Cebu

This is another very popular island in the Philippines that we were fortunate to visit. We were travelling here for my good friend’s wedding so it was extremely exciting to be here for something other than relaxation. It’s one thing to attend or be a part of a wedding but to experience it in another country / culture is right up my street. I love to be immersed in other cultures, learning their traditions, trying their food and being enveloped in their unrelenting hospitality. We spent a lot of time with my friends and their families which was really lovely, very welcoming and a lot of fun.

Suman Malagkit – a Filipino sticky rice cake made of sweetened glutinous rice steamed in banana leaves. We were encouraged to eat lots of these and we gladly did with a nice cup of coffee, made by the family.

We stayed at the Savoy Mactan Hotel Located just 15 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport and nestled within The Mactan Newtown, a dynamic township featuring retail shops, office towers, and leisure facilities. The hotel boasts clean, modern rooms, friendly staff, and a convenient location, making it a great choice for both business and leisure travelers. They had a swimming pool on site and just a 10 minute walk away, you could find their infinity pool with poolside bar and cabanas. We chilled out here a lot after the wedding, the perfect spot to unwind and appreciate the hotels amenities.

Along the strip where the hotel is situated has many shops, a supermarket and plenty of stunning eateries. Our favourite place to eat and drink was a five minute walk from our hotel and just across the road from the strip. It was a little area consisting only of a food truck and a drinks van BUT the ambiance here was absolutely fantastic; the lighting, being outdoors and relatively cheap and tasty food made this the perfect place to hang out.

We headed here for drinks the night before the wedding. Food at An’Dale and drinks at Bar Kantu, loved it that much that we returned another time.

The absolute best wedding and what a stunning venue and bride!!!

To conclude, we had the most amazing time in Cebu and the Philippines as a whole. It was great to see around but also to spend time with good friends and be a part of something really special. Thank you all for taking a look at our short trip and I look forward to showcasing my next holiday. Ps. take a look at the video below by Enya. You might know it, it’s called Orinoco Flow and it was the first time I had heard of Cebu (from Peru).

June 25, 2025 11

Boracay

This small island in the Philippines has long been a favourite for travellers seeking the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. While the island is only seven kilometres long, it packs a lot into a small space, especially along its famous White Beach, which is divided into three main areas: Station 1, Station 2, and Station 3. I have wanted to visit here for years as I have a good friend who is from this area and has always talked about how beautiful Boracay is.

Getting to Boracay involves flying into either Caticlan (Godofredo P. Ramos Airport), the closest and most convenient or Kalibo International Airport, which is about two hours away by road. From Caticlan, a short boat ride will whisk you across to the island, where paradise begins. This was the option we took and it was a real novelty to be taken to our destination by boat!

Station 1: Luxe and Laidback at The Lind

For a truly indulgent stay, Station 1 is where the upscale resorts and peaceful beachfront vibes live and The Lind Boracay is the jewel in its crown. We opted to stay here on a friend’s recommendation and boy were we glad we did. Perched right on the soft sands, The Lind blends modern luxury with tropical charm. Think of infinity pools with ocean views, breezy lounges, warm service, and stylish rooms that feel like a private hideaway. It’s the perfect base if you want a quieter, more refined slice of Boracay. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here, the service was fantastic and the pool / gym amenities were greatly appreciated. The food was delicious too, we had breakfast included which is always a good way to start the day and they had themed nights also if you wanted something different from the standard menus.

Station 2: Buzz and Bargains at D’Mall

When you’re ready for a change of pace, a short stroll or quick e-trike ride takes you down to Station 2, the island’s lively heart. Here, you’ll find D’Mall, a bustling outdoor maze of shops, market stalls, cafés, and restaurants. It’s where flip-flops meet fashion, street food meets gelato, and beachwear meets bargain-hunting. From fresh mango shakes to island souvenirs and local eats, D’Mall is the place to dive into the energetic, colourful side of Boracay. We were lucky to have the hotel bus take us there and then we sauntered home along the beach in the evening, taking in the sunset and watching people make the most of the remaining daylight.

The beauty of Boracay is in its blend, stay in serene Station 1, play in vibrant Station 2, and if you’re curious, Station 3 offers a more rustic, backpacker-friendly scene (we didn’t venture here though). Whether you’re here for romance, relaxation, or just to roam barefoot through island life, Boracay delivers it all, with a sunset on the side, we absolutely loved it!

June 24, 2025 19

MANILA 🇵🇭

Exploring Manila’s Makati: A Tale of Three Neighbourhoods.

When you think of Manila’s modern heart, Makati often comes to mind, however, we picked this area as it had good reviews for tourists and it had different pockets to visit. Within this urban core lie three unique areas worth discovering: Bel-Air, Greenbelt, and Poblacion. Each brings its own energy, rhythm, and charm.

1. Bel-Air: Calm Behind the Buzz

Tucked just off the bustling avenues, Bel-Air Village offers an unexpected pocket of calm in the middle of the city. It’s a well-maintained residential enclave, home to embassies, expats, and local families. The streets are wide and leafy, and there’s a real sense of community here. It’s also just a short walk to the main roads, so you get the peace without missing out on convenience.

Some local food, we avoided all the Starbucks

2. Greenbelt: Luxe and Lifestyle

A Manila icon, Greenbelt is more than just a mall – it’s a lifestyle complex that blends luxury shopping, lush gardens, fine dining, and a serene chapel at its centre. Whether you’re sipping coffee, shopping high fashion, or attending mass under the trees, Greenbelt offers an upscale escape right in the middle of Makati’s CBD. Great for business travellers or anyone looking for a polished Manila experience, just be aware, the designer shops are pretty pricey.

3. Poblacion: Manila’s Creative Pulse

Just a few blocks from the business district, Poblacion is where Manila lets its hair down. It’s gritty, colourful, and constantly evolving. With its street art, hole-in-the-wall bars, and indie eateries, Poblacion has become the city’s go-to spot for nightlife and creative culture. If Greenbelt is the polished suit, Poblacion is the leather jacket and we had really wanted to see the not so polished side of Makati.

Final Thoughts

Makati isn’t one-note, it’s a patchwork of experiences. Whether you’re after the quiet charm of Bel-Air, the refined atmosphere of Greenbelt, or the electric buzz of Poblacion, there’s something here for every mood and moment. However, Makati is just one part of Manila. There was SO much more to explore but we only had a couple of days to see the sights…which means that we will have to come back again!

June 23, 2025 15

Doors of WordPress V123 🇵🇭

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. In my previous doors post I had mentioned that I had only seen one door that stood out to me. I knew as soon as I said that, I would find more doors – it’s Sod’s Law! We took a walk through Makati Poblacion in Manila and I was able to spot three doors that I thought were pretty special. I am working on my Philippines blog posts and will be completed shortly but for now here is a sneak peak.

June 19, 2025 11

Wayne’s Word – salamat po

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is SALAMAT PO.

I have used this word A LOT over the past two weeks and it simply means thank you. A little word that goes a long way. Let’s break it down –

Salamat = thank you

Po = a particle added to show politeness and respect, especially to elders or people in authority.

Every time I say this to a Filipino, they are so extremely grateful, they even double take when I say it, strange as it sounds, as it’s only a word but I think it really makes them happy. The Filipinos I have met have been tremendously friendly and helpful, reaffirming what I already know about Filipino people.

It has been an absolute joy to attend a Filipino wedding here of my good friends and be immersed in their colourful, warm and loving culture. More to come from the Philippines! We are about to board our flight home to Sydney in a couple of hours so I will hopefully see you all from Down Under.

Wayne

June 13, 2025 3

Doors of WordPress V122 🇵🇭

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. I am still on my holiday in the Philippines, currently in Manila with one more day to go. I thought I would have found an array of doors but sadly I have found only one!!! In saying that, I could still find more later today.

This door was found in D’Mall in Boracay, one of the many Filipino islands. D’Mall, Boracay is the vibrant heart of Station 2 on White Beach, an open-air “mall” blending shops, dining, entertainment, and services all within easy walking distance. Don’t be fooled like us by thinking we were going to a well air conditioned mall haha. We were in for a shock but this was ten times better. So much character and soul here with a fantastic door just waiting to be photographed. I think it leads to a store room but to me it looked like it could well lead to Aladdin’s cave, a cave full of treasures.

June 12, 2025 10

FOTD – Canna Lily

The Canna Lily is a striking, tropical-looking flowering plant known for its vibrant blooms and lush foliage. Despite its name, it’s not a true lily. Spotted here in Boracay, Philippines along a main road.

June 6, 2025 6

Wayne’s Word – disembark

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is DISEMBARK.

Meaning – to leave a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.

This seems fitting today as we left Manila this morning for the island of Boracay. I absolutely love this word and I was reminded of it today with Philippine Airways. They have a great method of disembarking by asking each row at a time to collect their over head luggage and leave the airplane. I thought this was great as normally people all stand up together and it can become frantic as everyone is desperate to leave.

We loved our short stay in Manila and I will post our highlights soon. We are now in Boracay for the next few days with the aim of relaxing and appreciating the beauty on offer here.

June 3, 2025 6

Wayne’s Word – Kumusta

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is KUMUSTA

(Pronounced: kuh-moos-tah)

Kumusta is a Filipino word for hello / how are you. It’s very common greeting and one that I will be using from tomorrow as we head to the Philippines for a two week holiday. You can also say Kumusta Po to make it more polite / formal.

I may be quieter on my blog over the next couple of weeks or I might actually have more time, it’s hard to tell yet haha. I’m heading over for a good friend’s wedding, however, I have wanted to visit the Philippines for many years so this was the perfect chance to make it happen. I look forward to showing you all around and I might even find some interesting doors. Let me know if you have been to the Philippines and want to share any places of interest to investigate. I love hearing other suggestions.

Have a great weekend everyone.

May 31, 2025 21