MY CAR CAMPING #SAFESCAPE EXPERIENCE
Last month, this urban city traveller put one foot in the door to experience overlanding. (You can read all about that experience here.) Refreshed by the experience of being outdoors and breathing in fresh air after months of being cooped up inside, inspiration sparked. It’s time to put my two feet on the ground. I went to Facebook and chanced upon an active Facebook Community called “Car Camping Philippines”. The community frequently posts about their camping adventures and it was really great to see how people are really resonating with this new type of adventure. Camping, for me, was a daunting challenge but the idea of car camping was a welcome thought - with the security of having a place to store your things and not to have to carry them. The best part is, you don’t even have to carry any load. Just park and camp. Through this community of 23k members, I met an old friend who inspired me to plan another adventure and this time, really walk the talk.
So, first things first - the quest of traveling with the perfect vehicle for our group of 16 people. Fortunately, I work for Primer Group and there was this E150 that was calling out for a #vanlife. I then turned to Joel Pedro, the owner and Chief Adventure of Overland Kings, to help turn this #vanlife into a reality. On a Friday morning, we put the game plan in action. The E150 arrived at Overland Kings and immediately, the team went to action. They found the perfect crossbars from Mammoth and Front Runner. They also installed Adventure Kings Awning which was a perfect shade that can be rolled out and measures 2.5m x 2.5m.
Afterwards, they installed the Poler LeTent Rooftop Tent. The tent which is packed so neatly once opened becomes an abode with a queen-size foam mattress! It has an attached ladder to help you go in and out of the tent and shelter from the shade and rain with its rugged waterproof canvas material.
Now that our vehicle was rigged (thank you again to the team of Overland Kings led by Joel and Darwin) for our #vanlife, the next question was where to go? Fortunately, the Car Camping Facebook community did not disappoint with recommendations and we found ourselves booking in Viewscape Nature’s Park located in Tanay, Rizal which an old friend recommended.
Vehicle ✓. Location ✓ Now, the real planning begins. The Primer Regional Outdoor Adventure lead, Ruby Palma set us up in motion. She suggested we sit down with the adventure experts, ROX Philippines, who then introduced us to Coach Manny Batungbacal to set ourselves up for the overnight adventure awaiting us. From our virtual meetings, we learned and listed down all the equipment needed and what else to bring and what to be mindful of to enjoy this experience.
Meet the crew:
L-R (standing) Boyet Robles, Jhon Jeffrey Reynaldo from UPM (UP Mountaineers), Jomari Gonzales, Coach Manny Batungbakal, Arlene Thay Siongco (me), Sheena Valencia, Eunice Velasquez, Paulette Malabad. L-R (crouching down) Gerry and Arturo who drove our vehicles for us, Ruby Palma, Ruth Conde and Allan Garcia. The rest of the team not in photo: Rowena Ballesteros, Honey Arboleda and Sarah Reina (they went separately as they lived near Tanay).
To make sure everyone is safe, we all took antigen tests the day we left. With negative results, we now set off on our adventure.
Two hours in, we turned to a bumpy road and finally reached Viewscape Nature’s Park. The windy cold air was such a welcome treat to us as we got off from the van.
Spacious Car Camping Grounds
The beautiful campsite with exquisite view of the Sierra Madre Mountains
We were immediately drawn to the view of the SIerra Madre Mountains. Sierra Madre Mountain Range is the longest mountain range in the Philippines spanning 540 kilometers. For some of us who don’t know, the mountain range actually serves as our typhoon barrier and helped save us from natural disasters in the city. (Thanks to Wikipedia for this description).
UP Mountaineer Jay Robles explaining to our team on how to pitch a tent.
Our pitched 1-Man and 2-Man tents are from Poler, available in The Travel Club and Mountain Hardwear tents, available in ROX Philippines.
After pitching our tents, it was now time to set up our vehicle. It was so easy to install the Adventure Kings Awning tent and Poler’s Rooftop Tent. It took us less than 10 minutes to set this up:
It was quite windy in Tanay and there were occasional drizzles but the awning and the tent were quite sturdy and provided shelter for us. We cooked and ate under the awning! We even had a coffee station before the cookout commenced.
Prepping for coffee. Sea to Summit Kettle and Mug, Poler Mugs.
Oh, and by the way, this little camper was happy with the sight of this restroom stall
A moment to cherish. Being one with nature and appreciating the quiet surroundings to recharge and reflect.
Poler Adventure Chairs fit perfectly in the outdoors.
More Poler Stuff: Headlamps, Solar Lamps, and the Poler Adventure Table which was so easy to install and set up. It’s packed neatly in a bag when not in use.
The iconic Poler Napsack - perfect for the cold weather! It’s a sleeping bag you wear
Prepping the garlic for the ensal
Grilling station
Tada! Our cookout menu: Sirloin Steaks, Butter Shrimps, Grilled Wagyu Sticks, Buttered Vegetables, Ensaladang talong and pulang itlog, Sinigang and Rice
A night under the stars. The Camping experience wouldn't be complete without cookouts, grilling and bonfires. We snuggled with the comfort and warmth of the fire while exchanging stories about life, first impressions and our love for travel. At 10pm, it was already quiet time at the camp so we settled in for the night.
The next day, the sea of clouds greeted the campsite and offered us this amazing view.
Waking up to a great view and chancing upon the rainbow the next day was such an incredible sight. So you might ask how was the experience sleeping under the tent? I was actually amazed at how it shielded us from the rain and winds. It was really windy that night. Despite that, our things were safe and dry and our tent proved to be waterproof as we didn’t feel a drop of water while inside the tent. I love that the Poler tent has two entrances. I didn’t bother my companion when I had to go in and out of the tent. I also love that there was a small window where I can see the moon while laying inside the tent and could really feel like I’m one with nature. At one point in the night, I went out of the tent and was amazed at how the moon shone brightly in the entire camp because without this, the entire camp would have been pitch black.
We left Viewscape just after breakfast. It was actually sad to say goodbye to the place. It was really an experience I could never forget. I now understand why people love the outdoors and why people are into car camping nowadays. This kind of travel really touches the soul. Makes you feel grateful to be alive and blessed to be able to breathe in such fresh air and take in the wonderful view.
So, what did this urban city traveller learn about car camping?
One, preparation is key. All the small details count. From big ticket items such as tents and camping furniture to smaller details like bringing your own mess kit (in layman’s term - plates, spoon and fork and mugs), it’s a must to have a checklist. You can view mine below. One thing we learned the hard way was we brought in so much food than we could consume and that is not a good thing especially when you think about lesson two and when you don’t have the backup power one installs in their vehicle without touching your car’s battery (which Overland Kings can easily install).
Two, “Leave No Trace” principle. I like that traveling this way teaches me to become more responsible and mindful of the surroundings and how I treat nature with respect.
Three: when it’s cold, stay hydrated. Prevent dehydration and loss of moisture in our skins by hydrating. Best to keep with you a bottle of Hydro Flask at all times!
Four: Pack away immediately. Didn’t realize what we teach kids would also be an important lesson for us after camping. Don’t forget to wash your tents right away to preserve these items longer. Baking soda helps remove smell and dirt! Don’t also dry in direct sunlight, instead dry them under the shade is best.
For urban city travelers like me, car camping and overlanding are really the way to go to experience the outdoors without having to sacrifice comfort. I also realized on this trip how beautiful the Sierra Madre Mountains were. The pictures could not justify how awesome the view was. The experience itself was really an eye opener to a new kind of travel.
Travelling for me is truly a discovery and a learning experience. I am really glad that I was able to do this. The fresh cold air was totally worth it. The bond we made is really one for the books. I also learned things about myself during this trip and that’s really what travelling is all about, isn’t it?
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your own car camping #SAFEscape now!
Need a help with Camping Checklist? Here you go! Happy campin!
Resources:
Overland Kings, E2, Km. 15 W Service Rd, Parañaque, Metro Manila - You can waze Lamoiyan Corp and it will get you to Overland Kings. It’s at your left after temperature check with the guard.
Viewscape Nature’s Park, Sitio Maysawa Barangay Cayumbay, Tanay, Rizal. Message them at https://m.me/viewscapenaturespark. Rates are 500/vehicle and 250/pax for an overnight stay (2pm-11am). Day trip is at P150/pax (6am-6pm). The site is also searchable in Waze.
The Travel Club, Poler stuff (tents, camping furniture, rucksacks, apparel and Napsacks), Hydro Flask, Montbell Jackets, etc. https://www.thetravelclubplus.ph/ and https://www.thetravelclub.ph/ or visit https://www.thetravelclub.ph/stores to see stores located near you. You can also find them in: https://www.facebook.com/thetravelclubph.
R.O.X Philippines, Sea to Summit, Mountain HardWear tents, Poler stuff, https://www.rox.com.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/roxphilippines.