Motorcycling – Page 20

Traveling by motorcycle is an adventure in itself. In the city, it can be the quickest way to get to a destination (if you can brave the smog, sweltering heat or rain) but long rides out of town are always an unexpected adventure.

We have driven all the way to Rizal, Sierra Madre, Paete, Pagsanjan, Caliraya and even attempted to drive to Infanta at the start of the year.

Unfortunately, the rain and bad roads made us turn back, but it was still quite a ride. Part of the adventure: getting caught in the rain, seeking shelter under the thatched roof of a sari-sari store in the middle of nowhere, having to get down several times and walk through thick mud, washing my shoes in a waterfall by the roadside.

Still, nothing beats the wind in your face and the blur of scenery on the road.

Here’s a rough video diary (taken with just my trusty low-tech mobile phone) chronicling our first motorcycle ride for the year.

After a very worthwhile trip on the road for six days in two provinces in the North, I’ve decided to start a blog.

I’m currently a news correspondent for an international wire agency and contributor of travel and lifestyle features and photos to several magazines. However, not all of my work fits into this mold of writing (or are fit to publish in print). 🙂

So hence, this blog, Travel Up – an exploration of landscapes, people and good eats. The name of my blog is inspired by the video game concept of leveling up, exploring new places, meeting new people and gaining higher levels by completing tasks. When I’m not traveling, I spend a lot of time glued to my PlayStation playing role-playing games or RPGs (my favorites are Legend of Legaia, Final Fantasy VIII, StarOcean 2 and Okami).

After being enlightened by more more experienced bloggers, I hope this can be an outlet for more creative writing in the future. 🙂