June 2018 marked the first time in 11 years that I had been to the Philippines. My first 3 trips were for work and the special someone I have met during the first ever trip. That was April 2007. After that date, my last visit was September 2007.
Now we are a family with 2 lovely girls who had never been to the Philippines or for that matter, ever flown in a plane. I let Ms. Allen make the flight arrangements and she did so quite early to get a very good discount. When time got a little closer to vacation date, I had to get the particulars for the time off. Looking over the flight itinerary, I learned that the time I leave my home until my head hits a stationary pillow, I will have traveled about 40 hours! I can now say I have truly circled the globe.
We drove to Houston to catch a Singapore Airlines flight that would take us to Manchester UK, Singapore, then Cebu Philippines. Next we took a small commuter plane from Cebu to Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Philippines where a small band of Ms. Allen’s family was there to greet us and drive us to our hotel.
The next almost 2 weeks took us to Camigan, White Island, and finally, Manila, where we stayed overlooking Manila Bay. In the eleven years since my initial visit to Philippines, a lot had changed. Freeways, updated airport, and so many more high rise condominiums.

Oazis Hotel
Butuan, Augusan del Norte

Farmer’s Market
Nasipit, Augusan del Norte

Fish Market
Nasipit, Augusan del Norte