Hi there! My name is Ihsan. I was born in Malaysia but lived in the United States as a kid. Having experienced living in another country from a young age, I feel a strong sense of exploration and desire to see more of what our world has to offer. That’s why I decided to move to Japan in 2019 to pursue my doctoral studies in Kyoto. Through hard work and good luck, I managed to obtain a MEXT scholarship to fund most of my studies here. I hope that in the future I can contribute to good connections and act as a bridge between people in Malaysia, Japan, as well as others from different countries.
I’ve always loved being around water and being active, so when I saw a posting about a tour that promised both things, I was excited to sign up! The tour consisted of two major parts. The first being “Forest Adventure”, and the second “Oumiwave”. So, let me tell you more about the exciting day I had on this tour.
■Forest Adventure
Do you enjoy the feeling of wind in your hair? Challenging yourself over obstacles? Or maybe feeling like a kid again while going through a large playground? These are all the things I felt at Forest Adventure. If you can relate to these feelings, I think you would enjoy it too! When I first arrived at the location, the staff carefully explained the rules and securely put on the harness for everyone on the tour. I was also given gloves to help me hold onto obstacles and equipment. I felt ready for the day!
With the harness in tow, I was shown an instructional video in English. It was full of information and was also funny! I liked how the staff tried to make the video entertaining but also simple enough to understand. After the video, I got to do a trial course to get used to the equipment. There were also staff there to help in case I got stuck…and I did get stuck! However, with practice I managed to get the hang of it. What I really liked was the Zipline practice. This really helped me build up courage. At first, I was a little scared that the equipment wouldn't keep me lifted, but after I tried it, I became confident in all the other obstacles!
■Oumiwave
After that, the tour took me to Oumiwave. My stomach was rumbling after all the physical exercise at Forest Adventure, so I was looking forward to the BBQ lunch. At Oumiwave, I was impressed by a stylish beach canopy for the tour participants to rest at. Equipped with beach chairs and comfortable seats, we waited for the BBQ meat to be cooked. There was a lot of delicious BBQ meat (chicken, pork and beef) and generous portions of vegetables. I ate a lot until I felt completely satisfied and enjoyed chatting with the other tour participants while we shared food.
After eating, I went into the water to use the standing paddle board (SUP). It was my second time using a standing paddle board, so I listened to the staff on how to use it to refresh my memory. The staff were really helpful. Balancing on the board can be a bit tricky at first, but after a few tries I managed to do it. After becoming comfortable, I lay down on the board and relaxed while the waves rocked back and forth.
Then, I checked out the tent sauna. It was hot in there and sweat was dripping from my skin. Saunas aren’t very popular in Malaysia since it’s a tropical country, so I didn’t enjoy the sauna too much. Still, it was interesting to try it out and overall, I had a great time on this tour!
■Extra notes
Here are some things to note when visiting Forest Adventure:
You should wear sports shoes, pants and clothes that are comfortable to move in. The pants should not be too baggy so that the harness can fit well. Besides that, your clothes might get a little dirty so bring a change of clothes!
For Oumiwave:
You should bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes and water for drinking. There are no vending machines and it’s important to stay hydrated, especially under the sun. The location is equipped with showers, shampoo and soap so it’s convenient!
■Summary
In summary, I think this tour is great for people who enjoy outdoor activities and staying active. Both Forest Adventure and the SUP experience may take some time to get used to, but if you’re open to learning and challenging yourself, it really gives a good sense of accomplishment when you finally succeed! I would recommend it to all my friends but also think it’s great for families. It’s a great way to exercise outdoors while nurturing bonds between friends and family!