The famous TV franchise Survivor set four seasons of the show in the Philippines. The first two filmed in Caramoan, with the other two in remote Palaui Island. Located far north of the country, off the coast of Luzon, Palaui is an adventurer’s playground. Because of distance, it isn’t frequented by most travellers, which also keeps the island’s rustic character intact. In and around lush terrain are beaches, mangrove forests, hiking trails, and waterfalls to explore. The island also houses an historic lighthouse from the Spanish occupation which is now considered a national cultural treasure. Its lone residential village of Punta Verde serves as camping grounds for visitors who wish to rough it out and stay a while.
Among the most distinctly captivating destinations in the Philippines is the archipelagic province of Batanes at its northernmost end. While there are innumerable pristine beaches in the country, there is nothing quite like the verdant rolling landscapes of Batanes. For this, many tag the province “The New Zealand of the Philippines”. Of the 10 islands that make up the province, three are inhabited: Sabtang, Itbayat, and Batan. A tour around Batan will lead to breathtaking sights such as the Valugan boulder beach (a pleasant change of scene from the typical Philippine sand beaches), Homoron Blue Lagoon, and Racuh A Payaman, more popularly known as ‘Marlboro Country’. The views are surreal in every direction, from animals peacefully grazing on lavish pastures to the bold blue hues of the sea and sky.
Journey an hour southwest of Batan and you reach the island of Sabtang. Here, Batanes showcases even more masterpieces of nature, like the Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint and Nakabuang stone arch on Morong Beach. But an impressive man-made treasure that also renders this island worth a visit is the traditional Ivatan house, built to withstand the tempestuous weather the province sees, due to its geographic location. Made of limestone and coral walls and thatched cogon grass roofs, these sturdy houses line the local villages of Savidug and Chavayan, which are wonders to stroll through.
