OVERLANDING WITH THE KINGS

OVERLANDING, as defined by Wikipedia, is self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations where the journey itself is the primary goal. In addition to customizing off-road rigs, the Overland Kings — led by its chief adventure officer Joel Pedro and his team — organize overlanding trips called the OK Camp Out to promote the lifestyle and give more people the opportunity to experience camping in a more elevated and comfortable way.

Through their ongoing partnership with Isuzu, the Overland Kings (OK) outfitted the D-MAX and mu-X units to both transport us campers and provide sleeping arrangements. The OK team was also responsible for setting up the campsite, providing hospitality gear for everyone, and ensuring we were well-fed throughout the trip.

Upon our convoy's arrival at the campsite, the kitchen, dining and lounging areas were already set up. While we enjoyed refreshments, the OK crew installed the tents, which were mounted on the vehicles we drove. The sleeping area was transformed into a showroom displaying a variety of tents and awnings available from the Overland Kings shop, with prices ranging from modest two-digit figures to high six-figure sums, depending on the brand, materials, and setup complexity.

Each camper was assigned either a roof-mounted tent or one attached to the side of the vehicles. In an effort to be inclusive, Isuzu also made sure there were accommodations for those of us who preferred not to sleep in tents — though that's another story. Regardless of sleeping arrangements, everyone received a portable fan, emergency light, pillow and cozy blanket. Depending on your tent setup, you might also get a cot and mattress. Specifically for our group, the OK team constructed two makeshift showers with hot water and slatted wood floors, along with two nearby toilets.

Our campsite was well-stocked with camping chairs of all sizes, tents, lights, fans, and plenty of good food. Perhaps most importantly, there was a variety of coffee brewing methods to keep us caffeinated — no 3-in-1 packs here. There were large power banks capable of running appliances and even a Wi-Fi connection via a Starlink dish, because, as journalists, we still had deadlines to meet. The Overland Kings were fully equipped to make our camping trip as comfortable and memorable as possible.

Camping with the OKs is tough to beat, not only because of the top-notch equipment but also for the warmth and camaraderie that blossomed around the campfire in Sagada. If you're not an outdoorsy type, camping with the Kings might just change your mind and have you wanting your own rig.

2024-09-02T16:18:05Z dg43tfdfdgfd