Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part II
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part II
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part III
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part III
TravelTwins.dk
Exploring the less beaten paths of the world
- look, read, dream, travel!
The central part of
THE VISAYAS
& ISLANDS OFF MINDANAO
Crossing the island heart & the South of the Philippines during the charming rainy season.
The Visayan Islands comprise the central part of the Philippines and consist of thousands of tropical small islands and a handful of larger islands, like Cebu, Bohol, Panay and Negros.
This irresistible archipelago allows for the ultimate island hopping vacation and a fulfillment of the great, intoxicating get-away-from-it-all experience that we, the travelers suffering from islomania, are always hunting.
A journey here is truly a travel to unknown, yet to be explored islands, the horizon full of them, and a never-ending quest for the next island, the next small idyllic seaside township, the next SCUBA dive, the next adventure.
Mindanao is the big island in the very South of the Philippines, and the entry point to the smaller islands of Cameguin and Siargao.
The Visayas & Mindanao will make such a travel experience come true. There’s always another island, another beach, another ferry boat or bangka ride to take, another place to stay.
Location: The islands of Panglao, Bohol, Cebu, Panay, Carabao, Boracay, Guimaras, Negros, Siquijor, Apo, Mindoro, Mindanao, Surigao Archipelago,Guyam, Daku, Bucas Grande, and Cameguin during 3 months
Oohhh, the Philippines… or 'Philip-nesia' as it maybe should have been named...
So many islands, so many dreams of going with rusty ferries or wooden Bangka boats to reach a faraway port. A visit to this great country always involves the difficult choice of selecting where to go.
If one goes to the Philippines and spend a single day on each of its islands, one would have to spend more than 19 years to visit them all. So what did we do then, when only having a few weeks, but wished for an island-adventure and something a bit more special?
We have visited the Mindanao, and the Central and the Western Visayas several times. The island groups are a smorgasbord of different beautiful landscapes and unique cultures, from the chocolate hills and small primates on Bohol Island to the waterfalls and palm-fringed beaches on the ghost-whispering island of Siquijor. Apo island is a small rocky isle with supreme drift dives and a rural atmosphere.
In the Romblon islands, Carabao is an idyllic small beach retreat and may be regarded as the unknown sister of neighboring Boracay, which in turn is the most photographed and overrun island in the whole country - largely thanks to its great beaches (and wild parties!). There's room for many types of vacations in a single journey.
The larger islands of Panay and Negros offer excellent cultural encounters and volcano trekking as well as several offshore islets. The only limitations are time and energy to travel beyond the main tourist circuits - but we recommend trying it out: The archipelago is a gold mine of unique experiences.
Oh, and going here during rainy season is not too bad, we’ve tried all seasons and the benefit of the rainy season is the complete lack of other travelers.
The proces of including Mindanao was lenghty: We did some homework and screened books, magazines, and the internet for more unique landscapes and islands in the Philippine archipelago. Palawan was an obvious choice but we had already been there, but then there was the islands off the coasts of Mindanao. One option in this part of the Philippines was a small cluster of islands named the Siargao Archipelago, known for big waves, small idyllic isles, and a beautiful karst seascape. Another option was the volcanic island of Cameguin with steep green mountains, small fishermen’s towns, black beaches, and many waterfalls.
We ended up visiting both places and were not disappointed. Both places are quite different from the many “traditional” beach resorts around the Central Visayas, Cebu Island, and Boracay. On top of this, the human culture seemed more preserved and both destinations offered both personal and truly authentic experiences.
If you love the Philippines see also and our island pages on the islands of Palawan.
If you are also keen on island hopping in the SEA region see also our island pages on the islands of Thailand & Malaysia, Sulawesi, and Bali & Lombok.
Selected pics from our island hopping adventure:
The Visayan Islands comprise the central part of the Philippines and consist of thousands of tropical small islands and a handful of larger islands such as Panay, Romblon Islands, Boracay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor
We've traveled into the Visayas archipelago several times, from the capital Manila on great Luzon Island or from Malaysia flying into Cebu Island. While traveling overland and on sea from Manila a great stopover, before hitting the Visayas, is the volcanic massif and crater lake known as Taal, which allows for trekking and swimming in higher altitudes.
After a tough flight to Singapore and onwards to Cebu, then ferryboat to Bohol Island and onwards to Panglao Island, we finally arrive at Panglao Island!
Alona was an excellent place to stay for a couple of days to fix the jetlag, rent motorbikes, and snorkel off the beach. We also rented pumpboats off the shore to takes us to nearby island as well as dolphin and whale-watching. The place has that typical SE Asian atmosphere: Bob Marley in the loudspeakers, backpackery beach-bars and lazy white beaches.
...on Bohol Island, where we did several day trips from Panglao Island. Bohol was in general a fascinating island with a lush interior jungle, rice terraces, and a beautiful national park. We did a tour around the island on motorbikes visiting small exotic villages such as Bool, Valencia, Duero, Mabini, Ubay, Trinidad, Jeta Fe, Inabanga, Loon, Maribojoc and Sevilla. The surreal sight of the Chocolate Hills at sunrise was in many ways epic and an odd sight.
...crossing the interior of Bohol Island. This was another great day drip we did from Panglao Island. Along the banks of the mighty Loboc River we saw small huts and boys fishing, while the river created a thundering torrent at Tontonan Waterfalls where we had a dip.
One of the world's smalles primates that roam the jungles of Bohol Island. This one could fit in the palm of a small child.
...above the Loboc River in Bohol Island.
In Bohol we saw several examples of colonial Spanish churches, many of which are made from coral stone.
The Philippines is the only large Catholic nation in SE Asia, and hence traveling here feels a lot like traveling in a latin American country in terms of culture and mindset. It is not like traveling in Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc.
There's good reefs around Panglao and Bohol islands. Sharks are quite abundant and the corals are healthy
Coming from Dumaguete on Negros Island by ferryboat we landed at this pier, walked 200m on shore and 2 minutes later we had scooters for the full stay at Siquijor Island.
Throughout the Philippines this island has a reputation as a bewitched and spooky place with a mountainous interior, homes of traditional healers (mangkukulams) and ghosts. Our experience however was that the entire island was outrageously quiet, friendly and laidback.
Along the road from Lazi village on the Poo river towards Mount Bandila-an we found this small waterfall: the refreshing Gambughay Falls. We had to trek a few kilometers through the jungle, but having the falls entirely for ourselves was magical.
...was one of the more picturesque beaches outside Maria village on the west coast. The snorkeling was okay, and locals were sitting in the bar on the beach singing karaoke top kill the time as the daily monsoon shower was about to start.
The northern coast around Bitaug, Lumangkapan, Talinting, Libo and Bogo boats some of the oldest timber buildings on the island, gazing out to sea. The villages are sleepy, most skirting white sand beaches and fish sancturies which become visible at low tide. The sancturaries boats prime sand-flats, mangrove forests, reefs and beaches.
Fried shrimps just pulled out of the water. The seafood was extraordinary
In south, the island is blessed with remote beaches, natural spring swimming pools, and coral-stone churches. Our favourite spot was Kagusuan beach where crawling over steep cliffs took us down to a string og beautiful, secluded coves.
After crisscrossing Bohol Island and Siquijor Island we crossed back to Cebu Island and across Negros Island and Panay Island using ferryboats and local busses (jeepneys).
...along the journey from Cubu to Kalibo on Panay Island. The basic Filipino eatery is "turo turo" meaning "point, point", where we pointed out which fish, shrimps etc we would have.
In between Panay and Negros Islands, small-sized Guimaras Island is a good stop-over. Large mangrove forests and a very rural atmosphere is the main draw. The fish market at Hoskyn Pot was alive.