1. Hong Kong

I have been to a lot of places in the Philippines and in the world. So it is hard to figure out the best place for me. The closest thing to this is a top five list and that's exactly what I'm going to give you.

1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong was the first place we spent a family vacation abroad. It's for sentimental and personal reasons that I included Hong Kong in this list. When I was a kid, I loved Hong Kong for what it offered for kids: big toy shops, Ocean Park, big park rides. As a teenager, I loved the somewhat grown-up feeling it offered. I could walk around the city without worry. I could go down the street from the hotel to pick up dinner. I could shop for stuff I need without having to ask my parents for permission. As an adult, I loved the city and the freedom and choices it offered. I loved how East meets West in Hong Kong. All the things I love about the West are here and all the comfortable things of the East are always a few steps away.

Hong Kong can be a pretty busy place, especially during day time when everyone's rushing to go to their destinations. But when night comes, it's nice to walk around the city, taking your time, and just taking everything in. At night, I walk over to the harbour and I watch the Symphony Of Lights, an amazing light show that utilizes the different lights of the Hong Kong skyline.

If you've never been to Hong Kong, go for the adventure and the experience. Because Hong Kong is definitely a place that must be experienced live. Don't be afraid to step away from your comfort zone and to do it the way locals do it. But don't be afraid to miss something out. At least you'll always have a reason to come back.


2. Australia

I recently went to visit Australia for the first time and I loved it. It's the perfect vacation spot because every thing is just so laid back. And everything is just so accessible. Want to go to the beach, a one-hour-and-a-half drive away but no car? No problem! Just take the bus, train or ferry to go there.

You'd think there are no places to go to in Australia but there are so many! Australia has a lot of hidden secrets but if you ask nicely, Aussies will tell you what you need to know. That's what maks Australia one of the best places in the world. There's always something new to discover.


3. San Francisco, CA

This is my favorite city in the US. It's a cross between a city and a small town, which is kind of like the place I grew up in. Everything is just a bus or train ride away. My favorite places there are definitely Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square. Union Square is the best place to experience the city and be in the middle of it all. And if you want to get away without going out of the city, try Fisherman's Wharf and enjoy some of the best seafood the city has to offer.

San Francisco doesn't pretend to be something other than itself, which is a good thing, I believe. What you see is what you get. And I don't think they have time to be pretentious and self-righteous.


4. Japan

Japan is a hard place to go if you don't know the language. But don't let that stop you. You don't need an English-speaking tour guide or host to enjoy Japan. All you need is a map, a phrase book and a sense of adventure.

Visit the places that made Japan what it is today. In Kansai, visit the Osaka Castle, the different museums in Kobe, especially the Earthquake Memorial Museum, visit all the temples in Kyoto, and the parks and museums in Tokyo. Even when you think you've got your map all planned out, you'll find yourself adding more places to your list because there's so much to do in Japan that only the Japanese know.

5. Bohol, Philippines

Definitely, Bohol is the best town in the country for me. There aren't a lot of adventures to do here but there are a lot of ways and places in Bohol that gives the visitors a sense of Boholano and Philippine culture. This was, after all, the site of the first blood pact between the Filipinos and the Spanish men.

If you're in Bohol, have a traditional Filipino lunch at the Loboc River Cruise, which will take you to the Loboc Falls and to see the world's smallest primate, the tarsier. Pray for a safe trip back home at the oldest church in the Philippines, the Baclayon Church.

Have you been to these places before? What do you think of these places? If you don't agree with me, what's the best place in the world for you? Why is it the best?