An escape from reality
I am not the type of traveler who intends to go back to the places I once visited. For someone whose goal is to travel all the Provinces of the Philippines, it's just not practical to keep coming back to the same place. I am not rich yet but I have a goal so I had to make sure I find the right mix of my dreams and my resources. That's why I'm grateful that every time my friends/boyfriend and I talked about traveling, they're kind enough to consider this.
"Mami has been to this place, let's go somewhere else!"
I don't know all the reasons why people travel. As for me, I once used traveling as an escape from life's bittersweet endings. Call me a masochist but I don't want to change anything in my past no matter how heartbreaking some parts of it may have been. I want to leave them as is. It is for the same reason that I don't intend to visit again and as many would suggest: create new, better memories. I want to remember all the good and not-so-good reasons why I traveled far away from home. I want all these travels to be a testimony of how I was able to turn things to my advantage, how they fueled my soul with all the right reasons to not just live but to be alive every waking hour.
Friends in the moment
The night faded out with ease and new light crept out in Batad, our tour guide and his niece called us to the village. They were prepared and armored for the battle that was a photoshoot. We were joined by a successful blogger from Thailand who stayed in the same homestay as ours.
I wasn't particularly pleased with this photoshoot. Sure I dressed up and posed but at the back of my head, I was like: "Do I look fat at the angle they're taking the photos?" Self-love and body positivism were two alien ideas to me back then. So yeah, not lying about that. It has dramatically changed now.
Kuya Llamas (in blue polo shirt) and in pink shirt (who's by the way a policewoman now) were the reasons. It was fun and I'd gladly do it all over again in another province.
Did you find a pot of gold?
There's nothing not to love about Batad; well, except that they don't have heaters so you either go a day without a bath or take a shower for 10 seconds or less. š¤£ Last time, I took you to the viewing deck at Batad overlooking the majestic rice paddies in terraces resembling amphitheaters. That spot in Batad might have occupied a place in your heart but tell you what, make space for another gem.
I didn't have many photos on our way to the falls and I couldn't remember the nitty gritty but what I could remember are the following:
First, the path leading to the falls is already paved. They constructed cemented staircases by the hillside so it's easier for tourists to reach the falls.
Second, the walkways are very steep, say 75 degrees kind of steep? But metal railings are installed, so you gotta grip and watch every step of the way.
Lastly, the view was awesome. Tappiya Falls is nestled in Batad's innermost jungle so be prepared to be amazed by Nature's wonder, peak after peak, and rivers trying to find their way out of this massive landlock Province.
I was literally out of breath when I first laid eyes on Tappiyah. I was out of breath coming from a strenuous trek and out of breath from unbelievably seeing what I'd seen. How can something this beautiful rest here like it doesn't exist?
Our newfound friend asked a favor; he wanted to go down there first and have his photos taken. It's no biggie of course; we wanted to share this amazing experience to foreigners.
From afar, he looked like an unnoticeable ant that you'd probably miss if not for his light-colored shirt. That's how big Tappiya Falls is.
Tappiya falls is undeniably a gem but it's the kind of gem not every wanderer is ready to encounter. I might sound fun and joyful now that I write about it but I'm not sure how I ended up writing these travel stories just now. Maybe my heart isn't ready to relive these moments and share a place so near my heart.
I'll leave the rest of the photos I took here:
Of course, our Tappiya Falls will not be complete if we won't get ourselves refreshed by the nature pool below the falls. We did but we didn't last for more than 5 minutes. It was the coldest water, not even close to the water in the bathroom back in our inn.
Grace and I asked our guide as well as Bob to take photos of us. Trips like this should be documented up to the last bit.
More photos from my GoPro. :)
If you haven't seen it from afar, here's a closer look at the rainbow over the nature pool by Tappiya Falls.
I've reached the end of the rainbow, but unfortunately, there's no pot of gold there. I won't become an instant millionaire. š¤£ But there I found a stranger and a friend and an unexplainable joy and peace deep in my heart. All three combined are like finding that pot of gold everyone else is talking about. ā¤
That's a wrap for today guys! Thank you for joining me once again. :)
Living life intentionally every single day, she believes that thereās no limit to oneās potential. Right now, sheās on the loose for the pursuit of endless holistic self-growth and development. She wants to light the way for others. She believes thereās no better way to leave a legacy than to pay it forward.
Her ultimate goal in life is to reach the state of enlightenment where thereās nothing but peace, love, happiness, and contentment - nothing more, nothing less.
If you are captivated by what this girl just wrote here, an upvote is pretty appreciated. Follow her as she tells her stories full of positivities. The next story might be for you! ā¤ļø