Extreme Outdoor Adventure: Sandbox at Alviera, Porac Pampanga

Sandbox is a new outdoor adventure park developed by Ayala Land, Inc. located at Alviera, Porac, Pampanga. Sandbox is defined as “a ground partly filled with sand for children to play in”, but in this case, it is a huge playground, with lahar, for children not below 4 feet and those "children at heart" with thirst for extremely intense outdoor activities. The attractions includes: a 10-meter tall Giant Swing (the tallest in the country), a 30-minute course Aerial Walk, a 5-storey Adventure Tower for Wall Climbing and Rappelling, jump-off for the Free Fall and jump-off for the 180-meter long Avatar One Roller Coaster Zip Line (the first in the country).

It's the first Saturday of May. We arrived at around eleven in the morning...it's hot but with gust of wind which makes the temperature bearable. The Sandbox is located in an open area with no trees and just a few tents for shelter. There were already a long queue in each of the adventures but as expected, our Daniz ran  to the Giant Swing...

Secured with safety harnesses directly attached to the swing seat

Being lifted manually through a pulley to about a height of about 7 ~ 8 meters

After disengaging from the hook, the first swing which could go as high as the frame

Daniz and my brother Ombs waited for one hour for their turns to the Giant Swing. I specially requested Ombs to accompany us because Jonjie and I couldn't see ourselves on that swing.

Yeheyyy...they braved the Giant Swing. It lasted for about two minutes, from hook-up to dismount, with the first swing as high as the frame. Daniz screams were repetitions of "Oh my God" and "I'm gonna die". But after the ride, seeing her radiant smile was worth the long wait and worth the skipping of my heart each time I heard her scream. Please click here for the video.

Then off to the Adventure Tower, a 5-storey structure, for Daniz' Free Fall and the Avatar One Roller Coaster Zip Line for Ombs...

Still excited to do the free fall...with no trace of fear on her face.

Her third try to be brave...after finally giving in to her fear...and she really tried...

Our view from below...while cheering Daniz to jump...

Daniz tried to overcome the Free Fall three times but was not able to. She’s trying to be brave to conquer the 40 feet tower…while I and the other spectators below are cheering her to jump because we saw her eagerness but also felt her fear.  She’s so close, all she needs to do is jump. Hope she can be fearless next time. When Jonjie and I asked her why she did not jump, she said she was afraid she might die because there was no trampoline to catch here,not like the bunjee jump at SM Clark.

Simultaneously, Ombs went on the roller coaster zip line ride. I was not able to catch his jump start as I was busy encouraging Daniz to jump. Please click here for the video.

First part of the challenge...I love the colored stepping stones :)

Easy...

Hanging carriage?!?...just watching them made my knees weak (if only I could skip this later...)

Me on the ground...taking picture of Daniz & Ombs

The rope bridge is the highest part of the challenge

Love this shot...Daniz halfway through the 1st zip line (courtesy of Daday Jonjie)

She made walking on cable so easy...it's not.

Just like the Giant Swing and Free Fall, we had to wait in line for the Aerial Walk. This time, it would be the four of us braving the series of wooden planks,nets, cables, ropes, and zip lines which according to the attendants would take 30 minutes, for an active person, to complete the entire challenge. 

And Daniz finished it with shriek of laughter and happy banters with her Tito Ombs along the way. Not yet satisfied and not a bit tired, she repeated the whole process with me...

I was so nervous but I know that we were safe because of those double-lock safety harness. As explained by the attendant, one harness cannot be removed unless the other is safely hooked in place. Daniz should be with an adult because she is not tall enough to hook or unhook the harnesses.

Smiling...it's still the easy part.

So stressed and afraid...as evident in my face. I had to join Daniz in the carriage and pull the rope...

This was the fun part...after a nerve-wracking jump start.

Ahahaha...almost there!!!

Overall, I had fun even though my knees were trembling and my heart was pounding as Daniz and I went higher. Whew, this time Daniz was fearless as she told me to walk or climb faster or to jump and yet but still asking if I'm okey.

Dada's moment. He only tried the easy challenges because of his lower back problem.

Footnotes:

• Safety is foremost in all the adventures and the attendants clearly explains the instructions and reminders. Listen and follow.
• As all activities are outdoor, wear comfortable clothes and close shoes (rubber shoes is the most appropriate)

Adventures, Rates and Packages:

How to get there: