Sometimes It's NOT Always Fun in The Philippines! | Samal Island 🇵🇭

Josh concludes his trip in the Philippines by exploring Somal Island, seeking relaxation and adventure. Despite weather challenges and a few unexpected encounters, he enjoys snorkeling, cliff jumping, and mingling with locals. Josh experiences the island's tranquil midweek atmosphere and notes its appeal as a weekend getaway for Davao City residents. He navigates rural paths, finds a cliff jumping spot, and shares humorous anecdotes about his hostel neighbors. Despite not finding ideal snorkeling, Josh appreciates the hospitality and warmth of the Filipino people, highlighting their generosity and friendliness. The trip ends with a sunset view, marking the end of his series.

• The narrator reflects on their trip to the Philippines, ending with a visit to Somal Island for relaxation.
• They describe Somal as a place with "island jungle vibes," coconut trees, and a quiet midweek atmosphere.
• The island is popular with locals from Dvau City as a weekend getaway spot.

"As we come to the end of my second series here in the Philippines, I decided to take the advice of the locals in Dvau City and finish my trip on the island of Somal for some much-needed rest and relaxation."

• This quote sets the context for the narrator's visit to Somal Island, emphasizing the intention for relaxation.

"It feels like I've gone to a different part of the Philippines. It's like island jungle vibes."

• The narrator expresses the distinct atmosphere of Somal Island, highlighting its natural and tranquil environment.

• The narrator faces challenges with weather forecasts, often encountering unexpected rain.
• They arrive at Lida Hostel, noting the pleasant surroundings but a disappointing room odor.
• The hostel offers basic amenities, and the narrator plans to explore the island despite the weather.

"The only thing that's uh getting me a little bit worried is the weather. It feels like it's going to rain any moment now."

• The narrator expresses concern about the unpredictable weather, a recurring issue during the trip.

"Well, guys, this is what 20 British pounds gets you here on the island of Somal. It's very basic."

• This quote provides insight into the affordability and simplicity of accommodations on Somal Island.

• The narrator explores the island, noting the rural lifestyle, tricycles, and natural beauty.
• They visit the Bluebird Deck viewpoint, appreciating the expansive views despite cloudy weather.
• The narrator uses a drone to capture the island's scenery before potential rain.

"I find it so crazy that within like 15 minutes, if that, maybe 20 minutes, on a boat, from the busy, bustling city of Dvau, we're now in like rural island life."

• This quote highlights the stark contrast between the urban environment of Dvau City and the rural, serene setting of Somal Island.

"Wow. Look at the view, guys. Wow. It's actually super super nice."

• The narrator expresses awe at the scenic views from the Bluebird Deck, underscoring the island's natural beauty.

• The narrator experiences discomfort with the hostel's air conditioning and noisy neighbors.
• They plan to visit Talikood Island for snorkeling and exploration, aware of potential delays in transportation.
• The narrator shares an anecdote about a mysterious noise from a neighboring room, illustrating the quirky aspects of travel.

"I didn't get the best nights of sleep because uh the air con is right next to your head in the room."

• This quote reflects the narrator's struggle with the hostel's air conditioning, affecting their rest.

"I kept hearing this weird noise and I thought that's what is that? It sounds like an animal or something."

• The narrator describes an unusual experience with noisy neighbors, adding a humorous element to their travel narrative.

• The speaker shares a humorous personal story involving an encounter with an older man and a younger Filipino woman, which left a lasting impression.
• This anecdote serves as a cultural observation, highlighting the diverse and sometimes unexpected experiences encountered during travel.

"But what made it worse is that I actually saw the culprits later on in the night. It was a guy older than my dad, completely bald, with a Filipino girl who was probably about 20."

• The quote illustrates a surprising and somewhat uncomfortable encounter, reflecting on the cultural and social dynamics observed by the speaker.

• The speaker discusses logistical challenges in traveling to an island, including waiting times and costs.
• Engages in conversations with locals to gather information about transportation and snorkeling spots.
• Highlights the practical aspects of travel planning and decision-making based on time constraints and local advice.

"I have a feeling this is going to be one of those occasions where you're going to have to wait for like 2 hours to get on a boat."

• The quote captures the uncertainty and potential delays involved in local travel arrangements, emphasizing the need for patience and adaptability.

"Do you know a good snorkeling spot on Samal?"

• This quote shows the speaker seeking local knowledge to enhance their travel experience, illustrating the importance of engaging with residents for authentic recommendations.

• The speaker describes an adventurous journey to a cliff-jumping spot, navigating through challenging terrain and local neighborhoods.
• The narrative captures the excitement and unpredictability of exploring new places, often leading to unexpected discoveries.

"I've just found a cliff jumping spot on the way called Sabang Cliff. So, we're going to check that out now."

• The quote reflects the speaker's adventurous spirit and willingness to explore off-the-beaten-path locations, adding an element of thrill to their travel experience.

• The speaker encounters language barriers while interacting with locals, showcasing the challenges and humor in cross-cultural communication.
• Despite language differences, the speaker successfully navigates social interactions, emphasizing the universal nature of human connection.

"The problem is I don't speak any basiah at all. So, I have no idea whether they're taking the piss or they're being friendly."

• This quote highlights the humorous and sometimes confusing nature of language barriers, illustrating the speaker's reliance on non-verbal cues and intuition.

• The speaker clarifies that their experiences are not representative of the entire Filipino culture, acknowledging the overall positive interactions with locals.
• Emphasizes the hospitality and friendliness encountered during their travels, countering any negative stereotypes.

"The vast majority of my experiences here are always positive and most of the people are some of the most friendly and kind people I've ever met."

• The quote underscores the speaker's appreciation for the kindness and hospitality of the Filipino people, promoting a balanced and respectful view of the local culture.

• The conversation highlights the difficulties faced when there is a language barrier, leading to misunderstandings and confusion.
• Participants struggle to communicate effectively due to language differences, which affects the flow of conversation.

"Oh man, it's so tough when you don't speak another language."

• This quote underscores the challenges of communication when individuals do not share a common language, emphasizing the importance of language in interpersonal interactions.

• The conversation touches on cultural aspects such as drinking habits and preferences, with participants discussing their experiences with alcohol.
• There is a casual exchange about different types of alcoholic beverages, reflecting cultural differences in drinking customs.

"You drink the wine. You drink the baka."

• This quote illustrates the exploration of cultural drinking habits, highlighting the curiosity and exchange of information about different alcoholic beverages.

• The discussion includes a focus on age, revealing perceptions of maturity and responsibilities associated with different ages.
• Participants express their ages, leading to reflections on feeling "too old" for certain activities.

"I'm getting tired, bro. I'm too old for this."

• This quote reflects the speaker's perception of aging and the associated feeling of being too mature for certain youthful activities.

• The conversation involves negotiation over buying drinks, showcasing social dynamics and the art of persuasion in casual settings.
• Participants engage in a back-and-forth about purchasing alcohol, highlighting the social aspect of sharing drinks.

"If you come with me, I'll buy a beer."

• This quote demonstrates the negotiation process in social interactions, where one party offers a drink in exchange for companionship.

• There is a discussion about the risks associated with drinking and driving, emphasizing the importance of safety and responsible behavior.
• Participants acknowledge the dangers of drunk driving and the consequences it can have.

"Don't want to be drinking too much red horse when I've got to drive, guys."

• This quote highlights the speaker's awareness of the risks of drinking and driving, stressing the need for responsible decision-making.

• The conversation captures a sense of adventure and exploration, with participants discussing their experiences and plans for activities like cliff jumping and snorkeling.
• There is a focus on making the most of the day and seeking out new experiences.

"Now, we're going to hop back on the bike. I really want to find a place to snorkel."

• This quote conveys the speaker's adventurous spirit and desire to explore, emphasizing the pursuit of new and exciting experiences.

• The transcript illustrates interactions with locals, capturing the dynamics of meeting new people and exchanging cultural pleasantries.
• There is a sense of camaraderie and friendliness in the interactions, despite language barriers.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Josh."

• This quote reflects the social nature of travel, where meeting new people and exchanging introductions is a common occurrence.

• The conversation includes discussions about the cost of goods, such as beer, and the participants' perceptions of value.
• Negotiations over prices reveal differing perceptions of what constitutes a reasonable cost.

"200 for a beer. Sounds quite expensive though."

• This quote highlights the speaker's perception of value and cost, indicating a negotiation over what is considered a fair price for a beverage.

• The transcript concludes with reflections on travel experiences and the importance of being mindful of surroundings and interactions.
• There is an emphasis on staying aware and cautious while traveling, especially in unfamiliar environments.

"It's just a good example of how you should always be mindful of your surroundings when traveling."

• This quote underscores the importance of situational awareness and mindfulness during travel, promoting safety and caution in new environments.

• The narrator arrives at Kabitayan Beach, initially confused about where to park and how to enter, noting the poor road conditions leading to the beach.
• There is a mention of an entrance fee and the requirement of showing ID to access the beach, which the narrator finds unusual.

"You would have thought a road coming down to a five-star resort would look better than this, but maybe that's part of the allure of it that you got to come down this crazy road to actually get to this place."

• The narrator comments on the unexpected condition of the road, suggesting it may be intentionally rugged to add to the experience.

"The first time I've been ID'd to get into a beach."

• The narrator expresses surprise at being asked for ID to enter a beach, indicating this is not a common practice.

• The narrator describes the beach as having low tide and not ideal for snorkeling, with limited marine life visible.
• Despite the lack of snorkeling opportunities, the narrator appreciates the refreshing swim and the scenic sunset.

"I don't see any good snorkeling spots here, to be quite honest."

• The narrator is skeptical about the quality of snorkeling at the beach, indicating a lack of visible marine life.

"I've seen enough starfish to last me till the end of my lifetime, I think."

• The narrator humorously comments on the abundance of starfish, suggesting they are the most prominent feature of the snorkeling experience.

• The narrator interacts with local children and adults, highlighting the friendliness and generosity of the Filipino people.
• A local offers the narrator a free coconut, which is gratefully accepted.

"That's the great thing about the Philippines is you always find yourself gate-crashing birthday parties."

• The narrator appreciates the hospitality and friendliness of the locals, often finding themselves included in local celebrations.

"I don't know why, but the Filipino people are just so different compared to so many other people in Asia."

• The narrator reflects on the unique warmth and generosity of the Filipino people compared to other Asian cultures.

• The narrator concludes the day with a sense of contentment, having enjoyed the natural beauty and local hospitality despite the initial challenges.
• Plans for the next day are hinted at, with an assurance of more organized activities.

"This is day one of two here in Summer Island. We have one more to go."

• The narrator indicates that their visit is part of a series, with more planned activities to come.

"Hope you guys enjoyed today's video. If you did, drop a thumbs up on it, hit subscribe, hit the bell, all that good stuff."

• The narrator signs off with a typical YouTube call-to-action, encouraging engagement from viewers.