Off the Beaten Path (2015) : 10x3

Siquijor is one of over 7,600 Philippine islands between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. Still off the mass tourism radar, it offers quiet beaches and a slower pace of life. This is what drew Roman from Bratislava, who arrived seven years ago. With a background in natural sciences, he now guides tourists and scientific expeditions. Despite travelling much of the world, he found the Philippines to be the perfect blend of Latin America and Southeast Asia. On the island, we harvest sea urchins and taste them fresh by the shore. In San Juan, we try balbacua, a rich soup made from beef skin. Night markets offer a wide range of local food and goods, and Roman introduces us to kare-kare, a peanut-based stew. Known as the island of healers, Siquijor also reveals its mystical side as we visit a traditional healer and explore local rituals.