Philippines

Island hopping, diving, sightseeing and chilling.

We opted for a flight to Dubai then on to Manila as it split the journey and gave us a good rest on each flight. Once we arrived we were taken to Raffles, very nice.

Manila

Old Manila City Tour
After breakfast, we met our guide in the hotel lobby and set out on a tour of Manila. We began with a visit to Rizal Park, named in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, where we made a quick photo stop. From there, we proceeded to Intramuros, the Walled City, and explored Fort Santiago, an ancient fortress guarding the mouth of the Pasig River. We continued on to San Agustin Church and Casa Manila.
Crossing the Pasig River, we drove through Quiapo district, the old downtown area, and visited Santo Tomas University, founded in 1611 by Dominican friars. We also stopped at the Chinese Cemetery, where some mausoleums were larger than average-sized houses. The tour concluded with a drive along Ayala Avenue, the financial and commercial hub of Makati. On our way back to the hotel via Roxas Boulevard, we passed by the Cultural Centre of the Philippines and enjoyed views of the city’s sea front.

Street Food tour in Manila
We joined a culinary food walk through Binondo Chinatown, sampling Tsinoy delicacies like lumpia, empanadas, pancit, dumplings, pancakes, and hopia. The 3-hour tour, led by a local foodie, took us through Plaza Calderon dela Barca, Basilica de San Lorenzo Ruiz, Ongpin Street, and Carvajal Alley Market.

Road transfer to Airport then after a couple of hour flight we arrived in El Nido then a quick transfer to the harbour then a boat transfer to Pangalusian Island

El Nido, Pangulasian Island

We stayed at Pangulasian Island, a luxurious resort in Bacuit Bay with 42 villas and a stunning 750-meter private beach. We enjoyed its infinity pool, spa, and watersports, or relaxed on walking trails, lagoons, and natural pools.
During our stay, we went island-hopping in El Nido, exploring cliff-backed islands, emerald lagoons, and snorkeled off white sand beaches in crystal-clear waters. We encountered vibrant marine life, including hawksbill turtles and manta rays, and had a freshly barbecued lunch on a beach.

Swimming with Whale Sharks
In Donsol, we participated in the Whale Shark Interaction Eco-Tourism Project. Equipped with snorkeling gear, we boarded an outrigger boat, had a packed lunch, and spent time locating and swimming with these gentle giants. The ethical approach ensured minimal impact on the sharks and their habitat.

This time we reversed the journey so it was a boat transfer to El Nido then a couple of hour flight to Tagbilaran in Bohol. We then were transferred by car to the island as there is a bridge.

Bohol, Pangalau Island, Amorita Resort

We stayed at Amorita Resort, perched on a cliff overlooking the Bohol Sea. The resort featured modern suites, garden villas, an infinity pool, and Saffron Restaurant.
After an early breakfast, we were picked up from the hotel for a full-day guided tour of Bohol’s scenic spots. The tour began at the Blood Compact Site, marking the historic agreement on March 16, 1565, between Sikatuna, a native chieftain, and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the Spanish explorer. Next, we visited Baclayon Church, one of the island’s ancient Spanish churches, which was badly damaged during the 2013 earthquake.
From there, we headed to the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, where we saw the tarsiers, one of the world’s smallest primates, no larger than a man’s hand. Afterward, we joined a river boat for a leisurely lunchtime cruise up the Loboc River, where we enjoyed lunch and saw one of the island’s waterfalls.
In the afternoon, we drove through Bohol’s scenic countryside of palm trees, coconut plantations, and mahogany forests to the incredible Chocolate Hills. At the viewing point, we admired the stunning landscape of 1,268 dome-shaped limestone hills, which turn brown during the summer, resembling rows of chocolate “kisses.”

Early in the morning, we were picked up from the hotel for a dolphin watching tour (noting that the tour was seasonal). From Bohol, we took a boat to the waters around Pamilacan Island, a gem long known as a beachcomber’s haven and a diver’s playground. The waters also served as pathways for migrating dolphins and whales.
We were fortunate to catch a glimpse of these incredible sea mammals at the rear of the island. We made a stop on the island to visit one of the villages, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch. Afterward, we had time to swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters before returning to Bohol and our hotel on Panglao Island.

Again we are on the road, but this time its a boat to a ferry across to Negros. the ferry was a couple of hours before we arrived at our final destination.

Negros, Atmosphere Resort and Spa

We stayed at Atmosphere Resort, set in lush gardens on a former coconut plantation. The resort offered boutique luxury, a tranquil spa, yoga classes, and diving excursions.
After breakfast at the resort, we set off for a day trip to Apo Island. We started at the village of Malatapay, the access point for the island, where we boarded an outrigger boat for the 45-minute ride to Apo Island. The volcanic island, just 3 km in length and 120 m at its highest point, is surrounded by a protected marine reserve.
During our time on Apo Island, we snorkeled in its wide reef flats and coral mounds teeming with an extensive variety of fish. For a bit of adventure, we trekked along the Habagat Trail for 30 minutes and were rewarded with a panoramic view of the island and its stunning marine sanctuary.