February 2015 Travel Recap: Island Hopping in the Philippines and Thailand – Wins, Fails, and What's Next
In my monthly round-ups, I reflect on the past four weeks of travel: what went well, what didn't, updates on Globetrottergirls.com, upcoming plans, and the month's top posts.
Where I’ve Been
I spent February exploring the Philippines and Thailand. Aside from brief city stops in Manila, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai, I was island hopping the entire time.
After a hectic January spanning six countries, I promised myself to slow down—and I did. Yet, I still covered impressive ground: Boracay, Siquijor, Apo Island, Palawan, Manila, Bangkok, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Chiang Mai.
On one hand, I wasn’t ready to leave the Philippines; on the other, I was so ready. Balancing work and travel proved challenging there due to unreliable internet on most islands (more on that below).
The responsible side of me craved better WiFi, while the adventurer in me yearned for more of this paradise. The Philippines stole my heart—I’ll return soon, but next time without urgent deadlines.
Landing in Bangkok felt like home, even if the city isn’t my favorite. I appreciated its food scene, urban amenities, and vegetarian options (scarce in the Philippines outside Manila). After weeks on islands, this city girl indulged in great Thai food, coffee, movies, and shopping at MBK.
Soon, I craved beaches again. Hosting friends across Southeast Asia this winter, I started in Thailand (next stop: Bali), blending island vibes with temple visits.
Koh Tao, long on my list, lived up to the hype. Its laid-back charm tempted me to stay months, but onward to Koh Phangan and Chiang Mai.
What Went Well
Manila
Expecting to dislike it based on others' tales, Manila surprised me—I loved it!
The Philippines Overall
Stunning islands drew me in, but I didn’t anticipate falling so hard—despite lacking reliable coffee, food, and WiFi (my essentials). Can’t wait to go back.
Meeting Travelers
My first solo trip of the month was social bliss—no loneliness, just occasional escapes from fun distractions that tested my work focus (FOMO is real).
What Went Wrong
Poor WiFi
Philippine internet was slower than expected, hindering photo uploads and emails. I missed client deadlines, lost opportunities, and had meltdowns—peaking offline in El Nido.
Arriving in Bangkok to faulty hotel WiFi triggered tears after weeks of frustration. Thankfully, it improved after.
Planning Shortfalls
The Philippines demands advance bookings for inter-island flights. Last-minute deals were pricey, forcing skips and extensions—but it created reasons to return and led to gems like Apo Island.
Injuries
A severe snorkel sunburn (missed spots near my butt) and coral-cut foot slowed me down. Grateful it wasn’t worse—no doctor needed.
ATM Nightmare in Siquijor
ATMs rejected foreign cards; the working one was an hour away. After letting someone cut, it ran dry. Two hours of waiting and reboots later, it revived just in time.
Note: Despite these hiccups, February was one of my best months!
What’s New on Globetrottergirls
I’m now mixing current trip posts with backlog stories for fresher, diverse content—recent adventures won’t wait until summer.
Flight Voucher Giveaway!
Enter my Norwegian Air partnership: Win a $150 flight voucher (ends March 24). Click here for your chance!
What’s Next
One more week in Thailand’s favorites, then Indonesia—my newest country! 
Most Popular Posts of the Month
- Travel Fail: How Not to Visit Hong Kong
- Introducing Sri Lanka: First Impressions and Fun Facts
- Looking Back: Five Years Since Quitting My Job to Travel
- Living It Up in Manila
- Eilat: Israel’s Underwater Paradise on the Red Sea
