Ever been to the Philippines?

I’ve just been looking at last minute holiday offers in the Sunday Times.  Amongst the plethora of cheap deals to Turkey, Majorca – or more expensive offers to faraway places, one stood out.  The Philippines.  I started to delve a bit further.  The island destinations are fantastic.  The culture and cuisine are varied – and you can even get cheap flights.

In an era where the Far East is a must-visit area, with the likes of Cambodia and Viet Nam taking over from Thailand as groovy destinations, why is the Philippines more or less ignored?  With over 7,100 islands to chose from there are some real desert island castaway locations.  And it’s a big country in every sense of the word – one of the world’s top 50 economies.  I’m not sure the NHS would function any more without Philippino  nurses.  But as a holiday destination – the Philippines doesn’t seem to be on many peoples’ radar. 

Why would you go to the Phillipines?  Well its got some great locations for water sports at a price that won’t make your eyes water.  Despite centuries of exploitation there are also virgin rain forests, some of which are home to a living national treasure, the Philippine Eagle, one of the most spectacular birds on the planet. 

But why stop for just a holiday?  You could do worse than settle in the Philippines.   I found myself looking at the idea of buying a property there.  Just one click on Google took me to a  selection of Philippines real estate.  For example – where else could you get an exotic far eastern island hideaway for under £64,000.

Sounds a bargain to me.   I wonder if many Brits have jumped on this particular holiday bandwagon.  It’s not quite as exotic as a Palm island purchase in Dubai.  Nor as familiarly reassuing as a place in Provence or Tuscany perhaps.  But at these prices you don’t have to be a lottery winner to give it a go.