This was one of those days that reminded me exactly why we love living in this part of the world. Even though we’re officially "on vacation" here on Bantayan Island, a creator's work never truly stops. I was up at 6:00 AM, fueled by a mixture of coffee and cola, getting the monthly contest details ready for our community. I was about nine days late, but hey—vacation rules apply, right?
Once the laptop was closed, it was time for the real adventure. We met up with a new friend of ours—a retired US Army guy—his girlfriend, and his 11-year-old daughter. They’re spending a few months traveling through the Philippines to figure out where they want to settle down. I always tell people: that’s the way to do it. Don’t just pick the first place you see; travel around, feel the vibe, and then make your move.
The plan for the day was a trip to Virgin Island. But before hitting the water, we had to do a bit of "island preparation." We hit the local fish market to stock up. Jessa, being the expert she is, picked out some massive fish, scallops, and fresh vegetables. We even managed to find some Toblerone for Liam—not exactly a balanced breakfast, but it kept the little man happy for the start of the trip!
Getting to the boat was a bit different this time. We ended up at a new departure point that required a bit of a trek through some shallow water and over rocks. Jessa, in her usual clumsy fashion, was struggling a bit, but Liam and I handled it like pros. I joked that it’s exactly like how we board boats back home in Norway—pure teamwork.
The trip itself cost us about 1,500 pesos for the boat, which was actually cheaper than our last visit. There’s a new environmental fee of 100 pesos per person now, but for a full day of relaxing in paradise, I’m not going to complain.
We did a quick stop for snorkeling, but if I’m being honest, you can skip that part. The snorkeling around here isn't anything special, especially compared to what we have back in Moalboal. Virgin Island is the real prize.
When we arrived, it was as stunning as I remembered. We paid the entrance fees, rented a cottage, and let the boatmen get to work on the seafood we’d bought. There is nothing like a lunch of fresh-grilled fish, rice, and that classic Philippine vinegar and soy dipping sauce. It’s simple, it’s legit, and it’s perfect.
The highlight of the afternoon was definitely the cliff jumping. There’s an 11-meter platform that looks a lot higher once you’re standing at the edge. Our friend’s 11-year-old daughter was incredibly brave—she jumped without hesitation! I took a turn as well, and yeah, it definitely stings a bit when you hit the water from that height!
By 4:00 PM, the wind started picking up, and the clouds rolled in. We’d had a perfect day, so we decided to head back before things got too wavy. On the ride back, our propeller got tangled in some of the garbage that unfortunately floats in the ocean. The boatmen had to jump in to clear it out—a stark reminder of why we need to take better care of these beautiful places.
We made it back to Bantayan exhausted but happy. Now, it’s time to relax, watch some TV, and prep for the next leg of our journey.
See you in the next one!
