Catch-up summer trip at Pandanon Valley Resort🌳🌿

Hello there! It's me, Mae!

I hope you all are doing well. Just when we thought summer was wrapping up, we managed to squeeze in one last trip before the raining month starts. Call it a catch-up summer getaway, a quick escape to soak up the sun and make memories with the family before the moon soon season.

It was 6:30 AM when the house started buzzing. We were packing food, slipping into our summer outfits, and trying to shake off the sleepiness with excitement. Just the night before, Dad casually announced that we’d go swimming the next day—at a valley resort in a nearby municipality.

By a little past 7 AM, we made a quick stop at 7-Eleven for some paper plates, drinks, and a few extra snacks because no family outing is complete without a little grocery dash. Then we were finally on our way.

My little sister was in the backseat, happily munching on the donut we picked up from 7-Eleven earlier. She had this huge smile on her face, eyes full of excitement. Her joy was honestly contagious. I couldn’t help but smile, too. And there I was taking random selfies of my barely-awake morning face, messy hair and all. Hahaha. The sun was just starting to rise, casting this soft, golden light through the windows. It felt like one of those perfect early mornings where everything just falls into place.

As we arrived at the municipality proper of Murcia, the place was already alive. Right away, I spotted a big sign listing the local tourist destinations—and there it was at the bottom of the list: Pandanon River Resort, our destination for the day. It said it was about 20 kilometers away from the town center, which felt pretty far. We also passed by their market that was packed of people walking around with bags of vegetables, fresh fish being laid out on tables, vendors calling out their prices. It was that classic morning chaos you’d expect in a busy town. The roads were a little hectic too, with tricycles weaving through light traffic and everyone trying to get somewhere. It was noisy, a bit messy, but in a way that felt familiar and full of life.

After a long, almost two-hour drive filled with winding roads and a couple of random stopovers, we finally arrived at Pandanon Valley Resort.

Upon entering, the resort instantly gave off tropical vibes. There were tall trees everywhere, the kind that sway gently with the wind, and the sound of birds chirping made it feel like we had stepped into a little nature escape. Everything was so green and refreshing—it felt like the perfect break from the usual city noise.

We were lucky to get a big cottage that had a clear view of the river. It was spacious enough for all of us, and just being that close to the water made everything feel extra relaxing. You could hear the gentle flow of the river in the background. It already felt like a good spot to chill and eat hahaha.

We settled into our cottage and started eating our lunch food we brought with us. As we were eating, we noticed wild monkeys roaming around nearby. Yup, actual monkeys! Apparently, Pandanon Valley is known for its wildlife, especially these monkeys that freely interact with people—especially when there’s food involved. They weren’t aggressive at all and honestly, really cute. Some sat on tree branches watching us eat, while others wandered around the cottages hoping for a bite. It was such a fun and unexpected experience—like dining with little furry guests.

After we ate, we didn’t waste any time, we headed straight to the river. The moment I dipped my feet in, I was instantly awake. The water was so clear and sooo cold. It was the kind of refreshing that shakes off all the heat and travel tiredness in one go.

My little sister was the happiest of us all, floating around in her bright-colored flotie giggling every time she touches the water.

The whole family was happy and content—no worries just pure, simple fun. We laughed and soaked in the peaceful vibe of the place. Of course, we couldn't leave without taking some photos to remember the moment.

After a few hours of swimming, laughing, and just enjoying each other’s company, it was finally time to head home. As we made our way to the exit, we spotted the resort’s signature photo spot a big heart-shaped frame with the name of the resort on it. Of course, we had to stop and take pictures! It was the perfect souvenir, something to look back on and remember this fun, little getaway. We headed to our little car, everyone a bit worn out. We wrapped up the day with a long, peaceful ride back home.

It wasn’t a grand vacation, but it was exactly what we needed—a short escape. A breath of fresh air and time well spent with family. Sometimes, it’s these simple trips that leave the best memories. Until the next adventure. 🌿💚

Hoping to see you all again! Bye bye! ❤️