Those needing a temporary escape from the pace of 21st-century life can stay at the abbey for a few days or a whole week, praying with the monks (some guests might decide to skip the first service of the day, at 3:20 in the morning), eating the same vegetarian fare as the monks, and observing the same strict silence at mealtimes.

ECONOMIST: A beautiful and profitable idea

Better yet, daily early morning flights to San Jose, two hours south of Sablayan by bus or air-con minivan, mean you can leave Manila in the morning and be diving on Apo Reef the same day.

BBC: The undiscovered jewel of the Philippines

The Secretary-General and his delegation departed from Port of Spain early Sunday morning, 29 November, and returned to New York around mid-afternoon the same day.

UN: Secretary-General