I can’t remember when we first went to Mount Purro Nature Reserve.

I didn’t even know it was Mount Purro; I knew it as Camp Explore, run by our friends Kit Malvar and her husband Inaki Llamas, and her family. We’d gone there for Oneal’s barkada Christmas parties, and always enjoyed the good food and the opportunity to be surrounded by nature.

In 2019, my brother decided that he wanted to spend his birthday there. We spent the night in a bamboo cabin, and in the morning we went for a less-than-leisurely walk to the nearby river, where we went for a freezing-but-fun swim.

Throughout the pandemic, we kept checking if the camp was ready for visitors again, and finally this year we were able to go back. We were so happy to again be surrounded by the sounds of the forest, shielded from sun by the canopy of towering trees, the sound of rushing water (and pouring rain) a pleasant din accompanying our conversation.

The wonderful food (and generous servings) was certainly a plus!

Below: There are such gorgeous flowers all over the camp.

No river swim or trek this time, but my brother and I attempted a hike. We did not die, but we did not finish it either! We are, uh, not the most fit people in the world.

It was quite rainy most of the time we were there, but on Sunday morning, the sun came out for a peek! So we decided to go for a swim in the pool. Lucas was very happy.

We all can’t wait to go back.