Ashmita's Philippines Adventure with Thrillophilia
Our trip planning for the Philippines began with a rather amusing debate over brunch. We were at our favorite Italian restaurant, enjoying cheesy pasta and pizza, when I casually suggested, “What if we ditched the cold winter here and went somewhere tropical, like the Philippines?” To my surprise, she put down her fork, and said, “You know, that doesn't sound like a bad idea!”
We spent the next few hours discussing travel destinations. “How about we flip a coin for it?” I suggested. “Heads, we go to the Philippines; tails, we stay here and order another batch of pasta.”
She laughed and said, “You have a deal!” With a coin flip that landed on heads, our destination locked in. For the next few days, we took the help of Thrillophilia to plan and book the perfect itinerary for us and I must say that they did their job pretty well in delivering the best experience to us!
Exploring the Hidden Treasures
Our first day kicked off with a leisurely exploration of local markets in Manila. We kept our first day of the trip for leisure, thinking we'd need some time to shake off the exhaustion of the flight. To our delight, the pull from the local markets was irresistible and drew us outdoors as soon as we checked into our hotel.
The vibrant stalls showcased a variety of colorful goods, from fresh tropical fruits to handmade crafts. Ashmita's eyes sparkled with joy as she browsed the stalls, trying to find the perfect souvenir.
After an evening filled with shopping and delicious street food - who knew I’d fall in love with Filipino street corn? The following day, we headed to Tagaytay for our first sightseeing tour. We began the tour with a visit to Taal Lake, a stunning lake located in a huge volcanic crater. We stood in awe, clicking pictures to capture the sight.
"It's incredible how such a beautiful lake is housed within a volcano crater," she remarked.
Next, we visited the Gingerbread House, a spot that felt right out of a storybook. The sweet aroma of baked goods in the air made it impossible to resist trying some of the food items. We decided to share a slice of the famous gingerbread cake - it instantly became my favorite finding in the Philippines.
Later, we visited Sonya's Garden, which teemed with flowers and greenery. Hand in hand, we took in the peaceful ambiance of the garden. The highlight of our time in the garden was the delicious organic meal served in the garden, which was blooming with fresh flavors.
We wrapped up our day at Mahogany Market, where we browsed through a variety of local products and picked up many souvenirs. The lively ambiance, filled with both tourists and locals, added to the experience. Watching Ashmita haggle for a couple of wooden carvings was a sight to remember, I laughed, knowing this trip would be one to remember.
A Day in Paradise
Our next destination was Puerto Princesa, where we began our exploration at Honda Bay. Full of anticipation for the underwater beauty that awaited us, we boarded a small boat that took us to our first stop, Luli Island. The scenery at the island was stunning - vibrant corals and crystal-clear waters seemed like the perfect backdrop for a day of sightseeing.
We also tried snorkeling, which proved to be an amazing experience. Ashmita loved exploring the underwater gardens that were alive with vibrant fish and corals.
"It feels as if I'm in a scene from the movie Finding Nemo," she said.
After exploring Luli Island, we moved on to Cowrie Island, where we enjoyed basking in the sun and enjoying fresh coconuts - typically tropical. It was the best place to unwind, and I couldn’t help but feel lucky that the coin landed on 'heads' the other day. We later also tried our hand at jet skiing, which turned out to be both comical and exhilarating. I sped across the water, only to find myself accidentally circling back to her, splashing water all around.
The thrill of the day left us exhausted but delighted. On our way back to the hotel that evening, we recounted the incredible sights we’d seen and shared laughter over the day’s events.
Twinkling Lights and a Coin Toss
It was then time for a tour that we were the most excited about - the Firefly Watching Tour in Iwahig River. We hopped into a paddle boat for a peaceful tour along the river. As we glided along the calm waters under the soft glow of twilight, we admired the lush green landscapes all around.
After a while, when darkness enveloped us, fireflies began to twinkle, illuminating the area like stars. It was one of the most magical sights that we'd ever witnessed, and it took our breath away. We sat in silence, each of us taking in the magic of the experience. The fireflies, like little sparks of light, seemed as if they were mirroring the joy that we felt inside. As we made our way back to the hotel, we couldn’t stop talking about how surreal the whole experience had been. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day in the Philippines.
As we prepared for departure the next day, a coin fell out of my pocket.
"Is it just me or do you also think that it’s time for another toss?" Ashmita asked, smiling.
"Heads for Dubai...tails for Switzerland!" I replied.
Read More: Thrillophilia Philippines Reviews