Auswandern mit Goetz

Auswandern mit Goetz

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My Philippines travel guide explains every region and province individually and in detail, including the most important visitor destinations.

Luzon Visayas Mindanao Overview Map overview

NCR

Metro Manila

Cordillera

Abra Apayao Benguet Ifugao Kalinga Mountain Province

Ilocos

Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union Pangasinan

Cagayan Valley

Batanes Cagayan Isabela Nueva Vizcaya Quirino

Central Luzon

Aurora Bataan Bulacan Nueva Ecija Pampanga Tarlac Zambales

CALABARZON

Batangas Cavite Laguna Quezon Rizal

MIMAROPA

Marinduque Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Palawan Romblon

Bicol

Albay Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Catanduanes Masbate Sorsogon

Western Visayas

Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo

Central Visayas

Bohol Cebu

Eastern Visayas

Biliran Eastern Samar Leyte Northern Samar Samar Southern Leyte

Negros Island

Negros Occidental Negros Oriental Siquijor

Zamboanga Peninsula

Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay Sulu

Northern Mindanao

Bukidnon Camiguin Lanao del Norte Misamis Occidental Misamis Oriental

Davao

Davao de Oro Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Occidental Davao Oriental

SOCCSKSARGEN

Cotabato Sarangani South Cotabato Sultan Kudarat

Caraga

Agusan del Norte Agusan del Sur Dinagat Islands Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur

BARMM

Basilan Lanao del Sur Maguindanao del Norte Maguindanao del Sur Tawi-Tawi Special Geographic Area

By Goetz Kohlberg - living in Cebu City, Philippines since 2014. Last updated: 10 June 2026.

Photo book: My first years in the Philippines

Opening page of the photo book My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Start 1 / 73

All Pages

Opening page of the photo book My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Start Photo Book: My first journeys and the early years after moving to the Philippines, collected as a personal photo book.

Contents page of the photo book My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Contents Contents: The book moves from arrival and everyday life in Cebu through family, culture, sports and travels across the Philippines.

Photo book page 1 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 1 Arrival In Cebu: The opening places the Philippines in Southeast Asia and then zooms into Cebu City, the practical base for the first years after arrival.

Photo book page 2 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 2 Arrival In Cebu: The opening places the Philippines in Southeast Asia and then zooms into Cebu City, the practical base for the first years after arrival.

Photo book page 3 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 3 First Views Of The City: The early impressions are about orientation: skyline, sea, hills and the first feeling for how Cebu City sits between coast and mountains.

Photo book page 4 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 4 First Views Of The City: The early impressions are about orientation: skyline, sea, hills and the first feeling for how Cebu City sits between coast and mountains.

Photo book page 6 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 6 One Oasis And Mabolo: This spread introduces the first everyday base in Cebu: living in a condo, finding routines and learning the surrounding district step by step.

Photo book page 7 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 7 One Oasis And Mabolo: This spread introduces the first everyday base in Cebu: living in a condo, finding routines and learning the surrounding district step by step.

Photo book page 8 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 8 Settling Into Daily Life: The focus shifts from arrival to normal life: apartment, neighborhood, errands and the first practical habits that make the city manageable.

Photo book page 9 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 9 Settling Into Daily Life: The focus shifts from arrival to normal life: apartment, neighborhood, errands and the first practical habits that make the city manageable.

Photo book page 10 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 10 Car, Move And Lahug: Mobility becomes part of the story: getting around, changing location and discovering Lahug as another important part of everyday Cebu.

Photo book page 11 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 11 Car, Move And Lahug: Mobility becomes part of the story: getting around, changing location and discovering Lahug as another important part of everyday Cebu.

Photo book page 12 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 12 New Routines: These pages continue the transition from visitor to resident: more local routes, more practical decisions and a clearer sense of place.

Photo book page 13 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 13 New Routines: These pages continue the transition from visitor to resident: more local routes, more practical decisions and a clearer sense of place.

Photo book page 14 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 14 Living Instead Of Visiting: The narrative moves beyond sightseeing and shows the small details that slowly turn a foreign city into a working home base.

Photo book page 15 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 15 Living Instead Of Visiting: The narrative moves beyond sightseeing and shows the small details that slowly turn a foreign city into a working home base.

Photo book page 16 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 16 Family And Province: Family connections and trips outside the city add another layer: the Philippines are not only Cebu City, but also province, relatives and local rhythms.

Photo book page 17 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 17 Family And Province: Family connections and trips outside the city add another layer: the Philippines are not only Cebu City, but also province, relatives and local rhythms.

Photo book page 18 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 18 Province Life: This spread keeps the family and province context together, showing a quieter side of the country away from malls, traffic and city routines.

Photo book page 19 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 19 Province Life: This spread keeps the family and province context together, showing a quieter side of the country away from malls, traffic and city routines.

Photo book page 20 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 20 Panglao And Bohol: The story turns toward Bohol and Panglao: nearby islands, coastal impressions and the kind of short trips that shape early expat memories.

Photo book page 21 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 21 Panglao And Bohol: The story turns toward Bohol and Panglao: nearby islands, coastal impressions and the kind of short trips that shape early expat memories.

Photo book page 22 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 22 Island Time: The paired pages continue the Bohol context with beaches, island landscapes and the relaxed contrast to the faster rhythm of Cebu City.

Photo book page 23 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 23 Island Time: The paired pages continue the Bohol context with beaches, island landscapes and the relaxed contrast to the faster rhythm of Cebu City.

Photo book page 24 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 24 Culture And Lechon: Food and local celebrations are part of understanding Cebu. Lechon and shared meals show how culture is often experienced around the table.

Photo book page 25 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 25 Culture And Lechon: Food and local celebrations are part of understanding Cebu. Lechon and shared meals show how culture is often experienced around the table.

Photo book page 26 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 26 Free Time And Sport: The book then moves into leisure and sport: keeping active, finding familiar routines and using free time to understand the new environment.

Photo book page 27 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 27 Free Time And Sport: The book then moves into leisure and sport: keeping active, finding familiar routines and using free time to understand the new environment.

Photo book page 28 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 28 Everyday Balance: These pages continue the leisure theme and show how normal life abroad is built from small routines, not only from major travel moments.

Photo book page 29 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 29 Everyday Balance: These pages continue the leisure theme and show how normal life abroad is built from small routines, not only from major travel moments.

Photo book page 30 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 30 Travelling Through The Philippines: The travel chapter begins with a wider view of the country: different islands, landscapes and routes beyond the first home base in Cebu.

Photo book page 31 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 31 Travelling Through The Philippines: The travel chapter begins with a wider view of the country: different islands, landscapes and routes beyond the first home base in Cebu.

Photo book page 32 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 32 On The Road: The journey continues through varied places and transport moments, showing how much of the Philippines is understood by moving between islands and regions.

Photo book page 33 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 33 On The Road: The journey continues through varied places and transport moments, showing how much of the Philippines is understood by moving between islands and regions.

Photo book page 34 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 34 More Islands, More Context: These pages keep the wider travel context together: each destination adds another piece to the picture of what life in the Philippines can mean.

Photo book page 35 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 35 More Islands, More Context: These pages keep the wider travel context together: each destination adds another piece to the picture of what life in the Philippines can mean.

Photo book page 36 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 36 Between Nature And Cities: The paired pages connect urban impressions with landscapes, making clear that the country is not one single lifestyle or one single pace.

Photo book page 37 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 37 Between Nature And Cities: The paired pages connect urban impressions with landscapes, making clear that the country is not one single lifestyle or one single pace.

Photo book page 38 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 38 Travel Memories: This spread closes the broader travel block with personal impressions gathered on the way, before the book turns north to the mountains.

Photo book page 39 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 39 Travel Memories: This spread closes the broader travel block with personal impressions gathered on the way, before the book turns north to the mountains.

Photo book page 40 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 40 Banaue, Sagada And Cordillera: The mountain chapter begins in the Cordillera region, where rice terraces, cooler air and long routes contrast strongly with island city life.

Photo book page 41 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 41 Banaue, Sagada And Cordillera: The mountain chapter begins in the Cordillera region, where rice terraces, cooler air and long routes contrast strongly with island city life.

Photo book page 42 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 42 Cordillera Landscapes: These pages continue the northern mountain context with scenery, roads and a slower travel rhythm shaped by altitude and distance.

Photo book page 43 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 43 Cordillera Landscapes: These pages continue the northern mountain context with scenery, roads and a slower travel rhythm shaped by altitude and distance.

Photo book page 44 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 44 Mountain Villages And Roads: The spread keeps the mountain journey together: places are connected by winding roads, viewpoints and the feeling of being far from the Visayas.

Photo book page 45 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 45 Mountain Villages And Roads: The spread keeps the mountain journey together: places are connected by winding roads, viewpoints and the feeling of being far from the Visayas.

Photo book page 46 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 46 Northern Impressions: The Cordillera section closes with a broader impression of northern Luzon, its landscapes and the way travel there feels different from the islands.

Photo book page 47 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 47 Northern Impressions: The Cordillera section closes with a broader impression of northern Luzon, its landscapes and the way travel there feels different from the islands.

Photo book page 48 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 48 Pinatubo, Taal And Boracay: This chapter starts with famous destinations and contrasts: volcano landscapes, lake views and the beach image many people associate with the Philippines.

Photo book page 49 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 49 Pinatubo, Taal And Boracay: This chapter starts with famous destinations and contrasts: volcano landscapes, lake views and the beach image many people associate with the Philippines.

Photo book page 50 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 50 Volcano Country: The paired pages continue the volcano context, showing how dramatic landscapes and travel logistics often belong together in the Philippines.

Photo book page 51 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 51 Volcano Country: The paired pages continue the volcano context, showing how dramatic landscapes and travel logistics often belong together in the Philippines.

Photo book page 52 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 52 Taal And Surroundings: This spread keeps the Taal impressions together: views, water, volcano context and the sense that nature is always close to daily life.

Photo book page 53 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 53 Taal And Surroundings: This spread keeps the Taal impressions together: views, water, volcano context and the sense that nature is always close to daily life.

Photo book page 54 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 54 Boracay: The beach chapter highlights Boracay as a different kind of destination: more tourism, more polish and a very recognizable island image.

Photo book page 55 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 55 Boracay: The beach chapter highlights Boracay as a different kind of destination: more tourism, more polish and a very recognizable island image.

Photo book page 56 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 56 Beach And Travel Contrast: These pages continue the contrast between postcard scenery and the practical reality of travelling, arriving and finding your own pace.

Photo book page 57 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 57 Beach And Travel Contrast: These pages continue the contrast between postcard scenery and the practical reality of travelling, arriving and finding your own pace.

Photo book page 58 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 58 Leaving The Travel Block: The section closes the Luzon and Boracay travel memories before returning to places closer to Cebu and Bohol.

Photo book page 59 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 59 Leaving The Travel Block: The section closes the Luzon and Boracay travel memories before returning to places closer to Cebu and Bohol.

Photo book page 60 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 60 Cebu, Bohol And Waterfalls: The final larger travel block returns to familiar ground: Cebu, Bohol and waterfalls, places that are easier to revisit from a Cebu base.

Photo book page 61 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 61 Cebu, Bohol And Waterfalls: The final larger travel block returns to familiar ground: Cebu, Bohol and waterfalls, places that are easier to revisit from a Cebu base.

Photo book page 62 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 62 Waterfalls And Day Trips: These pages keep the day-trip context together: nature, water and reachable escapes that balance the routines of city life.

Photo book page 63 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 63 Waterfalls And Day Trips: These pages keep the day-trip context together: nature, water and reachable escapes that balance the routines of city life.

Photo book page 64 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 64 Cebu Nature: The spread continues the Cebu nature chapter, showing how quickly the island can shift from urban density to green routes and water.

Photo book page 65 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 65 Cebu Nature: The spread continues the Cebu nature chapter, showing how quickly the island can shift from urban density to green routes and water.

Photo book page 66 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 66 Bohol Again: The Bohol context returns with landscapes and island memories that connect family, travel and repeated visits over the early years.

Photo book page 67 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 67 Bohol Again: The Bohol context returns with landscapes and island memories that connect family, travel and repeated visits over the early years.

Photo book page 68 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 68 Last Island Impressions: These pages collect late travel impressions and keep the final memories connected before the book moves toward its closing pages.

Photo book page 69 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 69 Last Island Impressions: These pages collect late travel impressions and keep the final memories connected before the book moves toward its closing pages.

Photo book page 70 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 70 Looking Back: The final paired pages look back across the first years: arrival, adjustment, travel, family and the everyday reality behind the photos.

Photo book page 71 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 71 Looking Back: The final paired pages look back across the first years: arrival, adjustment, travel, family and the everyday reality behind the photos.

Photo book page 72 from My first journeys and the years after moving to the Philippines — Page 72 End: The book closes as a personal record of the first years in the Philippines and the experiences that shaped the later work on this website.