The sun was slowly setting over Port Barton, turning the light into warm shades of gold, ochre and orange. The harsh brightness of midday had disappeared, replaced by a softer glow that made the whole village feel calmer. Long shadows stretched across the road, revealing textures, faces and small details that the strong afternoon sun had hidden.
I walked slowly between little shops selling clothes, food, drinks and electronic appliances. Children ran barefoot along the street, laughing as if the evening belonged only to them. Somewhere nearby, music mixed with voices, motorbikes and the sound of people talking.
I was heading towards the centre of Port Barton, where a local basketball game was being played. The court was simple, partly open to the air and covered by an old corrugated metal roof. Yet that evening, it felt like the heart of the village.
People gathered around the court, shouting, laughing and talking to the players. There was a festive atmosphere, even though there was no festival. Food stalls lined the street, filling the air with the smell of grilled meat, rice and fried snacks. Plastic tables and improvised chairs invited people to sit down and stay.
And suddenly, I realised that I had no reason to hurry. For a moment, time seemed to disappear. Around me, people were simply enjoying the end of the day. A child laughed, someone celebrated a basket and another plate of food arrived at a table beside the road.
Nothing extraordinary was happening. And yet, without knowing exactly why, a deep feeling of peace and happiness began to move through me. I felt relaxed, present and strangely free. Perhaps it was the light, the people, the simplicity of the moment or all of it together.
That evening I understood that Port Barton was not simply a small coastal village in Palawan. It was the place where I first experienced the true essence of slow travel.
That evening, something shifted in me. I felt at peace, calm, curious and happy. I wanted to talk to people and discover new places, free from all my problems and worries. I wanted to meet new people, hear about their lives and share experiences. I began to see the world through a different lens, a kinder one. I learned to be happy with the little I had and to appreciate it, without giving much importance to material things. I felt like a better person, and above all, I found a peace of mind I hadn't felt in my everyday life for a very long time.
Slow travel gave me the space to connect with people, appreciate what I had and find peace in the moment. That is what changed me.
