Visiting the Lion Head

The Lion's Head, situated along the renowned sharp curves in Kennon Road, has been one of  the tourists' and travelers' popular stop overs when they visit Baguio.It's worth to take an extra mile to see it though, and have some souvenir pics as what we did when we has a motorcycle road trip last month.

We took Mac Arthur Highway getting there and rerouted to Kennon Road just to have a peek (and pic!) of the famous Lion's Head. Look up, ain't it worth it to have your pics beside the 40 feet towering statue!

The glimpse of the natural landscapes along the road is also a sight to behold! Souvenir shops can be found within the area as well. 

It's just a 15 minute drive from the heart of the city; with its cool breezy weather, it's nice to stop by, take pics and stroll.

Driving via 2 wheels is quite a task, specially when you go to places like Baguio. But reaching your destination and seeing these tourist spots, a new and refreshed feeling will manifest and you's grasp that it's all worth the trip. So, next time you're in Baguio, don't forget tovisit this landmark! 

Solo Ride To Lucban Quezon

I had an upgrade of my GPS navigation and need to test it. I had to go somewhere an excuse to ride my Motorcycle again. I've been itching to go north upto baguio however due to lack of preparation and budget constraints decided to go south. So lucban bound as early as 4:00 am.

Marcos highway

My GPS 

So from Tanay Samapaloc road, paasing towns of Rizal. Going to towns of Laguna, just followed the GPS. It took me to Pagsanjan Cavinti Road. 

Arrived at Lucban at 8:30 am, still early so got time to rest a couple of minutes here.

Rizal shrine

Lucban's downtown is clean and colorful .I noticed that most of the houses are old but restored.I was starving and  need a place to eat. So I must try the pansit habhab.

Better late than never

A local said that at the side of the church is food court that sells Pansit habhab

Serving is ok for Php 10.00, kind of a bland pancit canton. Spiced vinegar is added to enhance the flavor. I was able to finish 2 servings. Funny thing is that you will not be given a fork to eat this. You do this by using the mouth to scoop the noodles.

After exploring a bit of the downtown, I look for a place to eat lunch and found this place. 

This is a chicken joint right in the heart of the city.  Got to check the place out.

chicken piece is at Php 25.00. And served with gravy.

Taste is good and complemented the spiced vinegar. I'm already full and no room left for Lucban longaniza!

   

Kamay ni hesus

Some local treats 

A shot of Mt. Banahaw

My travel time is 4 1/2 hours, I dont want to get caught in the dark while passing Marcos highway. I left lucban around 12:30 pm

heavy rain at Antipolo

Arrived home at 6:00 pm. Tired but glad to have visited Lucban

Underground Cemetery In Nagcarlan Laguna

It was sometime when I did the Laguna -Quezon loop on a motorcycle. Doing long distance travel on a motorcycle is economical but the rider is exposed to the elements. Found myself got nothing to do on a weekend,decided to go to Nagcarlan laguna. At about 140km from my place in SanMateo Rizal. Left the house 4:30 am travelling via the Marilaque highway passing the towns of Rizal.

 
Arrived at Nagcarlan at around 9:30 am. My destination is the underground cemetery and by the way the only one in the Philippines

A staff greeted me 

Upon registering a staff gave me an overview about the history of the place. The underground burial is used for spanish friars and be uaed by prominent families as burial site.

I did enjoy my tour ,try visiting Nagcarlan underground cemetery. Entrance is free!

Solo ride, Rizal- Laguna- Quezon loop

Sunday morning and I want to challenge myself , got on my Yamaha Fz and left the house at 6 am. I might as well try this long distance route. Starting from Antipolo and passing the towns of Rizal

A view of the wind electric generator at Pililia Rizal

First stopover in Pililia Rizal

A view of Laguna lake

                      Checking out the wind electric generators

Going to Sinoloan

                                         You Guessed it right! Paete

Well I've decided to push further and go to Majayjay, going to visit some historical places there

                                                    At Lumban
                                                           

                         At Lumban Hydro electric power plant

                         Resting a bit before pushing to Majayjay

Reaching Pagsanjan is easy, no traffic and I  noticed that  most of the houses are old

Upon reaching Majayjay I was relieved, landed at around  1 pm. And It's a small quiet town .

My first destination in Majayjay is an old unfinished bridge made by the Spaniards called Puente de Capriccio, Rizal made reference to it in El Filibusterismo in 1851, Finding it was easy, I asked a trike driver, said it is called "Tulay ng Pige". Locals are confused why I'm looking for it, said that I  will be passing by a dump site to reach it. 

  The dumpsite near the bridge

   Met this guy who guided me in my search

Tulay ng Pige

 As I was trekking down the cliff, worried about my bikes security

Next stop from Tulay na Pige is the old church of St. Gregory the Parish Church, Built in 1575

From Majayjay, going to Sinoloan and then to Real Quezon. The road going to Real Quezon  is difficult, sharp curves and rough roads. 

                                                

A local market that sells fresh sea foods in Real

Fresh harvest from the sea

Lots of beach resorts

Reached Real Quezon at 3pm, I was a bit worried that I might get caught in the dark while passing to Marcos highway traversing the Sierra Madre. Just took couple of pictures and headed to the final leg of my travel.

Loading up with gas

                               Riders prepare at Marcos highway

Marcos Highway, the final leg of the journey

             

The Long and winding road of Marcos Highway

                                         Heavy rain nearing Cogeo

Traveled  350 km

Got home at around 7pm, got baked under the sun, soaked wet, For a rider, it's not always the destination that counts. It's the time spent on the road... Hope you can join me in my next journey