Postcards from: Siargao, Philippines

I recently had the pleasure of spending five days on the beautiful island of Siargao with my husband, sister, and mum, a tropical island paradise in our Motherland, the Philippines, known for its beaches, surfing, and laidback vibe.

We were fortunate enough to stay in a beachfront Airbnb, which gave us front-row seats to the beach, waking up and retiring to bed to the constant sound of crashing waves. This place even had a plunge pool, providing a welcome respite after humid days spent exploring the island.

One of the best things about Siargao is the freedom that comes with hiring scooters for everyone. This meant we could make our way up and down the island at our leisure, be it grabbing a meal or drink along the main drag, General Luna, or visiting iconic spots like the Coconut Trees View Deck and Maasin River, where we were able to take a boat tour of the peaceful, winding river, leading us to the crystal clear waters of a hidden lagoon. But then again, simply scooting along some of the island's quiet, coconut tree-lined roads was just as magical.

Hands down, one of the highlights of our trip was spending an entire day island hopping with Galatea Island Tours, boarding a private boat and visiting Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island. Each of these islands delivered breathtaking turquoise waters and white golden sands, which were truly unforgettable. We enjoyed a traditional boodle fight feast on one island, anchored down to jump off the boat for swims on another, and ended the day with mango shakes on the last.

Filipino food feels like home for me, my sister, and my mum, so of course, indulging in the local cuisine was another highlight for us. Some of our favourite spots included Harana Surf Resort, Hapag Siargao, and Catangnan Barbeque. Even grabbing a fresh and chilled coconut drink at Coco Frio was a treat, and so too were traditional Filo breakfasts at the beachfront Cafe Kokomo.

No doubt, the island has a way of getting under your skin and making you never want to leave, so much so that since coming home from this trip, we all haven't stopped talking about the dream of getting our dual citizenship and buying our own beach house in Siargao. One of these days, I might just make sure that this dream comes true for my family.