Following my 2-week adventure in India, I linked up with my friends Rob and Austin who were vacationing in the Philippines. Getting off the plane, I was immediately appreciative of the weather – having gone from a cold northern India to a warm tropical paradise.

Once my friends picked me up from the airport, our first stop was one of the many mega malls in the Manila area. There, we treated ourselves to delicious churros with chocolate dipping sauces. And later that evening, we enjoyed kimchi in celebration of Rob’s Aunt’s birthday.

After a full day of traveling and eating, we rested for tomorrow’s excursion: a 3 hour drive to Rob’s family beach house on the southwest corner of the island – just outside of a city named Batangas.

We stopped along the way to get some locally made snacks and beverages. As we drove through the city, I was fascinated by the Jeepneys, the iconic buses of the Philippines. These elaborately decorated, elongated jeeps were everywhere and fascinating to see as a primary means of transportation.

We arrived at the beach house; I was flabbergasted by the views. The walls opened around the front and back sides for natural cooling from the ocean breeze. A small pond in the backyard was frequently visited by the friendliest stray dogs I’ve ever seen (Austin would frequently pet them). And for the cherry on top: people would come by to deliver fresh coconuts!

Over the next few days, we enjoyed everything that the beach house had to offer: kayaking, snorkeling, amazing sunsets, and an overall relaxing atmosphere. We even had masseuses come to the house to give amazing waterfront massages.

I felt spoiled; the food was so fresh. And each night was a delicious feast…. sometimes including Filipino gin and beer!

Before headed back to the city from the beach house, we explored the area by foot. We stopped for some scenic photos and even came across a perturbed dog sitting on a ledge. Rob also made a point to spend some quality time with his grandmother.

My friends would fly back to the states one day head of me, so I took the opportunity to continue exploring Manila on my own. My destinations: another super mall, a famous church, a war memorial, and a revolutionary heritage site.

The malls were beautiful, both inside and out. Believe it or not, the first time I ever tried Halal Guys was in the Philippines! I find this so ironic because now I live and work in the New York City area, where Halal Guys is a commonplace food vendor.

The church was crowded with tourists, and parking was a pain – but it was so worth it! From there I visited a World War II memorial, where the names of both American and Filipino service members were featured side-by-side. It was a truly amazing memorial.

My final stop was at a historical site, where displays, artwork, and artifacts depicted the struggles of Filipino thought leaders, including Emilio Aguinaldo, as they fought for independence.

My trip had come to an end. I was both physically and mentally exhausted – but I was glad to have made the most of my travels around the world with back-to-back adventures in India and the Philippines.

Looking back, I only saw a small portion of what the Philippines had to offer. I hope to someday return and explore more islands – to get a feel for those who live a more rural lifestyle rather than the metropolis lifestyle of Manila.

Click here to read about my next adventure to Mumbai, India.