It all started with an FB chat. An exchange of a little bit of gossip and I miss you's. Then Noynoy Aquino's declaration of an extra holiday for 2014 that fell on a Monday. And then an early morning rendezvous at McDonald's North Avenue.
And theeeeen, we were off to Sandbox in Porac, Pampanga for a much needed mini reunion with college buddies. It's been what? Two, three years since we last saw each other?!
And theeeeen, we were off to Sandbox in Porac, Pampanga for a much needed mini reunion with college buddies. It's been what? Two, three years since we last saw each other?!
Don't ask me how we reached the place, I just hitched a ride with them. Teehee. I only have fuzzy memories of exiting NLEX through SM Pampanga and seeing endless fields of rice. Oh, but I can tell you two things that might be of help. One, you can't go there without a private car. And two, WAZE will be really handy.
Oh! I can tell you a few more things that you need to know before planning your Sandbox adventure.
One, you should avoid the long weekends like the plague. When we visited, the reception area was more chaotic than a One Direction concert filled with crazed fangirls.
Two, if the long weekend is your only chance to visit, you should go early.
Three, even before going to the place itself, you should already know what package to get. Part of the problem why the registration became insanely disorganized were the visitors who took their sweet time in deciding which package to get. On the spot. In front of the cashier.
We availed of package B (Php520/pax) because we wanted to experience everything except the mini golf ← pretty self-explanatory.
One, you should avoid the long weekends like the plague. When we visited, the reception area was more chaotic than a One Direction concert filled with crazed fangirls.
Two, if the long weekend is your only chance to visit, you should go early.
Three, even before going to the place itself, you should already know what package to get. Part of the problem why the registration became insanely disorganized were the visitors who took their sweet time in deciding which package to get. On the spot. In front of the cashier.
We availed of package B (Php520/pax) because we wanted to experience everything except the mini golf ← pretty self-explanatory.
Before I forget, bring extra clothes, water, sunblock, towel, sunglasses, and umbrella. Sandbox is an open area with very limited tents and trees to provide shade, and it is far from being fully developed. Get ready to be assaulted by the sun.
First up, the giant swing! Oh wait, the line here was longer than what our University of Pila-honed skills could take. So, on to the next one!
Adventure tower - "a 5-storey structure that consists of various activities such as rappelling, wall climbing, jump off for the free fall, jump off for the roller coaster zip line and the view deck."
First up, the giant swing! Oh wait, the line here was longer than what our University of Pila-honed skills could take. So, on to the next one!
Adventure tower - "a 5-storey structure that consists of various activities such as rappelling, wall climbing, jump off for the free fall, jump off for the roller coaster zip line and the view deck."
First, you fall in line in the designated area for the desired activity.
Second, you wait for your turn to be harnessed.
Third, you wait for the go signal to do said activity.
Fourth, you do the activity (your excitement waning a little because of the wait, which can last up to 30 minutes).
Fifth, you go back down to be un-harnessed.
Then, you fall in line again for the next activity.
And the cycle of exchanging sweaty harnesses and helmets goes on and on.
We spent about TWO HOURS in the adventure tower and we were only able to do 3 things - wall climbing, rappelling, and free fall jumping. That long and we still were not able to try the roller coaster zip line. The cue there was the longest and it was already past 12 noon and we were already starving and daydreaming of Kapampangan food.
Suffice it to say, we were a bit frustrated with how things went. We didn't foresee the influx of tourists and the pandemonium in the lines that ensued.
Second, you wait for your turn to be harnessed.
Third, you wait for the go signal to do said activity.
Fourth, you do the activity (your excitement waning a little because of the wait, which can last up to 30 minutes).
Fifth, you go back down to be un-harnessed.
Then, you fall in line again for the next activity.
And the cycle of exchanging sweaty harnesses and helmets goes on and on.
We spent about TWO HOURS in the adventure tower and we were only able to do 3 things - wall climbing, rappelling, and free fall jumping. That long and we still were not able to try the roller coaster zip line. The cue there was the longest and it was already past 12 noon and we were already starving and daydreaming of Kapampangan food.
Suffice it to say, we were a bit frustrated with how things went. We didn't foresee the influx of tourists and the pandemonium in the lines that ensued.
And then there was the aerial walk challenge. Forget the roller coaster zip line! Forget the adventure tower! Forget the giant swing! This is da bomb - "a high rope adventure course of nets and rope walkways. The Aerial walk is a series of activities that will test each user's agility, balance and flexibility. An active guest can make his way through this course in about 30 minutes."
Wow. I thought we'd leave Sandbox feeling bitin and extremely regretful for shelling out P520 for three activities that ate up most of our morning. The aerial walk challenge has single-handedly changed our minds about Sandbox! And it was the most physically challenging activity I've done in months. Do not miss this when you visit Sandbox. I repeat, do NOT miss the aerial walk fun :)
Wow. I thought we'd leave Sandbox feeling bitin and extremely regretful for shelling out P520 for three activities that ate up most of our morning. The aerial walk challenge has single-handedly changed our minds about Sandbox! And it was the most physically challenging activity I've done in months. Do not miss this when you visit Sandbox. I repeat, do NOT miss the aerial walk fun :)
It was a good thing that the aerial challenge walk was the last activity we did because it pumped us up so much that we left Sandbox in high spirits!
Overall, our time in Sandbox at Alviera was filled with fun, love life kwentos, yuppie life lessons, and a LOT of waiting. Hopefully the management can do something about the waiting because there's only so much catching up people can do before they get impatient!
Overall, our time in Sandbox at Alviera was filled with fun, love life kwentos, yuppie life lessons, and a LOT of waiting. Hopefully the management can do something about the waiting because there's only so much catching up people can do before they get impatient!