Rx: A dose of healthy adventure
MANILA, Philippines – Surgeons and 40-year-old mothers taking on the task of managing both career and family have more than one thing in common. They all endure hours of challenging and literally back-breaking work, and face mentally and emotionally tiring situations on a daily basis. Thus, there is nothing quite like leaving the daily environment for some adventure and physically challenging activity.
“Sometimes, stress or boredom is at such a level that what can bring spark or energy back to a person’s life is a dose of adventure. Our lives are so detached from nature that the excitement, the thrill, the surge of the adrenaline, and the experience of being outdoors and communing with nature can do that. It is not unheard of for some surgeons and mothers to pack up and take such periodic breaks,” says Paul Cuenca of Intrepid Adventure Lifestyle.
Intrepid has several packages of such adventures, ranging from mountain bike trailing expeditions to the full experience of coexisting in and surviving the wild for several days. The group has done custom-designed adventures for small to midsized groups, ranging from a mini-reunion of 40-something high school friends, families wanting to develop team spirit, students on an educational volunteering trip, to professional and corporate teams aiming to enhance productivity and effectiveness. All their programs are conducted in the open, well-maintained grounds of Malaysia, with experienced and trained guides, and covered by adventure specific insurance.
“We also design and conduct special adventures that are open to the public. This summer, we will have special trips for mountain climbing, mountain biking, deep sea fishing, and family adventures. Anyone can join on his/her own or with a friend or an entire group. We take small groups of 10 to 12 for each trip to make it more intimate,” Cuenca adds.
One such adventure is the Mt. Kinabalu Summit Climb, which Intrepid will conduct this summer. Mt. Kinabalu is one of tallest peaks in South East Asia at 13,435 feet. It is a UNESCO Heritage Site and located in the East Malaysian state of Sabah. The adventure, which will begin and end at the hotel in Kota Kinabalu, will include one night at the Laban Rata Basecamp at 10,000 feet, taking the participants on a relatively easy but challenging climb, but allowing them to marvel at the spectacular views at sunrise.
“Climbing is not just about conquering a mountain. It is conquering a part of yourself. Reaching a summit like Mt. Kinabalu is akin to purging yourself. Your heart is open and your mind is clear. You feel closer to God, it’s a religious experience for some. This climb is the perfect way to end a taxing school year at college, jump start a family summer, or just bond with your friends,” Cuenca says.
For more information, visit www.intrepid.ph or e-mail adventure@intrepid.ph.
