Absolutely essential places to see next time you're in the Philippines

Top place went to Boracay, which the travel publication described as: “This itty-bitty island (just under four square miles) in the Western Philippines is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and transporting sunsets. Add in a thriving nightlife scene, and you have one of the top tourist spots in the region.”

Traditionally, the elderly carve their own coffins out of hollow logs. Of course, if they’re too weak or ill, a family member will step in to help.

When it gets just too damn hot in Manila, you can just lock yourself in a room with air conditioning on full blast, or you can spend a couple of hours travelling to Tagaytay.

The city’s heritage an airbase is reflected by the thriving Angeles City Flying Club. Pleasure flights can be booked at surprisingly affordable prices.

When I first moved to the Philippines we drove around the country stopping here and there until myself and my partner happened upon a place that we felt would suit us to stay at long term.

One of my travel plans for 2017 was a trip to Lakawon Island Resort and Spa, a popular destination in the northern regions of Negros Occidental.

When you’re travelling around the Philippines, it’s always nice to pull into a locally run resort and chill out for a while.

Writing this on a cold, dark day in the frozen far reaches of the northern hemisphere, it’s hard to believe that such sunshine and beauty awaits just a flight away. If you’ve never had a chance to visit, make 2017 your year to explore Palawan, before the crowds really begin to flood in.

In these politically correct times, it’s generally agreed that “blacking up” to imitate a darker-skinned race is, quite literally, beyond the pale.

Although I love the climate of the Philippines, there are times when it gets too much, and I just want to lie down under an air conditioner or sip drinks in a pool.