After a fast paced but fantastic four weeks in China, we headed towards Hong Kong on a 24 hour train, traversing from the North to the South of China. The journey passed fairly quickly, and soon we found ourselves in Shenzen, where we shopped in the local markets picking up some warm garments at low prices. We then crossed into Hong Kong by Metro, where we headed to our accommodation at the infamous Chungking mansions, a huge block of hotels, restaurants and mobile phone shops. Hong Kong proved to be an expensive city in comparison to our other Asian destinations, so we were drawn towards the local supermarkets - including an M&S - where we were rewarded with a variety of homely options, such as sandwiches, pork pies, sausage rolls, Percy Pigs etc.

We spent our time in Hong Kong walking around the city and viewing the sites. Crossing over onto Hong Kong Island by the Star Ferry, we wandered through the modern network of streets, subways and bridges, in and out of shopping malls and camera stores. The highlight of our time here was undoubtedly the Peak Tram, a 100+ year old tram service that took us to the top of a hill which allowed for great views over the city. Here we waited for the sun to set, played some cards where Paul concreted his status as 'statistically the best Geneva player' and drank some hot chocolate. The views over the city at night are fantastic, although hard to capture accurately on our cameras. Paul was looking to buy a digital SLR camera and at one stage thought that he had made the purchase having signed for the camera, however the staff then informed that the camera was not in stock. A quick call to the bank put a block on that card!

We then headed to the Phillipenes, starting in Cebu. We arrived at the inconvenient time of 4.00am following our 1.30am flight. Not wishing to turn up at the hotel and wait for our room to become available, or end up sitting on the streets outside our destination, we found some comfy chairs in the airport and sought some sleep. Later we headed to our hotel, ate breakfast and went straight to bed. Our double room was huge, and here we rested for the whole day, only popping out to pick up some snacks and drink. We relaxed, watched movies and ordered an amazing pizza, with garlic wedges, garlic mayo dip and a dreamy chocolate ice cream pot. It was like being back home! The next day we ventured into the town, where there was little to see apart from a small fort so we picked up some food shopping and headed back.

The next morning we were off to Alona beach on the island of Bohol. Here we booked a night into a cheap hut before taking our time to review all of the accommodation that was on offer and the strand of beach that we had landed on. We were soon to be disappointed as our ideology was not met with, the beach was covered in sea grass and other general mess thrown up by the choppy waters, and the accommodation was hugely overpriced. We checked out several other beaches but also found ourselves to be disappointed. On one venture we hired a Tricycle to take us to a beach, where we looked at a stunning resort which was a mere 170 pound a night and slightly out of our price range. We also found out that there are some villas available for 30,000 pound a night! On the way back, our driver realized that he had a flat tyre so we stopped to change it - whilst we waited in a little shop-hut whilst the problem was being fixed. Paul ordered a 500ml bottle of Red Horse lager, and found that at the end of drinking this 6.9% proof beer that he was a little tipsy! He opted to then buy a bottle of rum for 70p which he never did drink but instead gave it away!!

So, we spent several days at Alona trying to work out what we wanted to do there, checking into a more luxury resort with a swimming pool which we could relax by as the beach was too messy and the sea too choppy. Here we enjoyed some luxuries, eating some nice food and having some drinks, but largely we were plotting our escape as we were not content with staying at Alona for 2 weeks. Our rescue came in the form of Malapasca or Bantayan island, the former smaller and better for diving and the latter having better beaches. We chose the Bantayan and headed back to Cebu early in the morning before heading on another few hours north to our ferry port. The journey followed a windy costal road and the driver was flying at full speed, but Lottie managed to survive without a motion sickness tablet, and then we boarded the slowest boat of all time to the island. Our trip involved a walk, a tuk tuk, a ferry, a taxi, a bus, a ferry and then finally another taxi! We were instantly happier, clear flat waters and clean sandy beaches, perfect!

Our first nights' accommodation was in a picture perfect location. A long sandy beach with a sandy inlet creating a lake like collection of sea water, dotted palm trees and few obstacles between us and our view out to sea. Two single beds proved to be a major downfall, so again we went in search of improved lodgings, and found a place inland called Kiwi cottages. Unsurprisingly this was run by a New Zealander and his Phillipino wife, who were instantly warming and their children running about gave the place a nice family atmosphere. Rooms here were less than 10 pound a night and even better had a lot of space, a wardrobe, TV and a fridge. No hot showers however, so we were back to washing from a bucket! The cottages were located near a small street of no more than 70 metres which had plenty of restaurants and bars selling Western and local foods, so we were made up, and stayed here for 7 whole nights, more than any other place in or 5 months. The small village had a lovely safe feeling about it, and a stunning strip of beach looking out onto perfectly flat and crystal waters.

From this point onwards, our days followed a similar pattern. Sleep in until about 9-10am, get up and have some breakfast, either homemade cereal and eggs, or something from the local restaurants. We would then head down to the beach, get straight into the sea where the tide was in, and try our best to circumnavigate around the black jellyfish that were abundant. In fact Paul was stung on our first day in the sea, and spent several hours dousing himself in vinegar in order to calm the burning pain. We would then rest up on our comfy loungers at the beach resort and sip on some ice teas or juices, before planning our lunch. We would then take a break and eat, before returning to the beach to enjoy more sun sea and sand, until about 4pm when we would return to our cottage for an afternoon nap. In the evening we would take advantage of the great range of restaurants all of whom cooked great food, from Beef Goulash to Pizza.

This pattern continued until the day before Paul's 28th birthday where Lottie became busy trying to arrange a surprise for the day. She was busy rushing here there and everywhere talking to locals, leaving Paul sitting in the room on the internet wondering what she was up to! On the 14th, Paul was awoken to a beautiful morning of sunshine and presents. The first of which was a well-disguised Toblerone accompanied by two birthday cards, one from Lottie and one from his mum that he had been carrying around for 5 months! An excellent start was followed by a huge American breakfast including beans, fried tomato and mushrooms, as well as all the meats, toast and tea. Satisfied, we then headed down towards the beach where we were guided towards a decorated local long boat which was adorned in balloons and a big yellow placard stating 'Happy 28th Birthday Paul' in bright red characters. Unfortunately most of the balloons had exploded in the heat of the sun, but the gesture was there. Paul was quickly given a beer and off we set (once they could get the boat to work) to a surprise destination. The first activity was a snorkel outside of Virgin island, where the marine life was plenty if not large. The reef was filled with similar fish to those that we had already encountered in our many dives and snorkels, yet they seemed to be about 30% of the size of those that we had already seen. Paul quickly jumped out of the water though when a huge white jellyfish slowly made its way past him,

Back on the boat and we headed towards another island and a small private beach. Here Paul was handed more beer to consume and we both relaxed on the beach and listened to the waves crashing against the rocks. We bathed in the sun for a while before Romeo our boatman called us over for our lunch, a lovely treat of barbequed fish (three of them!) with rice served with more beer! After lunch we fed the collection of friendly dogs that greeted us on our arrival and enjoyed our private beach once again, playing some badminton and going for a swim. We also wandered up and down the beach collecting pretty shells before we set off for home. Following an afternoon nap, Paul was instructed to stay in the bedroom and play on the internet whilst Lottie was off organising again. After about an hour of waiting Paul was starting to worry and so went out into the bar to see what was going on. A further 30 minute wait and eventually several of the children covered Paul's eyes and the mandatory 'Happy Birthday' was being sung. Presented in front of Paul was a huge square carrot cake (Paul's favourite) with Happy Birthday Paul written over the front of it. The cake was delicious and we shared it with all our friends and the staff members. The reason why Lottie was so delayed is that the bakers that she arranged the cake with had never before made a carrot cake, and their timings were majorly off - true Philippine time. So much so that Lottie was invited into the house of the baker and watched as the cake was pulled from the oven and iced!!

In the evening we headed by Tricycle to the St Bernards resort, again Lottie had found out that this was the best restaurant on the island, and when we arrived we took up a seat with views out to Virgin Island. Although a coconut tree loomed large over our head with the threat of a KO from a fallen fruit, we enjoyed a lovely romantic meal and a few cocktails. In fact one of us enjoyed a few too many cocktails - Lottie was found to be quite tipsy by the time that we had returned to our room and passed out within a few minutes!! A great day was had!

Our last two days in the Phillies was spent much the same as all of our previous days - relaxing on the beach, sipping on iced teas or cocktails, and indulging in great food. Before we knew it, we were back on the ferry and returning to Hong Kong. With funds dwindling, we were not much looking forward to our return trip to the big city, and indeed our two days in Hong Kong were spent largely in the hotel room, sleeping and watching movies. A highlight of our return was meeting up with Paul's friend Tom, whom had contacted Paul on Facebook as he happened to notice Paul's status saying 'back to Hong Kong.' Tom treated us to a few drinks, Lottie excited to receive a nice glass of wine! And that was the end of our Asian adventures, as we headed Southwards towards Australia, and our final night together for 6 weeks…