Salamat!

This the last post from the Philippines. There’s not many wow stories to report as it’s all been beaches and beers.

Arriving in El Nido we instantly knew we were back on the travellers trail, it was busy but still had a good feel to it. Personally, I was over the moon as they had a small gym in town I could use, the proper spit and sawdust type. The main highlights from our time there was Lio Beach Resort and Pukka Bar, which was the customary reggae joint. That was the venue for a great night out, there was a few faces we’d been hanging out with, Annie was back in the fold and I believe we ended up with 7 of us that evening. The band were good, however when the band’s finished, it turns in to a night club, that was better! So I walked to the bar listening to UB40 and everyone chilling out but came back listening to electronic music and everyone fist pumping on the dance floor. I think I have finally found a business venture for any major western city.

Lio beach was simply stunning, you can grab a free shuttle bus from El Nido every half hour, it leaves from the school field in the centre of town. Being a resort it’s so well kept and a great atmosphere. The pier adds something that most Asian beaches don’t have, it also reminded me of home. Staying late for the sunset is a must here and I hope the pictures do it justice as it’s the best one I’ve seen since I left the UK!

After El Nido we headed to Napcan beach where we stayed at Where 2 Next hostel. This place was a little diamond in the rough compared to most of the Filipino accommodation. Hammocks and Wi-fi where the order of the first few days, we only left to have a dip in the sea and watch the sunsets. The last day was a little different as Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao was defending his world title and the local restaurant had it on! He’s probably the most well known man in the Philippines and it was wicked to share the fight with the locals, even if it was delayed so they could play 7 minutes worth of adverts between rounds. After a few beers and rums we ended up dancing the night away to reggaeton music at the nearby party hostel until the early hours of the morning.

Ryan and I headed out the next evening for a quite one as we were parting ways at the crack of dawn. I was off up to Coron and he back down to Port Barton. It’s been great fun and not once has it been hard work. He may say something different! I’m glad I got to share the experience with him. Annie and all the others I met along the way.

I would give you a bit of information on Coron, the place I headed to next, but unfortunately I was taught if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. One problem I did encounter was completely my fault, I booked my flight for February 24th instead of January and it cost me £55 to get it sorted but for the amount of flights I’ve taken and never had any problems it was probably long overdue, so I can’t complain at my own stupidity.

It’s Cambodia next and I’ve been waiting for this since 2011!

Salamat Pilipinas.

El Nido

Lio Beach

Nacpan Beach

Coron