Siargao - The Philippines (Entry 6)

Siargao

Day 8 - 5th July:

Today was my last day in Siargao! My travel agent advised that I change my flight due to bad weather approaching and considering my TRAVEL STRESSES I had just a week ago I decided to listen to him.

Yesterday was the 4th July and although we don't celebrate that in South Africa, apparently they do in the Philippines! After a really lazy day of lounging in bed and FINALLY patching things up with Sam (I wrote SORRY in shells I'd collected from the beach and he'd responded with ITS OK, I LOVE U, written in woodchips from his machinery show in Taiwan) *insert 'awwww' here*

After everything was feeling back to normal and loved up, my Kiwi family tapped on my door and invited me out to a fireworks party in celebration of the 4th of July. It was beautiful to see Fireworks. I normally hate them because of how they effect animals but they were really small and quick. It was so festive there as well, one guy called Neil who is from NYC (he's about 8 feet tall and looks like a professional basketball player,) wore a full USA outfit and I just had to get a photo with him:

For my last full day in Siargao we went Island hopping. It was AMAZING!!! If you ever find yourself in Siargao you just HAVE to get to Kermit Resort and put your name down for the Island hopping. The food is out of this world. There's volleyball and swimming in the ocean that just plummets down so deep and blue it's breathtaking. I had the absolute time of my life. The locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming, they hack you up coconuts and you can drink the gorgeous coconut water. It's a full, unmissable day trip that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

Here's a few snaps from my time there:

Arriving on one of the 3 islands

The food was the best food I had all week long

Drinking the coconut water

Getting 'high' in the trees with the locals

I was invited to a bonfire in the evening and that was my send-off party. I only stayed for one beer because I wanted to get back to the resort, pack up my bags and get an early night before a 5am surf in the morning. 

The surf on the 6th July was GINORMOUS. I kept begging my instructor, Eloy, to let me go back, but he just laughed at me and made fun of how huge my eyes were. I was petrified. The waves must have been 8 feet high and I got absolutely annihilated. 

I'm sitting close to the Mactan Cebu airport right now in the Philippines waiting for my flights to Bali and I have a wonderful bruise across my face from the surf-board slamming me in the face. Luckily it's not blue yet - just extremely sensitive. 

Surfing is a rough sport and you need to be ready for it - with all of it's conditions. 

I was really, really sad to leave Siargao and I definitely feel like I'll go back there again in the future. It's a place that will resonate in your heart for the rest of your life... and leaving left me feeling like this:

But now it's on to Bali.... I'll update you all when I can. I don't think I'll be online as frequently in Bali as I was in Philippines. But the days I'm silent just know I'm out soaking in the sun, surf and surreal holiday feeling, taking photographs to share with you all when I can. 

Love to all - and to all, a safe life xxxxx