I planned a getaway to Manado after finding out I’d be rolling off a 3-year project, but after booking it, I discovered I had to stay on for another two months. Yep—that’s me. Still, the trip is on!

Bobocabin Bunaken Hills (2 nights at the mainland)

We didn’t make any plans for the mainland. I was initially considering a day trip to Tangkoko National Park since I love wildlife, but I’ve decided instead to stay in and catch up on some work with the best views.

The cabin was comfortable and made for a relaxing getaway. The only area we felt could be improved was the food selection. Since the property is located about 20 minutes away from the city, having more dining options on-site would have been a huge plus. In the end, we ordered most of our meals through Grab throughout our stay.

If you’re planning a visit, it might be a good idea to prepare some BBQ ingredients beforehand and bring them along. We were initially interested in purchasing the property’s BBQ package, but the selection was quite limited and didn’t really appeal to us. Despite that, we still enjoyed our stay and appreciated the peaceful atmosphere. 

Bobocha Siladen (3 nights at the island)

I hadn’t been diving in over a year, and even though I didn’t have a dive buddy on the same trip, I decided to go for it—and I’m really glad I did. I ended up on a private dive trip, which made the whole experience feel relaxed, comfortable, and incredibly enjoyable. It was also a unique dive compared to those I’ve done before. We drift-dived alongside a massive coral wall, allowing us to take in the stunning underwater scenery while moving effortlessly with the current. It was both exhilarating and peaceful at the same time, and a dive I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Of course, it wasn’t on the cheaper side, but I was okay with that. Siladen Island was a beautiful, quiet little island with direct beach access and snorkeling available anytime. The sea visibility was incredible, and the corals were healthy and vibrant. The only downside was that the currents could get quite strong at times. We even spotted turtles and a pufferfish puffed up in defense!