Philippines

A Beautiful Challenge Worth the Adventure

This one’s hard for me to write. You see, before planning my trip to the Philippines, I’d just completed my first solo journey—a two-month adventure in Portugal, and I loved every moment of it. Feeling ready for something grander, I decided to skip the usual Southeast Asia route and plan a 55-day trip to the Philippines, a country known for its lengthy travel days, expensive transportation, and frequent power outages on remote islands.

But here’s where my story takes a turn. Despite being well-prepared—I saved for months, meticulously planned every detail, and even got an extended visa from the embassy—the trip didn't feel right from the start. After a long journey to Manila, I arrived feeling… off. “It’s just travel fatigue,” I told myself. But even when I reached my first real stop, the excitement never kicked in.

And then everything that could go wrong, did. My phone stopped working—twice. All three of my bank cards failed, leaving me without access to cash in a country where card payments are rare. A scuba diving school canceled on me, and I had a minor motorcycle accident. Oh, and did I mention the ear infection?

After weeks of forcing myself to enjoy the trip, I made a decision I never thought I’d make: I went home early. And honestly, it was the best choice I could have made at the time.

But here’s the thing—despite my experience, I wholeheartedly recommend the Philippines to everyone! This country is truly incredible, filled with stunning natural beauty, warm and welcoming people, and adventures you won’t find anywhere else. Sure, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those willing to embrace the challenges, the rewards are unmatched. In fact, most travelers I’ve met have had amazing experiences there, and I know it can be the same for you!