Masungi Georeserve Adventure

Well, I apologize for my absence, I haven't been blogging for a long time for some reasons that made some things all piled up especially blogging. And since it is already year 2019 this blog will be my first for this year. I was in Masungi Georeserve last August 2017 with some friends  and I wasn't able to write about it. Good thing I was able to go back last October 2018 again with friends and family and maybe it would be my last visit.

Masungi tour 2018

Masungi tour 2017

The Masungi Georeserve is located in the ranges of Sierra Madre, at Kilometer 47 ,Baras, Rizal. The name "Masungi" is derived from the Tagalog word "masungki" which means "spiked" that best describes the rock garden. It is a protected area where visitors can enjoy nature with different species of flora and fauna. It also features a variety of rock formations and caves which can be reached through those decorative white macrame knotted bridges, cliffs, stairs and hand rails! How cool is that?

Masungi logo and landmark. Don't get lost!

The Masungi adventure can best be enjoyed with a group tour with the help of the assigned forest ranger. A maximum of 14 to a minimum of 7 people is required for the trail visit. The adventure will begin with a short climb on a cliff with macrame curtain that the guests can step on. Well, mind you, shoe soles should be scrubbed before the climb to maintain the cleanliness of the macrame because what you'll step on is also what you'll hold on while on the course. Did you get it? Well after that small task you are on the gateway of Masungi rock garden! SILENCE is mandatory while in the sanctuary so as not to disturb the unseen elements that dwells in the forest and of course to clearly hear the rustling of leaves, droplets of water, the sound of birds, insects and other elements of nature. And just to feel the stress-free environment that we dont get everytime.

On your mark!

Shut up!

First challenge is the "sapot" (web), it is a big man made spider web suspended on wires and fastened on rocks and it sways when some one moves! It was scary but fun, don't worry you will not fall off  the cliff, there is a platform underneath. Then the tour would be followed by several obstacles mostly hanging bridges and caves, there are also places with swings and hammocks where guests can stop by to rest or take some snacks!

Sapot!

The round metal used to be a part of the chainsaw used for illegal tree cutting.

Huge duyan!

The most interesting part in Masungi are the prominent rock formations named Tatay (father) which can be found on the highest part of the sanctuary, where guests can view the mountain ranges in Rizal, the city skylines and the nearby towns in Rizal.

The rock on far right is "tatay".

"Nanay"rock formation.

The bridge in the gap at "nanay" park.

My favorite part is the "Nanay" (mother) rock formation, the place seems like a mini park with small bridges and flowers and plants, it is pretty. I love the concrete hanging bridges where guests can enjoy the view of towering trees underneath! Amazing! Hammocks are also around in case guests wants to take some rest before the next challenge which is the "bayawak" (lizard)! A macrame made in the form of a lizard not just a lizard but a giant lizard which is attached on the cliff. I am not really sure with the height of the cliff but it could be 15-20 feet high or more. Guests can descend from here going to the dining area, well it is the shortest way to have a snack! I think there is an alternate route if guests don't want to. But it would be a different experience for the guests if they will take the challenge, just hold onto the rope and I'm sure it will be fine.

Hammocks!

The way to the kitchen haha. Bayawak!

The way out..SAWA!

The view of sawa from the dining area.

A complimentary refreshment is served after the trail visit and before doing the last challenge, yes there is! The last challenge is the "sawa" (python)! It is a long hanging bridge in the form of a python this time which guests must cross to get to the other side or from where the trail started! And it was nice to see guests cross and jump as they step on the end of the bridge! It was victory for us to conquer and finish the challenges in Masungi!

The Masungi Georeserve is one of the best nature parks that family and friends can enjoy. And I highly recommend it! It is just a quick get away from the metropolis, just make sure to book a slot or contact the Masungi Georeserve for more information. Click here.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Mt. Daraitan Fun Climb

I still remember it was Halloween when I revisited Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal. That time I was already prepared for the Daraitan summit. I went there a couple of times but I wasn't prepared for it and since it was just a week after my birthday I considered this climb as a gift to myself for I have been striving for it for a long time. It was already dark when we arrived in the village, we planned to stay overnight near the jump off point but later decided to trek and stay in the campsite near the summit instead! So okay, I haven't tried trekking in the dark so I guess that was it! And our group went off!

It's showtime!

My imagination started to get wild as we walked along the wet, slippery, dark and lush forest. It was Halloween and creepy images started  to show in my mind. How foolish am I to forget my headlamp or at least a flashlight to light my way, good thing a friend was kind enough to lend me his spare headlamp so I should be fine. On our way to the jump off point, my headlamp focussed onto this signage, when I read it I want to go back and go home! But I have to finish my mission so I must be brave! And if I am not mistaken there are 7 rest stations in the mountain where we stopped to breath. I should say that the trail was short but steep!

After two hours we arrived at the campsite, just before it started to rain hard. Before pitching our tents we had some hot coffee in a nearby hut where a local was resting in a hammock, he started to tell us stories about "cloud rats"! They're big rats, which sneaks in tents and steals food from backpacks... and I was so scared that made me sleepless that night!

Behave cloud rats!

Okay this is how cloud rats looked like for those who haven't seen one like me. I took this picture when I went to Mt. Pulag after my Mt. Daraitan climb. Can you see the claws? Anyway, I think they're not that bad according to the description written on the canvas. So back to Mt. Daraitan.
That night, it was raining so hard, it was cold and the rainwater kept on flowing underneath the tent. I kept on praying for the rain to stop, so we can make it for the sea of clouds which Mt. Daraitan is also known for like with Mt. Pulag. At 5 AM we got up and started to walk going to the summit, it was just 15 minutes walk from the campsite to view the sunrise and the sea of clouds as well!

Unfortunately the sun didn't show up and the sea of clouds wasn't that impressive. But when the darkness faded away, I was rewarded with the immense view of the mountains and the winding course of the Agos River.

The long and winding Agos River

Yay!

 Jagged rock formations occupies the summit, they come in different sizes and shapes, just be careful when stepping on it because it's slippery, you might fall off the cliff.

It was a fulfilling experience, stepping on the grounds of the summit made my adventure very memorable and I thought that was it but wait...there's more! On our way to the campsite we passed by a mossy forest which made me stop and feel the breeze! You know the feeling of walking along mossy trees, the appearance and scent of the old moss plant apparently signifies that the forest has been in existence for a relatively long time!

Plenty of clingy moss on old trees, I just don't know the name of these trees but I think they have been together for a very long time. I just can't imagine how long this ball of moss was formed.

Goodness gracious great ball of moss

And of course mossy forest wouldn't be complete without mushrooms! There are lots of them,  tiny white buttons sprouting on old mossy tree trunks!

Mushrooms to make you grow just like Mario!

I wish these wonderful works of nature would be left untouched by human hands, they look so delicate and I think it would take some time before they sprout or formed. So let's be concerned about it.

Creepy-crawlers has also a space in the mossy forest and they're cute, they just don't care even if I take a lot of pictures of them in different positions.

I think everything I want to see and experience in a mountain are all in Mt. Daraitan. Clouds, mountains, rock formations, mossy forest, flora and fauna, packed together making this mountain an amazing place to explore! All I wish is that these wonderful gift of nature will be protected and that wouldn't be possible if visitors won't help conserve the biodiversity present in our environment.
I thank you for reading and you might want  to read more about my adventures in Daraitan at http://makitambay.blogspot.com/2015/03/dare-daraitan.html .