What's On & Expat - Philippines

and fauna, including these enormously beautiful cabbage corals. The bountiful seas of Siargao are abundant with different species of fish, mollusks, stingrays, octopuses and the one of the only two species of jelly fishes that do not sting.
  We explored eerily beautiful underwater caves, with remarkable stalactite and stalagmite formations and spine-chilling barnacles attached to its ceiling and walls. The scant lighting coming from the sun’s reflection bouncing of the surface of the water cast a greenish ghostlike glow to the cave interior.
  One of the caves had a tunnel that led to an opening about twenty feet above the water accessible only by a rather difficult climb through a dark and narrow passage way. Emerging out into a cliff, the only way back down was to jump. After a short climbed down a steep ravine with nothing to hold onto but the roots of trees, we reached a thin platform, a fifteen-foot tall makeshift diving board where we were supposed to launch off and jump back into the water.
  I’m not sure if it was scaling up the dark, narrow cave or climbing down the terrifyingly steep ravine that did it, but by the time I made it to the platform my knees were shaking with fright. I wasn’t scared of jumping into the water per se because I’ve always been a strong swimmer and the boats were only a few strokes and kicks away. But I feared that I wouldn’t be able to launch myself off the platform and hit the sharp rocks on my way down. I also feared that I might drown because my weakened legs 

would not be able to keep me afloat. With a nonchalant shrug, I took the biggest leap I could manage, which was actually just a tiny step off the platform. For a space of a second that seemed like eternity, I was suspended in midair with nothing but open space beneath my feet. Next thing I knew I hit the water with a massive splash.
   Needless to say, I didn’t drown. And I daresay I’d do it all over again. I can’t think of a perfect way to end a wonderful day than jumping into the ocean from a fifteen foot cliff.
   At night, Siargao does not go on a standstill. The continuous influx of local and foreign surfers creates an almost bohemian atmosphere in the Island. It’s the most commonplace thing in the world to walk into one of the hip bars around and see a room full of tanned, bleached blonde surfers drinking potent, tropical cocktails and speaking with a variety of foreign accents. Although decidedly provincial, Siargao is a vigorous and dynamic spot.