When I wrote the last post, I was in Bangkok, trying to get an extended visa, find a temporary  job as a teacher and a flat and get some positive energy again.

Well, I’m now writing from Boracay, one of the most amazing beaches I’ve ever been,  in the Philippines!

I got a call from a school in Bangkok, but they were asking me for a long commitment  and above all I could not get the visa on time, so I had to exit the Country.

I was not sure if going to Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam…and in any case I had to take a flight back and  cross the border by plane in order to get further 30 days in Thailand.

I had exchanged a couple of emails with my friend Yvette last month. I had the intention to go and visit her in Manila while I’m in this part of the World, but I could not decide when going there, even because she’s a super busy manager, so she doesn’t have much time.

It’s always better if you let things happen, rather than struggling for making them happen. So where to go? I got it, Manila, now. “Hey Yvette..do you mind if I come to Manila this weekend, that is the day after tomorrow!?”No problem!”

A crazy thing from the budget point of view, but at the end of the day, money comes and goes – said the almost bankrupt backpacker –  and visiting one of my dearest friends was priceless, so no regrets.

And it has been a good choice. Exactly what I needed in that moment. After a loooong night spent jumping from one airplane to another, I arrived in Manila, it was so good meeting someone I knew after all these months of solo traveling! I spent 4 wonderful days with her and her family and friends, a true couchsurfing  experience, well couch..the family has been so kind that they prepare an entire loft for me! They made me try really good Philippino dishes and brought me to some places near Manila.

Philippinos, in general,  have a kind of planning mind. I was asked  how I wanted to spend my days, which activities I wanted to do, what I wanted to eat, and where I wanted to go next. Exactly my opposite..me that I go to the supermarket looking for chocolate biscuits and I end up buying chips…So I just said: I’m all in your hands my dear friend! This has turned into:

-a big welcome lunch with the whole family

-a relaxing afternoon at the Spa: never had a better Swedish massage

-a big Filipino dinner with Yvette’s friends, among which Ara, that I met in Madrid last year as well

-a funny Sunday driving out of Manila with Yvette, his brother Lionel and her sister Monique, with a big lunch in front of the volcano

-An itinerary for me on Monday in Intramuros and Greenbelt and a delicious farewell dinner with the family again

-a suggestion to go to Boracay…. where I met again Lionel and one of his friend and we develop new skills:

Thanks God it was not real fire! Anton is amazing in the firedance, but with me and Lionel we would have turned into ashes:-)

So good!!!

I’ve been told that I need to be close to the blue of the Ocean to feel good. That’s why I ended up spending 12 days in Boracay for my sleeping retreat.

Despite the fact that it’s becoming really commercial, it’s a really good place to recharge batteries with its white sand and turquoise water. And I really needed that because the upcoming weeks will be really intense.

No  jungle crossing, no  ocean sailing or volcano climbing: back to basics, back to school…as a student and as a teacher and I have a final exam as well! I’ve already been told to get ready to sleepless nights…….it would be weird going back to books after almost 2 years.

Island hopping in the next days!