Some friendships start in the most unlikely places, like a noisy hostel bar in Manila, after a long-haul flight and a chaotic taxi ride across the city with surfboards in tow.
That’s where I first met Ang and Mikela back in 2018, on the night before our Ticket to Ride surf trip to the Philippines began. Ang was a criminal lawyer from Wales; Mikela, a flight attendant and chalet manager from Austria. Within minutes, we were sharing stories about travel, surfing, and what had brought us all halfway around the world. With shared anticipation of what the trip would bring, we chatted into the night and I remember thinking how lucky I was to have met such friendly, down-to-earth people straight away.
The next morning, along with the rest of our group, we flew to Siargao, the surf capital of the Philippines, where we met our trip leaders, Chad and Gwil, and settled into our new home at the beautiful Harana Surf Resort.
Boat trips to the waves
Those first weeks were a blur of surf, sunshine, and the kind of easy friendship that travel so often creates. There were ten of us on the trip, all sharing a dorm just a stone’s throw from Tuason Point. Mornings were spent chasing waves, often by boat, and between surf sessions we explored the island, sampled the local food, and shared drinks as the sun went down. Most nights ended at Loose Keys, the island’s go-to spot for live music and dancing.
Lunchtime feast during an island hopping excursion
Looking back, I think that’s why it was so easy to bond. Although we all came from different countries and backgrounds, the shared experiences of the trip created a strong sense of unity and connection. The nerves of surfing new spots, the adrenaline of pushing yourself in bigger waves, and the humility that comes with a wipeout all have a way of bringing people closer together, cementing friendships in a way that rarely happens in everyday life.
Ang and Mikela toasting yet another amazing sunset
As our second week in Siargao drew to a close, Mikela started to dread the idea of leaving. Ang and I had signed up for the full three-week version of the Ticket to Ride trip, which included an extra week in the north of the island, in a quieter area called Pacifico. After a bit of gentle persuasion, Mikela decided to extend and join us. That final week turned out to be the perfect contrast, remote beaches, empty lineups, and long, lazy afternoons where we had the time to really unwind and get to know each other properly. When the trip finally came to an end, we hugged goodbye and promised to keep in touch, the kind of thing everyone says after a great holiday, but few actually do.
Except we did.
In the seven years since that trip, we’ve met up all over the world: I’ve visited Mikela in Méribel during her ski season with Ticket to Ride, Ang and Mikela have both come to see me in Cornwall, and we’ve reunited in Sri Lanka at the Ticket to Ride Surf House. Every time we meet, it’s as if no time has passed.
I’ll always be grateful for what that trip gave me. Ticket to Ride didn’t just improve my surfing, it introduced me to friends who’ve become a permanent part of my life. We’re already plotting our next reunion in 2026, and I’ve got my sights set on the Maldives!
Grateful to have met such awesome people!