Philippines

Shocking loss of unlikely friend – the indigenous Ati Chief

By Theo / April 10, 2023 / commentary

theo and chief ernesto coching of the ati tribe in mainland malay, philippines

Theo is honored to have known him.

Our first COVID-era trip

By Theo / April 23, 2022 / budget slow travel

Theo complains at the Cebu Pacific counter about poor service on his first COVID-era trip.

Theo’s already complaining about an airline.

So many tears

By Theo / April 14, 2022 / budget slow travel, commentary, early retirement

Theo has so many tears leaving Malay, Aklan, Philippines, for Bangkok, Thailand.

Theo is emotional about leaving the Philippines.

Earth Vagabonds to leave the Philippines

By Ellen / April 5, 2022 / budget slow travel, travel experts

Ellen & Theo in the Philippines, April 5, 2022.

We are changed. We are older, and hopefully wiser.

The adorable young boy with a pellet in his ear

By Ellen / March 27, 2022 / commentary

Left, Narbin almost smiling; right, doctors try to get the boy with the pellet in his ear to lay still for extraction.

Another charitable effort by Earth Vagabonds.

Broken toe on Boracay & the Cleveland connection

By Ellen / March 17, 2022 / health care abroad

Ellen's broken toe on Boracay happened near Willy's Rock.

God has a sense of humor in this small world we call Earth.

Norman’s grave

By Theo / February 23, 2022 / commentary, early retirement

Norman's grave in Malay, Aklan, Philippines, and a picture of the former U.S. service member.

Theo’s effort to help a dead expat.

Foreign tourism opens in Philippines

By Ellen / January 29, 2022 / travel experts

Sunset on Boracay Island with sailboats.

Three requirements get you here.

Budget vacation to Boracay Island

By Ellen / January 25, 2022 / budget slow travel

A vacation to Boracay Island means a lot of beach time on the famous "White Beach" - pictured here in the golden hour before sunset.

Ellen splurges for once.

Boracay Island in the Philippines

By Ellen / January 21, 2022 / travel experts

A sailboat is seen through trees on Boracay Island in the Philippines.

So beautiful, despite pandemic problems.

The boy on the beach

By Ellen / January 18, 2022 / creative writing

Just a story.

2021: A final roundup from the Philippines

By Theo / January 16, 2022 / commentary, early retirement

Boracay Island as seen from mainland Malay Municipality from tribal Ati land in the Philippines.

What a year!

What’s happening on Boracay during Omicron phase

By Ellen / January 13, 2022 / travel experts

Boracay has few tourists during the Omicron phase of the pandemic.

The famous island and nearby mainland are on Alert Level 3.

WHO COVID vaccination certificate in the Philippines

By Ellen / January 12, 2022 / travel experts

The Bureau of Quarantine building in Kalibo and the WHO COVID vaccination certificates the department issues.

How foreigners vaccinated in this country can get the official card.

Seasonal celebrations, a full social calendar, another special year

By Theo / January 9, 2022 / budget slow travel

Ati celebration in Malay, Aklan, Philippines..

Theo’s third Christmas and New Year in the Philippines.

Boosters in the Philippines

By Ellen / January 8, 2022 / health care abroad

Ellen gets boosted in the Philippines with a Pfizer shot in Malay, Aklan.

Navigating a process so unlike in the USA.

Boracay holiday vacations bring domestic tourists

By Ellen / December 29, 2021 / budget slow travel

Tourists walk on Boracay's White Beach with masks pulled down under their chins.

Ellen people watches on the island.

December update: Odette, Omicron travel & boosters

By Ellen / December 18, 2021 / commentary

Ellen & Tedly in Malay, Aklan, December 18, 2021.

Life is good.

Solo trip to Iloilo City

By Ellen / December 10, 2021 / budget slow travel

Iloilo City proper with a jeepney full of passengers.

Ellen boards a bus for the biggest city on Panay Island.

Travel lifestyle interrupted; God’s will confounds

By Ellen / November 30, 2021 / budget slow travel, commentary

cabo san lucas seen from a flight window

A week of ups and downs.