Nostalgia came early as far as our travels are concerned. Barely three weeks since our trip to Cagayan and two weeks after barnstorming Ilocandia, we were back in the north through rather familiar roads. To me, it was a completionist urge. We have already ticked the northeast and the northwest of Luzon off the map. It was middle north’s turn.

Having learned from our previous travel, we decided to leave at 09:00 AM. That gave us a proper sleep the night before especially that the journey we were about take would take at least 12 hours to complete if without stops.

We were in Nueva Ecija at around 02:00 PM and were in Nueva Vizcaya after an hour more. Saying that the trip was long would be an understatement, especially that we weren’t even halfway yet. Fortunately, the road was surrounded by wonderful mountain views that managed to preempt any impending somnolence. No more Quirino repeat. No more Skyline Quirino repeat.

The sun had already set when we reached the province of Isabela, which was nostalgic in a way as it was the same road we took when we went back to Bulacan from Quirino. In fact, there was a signage that reminded us of the memorable experience.

At that point, we decided to grab dinner. What else would serve as a great emergency food but the ever-reliable, all-time Filipino favorite bubuyog?

Ma, nag-Jollibee lang po kami. ‘Yung Jollibee:

From Cordon, Isabela, it still took us another six hours before finally reaching our destination. We were three hours behind the typical 12-hour drive, pegging our time on the road at 15 hours. Thankfully, our hosts were still awake to accommodate us despite it being past midnight already.

We booked Casa Lacuesta in Luna, Apayao, for our accommodation, and for PHP 3,423.53 for three days and two nights with free breakfast and free flowing coffee harvested from the Cordilleras, it was a great deal.

Our breakfast coupled by the free flowing brewed coffee was swell filled us enough, hence to allow what we have eaten to settle down, we took a little tour of the area surrounding our hotel since we did not see the surroundings when we arrived in the dead of night.

In exploring the surroundings of the hotel, it came as a surprise to us when we found out that we were actually just a stone’s throw away from the provincial capitol of Apayao. Turned out that while Kabugao stands as the provincial capital, the capitol and its associated offices have been transferred to the provincial government center in Luna where we happened to be staying.

After our mini-exploration, we left the area to explore Apayao. It was our first time in the province and we have no idea where to go. Our hosts though were kind enough to point us to attractions that would catch our interests. Road trip mode on!

The thing with long drives is that it has the capacity to distort the sense of time and space: one becomes oblivious with the passing of time, at the same time not realizing how far one has already reached. We left Malolos City at 09:00 AM the previous day, reached our destination past midnight, then we were back on the road when the sun has risen. That is probably one of the reasons why travelling in general is deemed therapeutic. Yes, it could be physically tiring, but it gives the mind the rest it would not otherwise get while doing other activities.

Tell my navigator about it. He was both physically and mentally rested.

Tara na, game on!