Nestled at the foot of the mountain and teeming with lush surrounding lies the enchanting Dhio Endheka Natural Spring Resort in Tabaco City, in the region of Albay. With its abundant freshwater supply coming from mountain spring, I always recommend this resort to my friends, office mates, and relatives whenever they are on a vacation in our hometown in Albay.
This summer of 2014, I enjoined my brother and his family to explore Albay. Part of visiting Hoyop Hoyopan Cave and Mayon Skyline is a swimming escapade in Dhio Endheka. As expected, this swimming getaway hyped ups our jolly kids
Together with our relatives, we arrived at the resort by 10:30 am. The kids took the flight of steps so fast in going down the resort excitedly. Can’t blame them for they really love to swim. Haha!
Swimming time! Everyone frolicked on the icy cold and refreshing water. And because it has no harmful chemical, it was so wonderful to swim with eyes open underwater. It’s time again to practice more the freestyle stroke. But this kind of swimming style always wore me out, it was so exhausting. To relax my arms and legs, I did my favorite back float style.
The kids had improved their swimming skills. Kuya Pao was better than me now on freestyle stroke. Our little Shen Shen can now swim without using a floater, and so with Ax. Magnus can jump to the water on 5 feet level. Ate Isha is a better swimmer now compared to when she was here three years ago. Amazing kids!
Lunchtime. Home-cooked viands were served on the table which includes afritada, menudo, and embutido. Our mother, who can’t survive a meal without a fish, dropped by at Tabaco City market and bought 3 big yellowfin tuna. Our uncle Tiyo Ion grilled it and we prepared a dipping sauce of soy sauce and a pinch of calamansi. Surprisingly, everyone feasted on it even the kids. Take note, on bare hands! hahaha!
After a hearty meal, we headed to the back portion of the resort. It was amusing to see the improvement of this area which was heavily affected by the rampaging typhoon Reming in 2006. The pirate ship then was barren and lifeless but now it is filled with water with fishes and underwater plants. It is an added attraction to the resort. Though the original set-up wasn’t maintained, still it is a good subject for photography.
It was so soothing exploring around seeing mountains covered with trees, thick foliage of leaves, a small river on a bright sunny day.
We took a quiet walk in a small walkway dotted with pine trees (agoho in vernacular) and headed to the garden surrounded by clean water. It seemed we entered a fantasy land. The design of tables and chairs were all made of flowers in varying colors. How I wish there are fairy statues to make it more like an enchanted forest.
With everything green and with defined tranquility, this place is heaven for a nature lover like me. It was a wonderful moment for us for we had the place all by ourselves.
Everyone enjoyed it a lot. The kids didn’t want to get out from the water but we have to visit Mayon Skyline which is our last leg in our Albay tour.
Refreshed and satisfied, we packed our stuff and went up by 4:00 pm. I counted the steps, it was 132, hope I was right.
Thank you, Atty. Fred, Ms. Amy, and Kuya Benj for the discount and warm accommodation. Hope we could go back on our next vacation.
Dhio Endheka by the way is a Greek word that means February 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The resort has several facilities like fan rooms, air-conditioned rooms, cottages, and grilling sections.
CONTACT INFO:
- Address: Dhio Endheka Spring Resort, Crossing Mayon, Buang, Tabaco City, Albay
- Entrance Fee: Daytime: P70 / Overnight – P100
- Contact Numbers: 0917-8535514; 0919-5559554; 0922-8382612
- Manila Landline: 02-8098351
Email Address: amy55_gonzales@yahoo.com.ph
In Getting there:
From Tabaco City terminal ride a jeepney bound to Ligao and tell the driver to drop you at the resort.
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