In Manila, I met a friend from Canada, and we flew to Siargao Island for a week in what’s become one of the Philippines’ most popular beach destinations. Beyond excited!

On an island hopping trip that included stops at Daku and Guyam Island, we had a lunch on the beach - really can’t beat these set-ups.

From the hostel, we rented a motorbike and followed the roads out of General Luna to the next town. We decided to visit a beach marked on Google Maps. The tides moved quick! My favourite kinds of adventures. We stopped at a fruit stand and I bought an entire marang, a seasonal fruit endemic to Mindanao, which I had once on a visit to Davao. Later, we had dinner at one of the island’s best restaurants. Definition of a perfect day.

I see why people come here, and increasingly, choose to stay.