December 2007

Want to go slow to Caraga? Think again!

The slow road to Caraga. If you want that, ride on a provincial jeepney. What usually takes 3 hours by van or four by bus can be an exasperating 6 hours by jeep. If you are short on patience, then forget about it. There are just too many stops, too many waits, too many bad roads coupled with a heavy downpour.

After leaving the jeep terminal, you would think that you are already on your way. But it detours to the market where it will stay for an hour to wait and haul the produce that a passenger will be buying. Then a trip to the gasoline station where several containers numbering around 10 will be filled with fuel for a good 30 minutes. Then off you go to another waiting area, another 1 hour before finally, you are on the highway up north.

However, after a few kilometers, a passenger alights. Then another few kilometers and a passenger rides. Produce has to be delivered and loaded. The vehicle breaks down and then repaired. Then at a terminal in one of the municipalities, the jeep stops for merienda until there just comes a point wherein you’re silently cursing on why, in the first place you rode this jeepney. But all you can do is sit it out, bear it and make the most of it.

Now, will you still opt to go slow to Caraga? Think again!

LP Travel Journal already received from Nina

I just received the Lonely Planet Travel Journal, a 2008 Australian calendar and a beautiful rubber keychain from Nina as prize for her recently concluded contest. She also included a beautiful postcard of four landmarks of Melbourne, Australia. Nina, again, thank you very much for the opportunity of winning as well as picking my entry.

Laoag City is aglow on Christmas

Laoag City in Ilocos Norte is all aglow during December. The plaza in front of the Provincial Capitol is all decked out in lights and Christmas decorations featuring native as well as recycled materials.

But more than that, the province’s well known landmark, the massive belfry of St. William’s Cathedral, lording it all, is lit up.

What an imposing sight!

How I broke a ritual taboo in Batad

If Iâ€™ve stuck to my original schedule of going on a Friday, I would not have come into problems.

Nothing to do in Mati? Go for a swim!

Mati, being the capital of Davao Oriental is the main economic hub of this southeastern province. I know this place as more of a transit point for trips going up to the coastal municipalities than as a tourist destination. Being stuck and with nothing much to do here, what better way to kill time and enjoy than to go for a swim?

Located a few kilometers south is Masao Beach with floating kiosks. The water is clean and shallow, white sand bottom and with patches of sea grass. Its far from the main road and will guarantee a quite time. You can either bring your food or have it cooked.

The lonely road to Gov. Generoso

On an ordinary day, the highway leading to the municipality of Gov. Generoso in the middle of the western side of the long and narrow peninsula of Davao Oriental is lonely. Except perhaps for the occasional bus or private vehicle traveling to Mati, the province’s capital or to Tagum in Davao del Norte. Sometimes, a habalhabal, a motorized public transport, passes filled with passengers. And on other times, local people going about their way walking on foot along the roadsides.

Fishermen going about their business casting their nets or cruising at sea provides a welcome respite to the roadside scenery monotony. Just a few minutes after the sun has set behind Samal Is. and stopping at an elevated area with a clearing overlooking the sea, you can find folks wading in the still and shallow waters. At the background, the lofty mountains of Compostela Valley loom.

Gov. Generoso is a small sleepy town. Lazy afternoons are spent at the coast. Atop docked boats, these two women are busy preening.