GQNPC Road Trip Leg 3: The NLEX-SCTEX leg

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July 17, 2010.

The GQNPC long trip finally pushed through! This year, we went up to the "city of pines", Baguio City, Benguet. My version of this road trip began in Jollibee, literally, since I was fetched by the group at the Paciano branch at 4.30 am. The trip up north was fast because we avoided all the traffic jams common in the SLEX and along EDSA. Before we knew it, we had reached the NLEX and were stopping for breakfast at... Jollibee! 

I was looking forward to the northbound NLEX-SCTEX segment of the trip because there was a good chance that I'd see flocks of migratory birds in the Candaba swamplands. Camera at the ready, all I saw at first were ducks on the water. Mallards, most likely, based on the feather pigmentation. They're also too far away and too small for me to take clear shots. Suddenly, silhouettes of a flock of flying birds passed by. What a sight!! I was just a little concerned about thick dark clouds I sighted topping the mountains. 

Another favourite view of mine is Mount Arayat in Pampanga. As a child, this volcano served as a marker when I served as navigator on family long drives. Fog covered its base; nevertheless, its distinctive shape was recognisable amid the vast plains of rice paddies.

The management of the NLEX did not exaggerate when it claimed that we'd experience a world-class highway. It was smooth riding all the way to the SCTEX exit and the view was spectacular, akin to the Pacific Highway in Australia, and the interstate highways in Florida and in California.

SCTEX connects Subic, Zambales, Clark, Pampanga, and Tarlac City, Tarlac. This highway is also cool! Smooth driving all the way from to Tarlac from Dau, immensely shortening the road trip to Baguio by about three hours. What a convenience! 

Sitting in front, by the driver, has its advantages. I wouldn't be able to take photos of the sweeping landscapes if I were sitting somewhere in the middle of the coaster (just like during last year's GQNPC Subic adventure). My only real assignment was to talk with the driver.

That's easy... he turned out to be quite a storyteller too! 

Comments

  1. Sylvia Christine InciongJuly 19, 2010 at 1:59 AM

    i so like reading your posts rochie! i really feel the nerd in me getting all worked up. "Mallards, most likely, based on the feather pigmentation." haaa!!! like!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. rochie cuevasJuly 19, 2010 at 3:31 AM

    thank you for enjoying the post! i think i had too much trivia from a fellow grad student. he said that mallards are birds with red meat and are recognisable by the feathers! hahaha! =)

    ReplyDelete

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