Adventure with Suzuki Jimny in the Philippine jungle

Suzuki Jimny adventure in the Philippine jungle

When we rented a Suzuki Jimny off-road vehicle together with Martin and Tom upon arrival in a small port city, we had no idea what an adventure story awaited us. Instead of comfortable asphalt roads, we were attracted to remote places where ordinary tourists would never go. We wanted to know the real Philippines – gravel and mud roads, rice paddies, dense jungle and villages where the modern world had not yet arrived.

With every passing kilometer, civilization disappeared behind us and an endless green mass of wilderness appeared before us. Jimny, a tiny but tenacious off-roader, jumped into the adventure without hesitation, just like us. The first gravel roads were quickly replaced by deep ruts full of mud. It felt more like an off-road competition than a regular ride. Branches were cracking under the wheels, mud was splashing up to our roof, and we were laughing - this is exactly what we wanted to experience!

After hours of trudging, we arrived at the first small village, which seemed to have fallen out of another century. No concrete houses, no cell phone signal. The children ran to our car and watched in amazement the "strangers" who dared to come here. A smiling woman with a basket of rice on her head invited us to relax at their home. We were fascinated by their modest but harmonious way of life. It was then that we realized how far we were from the tourist centers and how close we were to the real Philippines.

As the hours ticked by, the journey became even more challenging. In front of us lay a rice field and a muddy path that a normal car wouldn't even be able to cross. But the Jimny trudged on bravely, the wheels smashed into the mud, the engine roared, and we felt like we were in an episode of an adventure series. Meanwhile, the sky darkened and a typical tropical downpour began - the road turned into one big mud puddle.

Every turn brought new challenges and adrenaline. At one point we found ourselves on a narrow road lined with thick vegetation that almost engulfed the car. Suddenly, a steep hill strewn with slippery stones and tree roots appeared in front of us. “This is going to be a nut,” we thought as the wheels began to turn. We took a deep breath and decided to take the risk. The Jimny lunged forward, the engine roaring, and we clutched the wheel convulsively as the shocks tossed us from side to side.

We went to the top with a view that literally took our breath away. The green jungle spread out below us, the endless rice paddies reflected in the water terraces and the ocean shimmered in the distance. This was a reward we never dreamed of. We realized that even if the journey is difficult, it is worth every kilometer.

The next destination of our trip was a cave, which we learned about from local fishermen. The way to it led along a winding path through a dense bamboo forest where the sun barely penetrated through the leaves. When we stopped at the entrance to the cave, an almost palpable darkness and cold surrounded us. We headed in, armed only with a flashlight and a zest for adventure.

In the cave we came across an underground river whose water was icy but crystal clear. Drops of water bounced off the walls creating a mystical echo that seemed to tell stories of the past. Locals told us that this cave once served as a shelter during storms and that local legends speak of treasures hidden deep inside. We didn't find any treasure, but the experience was still priceless.

Our last leg of the journey was along the coast. We made our way down the beach which was almost empty with only a few small fishing boats bobbing in the waves. The sky began to change as the sun dipped into the sunset and we enjoyed the ride with the sea breeze in our hair.

But suddenly we noticed that the water was starting to rise quickly - the tide was approaching. We had to make a quick decision: turn back to the hard road, or risk a shortcut along the beach? We decided on a more adventurous option. Once again the Jimny proved to be a real fighter as we raced through the wet sand, the wheels were breaking but the car was not stopping. With a bit of luck we escaped the tide just in time and arrived to safety.

In the evening, as we sat on the ocean shore with our feet in the sand watching the sunset, we realized what an extraordinary experience we had just had. It wasn't just a trip across the island - it was a trip to get to know the true face of the Philippines. We have found that true beauty is found off the beaten tourist track, in places where uncertainty awaits you, but also the most authentic experiences.

If you're looking for an adventure that will take you out of your comfort zone, don't hesitate to head to the Philippine jungle. You may encounter mud, rain storms and difficult roads, but these are the moments that will become memories you will never forget.

The conclusion of our trip was at the airport in the city of Cebu on the island of the same name with the local customs officer. When the customs officer selects something from your travel gear, he gets it. This is our personal experience. Better to store everything safely below deck.

Thank you Martin and Tom for this beautiful trip!