"Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan."
I used to hear this from TV commercials when I was a small kid. When I got the chance to buy my first car, the next thing I did is plan where to go.
I once did a north Luzon loop before together with my family before. That's more than 2000 kilometers of travel, I guess. We spent two days for the tour and I was really exhausted because I did all the driving. But I was really inspired to do more of this touring stuff after seeing the Philippines' largest island. Prior to this, we've also gone to Bicol, again with my family. It was really an awesome experience and a feast for the eyes. Moreso if you're into nature.
Then the good Lord gave me a motorcycle, a Honda Wave 125. After the required honeymoon period and a total of five crashes, I decided to go a little bit farther to test my machine and to test my own endurance. I thought 1000 kilometers is a little bit too much for me and time may not be enough so I have to delay my north loop trip. Bicol region is half as far so I chose this instead for my first long trip, solo!
My wife, I think being a little bit worried wouldn't let me go alone. So we reached an agreement that she go with me up to Sariaya, Quezon where she could stay with a relative. From this town on, I'd be riding solo. And so in the morning of June 20, 2009 we started our long trip.
Original plan was to go alone and I've only got a set of rain gear. I need another set for my wife in case it rains and we decided to look for it in Lipa. Wasted a lot of time there and it was almost noontime when we reached Sariaya. It was past noon when I finally was able to continue with the rest of the trip.
Four hundred kilometers to go and I really need to rush up. Road condition in Quezon province is not so bad allowing me to go as fast as the Wave125 can go. The motorcycle's engine is good but it is quite nervous under braking so I think there were times when I was slower than necessary. My target was to be in Naga or farther before the sun sets. This mean less time for taking pictures.
After almost three hours of asphalt, concrete, twisties and straights, I was able to reach one end of Andaya Highway (formerly Quirino.) Although most of this road is concrete, this highway is notorious for deep ruts and holes so it is best traveled during daytime to avoid surprises which will surely spoil an otherwise perfect trip. I took a quick picture of the highway entrance.
After a short break from this point, I continued the trip reaching the other end after a little less than two hours. This is how the Sipocot end of the highway looks like. Time is 4:30 in the afternoon. 
After this brief shoot I continued the trip to Naga reaching the place just as the sun is setting. I needed to stop for gas but I was really tired by this time so I bought something to rehydrate. While drinking Gatorade, I was interviewed by the local after realizing that I'm not speaking the vernacular. Spent about thirty minutes in the gas station. It's almost dark and about a hundred kilometers more to go before reaching Legazpi City where I plan to spend the night.
The roads are very good as in last time I went there with the car. Unfortunately, the glare on my helmet's visor is unbearable and it was more of a hindrance than help. I found it better to drive without it with my eyes partially closed to prevent my eyes from taking a direct hit by flying bugs.
I made a mistake of entering Daraga and made a wrong turn. I didn't know I was heading to Sorsogon if it not for a boundary marker. No choice but to make a U-turn. It's about 9pm and I was very hungry by this time. Seeing a Jolibee signboard proved to be too tempting. This is where I ate my dinner.
It is almost 10pm and although I knew that I am only about 5 kilometers from Legazpi, I can''t figure out how to get there. I finally decided to call it a day and looked for a place to stay for the night.This is is where I spent the previous night. I was surprised there were other motorcyclist who stayed in the same place over the night.
The last time we went here, we were not able to see the Cagsawa Church ruins. It is only a few kilometers from Daraga proper. I think I was the first person to go there that day.
I then proceeded to Legazpi City looking for a place to eat breakfast. I ended up in front of their city hall where I saw an interesting sign. I thought you can only find these in Austria or Germany.
Still unable to find a place probably being to early or because it is a Sunday, I head to the direction of Tabaco. I settled on a turo-turo with a nice view of the volcano.
The food somehow has some mind clearing abilities. My aim is to be able to reach Sariaya to pick up my wife by noon. If I will continue traveling to Tabaco, there's no way that this plan will be possible. After paying for the food, I was heading for home. By 9AM (062109), I was in Naga.
If you want to test your bike's performance, go to Bicol and drive from Legazpi to Naga in the morning. Ninety percent of the time, I was in full-throttle and and the bike was able to survive the abuse. It is 11AM when I crossed the Quezon and Camarines Norte provinces border. 
Two hours more and I was in Sariaya to pick up my wife.I thought we can then head home but she has other plans. After going to San Pedro in Laguna, I was finally home at little over 6:30 in the evening.
This trip is a testament to my Honda Wave125's durability. Not a single breakdown experienced during the trip. I only needed to stop to gas up since the fuel tank capacity is a mere 3.7 liters. This gives me a range of 130 to 150 kilometers. All in all, it consumed more than 25 liters of fuel and I spent about a thousand pesos for it. That's no problem. What matters is that it took me home in one piece.
Now, can I call myself a solo rider?
Ride safe...
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