Cebu Pacific and Khoo Swee Chiow: 7,107 islands, one adventure
MANILA, Philippines - Exploring the length of the Philippines onboard a kayak may be an insane idea for most people, but for Khoo Swee Chiow, it is not out of the ordinary. The world-renowned Singaporean adventurer has embarked on a 100-day exploration of the islands with nothing but his little boat and lots of paddling power.
Dubbed “The Friendship Kayak,” the project commemorates the 40-year friendship between the Philippines and Singapore, and Swee Chiow, also a motivational speaker and author, acts as the unconventional ambassador.
“I have not explored the Philippines before. With more than 7,000 islands, kayaking is the perfect way to experience this country,” the adventurer said while in northern Cebu.
And so with the help of Cebu Pacific as sponsor, Swee Chiow and his Filipino co-kayaker Buzzy Budlong are making the historic journey, which kicked off last August in the town of Glan in Saranggani Province, the most southern point of Mindanao.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cebu Pacific for the support,” said Swee Chiow. He has found the ideal partner for this particular adventure because Asia’s third largest low-cost carrier worked with him in making this event possible. This tandem, he said, found a goal in common: “Go to new places and find new experiences and inspirations. It’s about turning a dream into reality, setting a goal and achieving it and having a team to do it together with.”
Ni Hao, Swee Chiow
With an impressive record of climbing the world’s highest summits — Mt. Everest included — an ambitious kayak exploration from the tip of Mindanao, through the Visayas, and to the tip of Luzon is just another addition to this explorer’s never-ending résumé. He is, after all, the director of Dare to Dream LLP, a travel company that promotes unique adventures for anyone to enjoy. He penned three books which detail his amazing travels — Journeys to the Ends of the Earth, Singapore to Beijing on a Bike and his most recent work World’s Longest Journey on Skates.
“I love the outdoors and I love to push my limit and learn some new skills. All that combines into an expedition,” he said. He added that the biggest rewards of traveling and exploring other countries are to “learn about other people’s way of life and to find inspiration in new places.”
With regard to his travels within the islands, he replied, “It’s been an amazing experience, from the landscape ranges in wild and remote Mindanao to white beaches in the Visayas. People everywhere are very hospitable and warm.”
A True Ambassador Of Journeys
Through this remarkable journey, Khoo Swee Chiow is not only motivating people to do what they want, he is also inspiring them to discover new adventures that are found in their own motherland. After all, not very many Filipinos have been successful in exploring their own country, so for their benefit, Swee Chiow narrates what the rest of the Filipinos have been missing: “The Philippines (has) the sea, islands, mountains, caves, waterfalls and jungles. That’s a lot of places to explore. Mindanao is wild, remote and untouched in many places. (The) Visayas’ resorts and white beaches are beautiful and relaxing.”
He was also not disappointed by the hospitality of the Filipinos and the beauty of their lands.
“Being welcomed by the local government units and swimming with the jellyfish in Sohotan Bay in Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte are my best experiences so far,” he beamed.
While Swee Chiow is still undecided on what his next adventure will be, he encourages everyone to join him. “The world is such a fascinating place. The only way to experience it is to go.”
For adventure seekers who wish to see the beauty of the Philippines like Swee Chiow, Cebu Pacific offers flights that are parallel to his route. These destinations include: Davao, Surigao, Bohol (Tagbilaran), Cebu, Boracay, Palawan (Puerto Princesa) and Laoag.
