Riding in Tandem: A trip to the Kaybiang Tunnel
I used to hate motorcyles. I hated the way they conveniently pass through sidewalks or get in between cars. I hated their sudden movement and the way their engine sounds. I hated how they easily overcome bumper to bumper situations, while others are stuck in hell, that is EDSA.
It was not until my boyfriend bought a motorcyle that my view changed. It took him 3 months to decide which model to buy. Throughout that period, we have scrambled Metro Manila to find the perfect fit. (On a separate note, it’s weird how guys take 5 minutes to find a t-shirt but takes forever to buy an automobile). Anyway, we eventually found the model he wanted. However, a bunch of other guys wanted the same thing, and he waited for another month to get that Yamaha NMAX.
It’s a 155 CC scooter that has an ABS (anti-lock breaking system). He practiced for a while, and then eventually, we took it out for a long ride – riding in tandem style.
Our first long ride brought us to Kaybiang Tunnel in Batangas.
Yes, it did take us around 2 hours to get there. At the end of it, my butt is numb already, and my knees are shaking involuntarily. Anyhow, I realized how cool motorcycles are after that ride.
Traffic is still hateful even in a motorcyle, but the fact that you can skid through it is just awesome. After the terrible traffic situation in Metro Manila, the rest of the ride was just refreshing. For one, there are magnetic hills that pull you up even with you turn your engine off:
En route, we passed through a coffee shop that serves civet coffee. It is the perfect spot to take a sip on a cup of heaven with the view of the mountain ranges:
When we’ve finally gotten to Kaybiang Tunnel, the 300-meter stretch was just blithe. The fresh air against your face in the midst of darkness and echoes just made me feel alive.
After passing through the tunnel, we were at awe after seeing actual Philippine eagles flying freely over the mountains and the seas. We missed taking pictures, but we were so happy to finally see one (actually, there were around 5 of them) in the wild. Along the way, we also encountered an unusual traffic situation involving this daredevil cow:
We capped off the trip with a fresh avocado and mango juice, bistek tagalog, and bulalo:
The breathtaking ride, the stunning view, and the exhilarating experience left us wanting for more. By the end of the trip, my grudge for motorcycles is gone. Starting then, we’ve decided to take on the Philippines, one ride at a time.
