Cycling like a Pro - from Manila Bay, EDSA to Makati

We’ve been invited by a friend to meet up with her fiancé.  There’s no exact venue yet where we will get together, yet me and my another assuming friend had decided that it would be better if we go biking to MOA since we’ve thought we’ll meet up somewhere near or in Dampa where mostly foreigners are being toured for local Filipino dish.

It was late afternoon when we left Malate.  The sun is just peeking through the clouds.  The time was just right to escape the burning heat of the sun especially now that it’s summer.

I am happy that the striking manila bay sunset joined us on this ride.  It felt so peaceful.

Not until we phoned our friend for the meeting place. They are waiting for us in Makati.  My golly, once I heard I fall on deaf ears.  It’s a long way there.  Not just long but dangerous.  We had to pass the hustle and bustle street of EDSA.  And when you said EDSA, it’s deadly with the buses and trucks around, and the pollution that enters your lungs.

We had to carry our bikes to climb the overpass and cross some streets.  EDSA is not bicycle-friendly at all.  I see no bike lane on bound to north.  Hello, government yuhuu... it's about time to promote cycling to save not just the environment but ourselves from loose fatty saggy legs.  Please allocate space for cyclist!

Wohoo! We survived safely and stinky. Hihihi. I just hope this British finds us fresh not smelly.

Lessons learned:  Before you assume, ask!

Cheers!

Jack

Cool weekend at Baguio

This is one of those last minute travels that turned out to be much fun!  We don’t have plans, we didn’t travel by the book but instead we let the road lead us to surprise.  At 10 AM Friday, a missed call from a friend awakens me.  I read the text message to rush to Cubao station for a 2PM bus ride.  So I packed all my things for a 2 days trip, brought 3k budget with me and go.

Lucky me a friend has access to stay all for free at a forest lodge at Camp John Hay.  We saved plenty of money staying in this comfy place, a 6 bedroom lodge, surrounded by the refreshing view of pine trees, overlooking a golf course.

It’s below 20 degrees, so we took this as an excuse to wear our bonnets and long sleeved shirts.  It’s not common in Manila to wear those.

The cold weather makes it suitable for flowers to grow.  At any angle you’ll see a bunch of it.  Roses, anthuriums even poinsettia they grow here.   I have this fantasy to put up a garden where I can grow herbs and flowers.  So I see now Baguio on my list of place to retire.  Too bad there’s no beach in the mountain, it would have been perfect.

Yes, she’s trying to absorb the scent.

So we walk and walk. Baguio tour will leave you with sore thighs that I assure you because there are lots to be seen of.  So be prepared, wear something comfortable.

Boat ride at Burnham Park

Buy strawberries

Say a little prayer at Baguio cathedral

Wright park right in front of The Mansion

If you're tired of walking, avail of a donkey ride

If you want something warm, visit Choco-late de batirol and experience the taste of hot chocolate prepared the traditional way

Mines view

Have a photo taken with the Igorots

The cool weather doesn’t tire us; we walk all day but we never sweat.  We even have the energy in the afternoon to do the famous jump shots.

And hair shots

Oooops.

Cheers!

Jack