I already wrote about my recent visit to these islands in this comeback narrative (that’s over 2,000 words long but I’m so proud of it so I hope you could read it), but here are the essentials you need to know should you wish to see and experience these islands for yourself.

But before we proceed, please have a look at the Leave No Trace Principles:

Storytime is a series of  stories about my most memorable travel experiences. Read more here.

“If you were the sea,” I muttered, almost absentmindedly, as I slid off the prow of the pump boat, onto the island called Bisaya-Bisaya.

That morning in early October was like a borrowed summer day: the sun out; the sky a cloudless, faultless blue. As soon as the engine sputtered to a halt, the lull of waves and sea breeze took to playing in the background. I shielded my eyes, not from the sun, but from the sparkling, powdery shore that stretched on either side of where I stood – so white and reflective it was hard to look at without squinting. I then ambled to my companions who were heading toward the grove of coconut trees, away from the harsh mid-morning glare. Just before the trees began were masts of colorful vinta sails – a reminder that we were, indeed, still in the vibrant city of Zamboanga. We then found an array of wooden cottages, on which we deposited our things. Rid of bags, I turned on my heel and finally faced the sea.