Road trip
As I write this, we are 3 hours into a 12-hour road trip home. Perhaps it was about 6 years ago or so, my colleagues from Asia ACTs and I took a road trip across the Cordilleras. We rented a van, and wove our way through Banawe, Sagada, and then Baguio. Then back to Quezon City. On the way home we stopped by Joy’s family home in Tarlac.
I don’t remember now how long it took, probably 3 or 4 days. It was fun because we took our time and there was much chatter on the road.
For this trip, we’re taking public transportation and you either entertained yourself with your own gadgets, or sang along whatever music the drivers and their conductor played. On the way up to Sagada, we slept for the most part of the trip. That was easy, the bus left QC at 830pm and we hasn’t slept since the day before. Now going down the mountains, the trip starts at 3pm. So it’s not so easy to fall asleep, or to stay so for long.
Most people would rather do something else than travel 12 hours to the mountains. I say it’s time well spent when the destination is Sagada. 🙂 Besides, 12 hours of sleep is a gift! Now the time it takes to get back to life, hmm. Well, it’s another gift of time. One can read, or watch movies.
So that’s what I’d been doing the past 2 hours – I watched a movie! That means that this weekend I’ve done quite a lot really:
1. Witness a childhood friend’s wedding
2. Cover a wedding as official photographer
3. Give my niece Shanti another memorable experience before she turns 18
4. Watch 2 movies: The New Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Rachel Getting Married
5. Get a massage (which I said I should have weekly or at least twice a month)
6. Tried a new diner in Sagada (as opposed dining at all the old familiar places only)
7. Walked everyday in the past 3 days until I lost breath.
8. Met a charming little boy (I must share a photo of little Seth)
9. Say hi to old friends
10. See some of my favorite Baguio boys
And the weekend’s not even over yet!
What have you been up to? 🙂
Time check – it has been about 20 mins since I started writing this post and just when I was about to attach a photo of the mountains taken when we were on our way up, I lost network connection. When I do get to post this it will still be thanks to the mostly excellent Globe 3G signal on my iPhone. No, Cable Tours does not have wifi on board.
Kathreen Smeyer
May 28, 2012 @ 12:39 pm
There are a lots of new things you can do while you are in a road trip. Like you, you are writing this fantastic blog. When I was in the road trip, I love capturing beautiful scenery.
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Cristine
May 29, 2012 @ 8:37 am
You make use of your time very well. You must serve as an inspiration to a lot of people Ms. Vera 🙂
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Aileen
May 29, 2012 @ 10:28 am
Yes, the trip could be tiring but that’s nothing if we keep the destination in mind. You simply enjoy the ride and the sites. 🙂
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Maye Domencil
May 29, 2012 @ 12:59 pm
You are amazing you can write while on the road. I can’t do it for I am easily get dizzy, haha.
Mommy Maye (http://momayes.blogspot.com)
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yuuki
May 29, 2012 @ 2:11 pm
what a productive weekend! never been to Sagada but always amazed with pictures…
yuuki´s last [post] ..Sleep is important
Gelo
May 29, 2012 @ 2:52 pm
It’s good that you are using your time wisely. we all know that time is gold and this should not be wasted by just letting it pass without doing something important.
anne lei
May 29, 2012 @ 3:28 pm
nice weekend. i never been to sagada before, might as well look for this tour by next year.
michi
May 29, 2012 @ 4:08 pm
how i wish i can endure long road trip. mainipin ako but i’ve been meaning to visit sagada.
michi´s last [post] ..Unexpected Joys of Motherhood
Kristen
May 29, 2012 @ 4:17 pm
I love love love road trips! well, of course except for the stops to pee. 😛 I enjoy spending time with the family in the car and just talk about anything while munching on chichiria 😀
Rae
May 29, 2012 @ 4:21 pm
Took the same long trip to bicol, it’s not too bad if your destination is worth it.
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theresa
May 29, 2012 @ 6:48 pm
bongga! I hope to experience another roadtrip! I miss the old times.. When I began teaching, I’m super busy already!
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Nice
May 29, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
it pays to have your gadgets with you while having long trips… when i traveled to baguio last holy week via bus from manila i also fought boredom through sleeping and checking my social networking accounts.
Farida
May 29, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
Enjoy your adventure and take as much photos as you can to remember the time you once visited that place! 🙂
leira
May 29, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
enjoy the trip and the memories that come with it.
Jhari
May 29, 2012 @ 10:36 pm
Good for you for having a chance to have such trip. Enjoy.
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Claire
May 29, 2012 @ 11:24 pm
I enjoy spending time with the family in the car and just talk about anything while munching on chichiria. Thanks that you’ve shared.
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The Joyful Crafter
May 30, 2012 @ 12:36 am
Time spent very well… I love travelling with friends and loved ones too, until I got older (I think) that my tummy gets upset from travelling too much now.
If I were the one travelling, I’d be blogging, taking photos and munching on chips or chatting with my friends too!
I bet you had a real wonderful time… I love Sagada and Baguio!
– The Joyful Crafter
http://www.peachyalvarez.com
http://www.thejoyfulcrafterph.com
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Mona
May 30, 2012 @ 12:43 am
Sometimes i don’t want road trip i usually vomit kasi lalo na kapag long hours na ang trip, anyway, better to bring gadgets or anything that can give enjoyment, btw, nice mountains!
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Mona
May 30, 2012 @ 12:44 am
please check my previous comment in your spam thnaks
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verna
May 30, 2012 @ 4:19 am
12-hour road trip? Wow! That’s looooooong! But the view does seem worth it.
Allan
May 30, 2012 @ 7:05 am
I haven’t done that 12-hours of travel. I haven’t also gone to Sagada.
The last time I went to Baguio was 2002. I haven’t have too much time there because we need to go back immediately to Nueva Ecija.
I hope I can visit there again with my family.
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Chan
May 30, 2012 @ 9:36 am
Wow. I also covered a friend’s wedding and been their inexperienced photographer. Nice post.
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jellybelly
May 30, 2012 @ 10:09 am
I haven’t been on a road trip for a long, long time. It’s a lot of fun.
Pearl
May 30, 2012 @ 11:22 am
my sister-in-law has been convincing me to go on Sagada trip, and I think I might just take her on her “challenge” — hopefully, next year.
Vernz@ My Family Eats and Travels
May 30, 2012 @ 11:33 am
what a productive weekend 🙂 have a great day!
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reese
May 30, 2012 @ 12:30 pm
hi vera! its so nice to see you again
i haven’t been to sagada…i really love to go there – see the caves, hiking
Gil Camporazo
May 30, 2012 @ 4:53 pm
You’re not a monotonous person. You’re person who knows what best for you to do and make it in your idle time. Practically you’re a prolific person.
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(¯`•¸Geca¸•´¯)
May 30, 2012 @ 5:30 pm
Another place to go to on the list. Maybe I’ll go by myself this year.
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verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:37 pm
It would be such an adventure! Let me know if you do decide to go 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:41 pm
Prolific? Not so sure about that 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:42 pm
Yes and thanks for dropping by 🙂 I didn’t go see the caves or go hiking on this trip, but I know from previous trips that those are worth the 12-hour drive for sure 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:44 pm
Oh do go! It’s going to be a fun challenge for sure 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:50 pm
It is! This one I had to really squeeze some fun out because we were on public transportation, but having your own vehicle doubles the fun!
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:51 pm
How did that experience go? I’d love to hear about it!
Gil Camporazo
May 30, 2012 @ 5:51 pm
You’ve done a lot for a week and you won’t consider yourself as “prolific” when it keeps yourself preoccupied or busy for something that is worthwhile. Well’ it’s up to you. Probably you’re not doing these things so often, are you?
Gil Camporazo´s last [post] ..How To Steal a Kiss and Have a Sleepless Night
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:54 pm
Please consider visiting Sagada, it truly is a lovely lovely place.
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 5:54 pm
The destination is worth it! 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:17 pm
Done! And thanks! 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:18 pm
I used to vomit even on shorter trips! Thankfully I outgrew that, not sure how though. I remember kahit magswimming lang kami sa Laguna or Batangas when we were kids, lagi may plastic na naka ready in case I have to puke!
(¯`•¸Geca¸•´¯)
May 30, 2012 @ 6:30 pm
I will do 😉
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verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
Yes, we had such a wonderful time. I only wish we had spent at least one more day in Sagada, but I’d been away from work for 2 days already. Oh well, there’ll be a next time. 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
I try to stay away from cichirya but my niece who was with us on this trip had some stash with her, hehe 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
thanks!
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
definitely did! We took about 2 thousand photos among the three of us!
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
Lakas lang makadrain sa battery ng 3G connection 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:38 pm
Then when you are able to go, it’s even more special because you can’t do it very often 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:42 pm
I’ve taken a trip to Bicol too. Once to Daet, and once to Irosin. Those were long trips too, but on a private van 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:43 pm
The pee stops are difficult for me too! But there was one stop we had somewhere in Vizcaya i think where the CRs were actually clean and had water!
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:44 pm
I guess you’d need to plan on something to keep you occupied too while on the road. PLease do consider visiting Sagada! 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:44 pm
Let me know if you do go!