Road to Forever

Going on a roadtrip with my closest friends is one of the things I want to tick off on my bucket list. Well, the ticking time has finally arrived! Last Saturday (technically Sunday), my friends and I randomly went on a roadtrip! We’re all kinda tipsy (I think) that’s why no one objected and got 'lolahin' with the idea, and we automatically loaded ourselves in the car. (Time check: it’s 2 AM!!!)

Rondy, Joyce, Ella, Maki, Me and Megg before the roadtrip!

We planned on going to Tagaytay, (the usual destination of Batangueno roadtrippers. Haha) have some hot coffee since we’re so bloated with all the beer and chips; chill, watch the sunrise, and then head back to Batangas before 6AM since Ella and I have individual family outings to catch! All’s planned perfectly until we got lost on the road!

HAHA It was so funny thinking that we all know how to go to Tagaytay since it’s relatively near in Batangas, but we still got lost twice!!!! HAHA

We all decided to take the Star Tollway to avoid passing through narrow streets in Bauan and territorial drunkards who may harass us or throw something at us (this was the worst case that we imagined) Haha. We took the Tanauan Interchange exit and traversed along Tanauan-Talisay road.

Everything’s well while on the road – we’re talking about relationships, how time flies REALLY fast, and our plans in life.. All the random stuff a group of friends can talk about after not seeing each other for a couple of years! But then we noticed that the road seems like a dead-end. Earlier, there was a woman, wearing a blue shirt and maong pants, waving at us and somewhat telling a message (or maybe warning). But we just passed by her, wondering why that woman's waving (well, maybe she just wanted a ride). And lo and behold, we’re traveling uphill, no street lights, no other vehicles (maybe because it’s past 2AM), and we’re seeing signs saying “Caution: Dangerous Curve” or “Warning: Prone to collision.” Maybe that woman's telling us not to turn right! We slowly started to panic (but not OA panic) and just thought of going back (down) from where we came from and start over. And Rondy being the typical Rondy, who's always mapang-asar even without the influence of alcohol, he freaked us all out by suddenly turning off the headlights while trekking down the road!!! Of course everyone shouted and panicked! We even scolded Rondy (in a ‘friendly’ way) that we all still want to live (I, for instance, never had a boyfriend so I can’t die yet, HAHA). It was like a scene in a horror movie that when the lights finally turn on, a ghost or monster is already crawling through the windshield! Haha. But of course, there was none. :)) We passed by what seems to be a village and hoped that there would be a security guard who could help us get to our destination, unfortunately no one was there but a mother and baby dog. We're also scared and cautious on asking people on the road since they might lead us to wrong paths (we'll never know! Better safe than sorry!). 

But thankfully, we got back on the more familiar track. This time, we drove straight ahead instead of making the mistake of turning right. There were residences along the way so we felt safer. We even saw signs saying it's the right way to Tagaytay. But then, it seemed like we're driving straight for so long, the road’s leading us to nowhere! We have tried using GPS but there are dead spots. When we finally got a signal, we saw that we’re already going to Agoncillo, which is far to and from Batangas City proper or Tagaytay! That’s the time when we decided to ask. (Early birds were already up since it's almost 4 AM!!) The man said we should have turned right before entering Brgy. Sampaloc. I remembered passing through that sign and I’m sure it would take us another 30-45 mins going back. But then, we had no choice so we headed back.

When we finally reached the Brgy. Sampaloc stone tablet, we turned left and up ahead another what seems to be a steep road. We all got scared that the man might have lead us to a dangerous path. Instead of feeling relieved that we saw another vehicle traversing the road, we feared that they may be NPA's. Lol. After what seems like forever, we finally saw signs going to Tagaytay!!! WOOHOO! We also saw signs that the sun's about to come up. HAHA

The accidental artsy shot c/o Megg :))

It took us about 45 mins, I think, finishing the long steep trail. When we finally reached Tagaytay, we headed to the New Starbucks, only seeing that it's already/still closed!!!!!!!! We drove through high roads and braved all the danger just to see a closed coffee shop! HAHA THAT WAS RIDICULOUS! We're still willing to go to other SB branches, but then Ella suggested we should just get home since she really needs to catch the 6AM trip to Puerto Galera. So of course, we headed home.

We took the Sta. Rosa route this time. We also drove through Mcdo in Solenad (since it's the only store open) to have some take-out breakfast and have that coffee already!!! Got disappointed with the coffee, but then I didn't expect much.

While heading back to Batangas, we all felt silly that we should have just took the Bauan route (where all we thought of was the innocent drunkards) or the Sta. Rosa route (which we thought was the farther way). What were we thinking?!? HAHA. Hay, so much for realizations!

We just thought that this roadtrip was so epic and unforgettable! (Although we do not want it to happen again) HAHA. Funny thing was, we're so persistent at going to Tagaytay that no one even bothered suggesting that we rather go home after series of misdirection! Haha. That was weird. Maybe the alcohol did the talking! But we're all thankful we got home safe and wiser! Haha. chos!

The idiots! (That's what we call our group since college days! :))

And so we arrived at Batangas just on time, 6:20 AM to be exact! Ella caught the first boat trip to Puerto Galera and I'm just in time for my family's outing.

After this experience, I think I have higher expectations on road trips, coffee and sunrise-watching! Haha. We had no regrets on this adventure, though. If we haven't done this, maybe we're just at Megg's house, drinking beer, singing along in the videoke, or worse, sleeping! This was just the perfect way to start and end our weekends! :))

With this awesome adventure, here are my tips/ realizations:

1) Value your life; Live life to the fullest! This may sound serious but you'll never know when's your due! (In my case, I must have a boyfriend, immediately! HAHA Joke!)

2) Bring food during roadtrips. Maybe because we thought that it would just take us 45mins-1hr to reach Tagaytay, we didn't bother getting snacks. Emergency food is everything especially on a spontaneous trip! Haha!

3) Be sure of the directions. In our case, we all know how to go there, really!! We just didn't know what happened. HAHA Also, screenshot the maps in case of dead spots where LTE/ 3Gs cannot reach the area.

4) Don't drink prior to the trip. We're not really drunk since we only had 2-3 bottles each. But this tip may come in handy especially for heavy drinkers! I swear we're not drunk!! :))

5) Don't argue while on trip (esp while driving). One thing I'm thankful for is that I have cool friends who's up for adventure. We didn't argue and blame each other because this was such an amazing and thrilling trip! Haha. Also, ill-temper may just worsen the situation!

6) Go on a trip with your perfect clique. To avoid all the drama and awkwardness! Hehe.

7) Save up for your phone's battery. I'm guilty with this one! I didn't charge my phone since I thought that I could just charge at SB! I didn't even bring my powerbank with me. No photos tuloy. Haha.

8) 'Traveling' really can make one wiser. As any traveler would say... 

9) Pray. Always. For everyone's safety.