March 2026

I didn’t have room in my carry on for a journal, so this is now my de facto journal.

Solo reflection

This morning as I am getting ready to meet up with 11 other women from all over the world for a week of scuba diving, I find myself having a quiet morning in downtown Cebu on a Friday morning. All around me, people are headed to work or to school and here I am completing my errand of the day of pulling out cash, finding a breakfast place and then taking the long route back to my hotel.

My first takeaway: as I’m sitting at breakfast, I’m struck with two thoughts. 1. I am so annoyed that I have to choose between sweet and savory. Why don’t I have my travel partner to split both? 2. I’m proud of myself for extending breakfast, ordering a second coffee and being OK with reading a book and taking my time.

My second takeaway (and I can imagine the biggest one I will have this trip): As I walk back to my hotel through a construction zone, I suddenly think: this reminds me of Kyiv. And I miss Kyiv so much.

Cebu shouldn’t remind me of Kyiv, right? But in this exact moment, it does. I’m standing on this street corner (I took a picture, see it here) and I just start crying.

I miss Kyiv. I miss who I was when I lived in Kyiv. The last time I was truly alone like this, without the comfort of people or the US, was when I lived there.

Reflection on group trips

A few days later: What a whirlwind—simultaneously foreign and familiar.

This group trip feels a bit like traveling with a sorority: great vibes, and while no one here is a best friend, everyone genuinely enjoys each other’s company.

Main takeaway: girls’ trips are the best trips!!

Second takeaway: it turns out I can be much less planful when I’m in the hands of someone else’s itinerary.

I’m realizing that yes, I do love going with the flow of whatever someone else has planned and I can also tell that I didn’t allow myself to live that way for a long time.

Slowing down on someone else’s schedule, enjoying being carefree, and fulfilling my dream of becoming a mermaid (in the works with every dive I do) are all things I can take back to my daily life in San Diego. Really, San Diego isn’t that different from an island in the Philippines. Maybe it’s 10x more expensive, but the same energy exists in my little beach town of Encinitas.

Trip breakdown

Diving: The diving in Malapascua is top-tier. Visibility ranges from clear blue to hazy when the current comes in, and marine life ranges from tiny nudibranchs (adorable little things) to tiger sharks (yet to see one).

This island is known for thresher sharks, who come up from the deep ocean to the cleaning stations around Malapascua Island. The contrast between their massive tails and narrow faces makes for an incredible sight. We were lucky enough to spend two separate days exploring the shoals where these sharks live.

The company: Twelve women—from Spain, Estonia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, and the US—ranging in age from 20 to 30. These women are amazing. I learned something from every single one of them.

Going into the trip, I was a bit apprehensive—not about getting along with people, but about being in such an incredible place and not finding my people to experience it with. Boy, was I wrong. Every moment felt amplified with these women around. Every sunset, every dive ascent, every dance party on the boat felt sweeter because we were sharing it together.

Maybe I got lucky. Maybe that’s exactly what the universe had planned. But take this as a sign: your group trip can, and probably will, feel the same.

The itinerary: I was also apprehensive about being on someone else’s itinerary (to no one’s surprise). I worried I’d feel like I was wasting time, not diving enough, or constantly itching for more. I worried I’d come back from these two weeks off feeling unfulfilled. Again, BOY was I wrong. Over the course of 8 full days on the island (add 2 days for travel), we completed 12 dives. Most days consisted of early morning breakfast at the hotel, diving in the morning and lunch on the boat, free time in afternoons and dinner before being absolutely ready for bed by 9:30 PM. The itinerary was broken up by a few special dives, one long day trip to a sand spit island, fun workshops, yoga classes, and a combination of pre-planned and unplanned dinners.

Some highlights of the week: first night sunset drinks enjoying music and a drum circle, dance party on the way to our night dive, our last night island disco, riding motorbikes in a caravan from one end of town to the other, playing mermaids underwater with a massive turtle, the list goes on.

My MAGANDA girls, what a trip. I am so excited for where I will see you all next.

Silvia, Pixu, and all the Maganda team – WOW, thank you for all that you do to genuinely share these places and act as the connectors you are. What a time.

Ladies only 🙂 – to book your own trip with the amazing Maganda Experiences, find upcoming trips here: https://www.magandaexperience.com/