At the end of 2025, we spent a week visiting friends in Manila, Philippines, and the surrounding areas.
During our stay, we explored the bustling city of Manila and took a trip to the scenic Lake Taal area, known for its active volcano. For getting around locally, we relied heavily on Grab, the go-to ride-hailing app in the region. We were fortunate enough to stay at a friend’s house, which gave us a more personal look at local life.
This was a big international trip for us, traveling with our two sons—our eldest, who was just about to turn four, and our two-year-old. From our initial preparations to a full breakdown of the costs, here is the record of our family journey!
