Siquijor Journey - Epic Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls

Motorbike from Moalboal to the bus station, bus to the port near Cebu, tuk-tuk to the port itself, ferry to Dumaguete, tuk-tuk to the port near Dumaguete, ferry to Siquijor, and motorbike to my accommodation in Siquijor. A long travel day, but all things considered, it was smooth, painless, and cheap. I'm on a new island now—Siquijor—and I'm looking forward to adventuring around it! Yesterday, I went canyoneering in Kawasan Falls, which was one of the coolest experiences of my entire trip. I hiked, swam, and jumped through the canyon. The nature was stunning, the water was turquoise blue, and the guides were energetic and fun. This morning, as I was leaving my accommodation in Moalboal, I met the property owner, Charles—a 50-something-year-old guy from New York. He's dating a Filipina woman, who I'd guess is in her early 30s and runs the property. They were both incredibly sweet and went above and beyond to make my stay enjoyable. Charles bought the property in March and has big plans to expand it. He told me he wants to buy three neighboring properties and build pickleball courts. It's cool to see an American adventure capitalist on the ground. He was very down-to-earth and kind. Back in the U.S., where he still spends most of his time, he runs a foreclosure business—buying homes at auction and flipping them. I told him I'm interested in international business and would love to learn from him. He mentioned that in Rochester, NY, three-bedroom, two-bath homes go for under $100k and are solid investments. Foreclosure investments seem like a great business model—definitely something I'll remember. In the Philippines, he paid for his property in cash and then refinanced, a common technique for large investments to maximize value and deals. Talking with Charles and his girlfriend made me reflect on the wide variety of relationships that exist in the world. To a Western mind, their relationship—an older, wealthy American with a younger Filipina partner—might seem unusual. But it seems mutually beneficial. As you get older, I think the nature of relationships evolves. Charles gains a caring and capable business partner, while his girlfriend gains financial stability. As long as it's a fair exchange, I don't see a problem with these kinds of relationships—especially in developing countries where financial opportunity can be life-changing. Thinking about their relationship got me reflecting more deeply on love, marriage, and connection. I believe that relationships—especially marriage—should be shared with someone who enhances your life, your experiences, and yourself. Sadly, many relationships, particularly in the West, lack this foundation, and people end up miserable. While I've loved traveling solo and thrive as a lone wolf, I've come to appreciate the power of sharing experiences with others. It really can elevate everything about your journey. I'm excited to explore more of Siquijor!