The Philippines 2015

In August 2015 I went backpacking to the Philippines again for a second time in 4 years. This time it would be a three week vacation and a chance to catch up with previously met friends there, and also hang out with my good buddy Aaron and his wife Faith that live there. I spent most of the trip down in Mindanao, Southern Philippines again, revisiting some of the places I had gone before. I also got to see several new places and areas on different islands; including the world famous surfing destination 'Siargao Island'. Here are some of the highlights of that 3 week trip.

Here's a few shots of packing up my travel gear and flying out of Guangzhou, China at night. Flying over Chinese cities at night always provides awesome arial views of it all lit up and stretching forever. Once in Manila, you know you've arrived in the Philippines once you see a Jollibee! So I had to grab a 'YUM Burger'. And yes, they are really called that.

Basol Island, Surigao

After meeting up in Surigao, my friends and I all headed out to spend the day at Basol Island to catch up. It was cool to watch our local friends there free dive and catch a bunch of great looking fish. It's an awesome island just about a 20 minute pump boat ride from the harbor.

Once our schedules all lined up, my three friends and I went traveling north of Surigao city towards Siargao Islands. All of the following locations are some of the famous local spots in that region and just a small piece of what the area has to offer.