Allah Valley Tour 2013: A Fleeting Glimpse

"Sometimes the best decisions are the ones you make in an instant with your heart rather than the ones long-debated in your mind.", I once read.

Not too long ago, more than 7,800 kilometers away, I said 'yes' to an Allah Valley Familiarization Tour email invite (from LGSP-LED and AVLDA) as if it was the marriage proposal I had been waiting for all my life. Like, I was ready to drop everything cause my gut was nagging me with the words this is the one — and I didn't even know where in the world Allah Valley was.

We were then encamped in a Yerevan Airbnb-listed apartment, and in the middle of a long backpacking trip. Next to Armenia, we had two more countries to wing, after which we were to let whim dictate the rest of our route. But since the invitation came, all the other overseas plans for July 14-19 were sacked. I was that committed.

Was it worth the change of itinerary? Heck yeah! It's a journey of epic proportions. Let me take you on a tour with these chunky fragments while I weave my sappy sentiments. For now, I simply cannot conjure the right words. I am that happily hungover.

Folks, this is the merry face of Mindanao that should be out there. On print. On the web. And in people's minds. Not that negative travel advisory.

Lake Holon. Worth the arduous trek! And I say arduous cause I'm totally unfit.   Top: Day 1 brekkie at Sarangani Highlands. Bottom: Pinoy Travel Bloggers on a colossal Snakes and Ladders board at Dole Philippines Kalsangi Clubhouse.   Top: Travel bloggers with LGSP-LED and AVLDA. Bottom: Dole Plantation, Polomolok, South Cotabato.
Top: Day 1 dinner at Aviary Bar & Restaurant of The Farm @ Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato. Bottom: With multi-awarded photographer George Tapan *faints*!   Top: One of Surallah's attractions, made by artist Kublai Ponce Millan. Bottom: Ehek Lemsnolon Community, T'boli, South Cotabato.    Top: Climbing Mt. Melibingoy (also known as Mt. Parker). Bottom: Lake Holon canoeing. So they call me Pocahontas.   One-hour Lake Sebu cruise over brekkie care of Mountain Lake Eco Resort.   Top: With T'boli dreamweaver Be Lang Dulay, a National Living Treasure. Bottom: Lake Sebu Seven Falls Zipline. In tandem with The Poor Traveler.   Provincial Capitol of Sultan Kudarat, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. What. A. Looker.  

Top: Baras Bird Sanctuary, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Photo by travelmate Eazy Traveler. Bottom: Marquez Hot And Cold Spring Resort, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat. With We Are Sole Sisters and Journeying James.

Top: T'nalak Festival Street Parade. Bottom: T'nalak Fest cray-cray foam party!

See?! This is something I wouldn't miss for the world!

Some photos were taken by nomadperspectives.com, eazytraveler.com, and lovemindanao.com

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