Maria Marauder: Mindanao Adventure Day 3 Part 2: Dahilayan Zipline, Zorbit, and the Luge

Oh, no! After eating our brunch, the rain started pouring...hard! Nathan had been raring to do the rides after he had surveyed the place, even to the point of not wanting to eat brunch anymore. We told him to wait until after eating, but then it rained. I was so afraid we would be cooped inside our room for the rest of our stay in Dahilayan. I was sad, especially for Nathan. The boys waited for the rain to stop by playing pool.

Photo by MDPahed

I guess the rain was a blessing in disguise because we were forced to take a nap for a while. At around 2 p.m., it subsided a little bit. Melizza woke us up to tell us they had done one round of Luge. Nathan (or was it Rhod?) wanted us to ride with him. Bangon na, mga Tita!

The game is on! Photo by MDPahed

First stop: Zip Zone at Dahilayan Adventure Park. This amenity is not part of the Dahilayan Forest Park. We had to walk a few steps outside to reach the ticketing booth.

Claimed as Asia's longest dual Zipline, there were three lines to be had at the Zip Zone. From a launch point at 4,700 feet above sea level, and at a possible speed of 90 kph, zooming through the lush greenery and the river below, this would be an adventure of a lifetime for any one.

We had three options:

a) The 320+150m zipline costs Php250. It's a dual line and to tell you frankly, it's kind of bitin just to ride this one. But if one is scared of heights, then this is a good start to conquer one's acrophobia.

b) The 840-m zipline costs Php500. It's fierce, it's high, and it's scream-inducing. So this was the one we were excited to ride.

c) We decided to try both, the All Zip Ride, which cost Php600. That's a sweet deal if you ask me.

Off to the harness station!

The Li'l Girl with Tim's shoes

Say Premz!

Now for the 840-m zipline. Full safety gears are provided by the staff.

Photo by MDPahed

Already in full flying gear, we had to be brought to the launching place at the top of the mountain.

Photo by MDPahed

However, Nathan was not allowed to take the 840-m zipline because of his age. He was left behind with Levi. Awww!

Photo by MDPahed

I regretted not to have brought a camera at the top of the mountain. Next time na talaga!

Photo by MDPahed

Rhod and Mel looked like they could hold hands up there.

Photo by MDPahed

It was too foggy to see the trees, river and the ravine I was breezing through.

Photo by MDPahed

Grabe! Nakuha pang magpa-kyut!

Photo by CVMejino

We had a grand time despite the fog!

Photo by MDPahed

The family that ziplines together...

Photo by MDPahed

The other group skipped the zipline because they said they had done it in Ilocos. So they proceeded to the Luge instead. They had to buy raincoats because it was drizzling at that time. Ay, mga takot sa ulan?

Photo by AAMaruyama

The Forest Park Luge is the first and only (?) mountain luge in the Philippines.

Photo by MDPahed

It was easy to maneuver the go-cart/ sled ride---just move the lever up to move forward, and bring it down to control the speed--and gravity will do the rest for you.

Photo by AAMaruyama

Ambilis, parang mga Power Rangers lang!

Photo by AAMaruyama

The Php600 we paid for the Forest Park Luge gave us two rounds to ride it. We had to be brought up twice. Kaso, heto namang grupong ito, nasiraan....hindi nakayanan dahil sa bigat n'yo?

Photo by AAMaruyama

It's our turn!

Photo by MDPahed

The Paheds were given an extra free round by the Luge people, since there were no other people around. But Nathan was still asking why he wasn't given an extra--he lost count that he just finished his third!

Photo by MDPahed

One happy kid! Photo by MDPahed

If you ride the Luge, you will be allowed to play a free mini-golf game at the Forest Putt. Some of us teed until sunset.

Photo by AAMaruyama

And now, the Astrozorbit. I can't, for the life of me, understand why normal people would pay to be strapped inside this huge rubber inflatable ball, and be pushed downhill. But I guess these girls were not normal, crazy even--they knew no fear, or vertigo, or motion sickness. All for the spirit of fun!