Beyond its infamous association with Philippine horror stories and folkloric monsters, Siquijor is an untouched paradise. The beaches have cool blue-green waters, white sand and best of all, is practically tourist-free. Sometimes you might see a brave sea snake getting too close to shore; and a million little fishes and sea urchins populating the sea floor. You don’t see that in party beaches anywhere else in the Philippines.

I try to go there every summer to catch up with relatives and go to the beach until I get a passable tan. And every time I go, I am secretly relieved that the place has a scary reputation. Less crowds definitely make a better beach experience.

Gear: Lupita, my LC-A+ and Fuji Sensia 200, cross-processed