No two experiences are alike. There’s always something new.
Despite the distance from Manila, Ilocos Norte is always worth a visit. It keeps one of the national geological monuments in the Philippines—the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes.
The Lakbay Norte group returned to the so-called Desert of the North. But this time around, we went to La Paz Sand Dunes, where the slopes were steeper and narrower.
The LEAD movement, an eco-adventure group, introduced the sport, Sandboarding. Though it was my second time to experience sandboarding, I still felt scared yet excited again. They call the 45-degree slope, the “devil’s track.” Here’s why: Watch the animated photos.
Photos by Roland Fontilla Jr.
It was so fun that I tried climbing up despite the sand eroding from the slope. This time, the board turned around and so I tumbled and fell. I ended up laughing and posing with the peace sign. Yesssssss! What an adrenaline rush!
Sandboarding in La Paz was more thrilling than that of Suba, Paoay, where we had our first taste of the excitement that the budding sport brings. But Paoay has the more scenic and breathtaking view of the dunes.
Life’s lessons learned from Sandboarding:
1. Don’t be afraid to take the risk. Sometimes, the risk would make your life exciting.
2. When you fall, smile and pose and you won’t even notice that you got hurt.
3. Standing up never felt so great after falling from the cliff of the dunes. Just like in life, success is not as sweet as it is without failure.
4. Leave footprints where there is none. Create the path that you wish to take.
Travel Notes:
- Best time to sandboard: Sunrise (5:30-6am) or Sunset (4:00-6:00pm)
- Contact LEAD Movement: -Renie Tan/ Tina Tan, LEAD Movement Officer- 09198735516
