photo via Biyahero
Last week, Hubby and I decided we would venture off on our own around the island. It wouldn't take more than a week, so I got ahead on client work, shut down the computer, and packed a backpack with two changes of clothes each, a camera, a travel book and map, bathing suits, my Kindle, Hubby's Doctor Sleep book, shampoo, and toothbrush/toothpaste. No makeup, no computer, no plans.
We hopped on the bike on Tuesday and headed out. After a week of pouring rain, the sun was finally shining and we had high hopes for a nice drive.
We hopped on the bike on Tuesday and headed out. After a week of pouring rain, the sun was finally shining and we had high hopes for a nice drive.
What we didn't realize beforehand was how stifling the backpack would be. Being on the back of the bike meant I needed to carry the backpack, but even with as little as we packed, it still pressed into my shoulders and weighed me down. Plus, I wore a pair of short shorts and didn't put on enough sunblock; my outer thighs quickly burned and the motorbike's seat covering molded into my butt and left aching indentations.
We ended up taking quite a few rest breaks.
Also, we only made it to Pinamalayan (before we turned back around), which is about four hours outside of where we live.
Why? Because I was a dingbat and forgot my medication. A few days without it and I'd be suffering withdrawals. I'd be miserable and Hubby would be miserable, so we didn't take that risk.
By the time we got to Pinamalayan we were hungry and tired. We stopped at a Jollybee for french fries and a cookies and cream milkshake and looked at the travel book for places to stay. There was only one listed - Ora Beach Resort. So we drove around and around looking for signs of water. We're used to living in an area where beach resorts are aplenty and it's easy to find a place to stay. Ora Beach Resort was not so easy to find.
We finally ended up on some back roads and saw a small sign with the hotel's name written on it. We drove down a road through a shady neighborhood, but still couldn't find the place. A group of Filipinos sitting outside a run down building asked where we were going (as they do) and we told them Ora Beach Resort. "That way, that way!" and they pointed back to the place we had just passed.
Beach resort? No. A clean, friendly place to stay? Yes! There were yellow and green painted walls and flower-patterned bed sheets. It was like stepping into Alice in Wonderland.
With the name Ora Beach Resort we kind of expected to be able to walk onto the beach and relax with a book but...
their idea of an ocean view is this...
We ended up taking quite a few rest breaks.
Also, we only made it to Pinamalayan (before we turned back around), which is about four hours outside of where we live.
Why? Because I was a dingbat and forgot my medication. A few days without it and I'd be suffering withdrawals. I'd be miserable and Hubby would be miserable, so we didn't take that risk.
By the time we got to Pinamalayan we were hungry and tired. We stopped at a Jollybee for french fries and a cookies and cream milkshake and looked at the travel book for places to stay. There was only one listed - Ora Beach Resort. So we drove around and around looking for signs of water. We're used to living in an area where beach resorts are aplenty and it's easy to find a place to stay. Ora Beach Resort was not so easy to find.
We finally ended up on some back roads and saw a small sign with the hotel's name written on it. We drove down a road through a shady neighborhood, but still couldn't find the place. A group of Filipinos sitting outside a run down building asked where we were going (as they do) and we told them Ora Beach Resort. "That way, that way!" and they pointed back to the place we had just passed.
Beach resort? No. A clean, friendly place to stay? Yes! There were yellow and green painted walls and flower-patterned bed sheets. It was like stepping into Alice in Wonderland.
With the name Ora Beach Resort we kind of expected to be able to walk onto the beach and relax with a book but...
their idea of an ocean view is this...
Okay, yeah, it's the ocean, but not what we're used to in Puerto Galera where the ocean view is this...
So there was no relaxing on the beach, but it was nice to take a break and a shower. No hot water, but I felt dirty enough to brave the cold.
The "resort" didn't have a restaurant so for dinner we made a beeline to the Hong Kong diner across the street. It's a simple restaurant with local fare and cheap prices. We had plates of fried chicken, dumplings, and rice.
That's the Hong Kong restaurant to the right. The tall cream-colored building.
Wednesday rolled around and we hopped back on the bike for another day of road tripping. I really wanted to keep riding around the island, but alas...no medication, no vacation.
We ate a pancake sandwich from Jollybee then headed back to Puerto Galera. It was all sunny skies and coconut trees and fields and fields of rice.
About 30 minutes outside of PG, Hubby slows down, pulls onto the side of the road, and tells me we have a flat tire. The universe had our backs though because we got the flat right across from a vulcanizing station. So we sat on a little wooden bench beneath a tree, sipped on a Sprite, and waited for the man to fix the tire.
This fruit stand was across from where we sat. I thought it strange that no one was manning it and that there were only a few strange fruits sitting there.
We ate a pancake sandwich from Jollybee then headed back to Puerto Galera. It was all sunny skies and coconut trees and fields and fields of rice.
About 30 minutes outside of PG, Hubby slows down, pulls onto the side of the road, and tells me we have a flat tire. The universe had our backs though because we got the flat right across from a vulcanizing station. So we sat on a little wooden bench beneath a tree, sipped on a Sprite, and waited for the man to fix the tire.
This fruit stand was across from where we sat. I thought it strange that no one was manning it and that there were only a few strange fruits sitting there.
Even though it was a much shorter trip than planned, it was still enjoyable and we look forward to trying it again with friends. The more the merrier on an exploration road trip!
I have another trip coming up soon - back to the US of A for seven weeks to see family and friends. I'm going to take advantage of pumpkin spice lattes and dressing up for Halloween. We might even visit the spooky Menger Hotel for a Halloween dinner and ghost tour. I can't wait!
