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El Nido, Philippines
Getting Hitched to the Philippines
A Globe-Trotter’s Brief but Oh-So-Powerful Love Affair with the Philippines
A Globe-Trotter’s Brief but Oh-So-Powerful Love Affair with the Philippines
RIGHT: Jocelyn, fresh off the plane and full of excitement.Castaway recently had the privilege of chatting with Jocelyn Zietsman, a seasoned professional in the yachting industry. With nine years of experience under her belt, she has firmly established herself and currently serves as the purser on her yacht and has truly made her mark as a globe-trotting professional.
Our conversation took an intriguing turn when Jocelyn recounted her remarkable journey to the Philippines in May of 2023. Her reason for the trip? An invitation to attend the wedding of two of her yacht's crew members, Princess and Dave. What she shared provided a vivid and heartwarming glimpse into the rich tapestry of Filipino culture and hospitality… And here it is for you, our fellow Castaways…
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: El Nido in all its splendour; sunsets in the Philippines are something else; grabbing a freshly-cracked coconut water and an ice-cold beer from a local beach shop.
F is for Friendly and Filipino
Upon landing in Manila, Princess's family welcomed my colleague, Ali, and me with open arms. They whisked us away to their home in Sariaya, a place as full of charm as it is friendly residents. As is tradition, we removed our shoes at the door and donned the house slippers provided, though they were a tad small for my feet.
Upon landing in Manila, Princess's family welcomed my colleague, Ali, and me with open arms. They whisked us away to their home in Sariaya, a place as full of charm as it is friendly residents. As is tradition, we removed our shoes at the door and donned the house slippers provided, though they were a tad small for my feet.
Princess's family was incredibly gracious, always offering us delicious Filipino cuisine. Their warm welcome was a testament to the renowned Filipino hospitality. It was a four-hour journey to their home, but the warmth of their reception made it feel like no time at all.
Wedding vibes in full swing
Bridesmaids: The Sequel
Ali and I had the honour of being bridesmaids at Princess and Dave's wedding, which meant dress fittings the day before the big event. The wedding party accommodated us in a house in Tayabas, where there were only a few beds. To our surprise, the other bridesmaids arrived well-prepared with blankets and pillows. This added a charming touch to the experience.
Ali and I had the honour of being bridesmaids at Princess and Dave's wedding, which meant dress fittings the day before the big event. The wedding party accommodated us in a house in Tayabas, where there were only a few beds. To our surprise, the other bridesmaids arrived well-prepared with blankets and pillows. This added a charming touch to the experience.
Intriguingly, the bride only saw her dress on the day of the wedding, a customary practice in Filipino weddings. Unfortunately, while her dress fit and she was delighted, mine and a few of the other bridesmaids’ did not and needed adjustments, so we found ourselves at the seamstress’ shop at 11 p.m. the night before. This was after a night of indulging in a hearty family dinner, followed by karaoke (which was enjoyed by all, especially the groom's party who stayed up singing their hearts out late into the night). We returned to the house at midnight, only to wake up at 1 a.m. for hair and makeup, as the wedding was scheduled for 8 a.m.!
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Exploring the Philippines by foot – a must-do!; Coconut palms everywhere!
Culture Trip
During my time in the Philippines, I had the chance to savour some wonderful Filipino experiences. Tricycle rides, Red Horse beer, and the famous saying "No rice, no power" were all part of my adventure. Every meal came with rice, and I was continually encouraged to eat more.
During my time in the Philippines, I had the chance to savour some wonderful Filipino experiences. Tricycle rides, Red Horse beer, and the famous saying "No rice, no power" were all part of my adventure. Every meal came with rice, and I was continually encouraged to eat more.
Being blonde proved to bring me a lot of attention during the wedding ceremony, some of the guests even dubbed me "Miss America" and constantly stopped to grab a pic with me (taking me up to 15 minutes just to get to the bathroom!). The wedding itself was a Catholic affair and concluded by 4 PM, leaving everyone exhausted.
Instead of waving goodbye to the Philippines, Ali invited me to join her on a trip to El Nido! Something to note, before we depart into this part of our adventure, is that the domestic and international terminals are located in separate airports. You’ll need cash on hand for a taxi and a bit of time to get from one to the other due to the heavy traffic flow.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: What’s a vacay without a little retail therapy?; A tiny island off the coast of El Nido – one of over 7000 islands in the Philippines; Kayaks, sunshine and paradise.
Whisked off to Paradise: El Nido
El Nido greeted us with small planes departing to the over 7,000 stunning islands that make up the Philippines. Our resort wasn't crowded with tourists; instead, it mainly hosted Filipino nationals seeking respite from city life. We ventured to a backpacker's spot one evening and quickly found ourselves immersed in a lively atmosphere, participating in a quiz night and meeting fellow travellers.
El Nido greeted us with small planes departing to the over 7,000 stunning islands that make up the Philippines. Our resort wasn't crowded with tourists; instead, it mainly hosted Filipino nationals seeking respite from city life. We ventured to a backpacker's spot one evening and quickly found ourselves immersed in a lively atmosphere, participating in a quiz night and meeting fellow travellers.
Our island-hopping tour was a highlight of our trip, taking us to several surrounding islands. We hopped off the boat at every stop to indulge in the crystal blue water. I, unfortunately, made an enemy on the tour… in the form of a highly territorial fish. While not dangerous, this little critter did leave me with a nasty bite. But a fish bite or two could never dim the light of this paradise! We indulged in street shopping, relaxed on Nacpan Beach, and visited a beach stall run by a local family. There, we enjoyed freshly cracked coconut juice and Red Horse beer. We were fortunate to meet the owner's son, whose English fluency impressed us. He shared how his father transported him and his siblings to school by motorbike
The views from our resort – breathtaking.
Memories Live in the Food
One dish I particularly relished during my stay was pork sinigang. I was thrilled to find a vegetarian version of this classic Filipino dish in the Castaway cookbook. Sinigang, known for its sour and savoury taste, is a beloved staple of Filipino cuisine, often accompanied by rice.
One dish I particularly relished during my stay was pork sinigang. I was thrilled to find a vegetarian version of this classic Filipino dish in the Castaway cookbook. Sinigang, known for its sour and savoury taste, is a beloved staple of Filipino cuisine, often accompanied by rice.
While in the Philippines, I learned that flash floods are common, and locals are always prepared with umbrellas.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Silhouettes float in the dim of sunset; The bridesmaids’ home base; Making friends, young or old, is easy in the Philippines.
I’ll Be Back…
In hindsight, my two days on the islands felt far too short. The Philippines offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be explored. The accommodations may be simple, lacking hot water, but the warmth of the Filipino people and the natural beauty of the country more than made up for it.
In hindsight, my two days on the islands felt far too short. The Philippines offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be explored. The accommodations may be simple, lacking hot water, but the warmth of the Filipino people and the natural beauty of the country more than made up for it.
One thing that will forever stay with me is the resilience and humility of the Filipino people, even in the face of adversity like typhoons. Their "carry-on" attitude is truly inspiring.
My journey to the Philippines for Princess and Dave's wedding was an eye-opening adventure that left me with a deep appreciation for Filipino culture and an eagerness to return. The warmth of the people, the mouthwatering cuisine, and the stunning landscapes have left an indelible mark on my heart. If you ever have the chance to explore this incredible country, I highly recommend it.
