Three Unique Destinations for Thrilling #TravelGoals
Three Unique Destinations for Thrilling #TravelGoals
The weekend is upon us. Are you planning to travel before the new work week starts? Perhaps we can help you pick out your destination. We have three options, all of which are entirely different from the typical beach or private resort. If you’re curious to know what they are, read on!
Private Island? Why Not?
Staying on a private island just sounds so fancy. There’s something about the term “private island” that screams “I’m rich as hell and I know it.”
Not everyone can own a private island. Still, the experience of staying in such a place is possible for many. Enter Sundang Island in Cavinti, Laguna. Sitting in the middle of Lake Lumot, the island is entirely for rent and entirely yours (along with your friends’) for less than Php 5,000. Who knew it could be this affordable, right?
If you’re the type of person who enjoys a private, secluded getaway, then Sundang Island is for you. Guests get to stay in a rustic lodge, surrounded by trees and all manner of greenery. It evokes a certain “probinsya” vibe that any stressed city dweller can use. Moreover, the fact that it’s in the middle of a lake makes the place even more serene.
Oh, and did we mention that the place has its coffee presses (three of them, in fact)? It makes the island a haven for coffee lovers. Just bring your ground coffee, prepare your batches, and pick a spot. They also allow pets (yay!); not to mention, two resident huskies that live with the caretaker. So, it’s a coffee and pet lover’s paradise. The best thing is, it’s just roughly 3 hours from Manila, whether by private vehicle or commute.
Sleep on the Edge of a Cliff? Yes Please!
Now, this is not for the faint-hearted, especially those with a fear of heights.
Camping is one of the most popular outdoor activities out there. Over time, however, camping in familiar places can get stale. For people looking to add some thrill in their escapades, the Kiokong White Rock Cliff in Quezon, Bukidnon should be next in your bucket list.
Also known as a vertical bivouac, the Kiokong cliff provides the only experience of its kind in the Philippines. A vertical bivouac is usually a ledge high up a cliff where there is enough space to camp. However, “enough” is a bit of a misnomer—there is often not much space to lay down a tent, so campers tend to use sleeping bags. To keep themselves from falling, campers latch themselves to safety lines.
Again, this adventure is only for the thrill seekers out there. If you think you have what it takes, then contacting Adventure Technology Outfitters is the first step. These guys are the only ones qualified to outfit the vertical bivouac experience. Every climber is equipped with high-quality safety gear, as well as adequately briefed before ascending. Guides will also be climbing alongside anyone attempting the ascent, to ensure proper progress and safety, especially for the inexperienced.
Ascents usually start around 4 to 5 pm, because that’s when the cliff is in the shade. Reaching the final objective (which is the bivouac ledge at 500 feet above ground) is the most rewarding experience. By the time the ascent is complete, it’s night time, and climbers can eat, chat, rest, and look at a beautiful, star-filled sky.
In the morning, the way down offers the same spectacular views. Also, it doesn’t take as long as the climb. Descents happen before the sun hits the cliff, so this means that everything else gets enough sunlight, making the surrounding area perfect for photos. So once you touch the ground, you’d have experienced something not many people are willing to try. It indeed is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind adventure.
Let’s Go Jellyfishing in Surigao del Norte!
By “jellyfishing,” we don’t mean trying to catch jellyfish. You do know that they sting, right? And that you’re not in Bikini Bottom? And that they’ll basically evaporate in open air because they’re 98 percent water?
Kidding aside, “jelly-fishing” takes a whole new meaning when visiting Bucas Grande Island in Surigao del Norte. Here, the Sohoton Lagoon is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of sting-less jellyfish. Yes, you read that right. These jellyfish are entirely harmless, and you can swim with them if you like. Officially, the lagoon is also a stingless jellyfish sanctuary.
Also, it’s not just the jellyfish that are popular in Bucas Grande. Amazingly clean, blue waters, virgin forests, and a lot more varieties of plants and wildlife—the entire island is a paradise. Before heading there, however, consider these tips. Jellyfish are very sensitive to chemicals, so if you plan to swim with them, don’t rub sunblock or any other product on your skin. Also, don’t take the jellyfish out of the water (duh). You can take pictures of them underwater, anyway.
If you want to see the most jellyfish possible, go between March and May. This is their breeding season. There is also a chance of them overflowing out of Sohotan and into another lagoon, which happens from July to August. Any other month outside of these and jellyfish numbers are low. But hey, seeing them and touching them without fearing stings is an adventure by itself! After all, stingless jellyfish are not as abundant throughout the world.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: three unique destinations for equally unique travel goals. Which ones will you visit? Will it be Sundang, Kiokong, or Bucas Grande? Or perhaps all of them? Whichever place you pick, just remember to enjoy the wonders of nature with a #BetterView!