Charting a New Course

How Moving to the Philippines Changed My Life

Relaxing at the Beach House in Ocam Ocam, discovered in Palawan, Philippines.

When I made the bold move to a beautiful and remote spot in the Philippines a few years back, I was searching for a new adventure and a fulfilling life for myself and my family. This journey wasn’t without its challenges, but it has shaped our lives in ways I could never have imagined. Let me share my story with you.

Our little piece of paradise we found in discovered in Palawan, Philippines.

In 2014, I made the life changing decision to move to the Philippines. It was a chance to pursue a slightly alternative lifestyle for myself and my daughter. We were drawn to the idea of living in a remote location where she could grow up with an understanding of life in less developed parts of the world. We wanted her to develop empathy from a young age and to not take the luxuries of the Western world for granted.

Leaving behind a lucrative opportunity in the Mediterranean, working on a 270ft superyacht with the same owner for over eight years was no easy decision. Honestly, I could have retired in that role. But the pull to relocate to the Philippines, with its endless islands to explore and world class diving, was impossible to resist. Some of my previous crew, who were Filipino had encouraged me to visit and once we did, we fell in love with the place.

After captaining another superyacht, I decided it was time to simplify my life for a while.

We found a piece of land far away from the major hubs on the island. It was remote… so remote that it was difficult to get to. Other expats thought we were mad. But with our daughter by our side, a welcoming beach community and the allure of such seclusion, we couldn’t say no.

We started modestly, living in tents and using local Carabao (water buffaloe) to sled our goods along the sandy beach. Adapting to life here wasn’t easy. At first, there was some resistance from the locals to foreigners moving in. We faced challenges like overpaying for goods and struggling to find reliable staff with many only lasting a few days. But we persevered. Over the years, we built a home, watched our daughter thrive and became part of the community.

Saskia riding a carabao, our local way to transport supplies in Palawan.

While the struggles never entirely disappeared, we felt a deep responsibility to give back. Slowly the local fishing villagers became skilled workers as carpenters, electricians and hospitality staff. We set out to replicate the high standards of a superyacht, catering to up to 12 people in this remote paradise. My daughter’s mother, a talented chef and I trained the staff as housekeepers and cooks.

Saskia fitting in with the village locals.

In return, the village provided us with a safe haven and helped us build our dream. What we gave to the community came back to us tenfold. Watching the locals learn new skills and grow into their roles was deeply rewarding.

Our new move move to Canggu, Bali.

As our daughter grew older, the isolation brought on by the pandemic made us reassess her education. We eventually moved her to Bali, where she could access better schooling and a broader social environment. But the lessons she learned during her formative years in the Philippines of empathy, resilience and tenacity are evident in her daily interactions with friends and teachers.

Saskia celebrating her birthday in Philippines.

To the Philippines I thank you. You shaped my family, our values and our outlook on life.

*Thanks, Anna, for the edit 🙂