Dana Dares You

2015 © Dana Eve Valencia

"We all exist within the realm of possibility. Most of the limits are of our own world's devising," David Levithan said in one of his thought-provoking books.

And I couldn’t agree more.

Was this how I saw myself eight years ago? A young lady in her mid-twenties, buying herself a Penny board for her birthday, enjoying a simple glass of coconut shake under the sun, and pulling risky Spiderman-like stunts every chance she gets?

Nope. Very far from it, actually.

Eight years ago, my straight-A, control freaky overachiever and ambitious self was convinced I'd be living a humdrum career woman life. I'd probably be running the gauntlet of eligible men my mother has drummed up for me. And I'd simply be working on what I used to plan my life around for many years. I was so dedicated, so enthusiastic at the time. 

"So you never really felt at some point like you were losing touch with yourself?" a friend of mine asked.

I would pretend I wasn't. At the back of my mind, I knew I could work my way toward that goal and still suffer in the end. But it was just so much easier to imagine my life like that because it wasn't uncertain, you know. Because it was convenient. I suppose the thought of possibly going astray had been lurking in my mind for a while then, and I'd never before let down my guard enough for it to surface until I decided to break free.

And breaking free—releasing myself from the tyranny of compulsive enumeration, stepping out of my comfort zone—was the best move I have ever made.

I mean, look at me now. I'm a young lady in her mid-twenties, buying herself a Penny board for her birthday, enjoying a simple glass of coconut shake under the sun, and pulling risky Spiderman-like stunts every chance she gets. And I've never been happier.

So for anyone who's been dodging those scary thoughts and living life as if it were a task, I dare you.

I seriously dare you.

First Blush on Mount Pulag

2015 © Dana Eve Valencia

If there was ever a glorious moment, this was it.

2,922 metres above sea level. One of the highest points in the country. Our faces bathing in the early light. The carpet of clouds below us beautified by an exquisite shade of peach. It all felt like a little dream.

Plus, nothing could be more awesome than conquering another mountain and sharing the victory with your favourite people. The overnight climb of shoving against a few blokes and trying to look after one another was all worth it. We had managed to squeeze in fits of laughter and pranks between freak gusts of chilly wind, torn shoes and injured knee dramas.

Ah, life could be incredibly sweet. Especially with amazing friends.

Enchanted

Below me is a natural wonder that could be found only in the Philippines: the Enchanted River. It's certainly not your ordinary swimming and diving spot as it appears to be surrounded by myths and mysteries—its origin being one of them.

True to its name, the Enchanted River boasts virtually clear waters with a shade of blue that needs no photo enhancement.

If you don your goggles and take a peek underwater, you will be awestruck by what you'll see — and I ain't kidding when I say "awestruck" 'cos I seriously jerked my head back up from utter surprise — a mouth of an enormous sinkhole that is about 26 metres deep where large schools of huge, unfamiliar, colourful fish could be found thriving! At the bottom of the abyss, you'll find a fascinating underwater cave system that hasn't been fully explored.

This inviting blue lagoon is truly nothing short of paradise and looks like something straight out of your wanderlust fantasies. So if you're planning to explore the Philippines, I think including the Enchanted River in your itinerary would be a brilliant move. And maybe, just maybe, for a second, it will make you believe in pixies and mermaids and magic once again.

Rockin' Bukilat Cave

2015 © Dana Eve Valencia

Captured by my friend Lancer Salva, this is me whilst taking a serious rockstar selfie in the natural spotlight on the pretend rock stage (pun intended) of Bukilat Cave on Camotes Island, Cebu.

Bukilat Cave is one of the three natural caverns I recently explored and definitely the most unforgettable.

This magical nature spot boasts a large underground opening, complete with a skylight, walls of stunning stalagmites and stalactites, a choir of flapping bats, and a pool which fills up with icy cool, crystal clear seawater at every high-tide.

Add to all this breathtaking spectacle (and primarily due to the fact that I'm a sucker for The Goonies, Peter Pan, and other pirate-y stuff) is the overwhelmingly electrifying legend that the cave has hidden treasures scattered about.

Go be wanderin' 'round these parts, matey, if yer lookin' fer some swashbucklin' adventuaaarrr!

Sweet Strandedness

"There is a risk any time we venture into the unknown whenever we are compelled for whatever reason to push away the safety of the familiar, of family and home. And there is the notion that this impulse is indeed for the best . . . that whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

Just got back from an epic vagabondage and now armed with heaps of snaps, sunrises, and stories to share! 

Let me start by telling all of you how I just had the most adventure-packed week. I was legitimately stranded on an island due to a storm. But it was a sweet sort of "strandedness".

See, I've always fantasised about getting shipwrecked, swimming to shore, mastering how to desalinate seawater, building a little hut in the middle of nowhere, starting my own civilisation, and possibly befriending a volleyball. Well, none of those things actually happened. But my experience was the closest thing to those Shipwrecked/Cast Away scenarios I've been dreaming of and I was so, so lucky I got stuck with the right globetrotters.

Anyway, you'll hear more of my peripatetic tales soon. Have a fantastic week, long live Violence Using Bread, and hope you watch out for my future posts! Cheers!

Tantalising Taal

2015 © Dana Eve Valencia

The earth smiles 

at every step of yours . . .

so why would you frown at it? 

Overlooking the "crater lake" of Taal Volcano—said to be the smallest active volcano in the world. Its mysterious shape, as well as its location of being on an island within a lake within an island, makes it a one-of-a-kind and fascinating geologic wonder.

Of Birthdays and Sunrises

2015 © Dana Eve Valencia

I always make it a point to kick off my birthday with a glorious sunrise. And I was lucky enough again today to witness it as it signals another day, another year older and, hopefully, wiser for me.

I've always been adamant about how it's more exciting watching the sun rise than watching it set. I mean, don't get me wrong. I love a beautiful sunset. But there's something so breathtaking about watching it come up. Especially seeing that smudge of the brightest orange popping onto the horizon abruptly whilst you don your favourite pyjamas on the edge of a cliff for a good vantage point. I don't know about you, guys, but outdoors and pyjamas seem to mesh pretty well together for me.

See, when you watch the sun set, you know where it's going, you know when it's going to disappear. When it comes up, you're waiting for it, but it still somehow feels like this big surprise when it pops up.

Yep. That's definitely it. That and perhaps the fact that I'm not usually up at that ungodly time to see it. It makes it that much bigger of a deal.

Sunrise-watching was probably the best birthday gift I could offer myself. Even if it was only a 15-minute show, I'm so thankful that I got to see another spectacular sunrise, and I'm out to chase more sunrises this year. 

Have a lovely week, everyone!

NY 2015 | New Wings, New Adventures

2015 © Dana Eve Valencia

"I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight."

Wishing everyone a merry rockin' holiday season! 2014 has been quite an epic ride and I thank all of you for cruisin' with me. Words can't even describe how much your appreciation of my LegenDanny shenanigans means to me. So THANK YOU! 

Cheers to more wicked adventures, y'all!