Places: Cagayan Province to Ilocos Sur
Date: 25 May 2008

When you’re in a road trip with 5 middle aged people and two sort of spoiled teenagers, it will surely be one heck of a trip! Don’t get me wrong. I know you might think I am heading rant road, but I am not. Despite the minor disappointments, I really had a great time being with my Aunt and her friends. I may be a lot younger than them, but in most times, it was like I was just on the same bracket as they are — or they are as young as me. =) Sharing stories, posing for pictures, and seeing spectacular places are truly worth every butt cramps we had!

Imagine, for 1,500 pesos, I was able to circle Northern Luzon and was able to see countless new places? Not only that, these places I consider once in lifetime places to visit. I seriously don’t know if I will be able to see some of the places we’ve visited!

I still have some road pictures, so let me share them now:

This is the Buntun Bridge in Cagayan. The first time we passed this (going to Callao Caves) bridge, I took a picture of the Cagayan river underneath. So when we went our way back, I took a shot of the bridge.

A blurry shot of the coconut trees in Sanchez-Mira, Cagayan. Most of the places in Cagayan have vast lands and as we approach the end towns going to Ilocos Norte, seeing trees are an indication that we’re not going around the province in circles. Hahahaha!

Obviously, this is the welcome arch to the next province, Ilocos Norte. You have no idea how happy I was seeing this arch! We’ve been traveling for more than six hours and really, it was just about time to see a different province! =) What’s funny was that, whenever I travel to La Union from Metro Manila, I would complain how long the highway along Tarlac province was, and I realized that there was a longer road than that one! The red van was our vehicle for the trip. Upon seeing the arch, Tito Jaime allowed me to take pictures.

The wonderful coastline of Burgos in Ilocos Norte. Based from what I know, this place is famous for their sea weeds which were used in making nori sheets for sushi!

Another blurry (and a misaligned one at that) shot of the Ilocos Norte Capitol in Laoag City. Although this one is not a good picture, I consider this one very important and most treasured because this is the only picture I shot while in Laoag!

Lastly, the Quirino Bridge in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. I started this blog with a picture of a bridge, and I am going to end with a picture of the bridge. The province of Ilocos Sur is divided into two by this body of water, and this good looking bridge is the only connection between the two.

After taking a picture of the Quirino Bridge, I put back my camera inside the bag and decided to stop shooting. Reason number one was that I will be passing by the same road in three days anyway, and that it was starting to get dark. I just took the remaining travel time eating my empanada and catching up on sleep.

This one of a kind road trip will never really take place (personally speaking) if not for my brother informing me about it. I know it was sad not having him around, but for sure he was happy that I was able to experience it. This trip opened new opportunities for me. Even though I wasn’t able to enjoy my time in Ilocos Norte, I had a glimpse of it, and should I get back, I already have an idea which places to check out.

While on the road, Tita Letty would always tell that no amount of money would pay up for the experience. I agree with her more than a hundred percent. She also said that as long as no arthritis or any other illness strike, people should take the opportunity to travel and discover places. It would cost some amount yes, but the satisfaction will surely be priceless. Actually, it’s that same principle that I am using right now!

Their next big trip together would either be Boracay or Batanes. This early, I already told Aunt Julie, “I’m in!”

We got home 9PM. Wow, we left La Union 9PM of May 23, and we got home at 9PM of May 25. 48 hours of road trip, bonding, and awareness. I love this trip!

*** Jenn ***