Life is here!

"Life is here" is the most fitting phrase when you set foot on the islands and coastal regions of the Philippines.

Naked Island in Siagro

In the Philippines, each island holds its own unique charm, but they all share one thing in common: they are paradises for revelry and immersion in stunning natural beauty. I still remember Siagrao, tiny like a teardrop in the Pacific Ocean, among the country's more than 7,000 islands and one of over 2,000 inhabited islands in a nation of nearly 119 million people. I will never forget waking up in a bungalow in the middle of the sea, the waves lapping against the pillars, and me, unable to resist the allure of the blue ocean, jumping in for a refreshing swim. Of course, the surfing lessons at Cloud 9, one of the world's most beautiful surfing resorts, will also remain vividly in my memory. And I also remember the durians in Davao, surprisingly delicious and cheap, around 50 pesos/kg (about 1 USD – 25,000 VND)… So, if you go to the Philippines, you will have many things to cherish about this land, just like me!

Many options in this island paradise.

It's rare to find a place where you can see the crystal-clear blue sea everywhere you go, from Cebu, Boracay, and El Nido to the capital Manila with its romantic sunset bays. And it's difficult to find words to fully describe the beauty and wonder of the diverse attractions in these coastal regions. For example, Davao – the southernmost island of the Philippines, is also one of the world's largest cities. Despite being located in a hot tropical region, the climate here is cool year-round. In the heart of Davao lies Mount Apo, 3,412 meters high – the highest mountain in the Philippines, home to the world's largest eagles with wingspans exceeding 2 meters, soaring alongside a crocodile park. Another interesting stop in Davao is the chocolate museum for cocoa lovers. The locals often say, "Life is here," and it truly is true if you ever visit.

The Philippines is considered a paradise for water sports.

The Philippines has everything a tourist could want to experience. Its beaches are consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful, boasting abundant sunshine, smooth white sand, lush green coconut groves, and impeccable service, all thanks to the friendly and environmentally conscious locals. It's a paradise for those who love sunbathing or adventurous activities like surfing, fishing, and scuba diving. Whether you want trekking, mountain climbing, cycling, windsurfing, kayaking, or archery, you can find it all in the mountains (even dormant volcanoes), primeval forests, lakes, and waterfalls. Thousands of resorts and homestays offer stunning scenery, blending seamlessly with nature at affordable prices, making them ideal places to escape the hustle and bustle and find a quiet corner for yourself.

My diary

The Philippines has given me so many experiences. I still vividly remember the feeling of riding on Jeepneys, cruising through the streets of Manila, stopping at churches, or enjoying the vibrant traditional Spanish dances of yesteryear. Occasionally, I still reminisce about the moment I immersed myself in the "tear in the ocean"—a lake on the coast known as Magpupungko Tidal Pool. It's like seawater trapped at low tide, creating a natural pool hundreds of meters long with cliffs and countless small crevices, like a large hot tub, where turquoise seawater flows in for clownfish to swim freely. Magpupungko is like an infinity pool and surprisingly clean. Visitors are not allowed to bring food, plastic bottles, or smoke on the island. There isn't a single piece of trash here; instead, there are rows of seaweed that I can easily see with every step. With my face submerged in the lake, I was truly thrilled to watch the clownfish swimming around. I finally understood what it meant to "be one with nature."

Davao is known as one of the world's largest banana producing regions.

I spent an entire day pampering myself by watching the sunrise and practicing surfing, ending with the sunset painting Cloud 9 golden. The next day was a series of island hopping adventures as my friends and I traveled on unique three-wheeled boats through numerous islands and bays. The seawalker was like a real stroll on the seabed, where you could reach out and "catch" schools of colorful fish. The coral reefs were stunning, and the sunlight reflecting off the sea was mesmerizing. We also visited Hijo – an organic farm spanning nearly 1,000 hectares, formerly a banana plantation exporting to Japan since 1969. In 2012, Hijo became an eco-tourism area, preserving the entire natural landscape combined with organic agricultural production. It specializes in banana and coconut cultivation and offers many river and primeval forest tours. This is considered the first eco-agritourism destination in the Philippines. Organic banana farms, stretching for tens of kilometers and right up to the coast, have earned it the nickname "Fruit Capital of Asia."

In the charming little homestay nestled under the coconut trees, the warm candlelight mingled with the gentle aroma of essential oils emanating from the corner of the room. Outside, a few crickets chirped softly. I flipped through my notebook, jotting down a few fleeting thoughts… Cebu, Coron, El Nido, Davao, Siagrao, Palawan, Manila… a touch of nostalgia… Philippines!

See more articles in the same category:

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• Untouched paradise island of Tasmania
• Love at first sight

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/cuoc-life-is-day/