Shadow Hunters

Soaking & Reflections [A Morning at BenCar Hotspring]

After checking out of the guesthouse where we spent the night in Ilocos Sur, we headed to the town center for takeout, then drove to BenCar Hot Spring.

It was a weekday, so we expected fewer people compared to weekends, when it is usually crowded. It's a favorite for those of us from the highlands, or anyone who wants thermal therapy. The place features multiple hot spring pools with different temperatures. It is a relaxing destination, especially in the mornings (they open early at 4:30 am).

We reached their driveway before 8 am.

We paid the fees, headed to the designated parking spaces, took the spot closest to the fence, and decided to have a light breakfast. We rested for a little while, then slipped into our swimwear and went to the small pool with the flowing thermal water, soaking our feet first, then our whole bodies.

A few more groups arrived, including two middle-aged men recovering from a stroke (hot spring dipping is believed to be therapeutic). An old woman joined us in our lil corner; the others took the lower-temperature pools. We stayed and enjoyed the water for over 3 hours. I also bathed the LilGuy in the flowing lukewarm water.

Anyway, after showering, it was time to leave. I was already inside the truck when a cool sight through the windshield made me step out again with my phone. I was out there for the shadows, but was more delighted to find reflections on the water, which I'm sharing first.

Not many can handle the high temperatures in these octagonal thermal pools (6 of them, if I'm not mistaken), so they were empty, which allowed me to take these stills.


https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ifarmgirl/EpJXa4r8ZaG97QhKeQaxgheQK2empPqBvaRPpwN7EANBoVxHmdmMZSYTSADGrWf2Hsz.jpg	https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ifarmgirl/Eou8gzes964Vh34e4AdkuneBqMpiyZHaJ9YeoePm75e5Yrb193Nq2VAbSGdSSmYoRsb.jpg

The other pools mirrored a bit more, including the toilets, fence, roofs, some plants, trees, and even the mountain in the distance.


https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ifarmgirl/Eq34C78QCzqbGPb73zxLgD88CGVNL3NERAKgxiC5pnqqR9HVACoCBPzG2TmV8MRjy9x.jpg	https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ifarmgirl/Eq7K4Z1EzZJSMXhBBa6Xjvp7VgBWmTzbnrzTxsMHC9gLv6BeyhPJizwC2YbT7C71XFL.jpg

I thought of having Yongi take his photo by the poolside, but dismissed the idea because people might frown on it (maybe I was just overthinking, lol). But yeah, he would have loved taking a little sniff around the place.

Anyhow, that was it, and this is my participation in Olgavita's SMARP initiative. It's tough to choose the entry pic, so I'll go with the first one.

Have a fun weekend!

^{[P.S. The shadows will be coming too. Not very soon though.😁]}

_{All photos are my own unless specified. 08112026/10:43ph}

Comments · 14

@hive-179017(67)· 9h
@shadowshunter(46)· 15h
🎉 Congratulations on being selected as a Honourable Mention in the Reflection Hunters Contest!

Your prizes (100.0 POINTS) have been successfully tipped directly to your wallet / this entry post! 🎁

_{Admin: @mshbd}
@crstypatata(71)· 1d
Ang Ganda diyan, never kopa na try. Hahaha enjoy! 🫰🏻
@seckorama(78)· 1d
@pizzabot(60)· 1d
PIZZA!

$PIZZA slices delivered: @olgavita_(1/5) tipped @ifarmgirl

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@olgavita(71)· 1d
Thank you for the donation to our contest, dear @ifarmgirl ❤️, and welcome again! We were missing you! !LUV !PIZZA
@nasseir(66)· 1d
What a beautiful discovery! I love how an unexpected moment through the windshield led you to capture such lovely reflections. The way the surrounding trees, buildings, and distant mountains appear on the water creates a wonderfully peaceful scene. It’s a lovely reminder that sometimes the most interesting photographs come from simply noticing what is around us. Thank you for sharing these beautiful reflections! 🌿📸
@shadowshunter(46)· 1d
Thank you for participating! Your entry is valid and has been Ecency point tipped. Best of luck.

_{Admin: @mshbd}
@seki1(71)· 1d
Ohhhh, a hot spring!!

Haven't been sadly, my country is hit enough as it is😭😂😂

Lovely pictures though
@kellyane(73)· 1d
I tried dipping in a hot spring back in 2018 when I was living in Bacolod. Murcia is just a short distance from Bacolod, and it's home to one of the nice hot springs in the area.

Although the surroundings were quite cold, you wouldn't really feel it once you were soaking in the hot spring. I really enjoyed the experience because it felt so relaxing! I've also read somewhere that hot springs are believed to have therapeutic benefits because of their sulfur content.
@haveyoumetellie(65)· 2d
Ha. Someone figured the same hack. Go out on weekdays instead of weekend 😁 yeah here in the highlands we have lots of hot springs, but in our particular area, water is really cold. It's fresh spring water.

I thought of having Yongi take his photo by the poolside, but dismissed the idea because people might frown on it (maybe I was just overthinking, lol)

Don't mind them, take that picture with your lil furboy Yoongi. 💕
@delowar41(59)· 2d
What a wonderful and soothing experience! The hot springs seem like a fantastic place to relax. The reflections in the water make the images even more beautiful. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that provide the best opportunities for photography.
@helalgrowth2(54)· 2d
Starting the morning with a relaxing soak in thermal waters is the ultimate way to unwind and recharge. The therapeutic benefits combined with such peaceful surroundings make it a truly rejuvenating experience.
@worldmappin(82)· 2d
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