A Hidden Beach, Responsible Travel, and my Dream House

A tropical hideaway has the power to positively change one's perspective. It can rekindle relationships, heal broken hearts and sometimes, even lead you to a fascinating road of self discovery. I know this much is true. 

The thing is, if I could live all of my days on the beach (with someone I love), I probably would. This kind of lifestyle is as close as anyone could get to Utopia. However, I desire something more than just regular trips the beach every summer.  I want a place I can call my own. A sense of permanence.

I have been in constant search for this ideal beach for my dream beach house but none of them has fit the mold. I want something closer to home--something that has a personal connection with me and my family. A few days ago, I eagerly took a trip back to my hometown, Pangasinan, in search of what could be the perfect beach for my dream beach house. I think this could be it. 

The Road to Pembrokeshire

I woke up in an ebullient mood, filled with child-like anticipation as our semi-spontaneous roadtrip to Pembrokeshire finally materialized. I remember it was a Sunday in Cardiff, a city with predictably Sybilish weather. Like a thief in the night, a thick dark fog consumed the city, leaving us with minimal to zero visibility. Considering the current state of the roads, we were apprehensive since we rented a car from the Enterprise group instead of the taking the train or bus. It appeared as if we were driving in a dream that would lead us to Pembrokeshire.

With its reputation as a holiday destination, Pembrokeshire presented a much different allure. It was barely even spring but I wanted a taste of UK beach life. As a traveler coming from a country dotted with stunning coastlines and dreamy islands, I could not help but wonder how a beach in the UK would be like. Having a bit of elementary research, Ralph's limited yet solid right-hand driving experience, and the indispensable power of GPS, we felt primed to make this trip happen.

Fact: There are three National Parks in Wales (The other two are Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia) but Pembrokeshire is the only coastal national Park. Pembrokeshire county, situated in the South of Wales, is home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, an arcadia that offers rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and sandy beaches. It has been voted by National Geographic as the second best coastal destination in the world (Trivia: Recently, Pembrokeshire was made more famous because some Scenes in Harry Potter: the Deathly Hallows were shot here)

Should I Just Drop Everything and Travel?

Call it a movement or perhaps a leap of faith. There's a growing number of people who have done it.  I even did it myself.

In the real world, people are overworked and underpaid with few vacation leaves every single year. There is a limited possibility to design one's life, and that gives a bigger room for brooding frustration.  Human beings don't want to be prisoners in their own lives.
As much as the average person wants to subscribe to this lifestyle, the idea of leaving work would be tantamount to reckless abandon. You ask yourself: What about my serious responsibilities? I have bills to pay and mortgages. Or, What if I don't have any money to do this?