Falling Back in Love With Southeast Asia
In my opinion, you can never go wrong with deciding to travel to Southeast Asia. There is just something about it. You can stay for a relatively cheap price, travel between places affordably, and experience some of the most incredible cultures in the world. It is especially an amazing destination for people in their 20s.
Why I Decided to Visit the Philippines
When I studied abroad in Southeast Asia four years ago, the Philippines honestly was not really on my radar. However, it has become extremely popular recently, so during my annual leave in Australia, I decided to pack my backpack and explore the Philippines for just under two weeks.
As a scuba diver, I was very torn on where to go. I really wanted to dive with thresher sharks, but I had also heard so much hype about the sailing trips through the Palawan islands. Since I did not have a long trip, I decided to fly into Manila and stay closer to that area.
My First Night in Manila
I spent my first night in Manila at NomadsMNL Hostel. It was right by the airport, the beds were comfortable, and the staff was incredibly friendly, exactly what I needed after a long travel day.
NomadsMNL Hostel: https://www.nomadsmnl.com/
Finding the Perfect Hostel in Coron
The next day, I flew to Coron and stayed at Hop Hostel, which was honestly one of the best hostels I have ever stayed in. The beds were extremely comfortable, the rooms were spacious, and the hostel had curtains for privacy, which always makes a difference when backpacking. It also had what I swear was the best sunset view in all of Coron.
Hop Hostel: https://www.hophostel.ph/
Meeting People Through Travel
One of the best parts was how easy it was to meet people and book activities. I arrived at the hostel and within four hours, I was already on a boat tour with people I had just met that day.
Island Hopping Around Coron
The next morning, we did Boat Tour B around the islands, and honestly, I think doing one island-hopping tour was enough for me. I mainly just wanted to be out on the water, and many of the tours visit fairly similar spots. Still, the scenery was unreal.
My Favorite Food Spots in Coron
For food in Coron, my top recommendation is definitely Dayo. I was craving a good iced latte, and they also had amazing acai bowls. There is another location in El Nido as well.
Dayo: https://www.instagram.com/dayoeatery/
I also really enjoyed Om’s Thai and Coffee Kong, although Dayo was definitely my favorite.
Om’s Thai: https://www.facebook.com/omsthaicoron/
Coffee Kong: https://www.instagram.com/coffeekongcoron/
Diving World War II Shipwrecks
The next day, I went scuba diving with Corto Divers to explore World War II wrecks. We did three dives total, including Barracuda Lake, which completely surprised me. I had already visited it during one of my boat tours, but diving it was a completely different experience. The thermocline was wild. The water suddenly became extremely warm deeper down, while other layers stayed cool.
We also explored the Olympia and Morazan wrecks, which I absolutely loved. Swimming through the wrecks while seeing turtles, crabs, and huge schools of fish was one of the highlights of my trip. The entire day lasted until around 5 p.m. and cost about $150 AUD.
Corto Divers: https://cortodivers.com/
Things I Wish I Knew Before Going
One thing I would highly recommend before visiting the Philippines is bringing your own sunscreen. A lot of shops on smaller islands sell fake sunscreen, so it is better to pack your own before arriving.
A few other things I would recommend bringing are sunglasses, a hat, bug spray, breathable clothing, swimsuits, a portable charger, medication just in case, shoes that can get wet, a towel, and a good book.
A lot of travelers also recommend bringing a dry bag. Personally, I do not think it is completely necessary, but many people swear by them.
Leaving Coron for the Next Adventure
After Coron, I continued my trip by doing the famous multi-day sailing expedition from Coron to El Nido, which honestly deserves its own blog post.
Relaxing in El Nido
Once I arrived in El Nido, I stayed at Happiness Hostel and absolutely loved it. It was right on the beach, the beds were comfortable, and the atmosphere was really relaxing.
Happiness Hostel: https://happinesshostel.com/
I did not have much time in El Nido, so I mostly relaxed and had a spa day at Oriental Spa and Salon before my flight the next morning.
Why I Already Want to Go Back
I already know I will be back to the Philippines. Next time, I definitely want to visit Siargao and Cebu.
The Philippines completely exceeded my expectations, and Coron especially became one of those places that reminds you why people fall in love with travel in the first place.