago - A defence fort built by the Spaniards.

After our tour, we stopped by the Greenbelt shopping centre, which was conveniently located near our hotel, for some shopping. We ended the night and trip with dinner at a restaurant called Hossein.

How Was My Overall Experience?

 

As I write this blog, I feel a sense of calm looking back at my memories from the trip. From the magnificent beaches to the delectable food and the warm hospitality, this trip truly exceeded my expectations. I can't wait to come back and explore the other islands of the country.

Until next time, Philippines!