Our Version of Adventure Island : Masungi Geo Reserve

Ola from the woman who is both indecisive and persuasive (self-persuasion mostly) about going out there, 'out there' meaning, hours of guaranteed sun exposure from activities that are 3000% worth it :-)

And it includes yesterday's FUN-filled and ADVENTURE-filled day at the Masungi Geo-reserve !

Ive teamed up with my lady friends and strangers who turned out to be awesome trail mates :-) So you get many things/benefits out of this adventure: 1.) You make new friends 

2.) You discover nature up close and personal 

3.) You challenge your physical strength into enduring the 3-4hr hike 

4.) You EXPERIENCE the best feeling of going as high as the highest peak that Masungi has to offer!  

It looks even more beautiful in person..

Things to remember before you go there:

• Wear light clothing (mostly work out clothes)

• A reliable footwear (rubber shoes, running shoes, or if you have the shoes that hikers use, then much better!)

• Bring lotsa WATER! Although they say that there are pit stops for water refilling, we found none, aside from the area where we were briefed, and the last part of the trail, so there's none in between. I recommend you bring disposable mineral water bottles in 500ml. I brought two 500ml bottles which is more lightweight after i finish one bottle, instead of taking with you a 1L bottle.
• SUNSCREEN
• Bring a light hooded jacket for when it becomes too sunny or when it drizzles 
• A selfie stick for your camera phone (this is what I used), GoPro or any action cam
• Dont forget to bring your trail mixes, because you are gonna get hungry! And you dont wanna be hungry while trailing, trust me!

This was after briefing about the park regulations, and were readying to start the voyage :-)

Me, along with my team were equally excited to finally immerse ourselves into exploring the geo reserve, which had a beautiful history to it, including the scars that illegal loggers have left her. Masungi geo reserve have gone through kaingin (slash trees and burn), illegal logging and endangerment of deforestation..

 But look at her now! She is flourishing, breathtaking, taken cared of and LOVED..

 

That photo on top labeled "Lagusan ni Ric" is a tribute to one of the park rangers who discovered and paved that path way (lagusan). Kudos Sir Ric! Although we have not met him, we are so grateful for you sir, and to all the park rangers who maintain Masungi, additionally, they are the one's responsible for making the trails accessible to us :-)

Buddy

The first rope course, which is the baby of all rope courses over there!

We've gone through the rope courses along our way, and those really tested our courage of putting ourselves out there (literally hanging out there!).

This is where the importance of keeping a lot of company comes in, because you'll need all the cheering-up and pushing (verbally :p) when a hint of doubt waves in. So yes, bring as many friends as you can. At Masungi, you are allowed to be a group of not more than 14people and not less than 7. People say that its hard to book over the website, but I have to say that there wasn't a lot of bother when I booked our trip. So I don't know where they're coming from with it. 

Buddy

The only challenge though was to keep your team mates to really commit to the date of trip and pay up on time. That's it! :-)

For me and Katrina, we didn't feel leg cramps, or any pain, and we would like to give credit to our Barre3 Pilates and Yoga lessons, for strengthening our quads :-)

Our guide/park ranger Mac had been very helpful and provided us information per area that we stopped at. By the way, they discourage tipping the guides, as to maintain the same level of performance and professionalism amongst them..

He also complimented about me being fast and able to keep up with him, because I was always right behind him, and he asked if Ive done hiking/trailing before, I told him this was my first :-)

Mac, you're the BEST park ranger!

One of the hanging bridges you can find in the geo reserve :-)

And as I end this post with a video i took of myself during one of the climbs to a high peak, Id like to urge you all to go and visit and experience Masungi, beginners like me are welcome, and it is an easy course to take, and the VIEW is all worth it! :-)

I hope you enjoyed reading and seeing the photos, it is so much better up close and in person!

Experience it yourself!

Do you have any thoughts about Masungi? Or what I wrote?

Please let me know at the comment section below :-)