#siargao

[joshleyson]

THIS IS: SIARGAO ✨

December film dump 🎞️

Growing up in Mindanao for almost 2 decades and never actually being able to traverse the picturesque landscapes in the eastern part of the island is something that I know I have to break before the year ends. So I did.

I flew from Manila to Cebu so early in the morning to catch a connecting flight to Siargao by noon. Traveling to Siargao was a lot of firsts for me. Not having to go to every detail but when the plane was about to take off to Siargao, we were all offloaded due to the bad weather on the island. Fortunately, instead of having to fly back to Manila, the airline was kind enough to take me to a nearby hotel in Cebu, all expenses paid including food, transportation, and next-day ticket. It was an unexpected staycation which surprisingly I enjoyed.

Coming from a very tiring day at work and then going to the airport, I felt like I really needed this quiet time, and I was able to check in to this lavish hotel all by myself while waiting for my flight the next day. Also, I had a great night as well in Cebu catching up with one of my long-time friends and her beaux. I went back to my hotel around 3 in the morning because there’s just so many things to catch up and I really missed my homie so much. Keyword: low-maintenance friendships.

So the day finally came, and I was able to land safely on the island of Siargao. Right off the bat on my first night, I had a lovely dinner with my travel friends slash buddies at work and we went to a bar, and danced the night away which to me serves as a prelude to the great experience this vibrant community had in stored for me as a Mindanaoan that have never set foot beyond the confines of Zamboanga and western Mindanao.

We spent our days being on the road which to me was such a release. Being able to smell the fresh ocean breeze while blasting our favorite Y2K songs in the car and relying on Waze or Google Maps for our next destination, to me, makes the trip so much fun because of the spontaneity and unpredictability that it brings. We went island hopping, danced in the boat, swam on open waters, ate our hearts out, moved from one accommodation to another, and I tried surfing for the first time! I never thought I would enjoy the experience because it was raining lightly at that time and the waves were so big it could easily engulf me, but man, best day ever!!!! I fell on the surfing board and slammed my body on the rushing waves several times but being able to stand on the surfboard for the first time was such a liberating experience. A little bit of a stretch, but it was and I will try it again once I go back to Siargao.

☾

I flew back to Cebu and then to Manila to catch one of my friend’s wedding and luckily I made it with no delay. Looking at the pictures that I got to develop from a Fuji film camera that I brought with me on the island, I am reminded again of the incredible healing power of what it’s like to try new things, be with nature, and just breathe. Knowing that the year is about to end in a couple of weeks, I felt so blessed to have that opportunity to break the complicated rhythm of corporate life and to disconnect for a moment. 

After 3 weeks, I get to fly back to Boracay to celebrate New Year’s Eve. So many epic moments that I am also grateful for which I may save for the future but nevertheless, my last month of 2023 was such a banger and I hope it always feels that way.

By the way, I’m writing all these on my iPhone because I’m too tired to get up and open my MacBook, so I appreciate you for hanging with me this far. So that’s it for 2023!

Simply put, I just want to say Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones, and may 2024 be as effervescent as your hopes and dreams for the future.

J.

(December, 2023)

(Photos were shot using Fujifilm Simpleace 35 mm camera + iPhone 15 Pro Max)

FOLLOW ME: Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: joshleyson

(Music by Grammy nominee, Victoria Monét. All rights belong to her and her publishers. For personal and non-commercial use only. Stream her great catalogue on Spotify and Apple Music.)

#photography #travels #travel #philippines #wanderlust #film #analog #polaroid #music #summer #Siargao #Siargao Island #Reels #BiyahePH #tiktok #fyp #35 mm #taylor swift #victoria monet #beach #surfing

[tigre-edi-rawr]

i am still uncertain what to post from our siargao trip but here’s the clap challenge of me and brother

why need a boyfriend when i can do this with my bro, huh?

#life #2024 #siargao

[travelbinge]

By Marcinmalicki

Siargao Island, Philippines

#curators on tumblr #landscape #nature #travel #philippines #asia #southeast asia #siargao island #siargao #marcinmalicki

[szanella]

#sebastien zanella #siargao

[rufiozuko]

#Siargao Surf Team! On the island & you know we had to get a session in! Such a great time with these guys! (at Siargao Island, Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmyMq8HurvF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#siargao

[artisticdamsel]

#siargao #siargaoisland #philippines #vacation #photos

[yesterdaymemories]

It's time to wrap up my Siargao trip posts. I realise these entries are lengthy and may seem somewhat uninteresting, but I really like to record mostly what happened that day before the tiny details fade away. The brain is a fickle thing, y’know. That's why I like to jot down everything here on my blog, thus the URL — thememoriesarchive. Anyway, I'm looking forward to revisiting this blog in the coming years to read these adventures; I just hope Tumblr sticks around.

Day 7 - May 3, Wednesday

It was time to buy pasalubongs! At 8 am, we grabbed breakfast at one of the carinderias near the local market, then we went to buy dried seafood and local vinegar. Unfortunately, the vinegar was not allowed inside the aircraft, so it was such a waste. We also went back to White Beard Coffee to grab our coffees—this place was always packed! Anyway, we booked a massage appointment at Siargao Island Villas resort. It was soooo so good. Asis mostly enjoyed it; I even heard him snoring! Lol

As soon as we finished, we headed to CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack, which was what I had really been looking forward to that day. If ever I return to Siargao again, this place would be at the top of my list. And that’s about it – we explored around, making the most of our remaining time and our scooter rental.

That day was also a celebration of our 8th-year anniversary. Although initially planned for the actual date, yesterday (May 2), we decided to celebrate it on the second-to-last day of our stay on the island instead.

Day 8 - May 4, Thursday (The last day)

On our last day, we went back to the Lokal hub to grab breakfast and, again, to White Beard Coffee to get some fuel for the day. We returned to our place to pack our bags, making sure we didn’t leave anything behind. Around quarter to 1 pm, we were already at the airport, waiting for our flight. Maaaaan, I was really hoping to see President Nadine around Siargao, and I was losing hope. But lo and behold, she was on the same flight to Manila, and even Andi Eigenmann’s daughter, Ellie, was in the same flight and the same row as us. It was unexpected. I wanted to have a photo with Nadz, but nope, I didn’t want to bother her and invade her privacy. So, yuuup, we arrived home around 6 pm, totally exhausted from our trip back. It was so not nice to be back in the urban jungle.

To wrap up this Siargao trip, we really did have a great time. To be honest, though, we didn’t want to think about our expenses during our 8-day stay because everything there was overly expensive, and we thought it was not reasonable. If you were to ask us if we would like to return, of course, we would answer yes! Because the island is just beautiful, and we really haven’t explored it all—Taktak Falls, Alegria Beach, Corregidor Island, Bucas Grande. But if we consider the expenses, we would say no, not in the next 5 -10 years. It was enough for us that we had the opportunity to visit the island. So yea, I’m finally done with the Siargao trip posts. It was such an adventure. I can’t wait to visit more of the Philippines. Until next time!

#travel #siargao #lokal

[sunny-kimmy]

Siargao, you are such a beauty!! I'll be back for you, wait for me :-)

#siargao #travel

[elinerlina2]

Siargao Island, Philippines 🌴

#siargao #island #philippines #travel photography #amazing nature #nature #travel #travel destinations #beautiful asian nature #beautiful nature

[semsentidoap04]

Sugba Lagoon, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. 2024

#siargao #siargao island #beach #personal #photography #ocean #summer #philippines #photoset #drone #drone photography #goprophotography

[jaschadventures]

📍 Pacifico, Siargao

Shot on Fujifilm QuickSnap FLASH Superia X-TRA 400

#Siargao #Philippines

[wittykahitcorny]

Missing this travel squad.

#Siargao

[tigre-edi-rawr]

day 1 at siargao: drone shot after surfing for 1 hour

it was my first time surfing 🏄

i am astonished to enjoy it and my Siargao trip would not have been completed without surfing in the surf capital of the philippines!!!! 🇵🇭

#life #2024 #siargao #surf

[kristaabesamis]

solarpoweredblonde.com

#philippine travel #siargao #krista abesamis

[simplyydreamer]

#siargao #philippines #mine

[badjsarchive]

I don't have much pictures for these places so please bear with the quality of the GIFs :((

These clips do not justify how magical these places are. We just spent a few hours in each of them, and I hope we can go back and allot more time to enjoy these beautiful tourist spots. Since we're a little tired already, we just strolled and swam here. We watched the sunset together and talked about life and where we will be going on our next adventures.

If you find these places amazing, they are:

Magpupungko Rock Formation

Maasin River

Secret Beach

I guarantee you'll also love it here! 🤍

#siargao #2022 #travel #travels #travel blog #travel post #magpupungko rock formation #maasin river #secret beach #philippines