Yes, I’m traveling and this is my third day of a 13 day trip around both ends, west and east of Mindanao.

I was full of excitement when me and my friend were already inside our respective lower bunks aboard the Philippine National Railways’s (PNR) sleeper coach that will take us back to Manila from Naga City in Camarines Sur.

Think of cruising as something out of the ordinary. It’s not just another passenger ship going to a destination. It is a full service, mall of the seas, so to speak, considering the many amenities and things to do and enjoy while taking it slow to your destination.

It was just three kilometers from our destination and the coast of Claveria was already in sight but the waves were already huge and traveling for the past few hours was enough to put our nerves to the test.

So this is how it feels to be slowly roasted. I said to myself as the heat of the sun was slowly beating down on my exposed skin, biting, scorching, as our rented pumpboat almost arrived, after nine hours at sea.

I really never tire of Mt. Mayon. I’ve seen her with her lava flows, or from the beautiful vantage point at the Embarcadero. Heck, I even consider Legazpi City airport as the airport with the best view in the world because of her! But never have I gone this close!

High seated, the pedicab driver called on passengers unloading from a bus at the San Carlos City terminal in Negros Occidental, motioning them to come near him. Some just walked past but I approached and after telling the driver to take me to the pier, I was off in a jiffy.

No question about it. The Legazpi City airport has the best view in the country, if not the world with magnificent Mt. Mayon volcano infront of it with smoke billowing from its lip, especially in the early morning. Lignon Hill is at the foreground.

I’m on the road again, this time, in the north of Luzon for the second leg of Lakbay Norte 2, the yearly media familiarization tour around the region. Last year was a bit hectic but this time, its more relaxed as we are only covering Cagayan and the Ilocos provinces.

On board wifi is now being offered by some bus companies coming and going from Manila. It let’s one be connected even while in transit. But the question is, do travelers really need to be always online?

Its pushing and shoving and about making it to your destination from a Philippine National Railways rush hour train trip in one piece. While it’s quite an ordeal, it was a very good and fun experience!

An alternative travel from Naga City to CWC. Interesting with beautiful sceneries along the way. It was an experience worth taking: a trip from Naga City to CWC, world class wakeboarding and water sports facilities via skates, a wooden and motorized contraption that transports people and goods using extant rails.

Finally arriving in San Carlos City, I was just too tired and accepting of my fate spending the night here. Two hours and a half hours ago, the last ferry bound for Cebu left and during that time, I was still tracing the meandering mountain highway in Don Salvador Benedicto.

The Murcia – Don Salvador Benedicto road is my highway of dreams. It’s one of the best highway experience that I’ve had in the country that kilometer after kilometer, I can’t just help but be in awe at the natural scenery unfolding before me. Stunning mountain ranges, cool weather and the scent of pine trees make this a trip to remember.

This leg of the trip cost me much time that later affected my plans of reaching Cebu on the night of the second day. Just imagine, four hours of waiting for the bus to finally go, as promised by the driver but then, even promises are made to be broken.