Retreat and Relaxation: Work anniversary trip to the Philippines with Vanya

As part of our Travelship Program, Vanya was given an anniversary gift from the company to travel to a country of her choice from our award-winning destinations. Our program is dedicated to our loyal employees as a reward for their hard work and dedication towards the company. We cover the cost of the whole trip as well as flights. Having never been to the Philippines before, this trip was definitely one she was looking forward to.

Crossing Cultural Boundaries

Vanya’s choice to venture to a new southeast Asian country was because of her love for island life. Originally from the busy capital city of Jakarta, Vanya knew that the ocean would give her the tranquility she yearned for. Being the only Asian in her group, she was nervous. However she quickly learned that her friendships formed effortlessly, “we became a family straight away”. Despite the age and cultural differences, the cultural crossover didn’t get in her way. When her trip came to an end, the group were already experiencing separation anxiety from each other; the bond was just that strong. To this day, they still keep in touch with one another.

Also learn about the BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES

Making Core Memories

After returning back to the office, Vanya couldn’t get enough of storytelling. Island hopping was one of the many activities she enjoyed and the itinerary was an adventure packed journey to the islands of Port Barton, El Nido and Coron. On tour they did everything from volleyball to playing Pik Pak Boom with the boat boys and sunset watching on the cliff at the private island.

There was no better way to experience this country, than to dive deep into learning what makes the Philippines like no other. From learning about the language and culture, to the history of their colonisation and of course the coconuts.

On one of her favourite culture days Vanya climbed a coconut tree, shaved the coconut and joined a cooking class where she made the national dish called Chicken Adobo.
After her meal, it was time to burn some calories, and what better way than learning how to play a childhood Filipino traditional game called Tumbang Preso (knock down the prisoner). This was followed by the national martial arts known as Arnis as well as Tinikling, a traditional Philippine folk dance which originated during the Spanish colonial era. It’s safe to say she enjoyed the dance wholeheartedly, as dancing has always been one of her many hobbies. The dance consisted of at least 2 people beating, tapping and sliding bamboo poles on the ground against each other in coordination with other dancers who step over and in between the poles.

Photo Worthy Spots

There were more than Vanya could count, all the spots along the way were Insta worthy. She had no trouble capturing content for her own social account and for her marketing team to showcase the gems of the Philippines. Everything from a professional camera to an underwater camera, she was set and ready to take on her trip.

Read about some of the other BEST AREAS TO VISIT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Island Hopping Tips & Tricks

Being able to cool down in the tropical islands of the Philippines is vitally important for a comfortable, smooth-sailing trip. One tip Vanya recommends is to bring a hat and a portable fan as it is essential to those that are prone to the heat. Luckily for Vanya, sunburn and mosquito bites aren’t common occurrences for her, but for future travellers, she would suggest to bring sunscreen and a mosquito repellent as it would definitely come in handy. As most would need a coffee to get on with their day, Vanya would pack herself a snack in her bag for the day trips, so that was definitely on her must-pack list when traveling to the Philippines.

Reflecting on a Year Growth – Gratitude and Dedication

A heartfelt milestone of being a part of the OLA family, Vanya reflected on her journey and developed a fond appreciation for the people she works with. From trials and tribulations to celebrating each other’s happiest moments, it was all done together as a family. The OLA employees are more than just colleagues, but shoulders that one could lean on. She developed a genuine camaraderie with her coworkers and would often spend quality time beyond working hours; spending days at the office just wasn’t enough. Other than the generous benefits that she’s provided with, working for the company has brought her feelings of gratitude and is continually filled with joy to be a part of a diverse community from people all over the world.

Together as a Team

After experiencing the tour from her own eyes after a year of watching through the lens of other people’s trips, it brought Vanya a deeper appreciation towards the love and passion the OLA family has put into ensuring that the tours are a memorable experience. Being able to give the same love and care we do to our travellers is just as important as doing the same for our employees. After all, without the incredible team that we have, none of this would have been possible. We are consistently committed to making everyone in the company feel welcome and heard, regardless of cultural and background differences. We believe that the simple things are what holds the foundations of the family.

Your Time to Experience

Vanya’s transformational experience could be yours. Which of our destinations would you like to go to? We believe that ethical and responsible travel is important in preserving the industry. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to provide culturally rich adventures. At the end of the day, we only have one life, and what better way than to book a once-in-a-lifetime experience with us.