2023 // Asia on Film Part 2
Hong Kong, Boracay, Manila, Bohol, & Seoul
Hong Kong, Philippines & South Korea, 2023
This has been a long time coming, but it’s here! A recap of more Asia travels to close out 2023.
2020 was supposed to be the year of a magical family trip to the Philippines but that didn’t go as expected. The long-delayed trip was finally rescheduled for 2023. My Lola prefers December for its cooler temperatures and holiday festivities, but I suspect it's also an excuse to celebrate her birthday back in the homeland. After moving to another country in her twenties, I can't blame her especially now that she’s getting older.
I procrastinated on booking my flights, but at Gina’s insistence, we decided to explore Hong Kong before heading to the Philippines. On the way home, I took advantage of a long layover in South Korea making for a whole tour of Asia to bookend 2023 (as you may recall, I kicked off 2023 in Asia).
Hong Kong
In February, Gina traveled to Hong Kong to visit Peter’s sister, Natalie, who lives there. My sister couldn’t stop raving about the city and insisted we visit before heading to the Philippines. Looking back, the sheer amount we managed to experience in a short time is astounding. Natalie would come home from work each day and ask what we’d been up to, and we’d rattle off a long list of sights. She was stunned at how much we had packed into just one day! Despite Hong Kong’s world-class metro system, we walked everywhere much to my dismay.
Hong Kong is a densely populated island with a rich tapestry of history, shaping it into the metropolitan juggernaut it is today. It’s a global business hub with state-of-the-art transportation, rolling hills, and dizzying skyscrapers. Relying on Gina’s prior knowledge, we checked out a mix of must-see landmarks and places that were new to both of us. As we wandered the streets, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between Hong Kong and Republic City from The Legend of Korra. The city buzzed with activity—cars, trams, and buses whizzed by. When we did utilize public transport, we zipped over to Kowloon, where we explored everything from luxury malls to animal markets. To get my dose of art, we hit every exhibition at the M+ Museum. Our days always seemed to end on a high note, like the evening we capped off at OZONE, the highest rooftop bar in the world, sipping drinks while taking in the stunning skyline from a bird’s eye view. One of our other highlights was a day trip to see the Tian Tan Buddha. Nestled in the mountains, we took a scenic gondola ride to reach the remote statue. We toured the sacred temples and even ventured on an impromptu hike in our sandals which earned us some funny looks.
You can tell that Hong Kong pulses with energy. There’s a unique blend of traditional and modern along with Eastern and Western influences. I can’t wait to come back and explore more.
Philippines
No matter where you go or how you get there, a little chaos is inevitable. Our itinerary reflected that sentiment: Boracay would be the relaxation phase of the trip with its world-renowned beaches; Manila was reserved for family time and Christmas celebrations; Bohol offered another side trip with the prospect of adventure in a new region.
Boracay
Gina always jokes that it’s not a proper travel day in the Philippines unless you take at least three different forms of transportation. Getting to Boracay was no exception: we drove to the airport, flew to Boracay, drove to the dock, rode a boat, and went to the hotel. The heat there was blistering and stepping outside felt like a sauna.
Boracay will always be the place where Gina and I got completely vaporized by the sun. We diligently applied and reapplied sunblock, yet the intense heat and constant dips in the water made it nearly impossible to avoid a sunburn. To cool off and get out of the sun, we’d grab ice cream in a coconut shell, but by the time we showered off for dinner, we discovered our bright red, lobster burns.
Still, Boracay was a perfect place to unwind. We indulged in early morning walks on the beach (wait too long and the sand would burn your feet) finding quaint coffee shops and signs of Catholicism at every turn — think crosses or statues of Mary with baby Jesus. It was a picturesque postcard scene with blue skies and crystal-clear water. Afternoons were dedicated to pampering at the spa, where I had one of the best massages of my life, and evenings were spent at family dinners, chatting over fresh seafood and fried rice. We capped off our relaxing stay with a sunset sail to admire the island.
Manila
Back in Manila, we settled into our hotel and took a moment to gather our bearings. The Christmas spirit was everywhere, with trees on every corner and parols twinkling in the air. Much of our time was spent wandering through the city’s many malls, which have everything you could ever dream of. One of the most Filipino sights you’ll see in there is a fried chicken kiosk right next to an in-house church.
Despite the bustle, we managed to sneak in a bit of sightseeing. We took a tour of Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine president, and learned about the country’s past leaders. We also visited the National Museum of the Philippines, where traditional and modern Filipino art were showcased.
Most of our Manila stay, however, was dedicated to family time and was usually centered around food. We celebrate Christmas festivities on Christmas Eve and it’s all about the massive feast. Think lechon, sushi, pancit, cookies, charcuterie boards, and more. Christmas Day followed suit, but after eating a large family lunch, we visited the cemetery to pay our respects to my great Lolo and Lola and other relatives, laying flowers and saying prayers at their graves. To continue the celebrations, a few days later is my Lola’s birthday which is always a full-out bash for her homecoming.
Bohol
After all the Christmas festivities, our escape to Bohol was a welcome reprieve from the bustling city life. The island reminded me so much of Hawaii, with its dense jungle, laid-back locals, and truck beds overflowing with coconuts.
We opted for day tours to see the sites of the island. Our tours took us to several historical landmarks aka a lot of Bohol's old churches or commemorative statues of when the Spanish arrived. We wandered through a snake sanctuary (hated that) and a butterfly reserve before stopping at the famous Loboc River cruise for lunch. The town is known for its floating restaurants that offer great traditional Filipino cuisine with live music along the scenic Loboc River. During our meal, we were caught in a downpour in a rain I’d never seen before. Tropical storms are quick and intense, and the rain smacked the river like a scene out of a movie. The rainstorm subsided quickly and we went on to see the famed tarsiers, small nocturnal primates with alien-like eyes. The crown jewel of the day was the stunning Chocolate Hills. The conical geological formations are the product of perfect conditions that gave way to the thousands of hills we see today. They are called chocolate because of how brown they turn in the dry season.
Amidst the iconic highlights Bohol had to offer, we uncovered hidden gems like a peaceful mangrove boardwalk tucked behind a hotel, tropical treats of ube, dragon fruit, and mango served in cassava cones at the bee farm, and a neighboring resort where we relaxed, sipping the best calamansi lemonade and munching on crispy turon.
South Korea
We had a brief stopover in Manila before beginning the journey home. Fortunately, Gina and I had similar departure times, so we spent some time together at the airport before catching our respective red-eye flights. I managed to sleep on the flight but woke up to a jarring 5 AM Manila time upon landing. With a 13-hour layover ahead of me in Seoul, I decided to venture out and explore instead of staying cooped up inside Incheon Airport.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but as I exited the train station in the heart of the city, there was snow on the ground — a stark contrast to the heat and beaches I’d just left behind in the Philippines. I wandered around the city center on that chilly New Year’s Eve to stay awake and upright. Despite the impending holiday, the tourist spots were bustling with visitors. I popped by Gyeongbokgung Palace to admire the architecture and the Daelim Museum to view modern art. As I haphazardly navigated the South Korean streets I found the cutest stationary and bookstores before catching the train to the airport and flying back to the States.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas
I’ve always embraced any opportunity to travel, and as I’ve grown older, Asia has claimed a special place in my heart. It’s the people, culture, and quiet moments that ultimately make the largest impact on my trips. From the chaotic bustling city streets to the serene countryside, Asia offers adventure at each turn.
Every return to the Philippines feels like a pilgrimage or homecoming of sorts. This was my third visit, and with each trip, I fall more in love with the country. There is a complicated history but with each visit, I learn more and become part of it. Life moves at a slower more mindful pace and is laced with gratitude. Filipinos are some of the kindest and most welcoming people you will ever meet with unparalleled hospitality and bright smiles that will leave a lasting impression on your heart.
This trip to Asia gave me a deeper appreciation for where my Lolo and Lola came from, a history that has shaped my life. I am grateful to be part of such a rich and vibrant culture and to have the chance to connect with those roots. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
