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Before I set off on a trip anywhere in the world, I take advantage of looking through the travel guides at work. Sometimes it’s a picture of a magestic mountain or gorgeous half naked man on the beach, sometimes it’s an unusual stat that I’m intrigued by. It can be a story I heard from so and so, or a geographic feature that is different to anything I have ever seen before. Whatever the case, I buy a ticket with a few of those points in mind.

As my recent trip to the Philippines was a surprise even to me, I didn’t have any of those facts or figures to direct me. Now having experienced, and continuing to write about my explorations there, I have found the research that I have done to support my writing, has inspired me to put the country on the top of my ‘to return to soon‘ list. It has reminded me that knowing just a few quick facts about a place can inspire a curious mind to travel – maybe a glance over my top 20 facts will inspire you too.

Fiona’s Top 20 Reasons to Travel to the Philippines:

1. The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,107 islands covering a land area the same size as Italy. This also means they have 36,289 kilometers of coastline to discover (the USA has just 19,924 kilometers!) Most famous beach hotspots are Boracay and Palawan =BEACH LOVERS HAVEN
2. The Chocolate Hills on the island of Bohol are often green and forever rolling.There are over 1200 of these little ‘kisses’. I was a little disappointed to not actually taste any of the sweet stuff from the coco gods, so why not recreate a minitature model with real chocolate? =SWEET TOOTH DARE
3. There are more than 200 volcanoes, though only a few are active. Mayon Volcano is the top destination. =CLIMBERS & PHOTOGRAPHIC DREAM
4. Exploring the Tabon Cave Complex where fossil evidence of mankind was discovered. According to the studies, the area was inhabited around 50,000 years ago. =ARCHAEOLOGY INTEREST
5. The people of the Philippines are from many different ethnic origins such as Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American, etc. =PEOPLE WATCHING EXTRAVAGANZA
6. The Philippines were a Spanish colony from 1521 to 1898. Getting a first hand look at the Colonial architecture is an historic education. All of Cebu City is a hotspot. =HISTORIC BUILDING LOVERS INSIGHT
7. Swimming with whale sharks (butanding) southeast Luzon = WATER & ANIMAL LOVERS MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE EVER!
8. It was the first Southeast Asian country to gain independence in 1946, following World War II =I JUST THINK THIS IS AN INTERESTING FACT!
9. A visit to the Aliwan Festival, known as the mother of all Philippine festivals, is sure to get your cultural adrenalin going. With colourful parades and streetdancing in the heart of Manila, those present will be smiling from ear to ear. =24 HOUR PARTIERS
10. Reading a book or journal writing at the University of San Carlos-founded in 1595 by the Spaniards, the Cebu City campus is older than Harvard and is the oldest university in Asia. Just imagine the stories told on site! =HISTORIC DREAMERS
11. Meeting a local and drilling them with life questions. My time with Val Sandiego, owner of the the Yap Sandiego house/museum was soooo inspiring. The museum was a treat to discover. =PERSONAL TOUCH
12. With gravity for natural water irrigation, the Ifugaos used the mountain contours to cultivate rice paddies. Breathing in the fresh air at the Banaue Rice Terraces. =APPRECIATING A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (with man’s help!)
13. Though I’ve not yet tried this, it’s on my list-kite boarding in Boracay is said to be one of the hottest spots in the world for some true air time! =ADRENALIN JUNKEES
14. If you are not a vegetarian, the best dish to experience has to be ‘lechon’, even Anthony Bourdain would agree. The roasted pig is soft and crispy and and and-YUM! =FOODIES SPECIALTY
15. Okay, here’s another one added just because it sounds ultra cool. Imagine bumping into an ex-boyfriend and struggling through the conversation, until he asks, ‘What have you been up to lately?’ With a very casual shrug (and inner gloating) you respond with, “Oh you know, I went spelunking in the caves of Samar.” I’ll let you guys research more of that one yourselves! =GLOATING WITH UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
16. Go shopping! Three of the top 10 largest shopping malls in the world are located just outside of Manilla. =MATERIAL PLEASURES
17. Have you given up on public transit in your hometown? Jumping on a bus or train that the locals use will help you see life not as a tourist. Boarding a Jeepney is an experience only to be had in the Philippines. Known as the Kings of the road, these converted military jeeps are more colourful than your grandmother’s floral moomoo. =CULTURAL GIGGLES
18. Staring into the big eyes of the world’s smallest primate; the tarsier. Found on the island of Bohol, these tree climbing animals have also inspired Star Wars creators (think Yoda) =ANIMAL LOVERS
19. The Philippines is regarded the “text capital of the world”. About 350 to 400 million SMS (Short Message Service) or text messages are sent daily by 35 million cell phone subscribers in the country, which is more than the total daily text messages sent in the U.S. and Europe, together. =MODERN CULTURAL INSIGHT
20. For those regular readers you might recall that I underwent a rather unusual procedure in Cebu. So here’s a reminder that travelling is all about experiencing new things. It was cleansing…if not a bit unusual-the vaginal steam can’t exactly be offered to half of you, but surely there’s a mans’ equivelant! =ON A CULTURAL DARE

So there you have it-my first Top 20 List! Are you inspired to go to the Philippines yet? Or did you at least learn something new? Spread the word and inspire others to experience the Philippines!

HAPPY TRAVELS

Fiona Scott – Babe With A Backpack