Family Road Trip: Manila to Cebu
Blogging relive memories.
It’s almost a year and I am trying to remember as much as I can the 4-day road trip we had on October 2013. The idea started when I had a scheduled trip to Manila in July of 2013. My father asked if we can drive a car back to Cebu. Who would say no for an extraordinary adventure?
My flight to Manila, in Mandaluyong specifically, our hometown, was in July to personally take care of business documents. My husband travelled with me to which we thought would be just a one-week to a two-week vacation. I didn’t expect our return to Cebu would take pending until October. We were kind of worried already because our kids were left in Cebu but leaving unfinished papers wasn’t a good idea at the time. The weather also prevented us from taking flights or driving west.
By the way, I am speaking about the trip, right? My father bought back the car he sold to a relative about 10 years ago. Yes, we were driving an old rusty car. The car wasn’t in good condition when we picked it up. In less than an hour after getting the car from Binangonan, the radiator exploded in Ortigas ~ i’m not really sure what happened but I think there were some wiring issues ~ and for this we were towed for P2500.00. After the first repair, we got stucked in Pandacan because of failed ignition coil which has to be replaced. To make the car running, all other parts were repaired and replaced including aircon, wirings and tires.
No one was confident about driving the car into unfamiliar terrain up to more than 1000km road trip. In case of trouble, we thought, if buses and other vehicles pass the same road, then auto shops are available but probably avoid weekends and holidays. We’ve also gone to Naga before and we saw buses from the south with “Cubao” signage. We had to gain confidence to take this adventure! Anyways, if anyhow, buses are available; airports too, are available in Naga, Legazpi and Tacloban, so no worries about getting to Cebu. If the car fails, which we hope wouldn’t and shouldn’t, then we just have to think where to leave it safe. LOL
After more than a month of not experiencing trouble with the car, we decided to finally drive it home ~ a once in a lifetime adventure to grab!
Aside from car repair preparation, I also prepared itineraries to see interesting places along the way. I originally prepared a 5-day road trip but my husband didn’t agree, so 4 days! I checked places online, terrain from googlemap, possible routes to take, accommodation for night stay, and all other things to consider. I had to be very resourceful and careful about the planning because we were touring with our two kids.
I learned the kids were having their exams on October 10 & 11. Barangay election was approaching so I thought they’ll probably have early sembreak which wasn’t announced yet. Examination days could be moved but I already purchased their airline tickets to Manila so whether or not, they were coming with us. I took a flight to Cebu to get the kids in the morning of October 11 and immediately flew back to Manila that night. Weather in Cebu was fair but in Manila it had been raining since.
October 11 was Friday; October 14 ~ no classes in Manila because of INC-related celebration but there were classes in Cebu so I thought they’d be absent that day; on Oct 15 ~ no classes nationwide because of Eid’l Adha but on the same day Bohol was moved by 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Therefore classes in affected areas including Cebu were suspended until November. I wouldn’t say we were blessed because too many were disastered. But we were thankful I was able to get the kids four days before it happened. It wouldn’t be too comforting if our kids were in Cebu and we were in Manila during the strong earthquake. If nothing like that happened, the kids would be absent from school for 1 to 2 more weeks. The kids spent 3 weeks vacation in Manila, enough to have fun activities, like going to Star City. Take note, there is no noting amusement park in Cebu; not to mention the adventure parks. Then we had our trip scheduled during Barangay Election, Monday, October 28, when travelling voters had gone to their provinces already. Also very timely for a 4-day travel so as not to coincide with the holidays on Oct 31 ~ when too many commuters are in major ports and terminals.
Let the 4-day Road Trip Begin!
All week we were hoping for good weather because we were about to pass western section of the country.
DAY 1 We left at roughly 630 am in Mandaluyong. My husband was driving, me at the passenger’s seat, our son and daughter at the back with car compartment full. Ready-to-grab things that we’ll be needing during the trip were placed inside the car, like clothes, toiletries and other necessities; also to mention things no longer fit at the back. We had our breakfast in NLEX. We drove straight to Star Tollway (StarLEX) or CALABARZON Expressway exiting Ibaan, Batangas. We didn’t have to get here but we missed the San Pablo exit and instead of driving back, we decided to take the road to inner Batangas. GPS was helpful when we were inside Batangas and finding our way out to Tiaong, Quezon was fast. I’ve been to Quezon Province before but I don’t remember where exactly.
We passed by: Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Pagbilao, getting to Pan-Philippine Hi-way or Maharlika Hiway. This highway extends up to Mindanao. The places offer different sights, relaxing seaview, mountain range and busy markets. Our 2nd stop was in Quezon National Park in Atimonan, Quezon. The park is a protected landscape comprising several municipalities of Quezon. From wikipedia, the park is situated in one part of the Sierra Madre mountain range. I must have missed this part, there were two roads to choose and we actually took the shorter and less travelled old zigzag road or the bitukang manok that led us to the park. The road to the park was deep and steep. Traffic aides were there guiding the traffic as they go up and down the mountain. It’s also cold inside the park. You’ll be surrounded by big trees and it felt like Baguio except for pine trees. If you have more time, you can enjoy the activities like trekking and caving. The park has clean rest rooms, too ~ don’t forget to give donations when you use them for your own travel comfort. The other road to choose is the diversion road or the new zigzag road, where public transportation and most vehicles pass by. Just as you get out of the park and protective mountain, you will have the sight of the sea, another relaxing view.
Quezon isn’t finished yet. From Atimonan, we drove downward to Gumaca where we had our 3PM snacks at MCDonalds. We didn’t stay long to avoid driving at night. We were sure what road to take until we reached the forking road somewhere in Calauag ~ the signage to the right pointed to Sipocot/Naga and the other, to Daet. We were supposed to spend the night in Bagasbas so we took Daet. I could still remember how we hated the zigzag road to get out of Sta. Elena. It was worst than the bitukang manok. The zigzag road was crazy. We weren’t supposed to drive at night but this road didn’t make driving easy. Darkness fell and no lights on the road. All houses, signages and landmarks looked the same. It felt like the road doesn’t seem to end and felt like no way out. We wanted to stop and spend the night somewhere there but there was no way to stop on either side. Much more because there was no place to stay. We kept on driving as we see on the map it was still a long way to go. We were so happy to see Labo on the road, seemed straighten now with few curvy roads, until we reached municipality of Daet at 8pm. Thank god the kids were sleeping, they didn’t experience all that.
Daet was small but the map doesn’t show clear path to Bagasbas so we tried asking until we reached the beach. During travel I normally make prior reservation for accommodation but it was not applicable this time. We never know where actually we’d be stopping. Bagasbas Beach isn’t too big and not much tourist during this season so we were able to find a nice stay right away. It was night time so we didn’t have to find many options, we only need to rest and find a safer place to park the car. BTW, why in Bagasbas, Daet, Camarines Norte? I first heard about the place on TV featuring Kite Boarding and surfing. I wanted the kids to see some exciting activities in the beach. After a long ride, it is always nice to sleep and wake up the following day hearing the waves from the sea, and then prepare for another long ride.
Day 2 The following morning I was awaken by my mobile phone’s alarm at 6am. I left it charging under the TV wall mount. The room was big enough for us and the bathroom could actually be another single room. I forgot I don’t own the place, so unfamiliar, eyes still closed, walked 12-15 steps, I bumped on the eye-level TV wall mount. It was so nice for a road trip haha. I almost passed out and I couldn’t breath and shout. I hurriedly went back to bed and woke my husband up. So stupid, it left me black-eyed till we got to Cebu. Photos showed the marks. Even so, nothing could ruin such a beautiful holiday. Few photos were taken, short sight-seeing and we were good to go.
On the 2nd day we started in Daet town proper ~ we were given instructions to take shortcut to get to the highway. We passed by another clean, beautiful, protected Bicol National Park. We stopped by to take photos and hubby drove slow, “cruising”, so we can enjoy the beautiful place.
We reached Sipocot ~ the worst road condition in Bicol Region (during this travel) ~ don’t mention the zigzag road because they’re always worst. It was worst because it felt bumpy and wavy due to spot holes on the road.
We left Daet at 830am and reached Naga at 1130am. The first time we went to Naga was by plane. I never thought I’d came back to this place again. We had lunch in SM Naga and spent some time in CWC to let the kids see another extreme adventure, which is wakeboarding. It was a short stay but they really enjoyed the place, wakeboarders jumping and doing the tricks.
Hubby was anxious to get to Sorsogon on the same afternoon driving straight from Naga. I told him it was not possible also because we still had to stop by Legazpi. Probably he was too tired driving already and wanted to get home fast. Well we reached Daraga, Albay at 7pm after more than 3-hr drive. The road to Legazpi was smooth and well-lit. I initially thought of staying somewhere in Legazpi to experience Embarkadero at night but hubby was so reluctant to proceed as he thought it was still far. I couldn’t force the driver. He has the tendency of becoming KJ at times. Anyways, we stayed at the pension house by the road. The family room was big but it was smelling old.
Day 3 We woke up before 6am the following day and I was careful not to bump on anything this time. We were all surprised that Mayon Volcano was actually visible from our terrace on either side. It was so beautiful ~ so amazing, heart captivating, magical, and anything else, so mesmerizing (whatever!) Mayon Volcano is beautiful! No clouds hiding it, purely Mayon Volcano with some “smoke” on top.
By 7am, we were in Cagsawa Ruins, then went to Lignon Hills and Embarkadero and drove back to the Avia Inn. Legazpi tour was the best part of the trip.
After touring Legazpi, at aroud 11am, we head to Matnog, Sorsogon, where we will end our Luzon road trip and transfer to Visayas. The drive was smooth and fast. We arrived at the wharf at 230pm. There was no need to reserve tickets. Every hour, a barge leave to Allen, Leyte. The sea travel took only 45 minutes. It was a short trip but the waves were drastic. It wasn’t such a good 1st-time experienced for the kids because we still had to take another 4-hr sea travel from Leyte to Cebu.
We reached the island of Leyte at 430 pm. It was the first time we ever get to this place. We were going eastward. The road was very different from Bicol. We were heading to Isabel, Leyte to get to the wharf that will lead us to Cebu. Isabel is about 12hrs from Allen. It was late already and we had to hurry to get to a town where we can spend the night. There isn’t much available information on the internet about these places so we were very clueless. GPS was still working but the map doesn’t show any signs, street names and establishments. Also in most parts, no phone signal and no internet connection.
We drove until we reached a small commercial town, Calbayog. It was 830pm already and we had few minutes left before the stores close. In less than 5minutes we were able to find our home for the night. We went out to eat and bought some food and things we’ll be needing in the next few hours.
expenses
Day 1 Food P1387 Gas P2416.87 (≈ 50L) Toll P294.00 Accommodation P1100.00
Day 2 Food p1420.40 Gas P2180.96 (39.85L) Accommodation P1500
Day 3 Food P1100 Gas P600 (10.79L) Accommodation P800 RORO matnog to allen car (incldg driver) P801 passengers (2kids+1adult) P270 user’s fee P25 service tips (asked :) ) P60
Souvenirs & other expenses = P2800.00
Road Trip ~ DAY 4 will post soon :)