Life is not always easy. Actually, sometimes life can be just downright unfair at the best of times. Imagine yourself just North of the Equator on a small island in the Philippines called Siargao. You’re lying in bed staring out the window at 2-3ft perfect waves that break over a flat reef and you think to yourself. This is too much. Well, that’s me. There is just too much goodness here. What on earth have an agreed to do by running this Ticket To Ride trip in paradise? If you hate great food, tropical weather, palm tree’s, crystal clean bath-like seawater and meeting awesome people, then whatever you do, stay staring at your laptop in the office during your lunch break and DO NOT come to the Philippines.
Below are a few reasons why you should NOT come to this tropical heaven…
The Food
There is just too much of it. Around every corner, in every nook and cranny some small deli, Warung or local market is selling only the freshest of seafood, chicken, beef, veg or coconuts. Why on earth would anyone want to have great food on demand? Makes zero sense to me.
Not knowing what day it is
This is a problemo, when you have an island population of 110000 and no one seems to know what day it is. Life slows down to island time. The minute hand on my watch basically stops and I swear the hour hand is starting to go backwards. This becomes a massive issue when spending an hour or two in a hammock reading your favorite book, or even having a snooze. Because when you climb out of it you’re either feeling extremely well rested or completely confused considering the fact you don’t have a clue whether or not you’ve slept there all night or 25 minutes.
Walking distance from the beach
I know! Who likes walking? Having to get up and use my feet and legs to walk 10 meters to the water’s edge is horrible. Why can’t life just be so much easier? Like hopping in a car, driving for 30-45 minutes to get to the surf spot to find out it’s either not working or too crowded to surf. Not only is it added exercise, walking under a canopy of palm tree leaves and (As the sun goes down) watching fireflies putting on a choreographed show for you. I couldn’t think of anything worse.
The view from Harana Surf Resort room
Crystal clear water
A small task; walk to your kitchen, grab a glass, fill it with tap water. I am willing to put down £100 that the ocean here is cleaner than that water. Ok, one more task, pour that glass of water out. Now switch on your hot tap. Wait a few seconds. Now fill that same glass with that warm water. Now I’m willing to put down another £100 that the ocean temperature is as warm as the water you are holding. The combo of crystal clean water and warmth is enough to chase anyone away.
Too much of a good thing
If you haven’t noticed, everything up till now has been a joke. I have travelled the globe near and far and I have yet to find a place like The Philippines. From food to ocean and back again it’s overwhelming. The locals are kind-hearted, the coconuts are always fresh, your skin is sun-kissed and the waves just don’t stop coming. I believe life is always one big adventure. One after the next. Keep them coming! This is the sole reason why I have already booked and paid for my next trip around the world. And that’s back to the Philippines, Siargao. I could not get enough of the place.
It’s, of course, easy for me to type up all the positives about the trip. How about hearing it from the riders…
“Siargao 2017 – this was hands down one of the best trips I’ve been on. The surf was super fun, varied with a number of breaks” – Deepa Shah
“Siargao was beautiful, everyone was really friendly and there were lots of places to go out.”- Hannah Spencer
“Siargao was my fourth trip with Ticket To Ride and it absolutely blew expectations out of the water. Incredible surf instructing, the loveliest locals on earth and trip leader organisation like no other. Everyday offered a new experience. Already planning my trip for next year!” –Johnny Perryman Colbert