IronCebu 2015

Our annual trip to Mactan, Cebu for the ironman and ironkids triathlons commenced on July 31 with a 3:00am start and a half-eaten granola bar. Once at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa (our home for the next week) we began activities by registering for the races and viewing the wonder that is Shangri-La's marine sanctuary. After an eventful weekend of cheering and racing, we had 4 days of more snorkelling, diving, parasailing, flyfishing, wake boarding, jet-skiing, bodyboarding and even a trip to the city of Cebu where we walked around a building on the 37th floor.

Instagram and pinterest: @alexleatherr

Email: alexleatherr@gmail.com

xoxo, Alex

Caramoan - Camarines Sur 2015

Caramoan is a municipality located in the province of Camarines Sur. We stayed at Hunongan cove, a small cluster of beach houses nestled in between remarkable cliffs filled with lush greenery and the crystal waters of the Maqueda channel. I spent 4 days snorkelling, poking at jellyfish, swimming to other islands, cliff jumping, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and cheering on my parents at the island hopping 7 kilometre swim challenge. To me, the experience felt exactly like the one I had in the more popular El Nido, Palawan, minus the many boats of tourists. One thing I would say is that, because it is so remote, I would suggest you bring some snacks and torches.

Instagram and pinterest: @alexleatherr

Email: alexleatherr@gmail.com

xoxo, Alex

Villa Escudero - Laguna 2015

This "little" nature gem is an 800 hectare land of coconut plantations and sits south of San Pablo, Laguna. We only spent a couple of hours here for a filipino style buffet lunch served on banana leaves at a man-made waterfall. Conversations were drowned out by the gush of water and our food was enjoyed with a frosty flow of water against our feet. After splashing around at the falls, we took a carabao (water buffalo) drawn carriage to the museum. Our carriage ride consisted of us dancing to a filipino song sang to us by people dressed in true filipino form. The woman was wearing a kimona dress whilst the man wore a barong. The museum holds one of the largest collections in the country of religious items, animal figures, ceramics and weapons and costumes used by indigenous tribes. It was a true filipino experience. Visit their website. 

Instagram and pinterest: @alexleatherr

Email: alexleatherr@gmail.com

xoxo, Alex

Twin Falls - Laguna 2015

The twin falls lies in Kalayaan, a municipality in the province of Laguna. Upon entering the resort, we immediately saw two small waterfalls in the midst of these giant boulders. After marveling at the gushing waters, we continued up the stairs to find two more smaller waterfalls leading into a swimming pool, as well as the resort’s pet monkey. However, we were told we had not yet reached what we had come for. Our guide then took us on a five minute walk up some more stairs to see one of the twin falls. After spending time admiring the beauty, we climbed some rocks, splashed around and advanced onto a trail leading to the second waterfall of the Kalayaan twin falls. When we got there, we saw it was much taller than it’s “twin.” This waterfall emptied out into a catch basin where the water continued downstream, making it’s way through rocks spotting the area. 

Instagram and pinterest: @alexleatherr

Email: alexleatherr@gmail.com

xoxo, Alex 

Pagsanjan Falls - Laguna 2015

Pagsanjan falls is a major tourist attraction in the Laguna region and is no doubt one of the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines. The longest drop is 120 meters and can be reached through a winding river on a long boat within 2 hours. The trip pictures lizards, smaller waterfalls, exhilarating rapids and sky scraping cliffs, ending with the much anticipated Pagsanjan falls, or locally known as the Magdapio falls. Once there, you get get to marvel at this nature beauty and get towed on a bamboo platform to the cave behind it.

Instagram & Pinterest: @alexleatherr

xoxo, Alex

Stilts at Calatagan

So I've just arrived from a 3 day excursion to Calatagan in the province of Batangas. A gorgeous and colourful place full of flowers, white coastlines and crystal  blue waters. We spent two nights at the Stilts beach resort on a floating cottage, which was, without a doubt, the definition of bliss. The shower and the hammock outlooked the waterfront, complimented by a staircase leading down to the ocean. We also found euphoria whilst driving ATV's and pedal boating. Take a look at some of the photos we took to help explain the great time we had.

Stilts beach resort: http://www.stiltscalataganbeachresort.net

Instagram & pinterest: @alexleatherr

xoxo, Alex