I Got Lost Last Night (Sometimes I Hate Road Trips)

Thinking about it today, it just made me smile but last night was so stressful for Josef, Jovy and me. I think even Oreo was worried about me waiting for a long time inside the car.

So I said, “why didn’t you bark so I could have heard you?”. He just looked at me with those adoring eyes and put himself to sleep the rest of the way.

It was an  uneventful trip from Pangasinan until we reached and traversed  SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway). Continuing our trip via NLEX  North Luzon Expressway), we stopped by Shell Select Gas Station just to use their comfort rooms. My gosh, the line was a mile long and the cars  were almost touching each other. The place has several restaurants and fast food chain and  they were all full. There were two centralized comfort rooms at the place. I even saw my daughter briefly when she kissed and greeted me and said they just had dinner. They came from a four-day trip in Baguio City up north. We decided to stop by another gas station at San Fernando, Pampanga, Caltex  Mega Station. Josef and Jovy only use Caltex gas for the car. There was also a long line of cars having their gas refilled. In my haste, I left my bag inside the car and not even thought of bringing a cellphone with me.

When I came back from the comfort room, I could no longer see our car. From a sea of humanity, eating and buying something for their dinner and the cars parked in every available space, I searched for them. I had nothing with me, not even a few cents in my pocket.  At the same time, the two were also looking for me. After about thirty minutes and engaging the help of the car barkers at the area, Josef saw me. All along they were parked closed to  the gas station.

That was a very stressful and laughable experience for me. We reached home a little late because of the traffic.

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Things Remembered

A few days ago (I think last Tuesday to be exact), Josef and I looked at the moon when he went out of the gate to go to work.

“It’s so big. Take a photo”, he said.

I just gazed at it and remembered those days when my brothers and I were still staying in the province. When it is full moon and the surroundings are brighter at night, we would visit some relatives near our place usually after dinner. I was always in awe of the bright moon above, how it shone clearly. I always  wondered though lots of times why it seemed to move and travelled with us. Where we were, it was right there above us. And except for a few clouds that hid it somehow and the dark shadows of trees along the rough road, it kept lighting our way.  You won’t really need a flash light nor a torch to guide you.

There seems to be something mysterious while you are gazing at a full moon. You think of so many things and remember those moments of the past when playing tug of war or hide and seek with friends and cousins was the order of the night. Back in the province, the silence was  broken with shouts of laughter and joy.

Nissa’s family is spending a few days in Baguio City. They went there yesterday since Obet has a one-day teaching engagement/guesting with some employees of Bank  of PI where they both work. Monday is a holiday here so it would be an extended road trip for them.  Going to  Baguio is not complete without taking  souvenir shots of this lion’s head, an entrance to Baguio City.

 

At Lion’s Head, Kennon Road, Baguio City

I was talking to Nate a while ago. He asked me what I want for pasalubong. I told him to bring home “walis tambo” and veggies. It’s cold out there  (around 13 C°) but they are planning to swim at the pool later today. Anyway, it is heated.

 

A typical Nate pose.

Oh yes, the cold mornings are back but it is definitely colder in Baguio.

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I Miss This Place

This is actually a re-post. I’ve written it eight years ago in one of our trips to a favorite place….Caleruega.  I suddenly miss it. Saw the photos on my links at Facebook. I have written a lot about this place, posted so many pictures back in 2010.

You might ask, what am I doing at 4:50am?  I am outside  our cottage, sitting on a wooden chair watching the night unfolds into a bright new day. Lovell calls it The Bench.   Everything is so quiet but the sound of some nocturnal creatures  slowly leaving their hiding place for another hunt.  Brrr…..the nippy air makes you long to put on an extra set of clothing but I left my jacket inside the car and I don’t want to go up just to get it.  So I am here,  using my blanket as a shield from the cold, watching the stars in the night sky. Silly, you might say, but I am counting them one by one, at least those which are visible to the naked eyes.  Some are brighter than the others, some are just mere flickers.  The quiet is so very much felt here. As they say, you can almost hear a pin drop.  And your sense of hearing is so acute and alive with the sound of silence all around. 

The Batulao mountains look like dark crayon doodles showing the visible lines of gray where it meets the sky.  This is the life! Once in a while, we must be allowed to experience it. I am humbled by all this and I think of the days when I whine over small things that to me now, seem superficial.  A dot, a point, that’s all we are in this vast universe but it is really up to us to make that dot a small circle and that point a short line.  And I am a thousand times grateful for having the chance to come back here.    This is my litmus test to go on with life like it used to be, without fear of some dreaded ailment that put it on hold for the past several months.  I would travel even at least this far, just to see how my body would react and how  my immune system would cope.  Yes, I passed with flying colors.

Hubby and I plan to go on trekking in a little while, reacquaint ourselves with the koi fish by the pond.  I saw them briefly last night and they definitely have grown bigger. Oh yes, I wish to see the hanging bridge again .  Who wouldn’t feel happy when you are reminded of some childhood memories, I remember those times I spent with my friends and young cousins when we were in grade  school in the province.  Back then, all we had to cross the river between our place and the town proper was an expanse of about forty meters long and around eighteen inches wide wooden bridge without handrails.  Mind you, but we mastered the art of balancing ourselves and running  on  it to cross to the other side.  That has been replaced by a concrete bridge of course, a single lane big enough to let a car pass without hitches.  And the view coming from the other side is spectacular.   Such exhilarating and carefree days of the young.

Munching on Fruity Rings without milk may be a bit weird. I never liked the taste of milk anyway. And I am preparing myself for the long trek outside.  The refectory hall does not open until 7am.  Their menu taste like home cooked meals, not really a gastronomical delight but I love it. And I love the idea too of just being served food without me bothering to cook.

I could see the clouds now, they are moving fast, like a line of soldiers marching.  This is definitely beautiful! Hubby and I were one in thinking that we would make this a yearly journey, if possible.

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Discovery

Dreams. Curiosity. Exploration. Friendship.

Discovering life’s simple pleasures through the eyes of a child. This is one of my favorite shots which  I  took during our trip to Tanay one  December barely a month after my last chemotherapy.  It was one  of those times that one feels so relaxed just enjoying the cold breeze and exchanging pleasantries with a friend. Nissa brought a book to read while Jane and I were just contented inside the tent looking after the two kids – my six-year-old niece Bobic and her three-year old daughter Jaden. They were looking for spiders and ants. I told my niece that spiders don’t normally stay on the ground and that ants are seldom found on the grass. They were so disappointed. They just watched some crawling insects outside the tent. And before I knew it, I was laden with gifts of dried leaves and wild flowers.

How simple life could be if we let it.

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Mabitac Town

For the past several years, we spent Holy Thursday in several churches for our annual  Visita Iglesia. It is always a joy to discover new sites and churches to visit. One of my favorite destinations is the eastern loop comprising Rizal towns and some towns in Laguna.

Rizal is  a picturesque province with so many other nice views, scenery and tourist attractions to visit. Laguna has preserved its old churches which go as far back as  1800. The plains of Mabitac town are so green you would think it is not summer in the area.

Discovering new places, spending time in prayers, what a joy! The vivid green of the countryside is an attraction in itself. I’d like to go back here and visit these places again.

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Country Roads

I miss going on road trips. I haven’t done any this year yet but I remember the joys of seeing countryside scenery in all its glory. I love the feel of morning air and the fresh scent of some places far from the madding crowd, so to speak. I found these photos taken about three years ago on our road trip passing by SCTEX going to Olongapo City. SCTEX (Subic – Clark -Tarlac Expressway is a  93.77-kilometre (58.27 mi) four-lane expressway north of Manila adjoining the North Expressway. It ends up at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.

My son who took the wheels when we reached Subic was fined P200.00 for traffic violation back then. The traffic regulation they have there is quite different from what we have  in Metro Manila. If you rely on the traffic light here in the metropolis, in Subic, it’s a first come, first go basis even if the traffic light turns green on your end of the road. If you are not a resident of the place, you’ll surely won’t know that you are violating any traffic rule.  That’s traffic discipline, so they say.

It takes simple things for one to enjoy life and going on road trips is one.

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Country Lanes and Byways (Part Two)

I miss traveling around, finding places where silence still reigns. I miss the fresh green of the countryside.  How I wish I am close to places like these.

I took the first three pictures along the highway in our province in Pangasinan while we were on our way to Manila. The last two shots  were taken at  a  hilltop  somewhere in Sual, Pangasinan where you can see the Lingayen Gulf at a distance.

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The Farm At San Benito, Lipa City

Five years ago, we spent new year in Batangas to get away from the noise and pollution of Metro Manila. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Malarayat on the outskirts of Lipa City is a 47-hectare spa resort amidst lush, verdant greens, serene ponds and manicured lawns. The landscape is simply awesome. Facilities include the reception hall, the restaurant, library, a large swimming pool, orchidarium, spa, gym and villas.

The health resort can accommodate around 55 clients. There are five different kinds of accommodation each according to style,size and price. We stayed at the Sulu Terraces which are designed after rice huts and have open seating areas on the ground floor. All rooms are air-conditioned. They call the restaurant 85/15 Gourmet Restaurant, meaning, the food served is 85% raw and 15% cooked. The food is a bit pricey though and you are not allowed to bring “baon”. Where would you find a cup of coffee worth P350.00? I almost choked when I saw the price but it was all worth it. Such bliss in a place like this, because I love every corner of their vast gardens. It was another family road trip that we all enjoyed.

Their reception area boast of a water fountain in front and a small store that sells souvenirs.

Just love the verdant greens….

Looking at the views from here, can’t wait to explore the place.

Taken in front of their large swimming pool.

It was more than a two-hour trip from Metro Manila. Tired….

They have these in all corners…meditation huts where you could rest your tired feet.

My youngest…..

Exploring…

#10 Sulu Terraces

We occupied two huts. Good thing they have small safes installed for valuables.

Can’t wait to see what the place has to offer.

The gate of Sulu Terraces…nice long walk.

The ferns are taller than I am.

A close-up view of the peacock, showing its lovely form.

So peaceful, I could stay here all day  just watching the pond or reading but they have a lovely library nearby.

  The lagoon, my  favorite spot during our stay here, a perfect place to idle the time away.

A century old tree…I forgot its name!

Dreaming of my own garden like this!

Ah! The Secret Pool, we all loved it and had a night swim later. The water is heated and the place is secluded.

Look at the intricate carvings at the door, it was simply beautiful.

Going on road trips is such a joy, discovering new places, just relaxing. It was the first time we spent new year away from home.

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Breakfast At Antonio’s in Tagaytay City

There are circumstances and events that live in one’s memory more prominently than the others and going on road trips with the family is one of them – remembering the happier days. I am transferring some of my family albums from Multiply which according to news will close in a few months and I can’t resist posting this particular album here since I loved the place when we dined there more than three years ago, a few months before I discovered that I had colon cancer. It changed my perspective about life because after my surgery, we have cut down on taking trips like this. It was replaced by regular trips to the hospital, diagnostic centers and my doctors. I am so grateful though that before  that life-changing ailment, I was able to visit here.

This was when I was still starting my love affair with my camera. I can’t remember now which one I used here, because I used to have a Pentax Optio and a much-lower-priced Samsung. I am using a Canon Ixus now with many added features. These are raw shots that were never altered, not even cropped.

Breakfast at Antonio’s (that’s actually the full name of the restaurant), is a high-end restaurant that serves breakfast meals all day long.  I remember the date, it was January 15, 2009. We came from our first road trip to Caleruega and we were on our way back to Manila. We were talking of where to take lunch even before we left Caleruega. And the kids were unanimous in saying that we will have it in Tagaytay so they could also enjoy the view of the Taal Lake. It was quite cloudy when we were there so I suggested why not try Breakfast at Antonio’s? It is about two and a half kilometers from the main highway but it is worth the time and the wait. We waited for about thirty minutes to be served. There were only about three occupied tables when we arrived. It’s gourmet dining at its best. Hubby was impressed. My two kids ordered chocolate milk drinks while  hubby  had tomato juice. I just had plain water because I had so much coffee while we were in  Caleruega.

It’s an architectural showcase, notice the high beams, it blends so well with the place.

While waiting for our food, we had one of the waiters take a shot of the four of us.

The fun part – eating! They call this Sausages and Scrambles.

Beef  tapa, a must have for a nourishing breakfast but we had it at lunch.

Ham and Swiss Cheese Roesti

Croque Madame

More than the food, I just love the ambience of the place.

This greets you at the reception area, a room full of antique items on the walls and as decors too. Even the floor entices you to go barefoot.

Ah, the Koi, we all love Koi!

Love that big pot of Anthurium, part of the charm of the place.

The main door stays closed but they open it for clients and diners.

My two kids….

A rare shot of the four of us – as always, we have to set up the tripod for this.

Love those paintings on the wall. This dining area has that airy atmosphere which is just perfect for a lovely chat.

I love that picture window and the garden beyond.

And this lush Koi pond….

The Koi fish are bigger than the ones they have at Caleruega.

Couldn’t resist these  lovely blooms….

Another shot of the reception area…

The garden in front…

That’s my son enjoying a few minutes of walking around the place.

I really hope one of these days, we could come back here and sample their other menu on the list.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Movement

I took these series of shots in one of our road trips this year. We were on a long, long highway going to Tanay, Rizal and I was fascinated by the clear view of the countryside, but since we can’t stop and admire the mountains looming ahead, I have to aim the camera through the car window.

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