Rediscovering my 2012 adventure through the Philippines, from the vibrant streets of Manila to the unforgettable sunsets of Boracay.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been digging through old hard drives and photo folders, rediscovering memories I hadn’t looked at in years.
It made me realize just how many adventures happened long before Cocoa Girl in Toronto existed.
So, I’m starting a new series: From My Travel Diaries.
Over the coming weeks (or months), I’ll be sharing stories, photographs, and memories from my travels through the years, from the Philippines and Singapore to Türkiye, and perhaps a few European adventures too. These aren’t polished itineraries or travel guides. They’re real memories, captured through my camera and remembered with a little more perspective than I had back then.
First stop? The Philippines, 2012 🇵🇭
A friend of mine and I had planned this trip months in advance. We met at Manila Airport. She flew in from Berlin, Germany, while I travelled from Cape Town, South Africa.
At the time, the Philippines didn’t seem to be on as many people’s travel lists as destinations like Thailand or Bali. At least in my circle, it felt like a bit of a hidden gem, which made the adventure even more exciting.
One of my strongest memories is stepping outside the airport, looking for a taxi to take us to our hotel. Within seconds, the tropical humidity wrapped around us. It was warm, heavy, and completely different from anything I’d experienced before. I remember thinking, “So this is what tropical heat feels like.”
We spent a couple of days exploring Manila before heading to Boracay. One of the funniest memories from those first days was randomly deciding to go and watch a movie. To this day, I can’t remember what the film was, but I remember how wonderfully random it felt to be sitting in a cinema halfway across the world.
Sometimes it’s those ordinary little moments that become the memories you treasure most.
Then it was time to head to Boracay.
Back then, we flew from Manila to Kalibo before making our way to Boracay by ferry. I still remember taking photos through the streets of Kalibo while we made our way to the port. It all felt like part of the adventure.
As we finally approached Boracay and caught our first glimpse of the island, the excitement kicked up another few gears. After docking, we climbed into a van that took us through the busy little streets to our accommodation on Bulabog Beach. Looking back, that drive was an adventure in itself. Sitting in the back of the van, weaving through narrow streets, surrounded by locals going about their day, it felt like we were discovering somewhere completely different from anywhere we’d ever been before.
Our accommodation was right on Bulabog Beach. One thing I didn’t know, or perhaps hadn’t researched enough, was that Bulabog is known as the “Kiteboarding Capital of Asia.” When we arrived, there was a refreshing breeze blowing across the beach and colourful kites filled the sky as kiteboarders and windsurfers skimmed effortlessly across the water. It immediately gave the island a laid-back yet adventurous atmosphere.
I remember standing there thinking, “We’re really here.” Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d one day be travelling to places like the Philippines. It was one of those moments where everything just felt possible.
While Bulabog Beach quickly became one of my favourite spots, Boracay is perhaps best known for White Beach on the island’s west coast. Famous for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, it’s where many visitors, including us, eventually found ourselves spending time.
Since we were staying on the east side of the island, getting to White Beach meant either hopping on a tricycle or simply walking through the neighbourhoods. Looking back, I actually loved those walks. They gave us a chance to experience everyday island life, passing local homes, little shops, busy streets, and occasionally reaching an alleyway where the ocean suddenly appeared at the end. It always felt like the sea was waiting for us, and those little glimpses made arriving at the beach even more special.
As we walked through the local neighbourhoods, it was the people who stood out the most. Filipinos were incredibly warm and friendly. We’d often be greeted with a smile or a cheerful hello, especially from the children. It made us feel genuinely welcome and added to the charm of exploring beyond the beachfront.
Before long, we’d arrive at White Beach.
There was something magical about stepping out from the streets and making our way onto that stretch of soft white sand, with the crystal-clear water stretching out before us. We would spend hours walking along the shoreline, swimming, relaxing under the beach umbrellas, people-watching, and simply soaking it all in.
Every evening we’d make our way to White Beach in time for sunset. Before heading off for dinner, we’d often find a spot at one of the beachfront bars and order a couple of tropical drinks while we waited for the sun to disappear below the horizon. There was something so relaxing about sitting there with the warm sand beneath our feet, looking out over the ocean as the sky slowly transformed into shades of gold, orange, pink and purple.
Every sunset was beautifully different. Some evenings the sky burned with fiery oranges and golds, while others were painted with soft pinks and purples. It never felt like we were watching the same sunset twice.
After watching one of those incredible sunsets, we’d wander along White Beach looking for somewhere to have dinner. During the day, we’d do the same for lunch, exploring the many little restaurants dotted along the beachfront and tucked just off the main path.
I honestly can’t remember the names of any of them after all these years, but I definitely remember the food. We ate plenty of fresh seafood, grilled squid, scallops, prawns, and fish, often served with rice and vegetables.
It was also in Boracay that I had my very first lumpia (crispy Filipino spring rolls). I had no idea then that it would become one of my favourite Filipino dishes. Funny how travel introduces you to foods that stay with you long after the trip is over.
Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and sitting just metres from the ocean somehow made every meal taste even better.
Looking back at these photos, they’re not pictures of perfectly plated meals. They’re photos taken after we’d almost finished eating, which probably says more than any food review ever could. We clearly enjoyed every single bite.
Chasing Sunsets 🌅
But if there’s one thing that has stayed with me more than the food, it’s the sunsets.
I remember wanting to capture every sunset through the lens of my camera. Every evening felt like a new opportunity because no two sunsets were ever the same. Each one painted the sky differently, and I found myself wondering how nature could create something so beautiful night after night.
Photography has always been one of the ways I experience the world. Even back then, I found myself looking for different compositions, waiting for the right light, watching the silhouettes of the iconic paraw sailboats drift across the horizon, and hoping my camera could capture even a fraction of what I was seeing.
Looking back at these photos now, I’m grateful that I took the time to photograph those moments. But I also remember making a conscious effort to put the camera down every now and then and simply take it all in with my own eyes. Some moments deserve more than a photograph.
Maybe that’s why these memories have stayed with me for so many years.
As I look back through these old travel photos, I realise I wasn’t just travelling to new places. I was collecting moments, chasing sunsets, and discovering little pieces of the world that would stay with me forever.
And perhaps that’s what this series is really about. Not just revisiting where I’ve been, but remembering the moments that quietly shaped the traveller and storyteller I would eventually become.
As our time in the Philippines came to an end, it was time to pack our bags once again.
The next chapter of our Southeast Asian adventure was just beginning.
Next stop…Singapore 🇸🇬
📷 Photography: Unless otherwise stated, all photographs on Cocoa Girl in Toronto are my own and were taken during my travels.
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