Scoffing a quick breakfast and hammering black coffee into our systems highlighted that we were late for our mini van. Our driver dutifully waited however and soon we were off amongst an eclectic bunch of foreigners to El Nido. The drive was six hours long and one that I wasn't looking forward to very much.

Being a prepared and organised individual I had downloaded the Lord of the Rings trilogy to my phone so that I could will away the miles. I was also still reading Tolkien's book still. Does anyone actually read all the songs and poems in that bloody thing?

Despite our driver doing his best to hurl us into a ditch, we made it to El Nido; it's beautiful. With its narrow, winding streets all packed with bakeries, bars and small shops it is a tourist's paradise. With that in mind, it is also the least backpacker-ish place we have been since some stops in New Zealand. People are dressed far more glamorously here and the restaurants and bars are far more upmarket and pricey.

El Nido is (self proclaimed) a corner of paradise, though eccentricities such as a 0% crime rate and no electrical power between 2pm and 6am add weight to that claim. There are fifty beaches in the municipal of El Nido all of which seem to enjoy white sand and clear waters. Island hopping and exploring some lagoons tomorrow is much anticipated!