Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Idyllic Philippines…. experience it now…

“The world is a book, & those who do not travel read only one page” - Saint Augustine

 

Asia sticks to you. From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace & spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travellers for centuries.

 

The word is out: as far as off-the-beaten-path destinations go, Philippines s is an absolute experience. World heritage Landscapes, sprawling Cities, thousands of inviting Islands. Friendly & fun loving, cultured & historic - truly timeless, a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Come…..experience ‘the land of the 7000 Islands’ with us……

 

From sublime coastlines to snow-capped mountains, from the majestic Mekong River to wildlife infested jungle, from rolling landscapes fed by the monsoon rains & frenetic cities fizzling with energy, the diversity of Asia’s landscapes is mind-boggling with a vibrancy that captivates & enchants. Immense expanses of desert flow down from inhospitable mountains, which in turn give way to seemingly impenetrable forests.

 

As are their highlights from trekking Malaysia’s steamy jungles and wildlife spotting in southern India to riding horses through the Mongolian steppes, skiing  Japan’s Alps & dodging falling coconuts on of the continents many remote islands.

 

In a land where tigers still roam free (though far from noisy tourists), nature continues to be the driving force in many peoples’ lives. Virtually every climate on the globe is represented here; take a trek over the Gobi’s arching dunes or sun yourself on the sand-fringed tropical islands of the South China Sea.

 

This continent has contributed a cast of villains & heroes to global history. Most of the significant achievements of the modern world had their infancy in Asia. Historic trading routes sliced across epic terrain as expanding empires competed to trade goods & ideas throughout the continent & beyond. Asia’s ambitious civilisations ultimately gave rise to some of the world’s most revolutionary ideas.

 

Gleaming skyscrapers, whooshing magnetic trains, shiny smartphones: in Asia, the future is now. China is charging its way into the 21^st century with its economy developing at a head-spinning pace, while South Korea boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in the world & India is a hub of growing technology.

 

A spiritual place infused with the gods of past & present: the ancient spirits of the land and the family, the deities of Buddhism & Hinduism and the rules of Islam. Architectural wonders & sacred spaces abound from the Great Wall of China & the Temples of Angkor to lesser known marvels in Myanmar, Nepal & Afghanistan.

 

A frenetic buzz surrounds urban Asia: the fashion, culture & business in the continent’s metropolises easily challenge the biggest European & American cities for their status as global hubs. This ever-evolving modernity can make for some incredibly special travel experiences: watch rice paddies flash by from a high-speed train, pick up a shiny new laptop in a Hong Kong electronics market or go to a robot cabaret show in Japan.

 

And then, there is the food. Is there any greater place to eat than Asia? The continent has exported its cuisines the world over: India’s red hot curries, China’s juicy dumplings, Vietnam’s steaming bowls of pho soup & Thailand’s heaping plates of pat tai (pad Thai) noodles are known & loved across the globe.

 

Eating here can be both a joyous & chaotic affair: forks are forsaken in favour of fingers or chopsticks & food is enjoyed with unrivalled gusto. Whether settling down for a Michelin-starred meal in one of Singapore’s finest restaurants or pulling up a plastic stool on a Bangkok street, hungry travellers will never be bored by the diversity of Asia’s cuisines. Or tuck into fiery Indian curries, get adventurous with a local dish from a road side stall & gulp down a hearty bowl of Japanese ramen. With its colours, smells, flavours & personalities, you will find Asia is deliciously rewarding.

 

And now, let us talk about Philippines. Friendly & fun loving, cultured & historic, it is truly timeless, a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The Philippines is defined by its emerald rice fields, teeming mega-cities, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, smouldering volcanoes, bug-eyed tarsiers, fuzzy water buffalo & smiling, happy-go-lucky people.

 

Island-Hopping| Elemental Forces | Spiritual Spaces | Epicurean Encounters

 

An archipelago in South-East Asia, located between the Philippine Sea & the South China Sea at the very eastern edge of Asia & with more than 7000 islands ripe for exploration, the Philippines is a beach bum's delight & it is easy to like the Philippines There is an island to suit every taste, from marooned slicks of sand in the middle of the ocean to sprawling mega-islands like Luzon & Mindanao. Many wonderful beaches are just part of one of the world's longest coastlines & it takes about 20 years to spend a day on every island.

 

It is the 3^rd largest English speaking country in the world with a rich history combining Asian, European, & American influences. Prior to Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese & the Japanese. Spain's colonization brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprising of European style buildings & churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years & 300 rebellions, the Filipinos succeeded in winning their independence from the Spanish & then immediately, the new leaders made it the first & only colony of the United States. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946.

 

Philippines isn’t just about finding an isolated beach & getting catatonic. Sporty types need not feel left out. While surfers are just catching on to the tasty (if fickle) waves that form on both coasts, divers have long been enamoured of the country’s underwater charms. Northern Palawan is perfect for sea kayakers, and Boracay & Pagudpud (North Luzon) are world-class kiteboarding destinations.

 

From kayaking to kiteboarding to canyoning to spelunking, Philippines can capably raise any adrenaline junkie’s pulse. Freshwater pursuits include rafting & wakeboarding. Back on terra firma, trekking can be done just about anywhere, while mountain-biking & rock climbing is gaining popularity. And the Philippines is also, unofficially, the zipline capital of the world.

 

Sun worshippers & divers head straight to the Visayas, where island-hopping opportunities abound & the perfect beach takes many forms. More adventurous travellers can pitch a tent on a deserted stretch of coastline and play solo Survivor for a few days.

 

Love, on the other hand, is borne of subtler things. Love is borne of long rooftop jeepney rides through the mountains of North Luzon; of a frosty San Miguel at sundown on a sublime slab of Visayan sand; of a fresh-fish lunch, followed by a siesta on an interminable bangka journey through Palawan's islands; of friends with names like Bing & Bong; of phrases like 'comfort room'. Now that is love.

 

Its sprawling capital, Manila, is famous for its waterfront promenade & centuries-old Chinatown. Intramuros, a walled city in colonial times, is the heart of Old Manila. It is home to the baroque 16^th century San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel & military prison.

 

The country’s overwhelming Catholicism, the result of 350 years of Spanish rule, is its most obvious enigma. Vestiges of the Spanish era include exuberant town fiestas (festivals), unique Spanish-Filipino colonial architecture & centuries-old stone churches. Malls, fast-food chains & widespread spoken English betray the influence of Spain’s colonial successor, the Americans. Yet despite these outside influences, the country remains very much its own unique entity.

 

Philippines is a land apart from mainland Southeast Asia - not only geographically but also spiritually & culturally. Over a hundred ethnic groups, a mixture of foreign influences and a fusion of culture & arts have enhanced the uniqueness of the Filipino identity & the wonder that is the Philippines.

 

Philippines is defined by its emerald rice fields, teeming megacities, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, smouldering volcanoes, bug-eyed tarsiers, fuzzy water buffalo & smiling, happy-go-lucky people.

 

The people are, simply, Filipinos - & proud of it. Welcoming, warm & relentlessly upbeat, it is they who captivate & ultimately ensnare visitors. Yep, Philippines is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

Come……be inspired & discover the World with us

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Philippines. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore more options & we will be happy to customise & offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…