Dahilayan Adventure Park

Dahilayan Adventure Park is not a new name in the tourism industry of Mindanao. In fact, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Tourists from all over Mindanao come to Dahilayan Adventure Park to experience the cold weather and to enjoy the many activities that it has to offer. As the name implies, it is an adventure destination with plenty of activities for those who wish to get their craving for adrenaline rush. 

The allure of the cold weather was part of the reason why we were keen to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park. For those living in Luzon, it is like visiting Tagaytay or Baguio. It is the perfect escape from the heat of the city. At the same time, you can experience plenty of fun, adventure-filled activities to enjoy a bit of a rush. Dahilayan Adventure Park is located in Brgy. Dahilayan in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

The Accommodation

view from our room

During our trip to Dahilayan Adventure Park, we stayed in Pinegrove Mountain Lodge. It is an excellent choice for those visiting the park for a few days and want a comfortable place to stay. The pine lodge concept facilitates in a relaxing atmosphere so you can have a place to rejuvenate after a tiring day of adventure activities. Our room also has a balcony that fronted various palm trees to welcome you with a gorgeous view upon waking up. 

The Food

The food at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge was amazing. Needless to say, the restaurant was not inexpensive. However, the quality of the food was up to par. We have no complaints during our 2-night stay at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge. They also have a great selection of dishes from all kinds of menu - from Filipino, Asian to Western cuisine. Hence, you can have your culinary cravings satisfied, whatever it may be. 

The Activities

our souvenir

For the thrill-seeker, the range of activities available at Dahilayan Adventure Park is the main reason to go. On our visit, we were able to try all three of their zipline rides (you can purchase a ticket for all of these rides at a discount). This combo zipline ride allowed us to try all three zipline rides at Dahilayan Adventure Park: 150-meter, 320-meter, and the longest dual zipline at the park at 840 meters. All of these rides gave us quite the rush and is therefore highly recommended for anyone who wants to seek out the thrill.

 Another one of their attractions that we had the chance of trying is the Python Roller Zipride. This was the most enjoyable ride that we experienced in Dahilayan Adventure Park. This ride is 500 meters long and combines the features and experience of a roller coaster and zipline ride in one. You will zip, slide, swing, roll, and drop throughout various portions of the ride. It is an exhilarating experience to say the least. 

The Ropes Course is another fun attraction that you should try if you like a bit of a physical challenge. The website describes it as a "12-stage High and Low Wire obstacle course complete with a Multisided Rockwall". It is the ultimate obstacle course that you need to challenge yourself with. 

Other noteworthy attractions at Dahilayan Adventure Park that we recommend (though we couldn't try them all) are Skytower Base Jump, Flying Lizard Canopy Glider, and Dropzone (a 150-meter freefall ride!).

If you are interested to learn more about the attractions at Dahilayan Adventure Park, you can check more at their website. 

Have you been to Dahilayan Adventure Park?

Like this post? Pin this image!

10 Photos of Puka Beach That Will Inspire You to Visit

Puka Beach is one of the must-see beaches when you visit Boracay Island. Although not as powdery fine as the white beach of Boracay is, I still highly recommend it for those who want to explore and spend time in an undeveloped yet pristine beach. It is surrounded by forested cliffs and majority of this beach is kept untouched. This is the perfect place to go for a quiet swim - if you want to take a break from the crowd of the White Beach, or if you want to enjoy other water activities.

On our recent trip to Boracay, we made sure to visit this quiet beach again and we had fun taking photos of this gorgeous beach. We tried our best but felt like we still did not do it's beauty justice. Hopefully, these photos will convince you to add this to your itinerary on your next visit to Boracay.

Have you been to Puka Beach? What other white beaches have you been to in Boracay?

Like this post? Pin this image!

Most Romantic Travel Destinations in the World

In keeping with the Valentine's Day spirit, I wanted to compile a list of my travel bucket list items and romantic destinations. It would be a dream to travel to any of these destinations whether for a romantic vacation or your honeymoon. Let's compare notes with these must-visit romantic travel destinations.

Prague, Czech Republic

via

Prague is the first one on the list because it is also my top travel destination in Europe, not just in terms of romantic travel destinations. I have a few bucket list items to see in Prague - from the Charles Bridge to the Prague Castle. The beautiful architecture and the rich culture and history combine to making this the ultimate travel destination. 

Santorini, Greece

via

Greece is one country that I've always dreamed of visiting. For a romantic vacation, I would put Santorini as my number one destination in Greece. Do I really have to explain myself here? Look at that beautiful contrast of the blue and white. The architecture and natural beauty without a doubt combine to inspire a romantic mood, even for those who don't consider themselves the romantic type. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia

via

I know this is a list of romantic destinations in the world. However, Dubrovnik is in any travel bucket list of mine - and I am pretty sure in everyone else's too! It is steep in culture and history too, which makes it a must for anyone interested in both. 

The Maldives

via

While I might be biased to say that we do have a fair share of gorgeous beaches in the Philippines, that does not stop me from dreaming of gorgeous tropical beaches in the Maldives. The clear, turquoise water is calling my name. It's one of the destinations I look forward to traveling for romantic getaways!

Florence, Italy

via

There are plenty of romantic cities in Italy but none as romantic as Florence. It's no wonder why it is the choice of setting for Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'! Whether you want to explore historic sites or buildings, or walking around in the square, it is the perfect destination for that romantic escape!

Quebec City, Quebec

via

If you can't make it to Florence, Quebec City is another great option too! I want to travel to Quebec for the same reasons I want to visit Florence. However, I am sure it has its own idiosyncratic characteristics that are uniquely its own. I would love to discover what Quebec City has to offer in a romantic weekend escape (or maybe I'll want to stick around longer!).

Charleston, South Carolina

via

If I must travel to only one city in the US, I'd pick Charleston any day. I've heard and read enough about the historical background and the romantic vibe of this city that I am itching to go. Of course, going on one of those horse carriage tours would be a dream romantic activity while in the city.

Paris, France

via

You can't have a romantic travel destinations list without Paris. Period. The Eiffel Tower and all the other features of the popular city (arguably the most popular in the world) is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. Day or night, I'm sure there are plenty of romantic things to do here. 

Boracay, Philippines

via

Last but definitely not the least, I am going to include Boracay as a romantic travel destination for those planning a Valentine's Day trip! It has great beaches, vibrant nightlife, and several good dining options! What more can you ask for? In fact, this is where we recently celebrated our second wedding anniversary!

Did we miss anything? Do let us know!

Like this post? Pin this image!

Why You Should Add Bantayan Island to Your Cebu Itinerary

Bantayan Island is a beautiful tropical paradise. There I said it. There are over 7,000 (7,107 to be exact) islands in the Philippines. Why must you choose to visit Bantayan Island over the others? The reason is clear - it is a pristine paradise that has everything that beach enthusiasts look for. Quiet beaches, pristine white sand, and a seemingly untouched beauty. Unlike other more famous beaches in the Philippines such as Boracay, it doesn't have that highly active tourism landscape. Hence, you will be able to enjoy the beach to your own (on off-peak days) and still get to enjoy the same gorgeousness that Boracay or other islands have to offer. 

Here are a few more reasons that'll convince you to visit Bantayan Island when in Cebu:

Free from Commercialism

Spare the few resorts that operate on the island, you will be able to escape the commercialism that other tourist-filled beaches in the Philippines has. If you enjoy that kind of tourist-heavy atmosphere, it is completely fine. But if you want to escape, Bantayan Island will come to your rescue!
Idyllic Pace of Life

If you want to have a different experience aside from swimming or frolicking on the beach, you can also go to the Mercado area. It is a few minutes away from most of the resorts or hotels that operate in Bantayan Island. Nonetheless, it is also what makes it great because you can explore the mercado area to eat or shop. You can also use this as an opportunity to mingle with the local island folks and see a glimpse of how they live their day-to-day life.

Value for Money

Since the tourism industry in Bantayan Island is still in its infancy during the time of our visit, the accommodation was relatively cheap (not just affordable but cheap). We don't recall exactly how much we paid for accommodation, but we ended up spending about PhP 5,000 (less than 100 USD) per person for 3 nights. I think that's a great deal!

Sure, traveling to Bantayan Island is not seamless. From Cebu City, you must journey through a long bus ride to Hagnaya Port. From the port, you must travel for at least an hour to get to Santa Fe Port. From the port, you must take another tricycle ride to go to your resort. But the hassle of the travel will be worth it once you get to see the beauty of Bantayan Island. 

Why We Recommend It

The authenticity of the travel experience in Bantayan Island is probably what many of those who have visited it (like ourselves) cherish most about it. We spent most of our days in an idyllic manner. It is the ideal choice for those who simply want to relax and be treated to the awesome view of a tropical paradise.

Like this post? Pin this image!