Last October, we were thrilled to have our son home for a short break from university life. As a family, we wanted to make the most of this precious time together, so we planned a little getaway to Zambales, a place that had been on our radar for a while.
What started as a simple plan to try some delicious biryani rice at a newly opened Pakistani eatery in San Marcelino turned into a much more exciting and unforgettable adventure.The eatery, which had recently gained popularity among local vloggers, offered a taste of something new. We were eager to introduce our son to this unique dish, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
But, as we were savoring the flavorful biryani, I couldn't help but think of another destination I had seen in a TikTok video—a stunning waterfall in San Felipe, Zambales. Why not make the day even more special by exploring this hidden gem? We decided to take a detour and head towards San Felipe, passing through San Antonio and San Narciso along the way. The hi-way was clear with not much commuters. Well, that's the joy of driving in the Countryside, no traffic. Upon our arrival at San Felipe Municipal Hall, We then ask the locals about the waterfalls for we really don't know where we're heading so we chatted with the friendly locals. Then we soon quickly found our way to Anghalo Nangaluan Falls.
The view is always spectacular when you pass by endless rivers of lahar or the sand from the Mt. Pinatubo volcano that erupted last 1991.
Since Zambales is part of the region known as the "Rice Granary of the Philippines" One-fifth of all the rice- producing provinces in the country are in the region. You will see vast expanse of rice fields just along the highway. Which gives you that sense of tranquility, serenity, peace, and a connection to nature.
To our delight, we were greeted by the sight of majestic carabaos, the local water buffaloes, who were ready to take us to the falls.
We hopped onto their uniquely designed carts for a scenic 10-minute ride through the mountain views. The ride was peaceful and breathtaking, a beautiful contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life. We had the cart all to ourselves. It was such a happy, bumpy experience!😍
The locals use their carabaos to transport the visitors going to the waterfalls. This is a way of helping them as well, earning extra income when they have no work in the farm. Each cart is designed beautifully and uniquely. You can also opt to just hike or go on foot if you don't want to take the carabao ride but hey, it's not everyday you get to be pulled by a one carabao power cart, Right?! So you must try it!😆😉
Our muscle carabao's name is Satur! Upon our arrival, while I paid for our entrance fees my husband and son took turns boarding on Satur to have their picture taken with him. He is one muscular carabao!
At the entrance you will be greeted by the sight of the river crossing. Good thing hubby and I wore slippers so we have no problem of removing our shoes. Our son too was wearing his water proof shoes so it's okay to just cross it without any worries. They have cute designs on the entryway. They cut used soda bottles and turned them into very colorful windmills. That added attraction to the place.
We couldn't help but smile when we realized it was a Monday—meaning we had the entire place to ourselves!
The area was lined with charming huts, giving it a relaxed, private vibe.
As we ventured closer to the waterfall, I could hardly believe my eyes. The falls was massive, and the sight of the crystal-clear, icy cold water cascading down was beyond anything I had imagined.
I had never seen such a beautiful waterfall in person before. The water was so inviting that we all jumped in immediately. The coldness was refreshing, especially under the intense midday heat, and the water was so clear you could see the rocks beneath. My husband and I even went right beneath the falls, and I couldn’t stop shouting with pure joy as the cool water poured over us. It was a feeling of freedom, amazement, and happiness all at once.
We spent the entire afternoon swimming, laughing, and simply soaking in the beauty around us. It felt like the perfect family moment—one of those rare, precious times when everything seems to align. We were grateful for the serene surroundings, the kindness of the locals, and the experience of making lasting memories as a family.
As the day came to a close, we rode back on the carabao carts, feeling content and at peace. It was a trip that not only brought us closer as a family but also reminded us of the beauty and simplicity of nature. What started as a simple plan for lunch turned into an unforgettable adventure—one that we will cherish forever.
Grateful for the moments we shared, grateful for the love we have, and grateful for the memories we created. Here's to many more family adventure.
When you travel you don't spend money, you Create memories!
Thank you for reading this far. I hope you enjoyed my post as much as I did reminiscing while putting in words our adventure.
Until my next post! See you!
Haha, so funny, I am really having a hard time getting the location in the pinmapple which is now worldmappin. Before it's very easy, you will just click and then you can copy the code right away but now, see the code it's already yellow but there is no "copy" "paste". So I just took a screenshot.
I hope @worldmappin can help and assist me on this. I am not a tech-savy.... Hahaha.
