Hello my name is Rye.

I have lived, studied and worked in five countries-- Philippines, USA, Brazil, Colombia and Cambodia.

I loved living in other countries which led me to teach English in Colombia and Brazil. Living one year in Medellin and one year in Sao Paulo, I speak fluent Spanish and Portuguese -- hablo espanol y portugues como un nativo :)

I studied in Los Angeles for two years (middle school) and worked there as an adult for 3 years. (My English is American. Basically I have native level proficiency in 4 languages.)

From 2012 to 2015 my wife and I also worked in my family's small family business in Cambodia, which enabled us to travel to neighboring Vietnam and Thailand often.

We were also able to visit Singapore several times and Malaysia. For these reasons, I can give you many tips on how to travel in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

In 2019, after much soul searching, Ive finally figured out my calling: to be the best tour guide in Palawan. I love to travel, teach and learn. I also speak five languages. I have started a travel blog called thepolyglottraveler.com.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on Couchsurfing for two main reasons: 1. To share with travelers to best of Palawan-- Puerto Princesa to be specific 2. To someday visit my guests in their home countries. Ive done this meeting them in Lisbon, Barcelona and Slovenia. Best feeling ever first meeting in our tank tops in Puerto and a year later meeting in our jackets in Europe:)

Interests

History
Travel
Business
Art
Sports
Languages

• business
• travel
• hostel
• philippines
• palawan
• deeper travel

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Brazilian bossa nova, reggae, jazz
Movies: The Secret in the Eyes (Argentina), Cidade de Deus (Brazil), Albergue Espanol (Spain), Forrest Gump, etc.
Books: Paolo Coelho, currently reading Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Learning five languages fluently.

Teach, Learn, Share

10 Things You Should Do in Palawan What most tour guides probably won’t tell you about this year’s most beautiful island (for the nth time in a row)

#1 - Swim in crystal clear waters just around the city. You don’t need to go too far from Puerto Princesa to see one of Palawan’s best-kept secret beaches. Nagtabon Beach, a 45-minute drive from the city center, is a mile-long stretch of powdery white sand, tucked behind lush green hills. Its water is so clear you can see your toes while wading in neck-deep water. It’s located on the west coast and not surrounded by mountains and other islands, so it’s also a perfect spot to catch the sunset without the droves of tourists. You can also pitch a tent by the beach if you want to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city, while staying in close quarters with nature

#2… Enjoy the view from the top. Prefer mountains over beaches? Palawan has something for you, too. If you’re a newbie climber, take the 700 steps up Mount Tapyas at Coron. If you’re more adventurous, then challenge yourself to the day-long hike up Mount Bloomfield in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, or up the steep limestones of Taraw Cliff in El Nido. The breathtaking view from the summit is a reward in itself. Shouting all your “hugot” to the world while taking in the view is optional.

#3… Go to the Prison Farm. Yes you read that right. Prepare for an unforgettable and at times, life-altering experience.

#4… Drink Palawan craft beer. Take a tour of Ayahay Palaweño Brewery, the first tour of its kind in the country, and sample their different craft beer and food pairings. Choose from Palawan Wit (Belgian Wheat Beer), Ayahay IPA, Ambog Ale (American Amber Ale), or Palaw’an (Honey Kolsch). You can also ask for Mango de Palawan, a mango-flavored beer, although its availability is seasonal. Ayahay craft beers are also available in some bars and restaurants in Puerto Princesa.

#5… Wine and dine by the beach. After a long day of tours, road trips or flights.

#6… Stay in Sabang after visiting the Underground River. Most tourists go to Sabang to see Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River, which was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature. But after everyone leaves around late afternoon, you can enjoy having the beach to yourself. A cabana offers a good view of the beach, while restaurants nearby offer the best of Filipino and international cuisines.

#7… Have a taste of history. Palawan sheltered Vietnamese refugees after the Vietnam War, and most of them settled in Vietville, near Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa. Most of the refugees have migrated elsewhere, but not before leaving some of their well-loved culinary traditions. Pho, a savory noodle soup locally known as chao long, is a popular comfort food choice all over Puerto Princesa and even in nearby towns such as Roxas. Bona’s in Puerto Princesa’s city center is a popular chao long stop for locals, but Vietville, although 15 minutes away from the city center, is certainly worth the trip. Try the spring rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee, too!

#8… Catch a colorful sunset in El Nido. Since the beach on Bacuit Bay in El Nido town is tucked behind mountains and limestone cliffs, catching a good view of the sunset may be a bit of a challenge. Just a five-minute ride from town is Republica Sunset Bar, where you can get a front-row VIP seat to El Nido’s picturesque sunset while sampling authentic Spanish food. Check it out on Monday nights, too, when you can dance the night away and sample its delicious cocktails.

#9… Party in Puerto Princesa. While it’s not as wild as Boracay, Puerto Princesa has a few spots to let loose on a Friday or Saturday night. Some old favorites are Katabom and Kweba, which are popular with locals and backpackers. Voda Bar at Aziza Paradise Hotel, meanwhile, is flocked by a younger college crowd, mixed with some business travelers staying at the hotel. Also worth checking out is Industriya, a newly opened industrial-themed club right across Robinsons Mall, which features bands and DJs from Manila.

#10… Give back. Yes, Palawan is paradise on earth, but it’s also at risk of environmental degradation, while many of its locals are living in poverty, without access to basic services such as health care, quality roads, or education. Some NGOs are helping keep Palawan the paradise that it is, both for tourists and locals, and you can help them by supporting their work or spreading awareness. Check out Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy, which is fighting the threat of environmental decay due to proposed coal-fired power plant projects. Roots of Health provides maternal health care and family planning services for women, as well as health education for Palawan’s youth. Bahatala Rehabilitation Center, meanwhile, provides orthopedic care, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation services in Puerto Princesa. You can also support a Christian Orphanage, which runs a home for abandoned and surrendered children, by buying fresh vegetables from its organic farm. Tao Philippines, popular for its island cruises from El Nido to Coron, helps out-of-school kids of northern Palawan through its education and nutrition programs.

Enjoy Palawan! Welcome to the Philippines :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Local travel tips, foodie tips, history and cultural knowledge.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Croatia, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Philippines, United States