We all have different reasons for visiting new places. The first, obviously, is to satisfy our curiosity about that place. Another is to satisfy that perennial itch on your feet to be constantly on the move, preferably stepping on unfamiliar ground. Another, still, is to increase your know-how about that place, and the world, in general, seeing as travel is something that “enriches” you and makes you wealthier, “experience-wise”. Of course, recently, some people do it for bragging rights, and to make their Instagram feeds. Let me add another one: to celebrate. And that’s exactly what we did during our memorable visit to the Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal.
Before anything, if you haven’t seen the image-heavy post on our visit to this geopark in Rizal, here’s the link:
Visiting The Masungi Georeserve In Baras, Rizal
Disclaimer: All photos are mine, unless otherwise indicated on the photos.
Personally, my reasons for visiting new places vary, depending on the circumstances at the time. For example, after months of “inactivity” and being stuck in a routine that involves home-work and vice versa for days on end, I feel a tingling somewhere on my feet and legs. Like, “I wanna go somewhere. Anywhere. Now.”
Or it may not even have to be months. It could be mere weeks or days where things just get stressful at work (because, honestly, that’s all that stresses me out lately), and I wanna get away for a while.
On some days, curiosity can get the better of me, especially when I see that everyone else has gone to this place and are talking about it nonstop, and there I was, unable to relate. I get this feeling especially when I see people from out of town talking about a place that is right in my area or region, but HAVEN’T GONE TO YET, and I get a jarring reminder that I am not aware what is in my own backyard.
As for keeping my IG feed to a certain aesthetic… well, have you see my IG feed lately? It’s… a mess. I mean, a mess, compared to others who take their IG feeds seriously. Because I just upload whenever I feel like it, without caring about how the entire feed looks like. *shrugs*
But I digress. This post is supposed to be about why you should visit the Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal at least once in your life.
And I did say early on that you should visit it in order to celebrate. In fact, the entire visit is a celebration of sorts. Let me tell you why.
Celebrate Nature
…and God’s Creation, and his generosity in gifting us this small piece of that creation.
When was the last time you stepped out of that concrete jungle and smelled clean, crisp air without worrying that you’d have a coughing fit afterward because of all the smoke and dust you just inhaled? Or that you’d end up with a hearing problem because of the pandemonium usually experienced in busy metro streets?
Masungi gives you a sneak peek of what Nature has to offer and, if you are from the greater Manila area, it’s definitely a plus that it’s close. (Unlike us, who came all the way from Baguio.)
Standing on the several viewing platforms and elevated areas in the geopark will afford you views that you won’t get, not even if you are working on a desk at the top floor of a high-rise buildings. It’s just mountains and mountains all around, and clouds on the horizon. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a sighting of Laguna De Bay (which we didn’t, but that did not make it any less of a wonderful experience).
Whilst you’re here, you can’t help but feel small and insignificant at times, especially when you look up and see flora towering over you, all around you.
It’s a humbling experience, and a reminder too, that there are things that are way bigger than you. And I do not just mean that in the most obvious (e.g. size & breadth) way. Many of those trees that you see and barely paid attention to will probably still be there, staunch and unwavering, long after you have left this world. Who’s the boss now??
Here, you can celebrate how nature remains steadfast and faithful in staying gorgeous, provided it is given the love and care that it truly deserves. It’s like she’s saying, “take care of me, and I will do the same for you.”
Kudos to the brains and hands behind Masungi Georeserve for maintaining this place, ensuring that we have a place where we can bask in nature’s beauty and generosity, even if it’s just for a day.
Celebrate Man’s Ingenuity
This is also a celebration of man’s smarts. I have a lot of respect for people who are able to create anything from scratch; it takes a lot of imagination and skill to create something out of nothing.
On the other hand, I also have a lot of respect for people who take something that already exists and tweak it, without necessarily changing it, and even actually working with what they are given. In this case, they have a narrow room to work within. There are limitations, unlike when they create something from scratch, where they can simply let their imaginations run free and be as outrageous as they want.
Here, they created a place that still remained faithful to the original terrain. The additions and improvements, such as the trails, the viewing platforms, the Duyan and the Sapot, somehow did not look out of place, or stuck out like a sore thumb. There was harmony, and it is that harmony that made the visit even more memorable and special.
Celebrate Your Inner Child
We all have a child within us, no matter how much you claim to be “mature” and very much an adult. Sometimes, you have to “feed” that child. Celebrate that child; let him/her out.
Although I would not count a visit to Masungi Georeserve as an extreme activity where adrenaline junkies will definitely be drawn to, I feel that it serves just the right amount of challenge for anyone seeking new experiences and adventures. I love how, at every curve and bend of the trail, there is something fascinating to see, and something new to discover, regardless of how big or small that discovery is in your eyes.
I don’t know about others but, during the 3 to 4 hours that I was trekking around Masungi, everything else related to the “outside world” just melted away. No worries about deadlines at work, no concerns that somebody might ring or message you for something that needs solving or addressing….
It’s a disconnection that I appreciated. And fully welcomed.
Celebrate Friendships
Travelling solo is an experience I have had more than once or twice already, and the most memorable one was spending four whole days by myself in Tokyo. I loved every minute of it, even the part about getting lost in a maze of streets one drizzly evening in West Ikebukuro while looking for a particular ramen restaurant. In fact, the only downside would be not having someone to take your photo, haha!
But as much as I enjoy travelling alone, there are simply some trips and places that is best experienced with company. And with good company, if I may add.
I can totally picture someone visiting Masungi alone, perhaps to do some soul-searching. But this is also a good place to visit with friends and kindred spirits, and for you to celebrate that connection.
Some people in our 14-strong group, I met for the first time the previous night, when we all met up at the gas station at Gov. Pack in Baguio City. But when we were in Masungi, we ceased to be strangers, and turned into kindred spirits sharing a lot of laughs.
Masungi served as a perfect backdrop for many moments where lame jokes somehow got validated by laughter and amusement. Initial fears and apprehensions about, say, going in an enclosed space, or climbing up what looks like a precarious spot, were soon wiped away, because you know there are others with you, and you’re pretty much feeling close to the same thing.
It’s a cliche, but yes, you get reminded that you are not alone.
Besides, it is more fun if there are other people willing to be silly with you, don’t you think?
Also, if you are with friends or with kindred spirits, you can be as ridiculous as you want, and no one would fault you for it because, in this place, there’s just too much to see, and everyone’s so busy checking them out, they won’t give a flying eff about how you may be acting up. XDD
Celebrate Solitude
You know how, even in the middle of a crowd, you can still feel as if you are by yourself? And not in a negative way, I mean, because there is a difference between being alone and being lonely despite being surrounded by people.
While following the designated trail, you are likely to have unexpected moments of introspection, like I did. It’s like you get to have a time to yourself even when, technically, you’re in the company of several others.
For me, one of the best ways to savor (and celebrate) solitude is with nature: open seas, open skies, cool breeze, crisp clean air… you get my drift.
So there you have it: the best reason to visit Masungi Georeserve is to celebrate.
It isn’t every day that you get to check a place such as this. Well, you definitely could if you have all the time in the world and the money to spend. Therefore, you should grab the opportunity to be able to spend time here… and savor the whole experience.
You won’t regret it, I can assure you that.
Have you ever been to Masungi Georeserve? How was it for you?
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