Wonder, Water, and Warmth: My Insider Journey Exploring the Philippines with MW Tours
Mabuhay from the Philippines! “Mabuhay” is the Filipino word for “hello,” and you’ll hear it everywhere, always delivered with a smile and genuine warmth. If you’re wondering what it’s really like to venture through the Philippines, beyond the tourist trail, in the company of travel industry pros, you’re not alone. Is this destination the “next Bali or Thailand”? How do the islands stack up for value, authenticity, and natural beauty? Here’s what you should know.
Quick Answer:
The Philippines is a treasure for experienced travellers seeking unspoiled beauty, welcoming locals, and excellent value, perfect for those craving the authentic Southeast Asia of decades past.
Our Journey: A Group of Adventurers in the Philippines
There’s a special excitement when a dozen travel agents from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth set off together to a new destination most of us hadn’t travelled to before. The sense of wonder was almost audible: gasps, laughter, and wide-eyed amazement as the natural beauty of the Philippines unfolded before us. Hosted by MW Tours and Philippine Airlines, we spent a week exploring Cebu, Coron Palawan, and Manila.
Quick Summary
Island Hopping Magic
The Philippines is a sprawling archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean made up of 7,641 islands and covering around 300,000 square kilometres. These islands are divided into three main regions, Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the centre, and Mindanao in the south.
Cebu: we set off on a scenic three-hour road trip to Moalboal, enjoying the beautiful landscapes along the way. We even made a quick stop at a servo for snacks and drinks; I couldn’t resist picking up a can of sparkling sangria for just A$1.75! Once we arrived, we were fitted with lifejackets and boarded our boat, which whisked us out to Pescador Island for our first island-hopping adventure of snorkeling. The water was perfectly warm and crystal clear, making it an ideal day for exploring beneath the waves.
Later in Moalboal, we had the incredible experience of swimming in the famous sardine run, a year-round phenomenon where millions of sardines form massive, swirling schools just off the coast. Seeing the fish move in perfect synchrony was absolutely mesmerizing and truly unlike anything we had ever witnessed before.
Coron: The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly Palawan. Arriving at Kayangan Lake, we glided in by boat, climbed a series of steps, and were greeted by a scene so stunning it almost felt unreal: crystal-clear turquoise water framed by towering, jagged peaks. We swam, took countless photos, and simply floated in awe of the breathtaking surroundings.
Next, we visited Barracuda Lake, another “pinch-me” moment. Surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and mysterious underwater formations unlike anything we’d seen before, it was impossible not to be captivated.
After a delicious local island lunch, we snorkelled at the Coral Gardens, enjoying some of the best underwater sights of our trip, vibrant corals teeming with colourful marine life. Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, we sailed into the Twin Lagoon. It was one of those rare, magical moments when you blink and can’t believe what you’re seeing. At low tide, we even kayaked through a small tunnel from one lagoon to the other, adding an adventurous twist to an already unforgettable day.
Manila: Green, Calm, and Underrated
Manila truly surprised us. Tree-lined avenues, quiet traffic, and an unexpected sense of calm made it feel completely different from other bustling Asian capitals. Gone were the constant honking cars and motorbike horns, instead there was a peaceful, relaxed vibe throughout the city.
The shopping was another delightful surprise. Massive malls, some even connected directly to hotels, made exploring easy and convenient.
For serious shoppers, a day trip to Greenhills Shopping Centre is a must. You’ll want to buy an extra bag to carry all your new finds on the flight home!
The People & Culture: Hospitality at Every Turn
What made the trip unforgettable? The warmth of the Filipino people. At every stop, we were greeted by smiles and easy conversation. English is taught in school and 90% of locals speak English.
We had our dedicated tour guide Kyle with us for our full journey, and Kyle was one step ahead with our daily schedule and updating our plans effortlessly along the way.
Our trip was also elevated by our local guides: in Cebu, the brother & sister team of June & May blended humour, and local history, teaching us the simple beauty of everyday life. In Manila we had the “Amazing Ada” guiding us and she kept us laughing, tried teaching us local greetings, and revealed Manila’s interesting history.
When travelling in a new destination, the advantage of having a local guide is incredibly valuable, as they can share inside knowledge, provide cultural context and tell you quickly where the toilets are!
Culinary Surprises & Spirited Experiences
The Filipino food was fresh, delicious and remarkably affordable. There was no shortage of variety, and being an island nation, seafood naturally featured prominently across most menus. Pork is also a staple in the local cuisine, and you’ll find it prepared in countless ways – from slow-roasted lechon to flavourful adobo and crispy sisig.
Even the breakfast buffets were impressive, offering a generous spread of local Asian dishes, which is alongside a range of familiar Western favourites, ensuring there was always something for every palate.
At the Bluewater Resort in Cebu it was lovely to see a local Filipano making Taho, which is a classic sweet treat in the Philippines made with silken tofu, sago or tapioca pearls, and a brown sugar syrup. He had two metal covered buckets balancing on a wooden pole on his shoulders, serving this at breakfast with a huge smile on his face.
After a full day of island hopping, the rooftop desk at The Funny Lion in Coron was the perfect place to sip on cocktails while watching the sunset over the mountains.
Did I mention the buffets?! Well, we were spoilt as the buffets just kept getting better. From the massive selection of food at the Bai Hotel in Cebu (where 14 of us squeezed into a photo booth after eating at the buffet), to Escolta at The Peninsula Manila where I enjoyed the best chocolate & coffee brownie dessert, to the grand luxury of Yawaragi at the Hotel Okura in Manila with Japanese specialties of sushi and sashimi were prepared fresh while listening to the grand piano playing in the background.
Beyond the hotel buffets, we also had the chance to dine at small, off-the-beaten-path local restaurants serving authentic local dishes, such as The Boundary Café & Restaurant in Alcantara. The open-air setting offered a beautiful view, which made the experience even more enjoyable, and the food arrived quickly and tasted incredibly fresh.
We toured Destileria Limtuaco & Co, Manila’s famed distillery, enjoying hearty sized tastings and I picked up a full size bottle of El Hombre Gold Tequila and Coconut Rum for just A$15.25 for both!
Hotels: From Site Inspections to Presidential Suites
During our trip, we had the opportunity to explore eight different hotels across the Philippines, each offering its own unique charm and experience for guests.
The standout properties included:
Whether you’re seeking luxury or practicality, the Philippines offers a wide range of accommodation options that cater to every traveller’s needs.
Getting Around
Getting around the Philippines can be done through a mix of transport options including domestic flights with Philippine Airlines, ferries, buses, jeepneys, tricycles and ride-hailing app such as Grab.
We took three domestic flights, all approximately 1-hour each and all flights landed early which was a pleasant surprise.
The locals take Jeepneys as the most popular means of public transport. Originally built from surplus US military jeeps left over from World War II, they’re famous for their vibrant, eye-catching decorations and often packed seating, making every ride a unique and lively experience.
Who Should Go?
Practical Tips
Who are MW Tours?
MW Tours officially launched in 2010 in Brisbane by Managing Director, Navy Wang.
MW Tours are specialists in small group tours offering a personalised experience and destination expert tour leaders, with an emphasis on sustainability and supporting local communities.
They offer high quality, well organised itineraries with excellent value, covering 22 countries spanning from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and numerous destinations in Africa.
How to get to the Philippines?
Philippine Airlines offers direct flights to Manila from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. From there, it’s easy to connect to many islands across the Philippines.
The airline offers full service with meals and drinks included and up to 30kgs of checked baggage in economy.
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What an amazing trip we all had! It’s not only the beautiful new destination we were visiting; however it’s truly the people we travelled with, and the locals we met and shared experiences with along the way. These are the memories that will last a lifetime.
Mabuhay—and happy travels! 🌴✈️🇵🇭
Please reach out and let’s chat all things The Philippines:
Mobile: 0491 689 870
Email: [email protected]
Website: travelmanagers.com.au/BernadetteAndrews
Happy Travels!
