The Morning of Departure
The day has finally come. It's time to pack up and leave "Tamariba," a guesthouse run by a friend where I've been staying for quite a while here in Cebu.
Today is July 13th, and my flight out isn't until tomorrow afternoon, July 14th. But I decided to play it safe and head to a hotel in Lapu-Lapu near Mactan Airport a day early.
The truth is, I caught a nasty cold recently and have been feeling absolutely terrible. The thought of dragging myself and my luggage all the way to the airport on the day of my flight sounded like a complete nightmare, so I opted to grab a taxi and make the move today.
For lunch, I had a bento box ordered by Shugo-kun, one of the guys at the guesthouse. As I ate, I could feel the clock ticking down on my time here.
The Power of Human Connection
Honestly, the last few days have been rough. Between the fever, zero energy, and the constant battle with mosquitoes, my mood completely tanked. I was practically bedridden for five straight days, unable to do anything.
But you know what really saved me? The people around me. Just having people nearby, casually talking to me and checking in, was a massive support. When you're traveling solo, you realize just how incredibly powerful and necessary human connection is. You feel its importance in every single moment, everywhere you go.
Back to Where It All Started
I am so glad I chose the Philippines as the very first country for this journey.
It's the place that originally opened my eyes to the world—the true starting point of my traveling life. Coming back this time allowed me to dive even deeper and learn so much more about this amazing country. It's been nothing short of the best time.
Now, I've finally checked into my hotel near the airport. Since tomorrow's flight isn't a super early one, I'm just going to take it easy tonight. I'll chill, reflect a bit, and see if there's anything else I need to wrap up before I say my final goodbye to the Philippines.