After another smooth as glass boat ride (hurray for crowded archipelagos), we arrived at Siquijor ("See-kee-hor") for 4 nights, primarily to check out the beautiful beaches on what is supposed to known as a very quiet and only lightly touristed island. We were a little more strategic with where we stayed this time in terms of amenities, and so managed to get around mostly by walking and the odd tricycle ride. We frequented our favourite beach, Paliton Beach, dubbed, "Little Boracay", so felt validated that we had left the real Boracay island off our itinerary.

Ever faithful reader and friend Andrea asked us about an item we brought that seemed initially essential but ultimately was pointless, as well as the "must-have" items. Last year Troy brought along a small coil bike lock to lock up, something, but it turned out that we found no use for this. Each time we took a bicycle and left it somewhere for the day, it was either always near us, or in a little parking lot being monitored by someone. It wasn't light in weight either, so this was definitely scrapped this time around! Clare brought along a pashmina, thinking that it was going to be multi-functional as a shawl for a cool night (ha ha ha!), and something to sit on. This ended up being sent home, and instead along the way was purchased a light beach cover-up which was used almost every day, for wearing, wrapping something up in, lying out on the beach, etc. For Troy's luxury items, he swears by: (at least) one small dry bag for boat trips and beach activities, a hat that will properly cover your face, 2 pairs of shoes - good quality sandal that can double as a beach sandal (currently plastic Birkenstocks), and good quality running shoes, and packing cubes - he started with 4 last year when we had some warmer clothes with us, and is now down to 3 which fit all the light clothing. Clare's go-tos are: sea sickness wrist bands (also useful for long, winding bus rides!), also the hat that will properly cover your face (a wider brim than you think), a journal, and 3 pairs of shoes; good quality running/hiking shoes, good quality sandals, and cheap-y flip-flops (these weren't initially part of the pack but felt wanted later on). She would also include ear plugs, but after several different pairs has still not found one that does not fall out of her ear halfway through the night, and welcomes any suggestions on brands/styles that people may have used effectively.