418 Miles - Destination: Key West through Tamiami Trail

I have been excited since day one when Gloricel messaged the invitation for me to visit her and her family in Florida. There was no schedule yet, but I figured I'd bring it up with Mayette since they too knew each other since college. We've set the date and then it got changed maybe two or three times more --- then, Mayette put her confirmation on-hold. I was conditioning myself to think it could become a solo flight after all but I didn't care. I was certain I'd go. A few days later, Mayette said she'd go, too --- so I immediately took the cue, booked the tickets, and then a few weeks after, we flew.

Ace, Gavin, and Gloricel

The hours were long but I was awake most of the time during the flight. It must've been the excitement that got me sleepless. Just a week ago, we sat down to finalize our Florida itinerary. Mayette will be celebrating her birthday within the duration of the trip and she's requested we hit the road for Key West. It was a destination Gloricel also mentioned her family would be up to going again but about a week before we left Chicago, she backed out of the Key West trip because it was impossible for her to go there and make it back to Inverness in time for her son's birthday party. The turn-down was costly and refusing a "peace offering" was pointless (happy!!!). She wouldn't take it and have made arrangements of the hotel booking herself. I was ashamed to feel indebted but at the same time awed by such generosity. I still pray for her up to this day to get the blessings she deserves for making the unnecessary gesture. It was at that moment "Gloricel" sounded synonymous with "grace" for undeserved favor. We just missed each other a lot like we feel for the rest of our pack of friends. High school through college is long enough to etch "lifetime" in friendship, I must say. It's tight. So much so, that when we are together, we feel like we've actually seen Lonna, Abel, Alfred, Fra, Wilholm, Henry, Ate Malou, Ramon, Yen, Ian, Jech, Jenny, Jekoy, Joshua, Kuya Martin, Ate Lani, Pastor Cadiz, Mama Fe, and many more friends whose names, if mentioned, will by itself be an entire article. God made it special. Each made imprints to each other's spiritual lives while we were enjoying youthful bliss and madness. --- I honestly will never make it to the Key West story if I went on and on here but I'll park the memories momentarily to give way for the rest of the Florida tale.

From the arrival area, we went straight to the Enterprise Car Rental desk to claim our SUV reservation only to find out that they ran out of it and offered us another type of car instead. The staff was selling the idea as much as he could but we adamantly cancelled and rented from AVIS instead. My company's ties with AVIS got us some discount on a Hyundai Tucson SUV. It smelled brand new as Mayette wheeled it to our inn's parking space that evening. Immediately, we slept to gain the energy needed for our 7AM trip to Key West.

~ ~ ~ * * * ~ ~ ~

A quick breakfast, a handful of take-away cupcakes, and coffee got us started for the day. Coming from Chicago, Florida brings so much of my home country's ambiance. The heat of the sun, the palm trees lined on the street side and then some more trees remind me a lot of Philippines. The occasional sightings of Americans at street crossings became my constant reminder that I am on foreign soil. Wasting no time, we sped away via Sarasota, Fort Myers, and then Naples to try to make it to Key West by sunset. As soon as we pulled out of a McDonalds drive-thru in Naples we mused at the thought of going around a little bit longer. My manager mentioned it in one of our conversations in the office and I have been quite mystified about the place, too. We decided to make use of the opportunity while we were there. We mapped our way to Venice Court and then we wound into what looked like a cozy place full of shops that walled the lake behind it. We didn't have our lunch yet and decided we'd do it in one of the restaurants around the area. We found Riverwalk restaurant and ordered lunch while entertaining the thought of getting on the boat tour that'll take us around Naples Bay where the surrounding million-dollar mansions stood. And so we did. The tour was an hour long and they narrated the history behind each mansion, the who's who, the former and current owners. We spotted, on occasion, bald American eagles and lots of resting pelicans. On maybe two instances, the resident dolphins would show up. The last stop was near the Gulf of Mexico and then we came back. It was worth the time and a much needed break for Mayette who was driving non-stop from Tampa.

We were already hours delayed against schedule and so we continued. We drove through the Tamiami Trail which extends about 275 miles from Florida State Road 60, Tampa to US 1 Miami.

Tucked quietly at a bend in a remote place along the Tamiami highway is a tiny USPS office. It is known to be the smallest and oldest operating post office in the United States. The perks of having a car is that it can take you even to places the public buses do not reach. I regret not having a postcard to send to my family and KV. I would certainly have dropped it in the mailbox to send home. We've noticed a few others stopping by and taking pictures.

Mayette at the Post Office

Lobbying a little longer would have been a great idea but it was getting late in the afternoon so we started moving until we had to make yet another stop. We parked in front of what looked like a shack with a mini boardwalk next to a swamp. All we know was that it was screaming "airboat" in its business sign. It turned out that the office was already closed. We inquired about their schedule of operation and took a few minutes for photo ops.

The airboat tour shop.

Palm Plantation along Tamiami Highway

Keeping a straight face despite biting mosquitoes -- scar is now a tattoo on my ankle.

We drove again for miles. This time the sun has caught up and it sat while we passed through the 7-mile bridge to the southernmost point of Florida. We were taken one islet to another until we reached Pier House Resort and Spa. It was very late in the evening and there was no describing how uncomfortable it felt to be holding in your pee for a long time. We had to wait a little more for the front desk attendant to be available to confirm our booking. After we were handed the key, each had to run to our own restrooms to unload.

Oh what a day it's been

And what sights we've seen

Our tired bodies complain not

Even if we've been through quite a lot.

I bid the night a temporary goodbye

I know I'll see it again.

For now I'll sleep til morning light.

God -- goodnight! Amen.

The sound of crickets outside were like evening bells saying it's time to nap. Our Florida trip has just started.


More Photos here.

Day 1. 418 Miles - Destination: Key West through Tamiami Trail
Day 2. 5 Miles - Around the Southernmost Point of USA (Key West, Florida)
Day 3. 654 Miles: Hello Everglades. I Heart ♥ Miami
Day 4: 375 Miles: The Rest of Florida

Baler Series: Historical

From At Last, Eureka!

Blisters on the foot tell much about how far one has traveled and how painfully difficult it was to arrive at a destination and back. I would have already given up whatever there was left in the itinerary that day if it happened to me but our staff worker knew bigger problems than blisters and walked in steady composure to finish the day's activity plan.

Diguisit Falls

Next stop --- Digisit Falls.
We were getting ready to get historical with Baler, however, our motorcycle driver was kind enough to make short stops at some other popular spots we passed along the highway to the town central. This is where we found waterfalls almost literally along the highway. Most waterfalls are usually remote and will require people to walk kilometer distances from the highway but this is one I find truly amazing. The waterfalls was not grand in terms of size and altitude, but it was extremely inviting especially because of the climate contrast from the scorching sun along the highway. The water is kept cold by of course the flowing water basin at the top and the shades provided by forest trees. The rocks provide the stairway up to the waterfalls.

Aniao Islets

Aniao Islets
After a few snapshots, we went back to the highway. Just across, the Aniao Islets are already visible at plain sight jutting above sea level. The two islets seem to be a good vantage point for hawks and other fish-feeding birds when spotting targets. We didn't and couldn't spare time to walk along the shoreline to the foot of the islets due to time constraint, hence, we took photos instead.

Baler Series: At Last, Eureka!

From Baler Series: The Rolling Stores

When traveling takes you to places you never imagined going and makes you do extraordinary things -- that's "memorable".

The Past Today

From the top of Mt. Samat, we headed back down to Diwa Hi-way through the same trike that took us on the way up. During the descent, we were engaged by the tricycle driver to a conversation with the obvious intent to convince us to hire his cab for the drive back to Bagac at P900. It got us a little confused at first but we eventually decided not to take his offer and will try to wait for a passing jeepney or bus at the highway instead. We paid him P75, crossed the street, and true as hoped, a jeepney stopped, not even 15 minutes since we started waiting. Off we went back to Bagac terminal. From the terminal, we messaged Kuya Willie to take us to their eatery for lunch.We ate as if we skipped 2 meals that day:

  sauted gourd (upo) - P35
  chicken escabeche - P35
  laing - P35
  shrimp sinigang (sour shrimp stew) - P35
  rice - P10
  soda - P15

I especially like Ate Marivic's "chicken escabeche" because from where I came, escabeche is a fish recipe. After eating, we hurried to make it in time for the next tour schedule in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar which was at 3PM. Once again, Kuya Willie and his wife, our unexpected hosts, were very kind to get us all set for Las Casas. We were taken to meet a quiet and decent kid whose name escaped my memory (my bad .. tsk) and with whom we were chaperoned to the site.

As soon as we arrived, we registered and entered through the huge bricked arc entrance. Before our very eyes stood beautiful Spanish houses laid out like they do in most villas and subdivisions. The 400-hectare area includes a rice field that extends to the mountain, Umagol River, a pool and many more.

We were just in time for the tour so we squeezed ourselves in the crowd of tourists to listen to the pretty guide in Filipiniana dress. She took us from one house to another while giving glimpses of every house's history. The stories behind each house were interesting especially that she details the beginnings until how the houses were turned over to the Acuzars. One story caught everyone's attention about one of the houses, Casa Unisan, formerly owned by a surviving member of the prominent Maxino family in Quezon during the Japanese occupation. It was said that the youngest child was the lone survivor when the family massacre happened in the hands of Japanese tulisan. The yaya's decision to keep the child hidden inconspicuously saved the boy's life. Today, the lower ground of the said house was converted into a restaurant.

Spanish Artifacts

 While house hopping, i noticed that the backyard of one of the houses had what looked like a poultry.
Fat feathery roosters freely roamed the place making it feel like as if you have visited a home in a not very expensive province. It kind of make you forget that day tour costs P600 pesos (prices may have changed). When the tour ended, we maximized what little time we had left to take pictures of the houses without the distraction of loitering tourists. We roamed amazed at the different carvings and sculptures scattered around the vicinity. Of course, we took time to pose for a picture with the sole mode of transportation in the location -- kalesa.

We bore the heat of the day and took our time to enjoy the place. Our last stop was at the famed pool which is open for swimming even for day trippers. When it was already 4PM, we were taken to the terminal by Kuya Willie for our bus ride to Balanga, then to Cabcaben in Marivelles where we leave for our trip to Corregidor, the day after.

The activities we did that day is best described as historical. It was so enlightening and stoking to be transported through time and feel the way our Filipino soldiers felt during the war and at the same day walk along the streets adorned with beautiful Spanish houses which tell a lot about why we are who we are. It's like finding missing pieces of the puzzle and every piece brings an answer to the questions we held on for so long. Travels certainly widen our perspective and understanding.

Here's my breakdown of expenditures on the second half of day 4.

 

Backtrack:

 Befriending Bataan

The Splendor of the Shrine of Valor

See Yahoo pictures of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar here.

A Weekend and a Holiday

 August was every employee’s most awaited month this year. It wasn’t Christmas, nor was it New Year. It just happened to have the most number of holidays following weekends compared to other months in the Philippines. For some, it meant “double pay”, if they had to work on a holiday. Others find it a bonus breather after long tiring work weeks. For me and many more like myself, it meant – travel. 

 What was originally a group of 9 downsized to 5 after four of my friends had last minute decisions to forego the trip. I was already set for it and I thought nothing could change it. So, I packed a bag and left to meet my friends at the South Bus Terminal that Saturday morning. We were off for a Moalboal-Pescador-Terra Manna ride of our lives. 

 I have been in Cebu for almost 5 years now and not once had I set foot on Moalboal white sands. It was more of the fulfillment of a plan than the idea of a new adventure that got me excited in creating the itinerary for the travel.

Moalboal

The bus from the terminal left at around 7:30am and took us on a ride for over 2 hours before finally arriving at the Moalboal bus stop. We hired a cab at the price of P150 to take us to the church ruins, then to the public market, and lastly to Esther Escabas’ rooms for rent. We were greeted with Manang Esther’s smile and hospitality as she led us to her home. The perishable buys we brought were put in the freezer while the rest were hung in a plastic at the cottage ceiling. We unpacked, rested a little bit, and then headed off to the shore a few meters from the site. While the sun was up at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon, we decided to take snapshots of the scenic ocean and lively shores. At quick inspection, you would know from where we stood that Basdaku (the beach area) had certain spots guests favored over other locations due to longer and cleaner stretches of sand. The best thing about beaches is the fact that the shorelines in most cases remain a public place regardless of a fronting private resort, therefore, any visitor is free to walk along the beach lines.  We headed back home when the night drew near and started cooking our dinner.

 

Pescador

The following morning, we woke up early to ready our food for our trip to Island Pescador.  Although the islet was visible from our location, it took us close or a little over an hour to finally arrive at the foot of the island through a motor boat. The islet was a big rock in the middle of the sea, hence, there was no sand to set foot on. The boat had to be tied to what seemed like a crevice or a protrusion to keep it from moving away. Mind you, the rocks hurt virgin feet, therefore, it is recommended that you put on a pair of slippers to keep you from getting wounded when jumping or leaping from the boat to the rocky man-made stairs. When on the top of Island Pescador, one will likely be welcomed with the strong, relaxing sea breeze, a distant beach front view on one side, and a seemingly unending water expanse on the other.  Two tamed cats will also greet guests as they get near in the hope of getting food rewards. The motorboat owner mentioned that they were city cats put on exile because they have become too numerous in their vicinity and instead of annihilating them, they had to be sent away to dwell in Pescador. Their daily ration depended on the constancy and frequency of townsmen’s visits. 

 Exploring the islet will take you to the lighthouse, an old, worn-out shanty full of graffiti, and some unfinished structures. The other side of the islet is another stairway down to the foot of the island where corals abound. The effort to develop the area was noticeable, but the difficulty to make it happen was even eminent. Island Pescador remains a lonely place on top but very alive at the bottom with teeming corals and abundant underwater creatures. It was like heaven down there. A bright cast of light from the sun creates the glitter of crystal clear waters and the school of fishes swimming near is a revelation of life below it. If you are not a diver, you will get your fair share of this bounty even by snorkeling on shallow waters. The divers get the bonus of exploring the cave underneath the coral-adorned rock. The trip to and fro was just right for all five of us at the price of P2000. Three or four hours of awesome experience were worth the dime.

Terra Manna

Right after lunch, we got ourselves ready for our trip to Terra Manna Resort in Badian. We contacted the cab driver that brought us to Manang Esther’s house to take us back to Moalboal town for the same price. Once at the town, we had to walk a few meters to the jeepney terminal that travels to Badian. We negotiated for another P150 fare with the driver to take us directly to the resort.

Upon arrival, we were offered a thirst-quenching calamansi drink. At P600 per person, we were able to choose a family-size camping tent. While the staff set it up, we partially scouted the area and settled to sit by what looked like the usual brick walls in boulevards while we watched and waited the full setting of the sun. Of course, the trigger-happy photographers played with their DSLR and “Dili-SLR” cameras to their heart’s content.

Dinner was served by their restaurant crew at Lantawan, a dainty table of 4 chairs under  a ceiling of vines with draped shell curtains at the sides. The spot was situated right at the edge of the rocky camping hill overlooking the greeneries far below and vastness of the ocean reflecting the night sky and the moonlight. After dinner, we laughed hard as we dug at the pictures we took since the beginning of our weekend getaway beside the burning bonfire.  Then we retired at the sound of crickets and my loud snore. Haha.

A little past 5am, I woke up to get a glimpse of Terra Manna at day break. True as I hoped it would be, the fresh air, the gentle sunlight on your skin, the green home-grown vegetation, the bluish ocean near the horizon, the early morning dew on plants, the smell of coffee near the restaurant, the cold breeze, the feel of green grasses under the feet, the Lomboy (Duhat) tree which fruit I kept on picking, the quietness and serenity, were all reasons why Terra Manna was like paradise on earth for me.  Further down, behind the cliff, spreads quietly a wide white sandy beach. We resolved to take a dip. Not contented with just dipping, we swam for about an hour notwithstanding the growing heat of sunlight. 

 After eating the breakfast, an inclusion of the P600 overnight stay price, we headed back 

to Cebu town. It was Monday when we got back—a holiday.