The Perfect Island Doesn't Ex...

To be fair I haven't been to a ton of Islands and the Philippines has about 7000. Still, after a month in Panglao, an Island that is connected to the larger Bohol Island, we are now in Siquijor and it feels as close to perfect as I can really imagine.

Panglao was also very nice and we particularly enjoyed Anda, a beach town on the northern coast of Bohol. But for our wants, Siquijor goes above and beyond anything we could expect. We had initially come for a short trip, but the beauty of the island, along with the vegan cafes and fast wifi quickly captivated us.

Finding a long-stay was a little tricky, as the island is more popular for shorter vacations, but with some help from ChatGPT's research tool we were able to find the perfect beach front villa at a resort for the cost of $435/month. They even obliged in installing AC, bringing our monthly total to $523. Feel free to message me for details.

Siquijor is a calm and beautiful island. The water is crystal clear and the coastline well cared for. There's little trash to be found and ordinances posted against the use of plastic. We particularly enjoyed snorkeling at Tubod Beach Marine Sanctuary, one of my favorite snorkeling experiences to date. This week we even experienced diving and saw the massively majestic turtles that roam beneath the water.

There's an interesting balance of locals and foreigners in Siquijor, and yet the balance feels healthy. The island does have an alternative vibe, which may resonate with Siquijor's indigenous spirituality. I learned today that Siquijor is prominent for indigenous healing rituals, which still complement the common Catholic faith.

We've particularly enjoyed an alternative hub near our villa called Wonderland, which offers vegan food and no cost workshops on everything from art to fitness and yoga.

We're nearing two weeks and plan on staying at least a month or so longer. Siquijor is unbelievably beautiful, friendly, and safe.

Wishing you well wherever you are.

Naser

In case you missed it

This week I shared a video on everything to know before joining a 10-Day Silent Meditation Course