Tirad Pass, Ilocos Sur

Photo op on the way to Cervantes

Hungry at Besang Pass

At 6:30 PM, our minibus roared to life. As it went around the town, it would screetch loudly to a halt to pick up more passengers. Soon, the minibus was jampacked and there were even people riding on top along with our backpacks and the luggage of other passengers. It was a pandemonium inside. People were shouting although --- you wouldn't believe this --- they were having an ordinary conversation . I realized that's the way my Ilocano Mom talks with her relatives.

Rene with his long legs had to stay on a seat in the middle aisle since he cannot fit inside the seats with back supports. Of course, everytime a passenger way from the back goes in or out, everyone sitting in the middle aisle would have to stand up or squeeze in with the passenger beside him, to give way.

It was around 7:30 PM before the minibus was able to pick up everyone who wanted to get out of Cervantes and before we could confidently say that we are leaving the town at last. It climbed higher and higher on the way to Besang Pass where we were all looking forward for a stopover so we could have dinner, as one of our bus conductors promised.

I tried to sleep and at one point managed to take a peek at the view outside my window. It was full moon and there's a grove of pine trees around us. On our left, which was my side of the road, was a deep ravine with a whitewater river raging below. Suddenly, --- I swear I saw it --- our bus veered and our minibus was running within a foot's distance from the edge of the ravine! I closed my window and tried hard to get some sleep.

After more than 2 hours of rough riding, PL shouted Starbucks! Woohoo! We're at Besang Pass! We were in for a disappointment. There wasn't any food on the store. Her provisions did not arrive according to the seller. But true to PL's word, there's plenty of coffee. We promptly called the place Besang's Best.

I wanted to shoot the bus conductor who promised us a hot meal at Besang. Reason took over and we just consoled ourselves with the idea that we can pig out when we arrive in La Union in another 3 hours.

La Union to Manila

Our minibus exited via Tagudin then traveled southwards to La Union around 1:30 AM, where it went through an endless home delivery service. We marveled at how the driver seemed to know the exact address to drop off each and everyone of his neighbors in Cervantes.

It was our turn to be dropped off at Partas. From there, we sought the advice of a tricycle driver who told us about an eatery open for 24 hours. From the eatery, our group split again. Rene, Joan & Lemmy opted to stay on a beachside resort in La Union. The rest of us went back to Partas to take our bus back to Manila. It was already past 7 AM when our bus reached Cubao. I was too tired to go to the office. After finding out that there was no rush to attend to, I decided to take the day off. This time, I was really sick.

Info on photos

Thanks to Edwin Viray of Crusade Earth Movement for some of the photos. I took my photos using Nikon N80 and 28-80mm G lens. Film: Kodak Supra 100. Scanning was done at the lowest resolution possible for faster loading.

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