Still sailing through Asia on our Norwegian Spirit cruise, we arrived at country number two: the Philippines! The days before, we had explored Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Taipei, Taiwan, where we visited stunning temples and historic sites. Though the nonstop rain made things a bit chilly. That’s why the warm, tropical air of the Philippines was a welcome change!

This country had the most stops on our cruise, giving us plenty of time to explore. After sailing overnight from Kaohsiung, we arrived early in the morning at our first stop: the small beach town of Currimao.

Day 4 of 14:

Since there was no dock large enough for a cruise ship in this small town, we had to take tenders to shore. To board one, we first needed to get a boarding number, and that’s where the chaos began. We were told to wait in a designated room, but when the crew finally arrived with the tickets, there was no order, no line, just pushing and shoving. Despite being among the first to arrive, we somehow ended up with a spot on the ninth boat, which was beyond frustrating. Realizing it would be a while before our turn, we decided to take it slow. We grabbed breakfast, but even after we finished eating, they still hadn’t finished getting the tour groups off the ship—who were supposed to go first before the actual numbers would start getting called. With nothing else to do, we headed to the pool, only to find it already packed with others who had the same idea. A couple of hours later, we noticed that people weren’t even getting up for their assigned boats as it was so late in the day. Just as we debated doing the same, we figured a few hours onshore was better than none. So, three hours later than planned, we finally made it onto a tender and headed to shore.

Currimao is a small town, with not too much to do. As we stepped off the tender, we were greeted by welcome stands filled with food and souvenirs. After taking a moment to figure out the conversion rate from Philippine pesos to dollars, we tried some grilled sticky rice cooked in leaves. It had a deliciously sweet, smoky flavor! With our snack in hand, we headed toward a group of tuk-tuks waiting at the port and took one to a nearby beach. We definitely overpaid at $20 for two tuk-tuks, so if you ever visit, know about how much it should be for how far you’re going! Riding in a tuk-tuk was an adventure in itself; being so close to the ground with the motorbike attached right next to us made for a thrilling, speedy ride.

We arrived at a beach resort and walked through it to access the shore. Unfortunately, the sand wasn’t very clean, and it wasn’t the most picturesque beach. The water was warm, but not many people were swimming. Interestingly, the beach seemed naturally divided—on the left, locals filled grass cabanas, while the right side was mostly tourists. It was surprising how everyone stuck to their own “side.”

As we strolled down the left side of the beach, a guy and his mom, both locals, approached us. He offered us tequila, and at first, we were a bit skeptical, but they turned out to be genuinely kind and welcoming! They kept saying thank you for visiting the Philippines. After chatting for a bit and taking some photos together, they invited us over to their cabana, where they shared more drinks and food. They were also on Christmas vacation, visiting from Manila, where they live and work.

After saying our goodbyes, we began our walk back to the cruise terminal. Instead of taking another tuk-tuk, we opted to walk to take in more of the surroundings at a slower pace. Along the way, we stopped at a 7-Eleven to grab some drinks. Since it was Christmas, my family and I were all wearing festive earrings to celebrate. A local girl noticed and came up to tell us how much she loved them!

As we continued, we came across an area where locals were air-drying fish with hand fans, roasting a pig, and stacking fresh coconuts. We weren’t even sure if they were selling the coconuts, but when we asked, they happily sold us some. As a surprise, they also cut off a piece of crispy pig skin and handed it to us, enthusiastically saying, “Try, try!” So, of course, we did. It was quite tough to chew and I was honestly a little grossed out, but the gesture was incredibly kind!

Further along, we stumbled upon a lychee stand and couldn’t resist stopping again. When we asked how much, the vendor offered a generous portion for just a dollar. Since we didn’t have much further to walk and technically couldn’t bring fresh fruit back on board, we offered her a dollar for half the amount. But she insisted, saying “No, no!” and filled the bag up even more! She then excitedly asked to take photos with us!

I swear, the people here were some of the friendliest we’ve ever met while traveling. We were all so giddy after our experiences with the locals here, it was such a good feeling! Back on the ship, we heard mixed reviews, many other passengers didn’t enjoy Currimao. To be fair, the town itself wasn’t particularly remarkable, but the interactions we had made it so worthwhile. Of course, not everyone would have the same experience. My family is naturally outgoing and loves chatting with locals, which probably helped us connect with people. Despite the rough start to the day, it turned out to be such a fun and memorable stop. Now, onto the next city: Manila!

Day 5 of 14:

Waking up in the bustling capital of the Philippines, Manila, we had no set plans for the day. As usual, my family turned to Get Your Guide (our favorite tour website) that morning and found a food tour for later in the afternoon. With a few hours to spare before then, we decided to check out the Mall of Asia.

Despite Manila being a massive city (completely different from the small town of Currimao with close to no one on the roads) we were told to take tuk-tuks to get there. So, once again, we found ourselves squeezed into these tiny motorbike buggies, weaving through chaotic city traffic. Normal traffic rules seemed nonexistent, and at times, we were on the wrong side of the road with oncoming cars heading straight for us! It was definitely a wild experience, but somehow, we made it in one piece.

I’m not sure what everyone else expected from the Mall of Asia, but I was hoping for some cool attractions like rides or roller coasters similar to the Mall of America. But aside from the ice rink, it was pretty much just a regular mall with standard shops. We didn’t stay too long before grabbing a taxi to the meeting point for our food tour.

Wow, it took forever to get there! We had heard that the traffic in Manila was comparable to India, and we finally understood what that meant when we reached the other side of the city. This area was much more rundown but also far more lively, with street stands lining both sides of the road, and people weaving in and out of cars and scooters. It felt like we were the only actual car on this road, which made sense given how much traffic was at a standstill. Navigating through the chaos with a taxi wasn’t really possible—scooters, tuk-tuks, and walking was definitely the way to go.

Thankfully, we left the Mall of Asia early, or we would have been late to our food tour. The slow pace of the drive (well, more like inching forward) started to make us nervous. We were in an area of town that felt far removed from the tourist zones, and we stuck out with our nicer clothes. My dad, the only male in our group, was in a separate taxi, and we couldn’t help but feel uneasy about getting out of the car.

Realizing that the traffic wasn’t moving, we decided to get out early and make our way to the meeting point on foot. We speed walked for about ten minutes through crowded stands and market stalls, definitely catching a lot of stares. Blond hair really stands out in this country, and boy was it uncomfortable. When we finally reached the meetup spot, we were relieved to see our guide waiting for us. After gathering everyone, including my dad, we set off for the first stop. We hopped into a tuk-tuk and headed to a smaller mall, where we grabbed fresh juices, steamed buns, and dumplings. We were hungry, and everything was incredibly tasty! With some food in our stomachs and our nerves settled, we were ready to continue the tour.

Our guide led us through the bustling streets, and before long, we found ourselves in narrow alleyways that felt worlds apart from the main roads. If we had felt out of place before, this was an entirely different level of unfamiliarity. The area was much more run down, and as we walked, our guide shared with us the realities of life for the locals. How they live, the costs of basic necessities, and how the majority of people in this area get by day-to-day. It wasn’t meant to make us feel uncomfortable, but rather to offer an honest view of the daily struggles that many people face.

As we continued, we came across a small food stand outside one of the houses. They were grilling up pork skewers. The flavors were incredible, and it was so tasty. The woman selling them asked if we’d mind taking a few pictures with her, she was super excited when we agreed! Her son, taking the photo, was just shaking his head so amused at her antics!

Further down the alley, we stumbled upon a “computer shop” or rather, a small street corner with computer setups where a man was playing video games. It was cool to see as he played right there on the sidewalk, sitting on a tiny stool. We noticed that these little computer “shops” were everywhere, as we saw a couple more as we continued. People were watching movies on some more screens at the next one.

Making our way back to the main road, we encountered a group of children playing nearby. Their smiles were infectious, and we couldn’t help but greet and get photos with them as we continued out of the alleys.

After taking the metro, we arrived at a spot where we enjoyed some delicious custard pastries. They reminded me of the ones you’d find in Portugal, yum! Our next food stop was so tasty: Fried Siopao, steamed buns filled with pork. This was by far the best dish of the day, and I’d love to learn how to make them myself!

We then took a quick stroll through Chinatown, before hopping onto one of Manila’s famous public buses which are called jeepneys. These buses are quite unique, they are so low that you have to duck both getting in and during the ride, while having a completely open back. Once belonging to the American troops during their occupation, they definitely stand out for their quirky design!

After getting off, we arrived at the Spanish San Agustin Church. We spent some time exploring the area, admiring the architecture, and did a bit of shopping at the adjacent Spanish market. This area was a nice mix of culture, food, and local life.

After a long and eventful day, we made our way back to the cruise terminal. Wandering through the streets, we took a few wrong turns and once again found ourselves in areas where tourists typically wouldn’t go—except this time, we didn’t have a local guide with us. The stares and murmurs from the locals were hard to ignore, and a kind family eventually approached us, advising us to avoid those streets and pointing us in the right direction. By that point, my nerves were shot, and I was beyond relieved when we finally made it back to the ship. Incredible food, but definitely a few nerve inducing experiences along the way!

That said, I would still 100% recommend this tour—it’s not every day you get such a raw, unfiltered view of a place, not to mention delicious food as well. Just be prepared for a little chaos, a lot of staring, and maybe the occasional wrong turn into the unknown. Keeps things exciting, right?

Day 6 of 14:

The next morning, we arrived in Coron, eager for a day out on the water. Despite spending the entire trip on a cruise ship, nothing beats a sunny day on a small catamaran! The warm temperature in the Philippines was nice in comparison to the rainy weather in Taiwan, making it the perfect setting for a boat day. Originally, we had booked a private boat through a website, but unfortunately, it was canceled last minute for some unknown reason, and now we had to find something else to do.

Stepping off the ship, we were welcomed by locals in vibrant dragon costumes, adding a fun greeting to our arrival. Just ahead, a crowd of eager boat operators approached us, all offering island tours. The scene was a bit chaotic as we tried to negotiate prices, confirm which islands they’d actually take us to, and figure out the logistics. Eventually, we settled on a tour that seemed reasonable and joined another family from the cruise.

Before setting off, we hopped into tuk-tuks and made a quick stop at a local market to grab food and drinks for the day. Unfortunately, the food selection was mostly warm fruits and vegetables, definitely not the substance we were hoping for, but at least there was no shortage of drinks! Once on the boat, we set off toward the first destination, enjoying the warm air and refreshing breeze.

What they failed to mention, however, was that at every stop, we had to pay an extra fee per person just to get in the water. Strangely enough, other people we talked to later in the evening didn’t have to pay anything, so there’s a good chance we got scammed. Oh well—just another thing to be cognizant of when traveling.

Arriving at our first stop felt like stepping into a postcard! The water in the cove was a mesmerizing shade of blue, this including the sky as well, and dramatic rocky mountainsides jutted out of the sea, covered in green foliage. It was the kind of place that looked too perfect to be real. This breathtaking island, Palawan, was had our first couple destinations and we started at Kayangan Lake.

After paying our “step-off” fee, we hiked up a mountain trail leading to a famous viewpoint overlooking the cove we had just sailed into. If you’ve ever Googled “Coron,” this is the view that pops up, and every bit as stunning in real life. However, what Google doesn’t show is the long line of people waiting to take the same iconic photo. So if you’re expecting a secluded paradise, think again. (Still absolutely worth it!)

Once we got our pictures, we continued over the mountain, descending a set of steps on the other side. This led us to a lagoon-like area with crystal clear waters. The water was warm yet refreshing, and I could have happily stayed there all day. But with more places to explore, we had to move on—reluctantly, of course!

Once again setting sail, we started on some snacks and mixed some drinks. We were quick to arrive at the next destination and were once again not disappointed. This time, the boat anchored outside the awaiting cove of which we had to swim into to access. Known as the twin lagoons, two bodies of water are separated by a small walk.

Starting our swim into the first, it was shallow enough to walk. Big mistake! Taking some steps, we were quickly made aware that we were not welcome. Little fish starting nipping at our legs letting us know their homes lay below. Although not anything bad, it did sting! Safe to say that we did not put our feet back on the ground for the remainder of the swim.

Rounding the corner it was absolutely breathtaking. A large open area of warm water and lush greenery surrounding us. We didn’t make it very far, however, and turned around before making it to the second lagoon.

Back at the boat, the few of us who had gotten bitten had small little bite marks! Heading to the next destination, we compared them while making some more drinks. That’s when we noticed something tragic—the rum was disappearing way faster than expected. And so, for the rest of the day, an ongoing joke started: “Where’d the rum go?”

The next destination was a small beach with hardly anyone, outside of the many stray dogs. Not being as pretty in comparison to the previous stops, we didn’t stay long.

Our last stop was a snorkeling location. I love snorkeling and the coral and sea life here was way better than expected! Lots of fish and vibrant colors to see. We saw some sea slugs, pufferfish, sea urchins and many more little fish. I love seeing sea urchins, but I’m always scared that while I’m adjusting my goggles I’ll step on one. I could have stayed there so long, but after being told many times, it was time to go. The strong salty taste and soreness in your mouth is always a bummer after, but nonetheless totally worth it!

We made it back at the perfect time and boarded the cruise. Overall this was amazing. If I was to come back to the Philippines, this would probably be the place I’d return to. The beauty was just unreal!

Day 7 of 14:

After cruising another night, we woke up on this morning in Borakay. Greeting us upon arrival, was a student band playing music. They were actually pretty good! This island is mainly known for one thing, their White Sand beach in Balabag. To get to the beach, their is a public bus system, costing only $5 per person for an all day ticket—definitely the way to go.

Excited for a lazy day in the sand, we got some juices, then layed out to soak up the sun. The water was warm and the weather was perfect. Enjoying our lazy day we headed up the beach where a massage place awaited us. At 15$ an hour for a massage, we had to do it! Probably the best part about traveling to these beach countries, are these inexpensive but amazing massages! For lunch we got some chicken and beef tacos at Shakaloco. Friendly staff and super tasty, just what we needed to hit the spot on such a beach day. Hours of reading and collecting shells made the day go by so fast. Overall, Boracay was a great beach destination, and while some people love them, a beach is a beach. Good for a day in my opinion but truthfully, there are definitely better ones out there that are less crowded.

Day 8 of 14: 

Our last day in the Philippines was spent in Puerto Princesa—or at least that’s where we docked. In reality, we spent most of the day in a car on our way to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in Palawan. Nestled within the Saint Paul Mountains, it is the longest navigable underground river in the world and was named one of the 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011. The drive took about an hour and a half, but the mountain views along the way made it more enjoyable.

Upon arrival, we had to take a spider like boat to reach the river’s access point. Our guide suggested we eat lunch first while she supposedly waited in line for us. After a disappointing buffet, we realized there was actually no line at all and we were just being made to wait until all the cruise booked tours went first. Frustrating, considering we had arrived earlier than most of them. A couple hours later, we told our guide we wanted to head back, worried we’d run out of time. Unlike cruise booked excursions, the ship could leave without us since we had booked privately. But she kept reassuring us we had enough time, so we reluctantly stayed.

Finally, we boarded the spider boats and cruised over choppy waters to a different part of the island. Once on shore, we raced through the trees, only to—surprise, surprise—end up in yet another line. This time, it was to board the boat that would take us through the caves. While waiting, we took pictures of some monkeys roaming the path, which was honestly one of the highlights of the day.

When we were finally handed headsets and boarded the boat, we noticed just how long the tour was going to be—a full 40 minute audio guide. At that moment, all of us had the same thought: We’re not making the cruise now.

Going through the caves themselves was definitely cool don’t get me wrong, but it’s nothing we hadn’t seen before. Stalagmites and Stalactites having been formed from thousands of years of water dripping and rock formations carved out from the water. It’s always really interesting to see, but being under so much pressure really dulled the experience. Plus the audio just went on and on. 

Getting off, it was go time. We were on a mission and sprinted out of there to get back to our assigned spider boat. The problem? The waves had gotten nasty, and our boat was struggling to reach the shore. At times, it looked like it might actually tip—and we still had to get on it. That was freaky!

The ride back was just as chaotic. The waves had only grown bigger, and let’s just say a few of us got completely soaked. Once back on land, we piled into the car, and our driver took his job very seriously, speeding like a bat out of hell. Unfortunately, once we hit the main town of Puerto Princesa, we ran into traffic. Luckily, our driver knew some backroads, and we made it back to the cruise terminal in time.

We technically arrived right as they should have been shutting the doors. But since about 40 other people were still missing, they held it open for another 10–15 minutes. How stressful! Getting up to the main deck we found that there were a ton of people just lined up along the balcony watching all of the last minute people racing to get back on board like it was a movie. Now that we were safe onboard, the situation was actually pretty funny. We ended up joining in to watch—all that was missing was some popcorn!

My question is, why would a cruise ship even schedule or allow this tour if it’s always such a time crunch? If they’re going to keep offering it, they should at least allocate more time at this stop. Our guide mentioned that this rushed experience happens daily, which honestly makes no sense. Spending hours driving just to be stressed and barely experience anything? Definitely not worth it if you ask me!

The Philippines were warm, sunny, and full of incredibly friendly people. From the bustling city of Manila to the beautiful beaches, it was an experience to remember. However, one major downside was the overwhelming amount of trash both in the ocean and throughout the country. While efforts are being made to reduce it, the amount was still shocking. Five days felt like the perfect amount of time to explore and get a feel for the country, and while I enjoyed it, I don’t feel a strong need to return. Now, onto the next adventure: Malaysia!

Highlights:

• Food tour in Manila
• Kayangan Lake on Palawan Island
• Boracay Beach and the massages!