ruthdelacruz

travel & lifestyle blog by ruth dela cruz

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Travel | Road Trip from Manila to Cagayan Valley + How I Survived 21 Hours of Land Travel

April 17, 2017
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel | Road Trip to Cagayan Valley + How I Survived 21 Hours of Land Travel 

I don’t normally go out on a Holy Week. I usually spend it at home with family; or I sleep. Last weekend was a different story. I started with a long journey from Manila to Cagayan Valley to visit the north-eastern part of the Philippines – Sta Ana, Cagayan. 

Our road trip was a longer route than the usual Manila to Cagayan Valley travel time which usually takes 16 hours via land travel. We took part in the Partakan Festival 2017, a ride and rock festival in the country which unites all riders and promote moto-tourism up the northern region of the Philippines. We were all eyeing to win the prize but it turned out to be a bumpy ride (literally and figuratively) for us. 
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Even before the engine started running, we already encountered a challenge fitting all of us (and our luggage) in a Toyota Grandia that boarded us to Cagayan Valley. When a car can only fit 13 pax (and you are 14 – we were joined by another rider known as Becki Rider), you had to squeeze in your butt and legs to make room for one more seat. 
We left at 2:30 AM and encountered traffic in NLEX where all the cars were heading. 21 Hours of Travel can be summarized with: we left when it was still dark, we were awakened by the sunrise, we basked at the afternoon sun rays, we eagerly welcomed the sunset, and we were guided by the star lights.
In between, we had local food including yema cake and pancit cabagan; and interesting pit stops at different restrooms like the ones where you need to pay Php 10 to make you feel light or one that is free but would expose your butt to the mountain side. 
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
The Partakan Festival challenged us to visit different spots, take selfies and even buy tupig, popular native delicacy from Pangasinan which is made out of ground glutinous rice and coconuts strips. Unfortunately, some of the pit stops were closed so we just continued with our journey. 
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
I am most comfy wearing shorts and rock shirts 🙂 
Rock Shirt: Uniqlo
Shorts: Forever 21
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley Partakan Festival
#TeamEarth Earth Rullan, Omar Itay, Ruth dela Cruz, Rodel Flordeliz, Jeffrey Ong and Rhea Bue
Inside the car, when we were not sleeping, we just talk about love life, social media and ghost stories. Rodel and I found the time to watch a movie. After 90 minutes, I fell asleep.
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley
We love Jack n Jill Calbee Honey and Butter Potato Chips
The worst thing about the road trip was sitting on a seat that cannot be reclined and not being able to stretch your legs (add that I was wearing a wired bra! It was killing me!) 
We arrived around 11:30 PM. 
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley
How I Survived Long Travel via Land?
1. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes (and underwear!) 😀
2. Bring a sweater, jacket or scarf.  
3. Bring comfort food (I forgot Cheetos!!!)
4. Keep yourself hydrated. I brought a big bottle of Evian!
5. Make a stopover to relieve your self or just to simply stretch! 
6. Don’t eat too much. Just eat light, frequent meals. 
7. Bring your favorite form of entertainment – music, movies or games. 
8. Use your time productively. Draft a blog or presentation. 
9. Travel with friends who make you laugh. 
10. Just enjoy the view. 
Travel Road Trip to Cagayan Valley
My thoughts after the long travel? Where’s the bed? I couldn’t believe I survived it without having the need to go on a Php10 stopover 😀
… to be continued.

Read more of my Travel and Adventures. 


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