one fitting way to end the year is to go out of town. as you probably know by now, i didn't have the opportunity to go out of manila that much in 2008. so i was definitely thrilled when the fam went to subic to celebrate the new year.
we set out for subic in the morning of 31st december. one can now reach subic in two ways: via olongapo-gapan road, which is the old route; or the sctex (subic-clark-tarlac expressway) which opened a year ago. both have their own exits straight from nlex (north luzon expressway): san fernando (olongapo-gapan) and sctex exit (sctex). we took the olongapo-gapan road as we had brunch somewhere in san fernando.
after experiencing a bit of traffic in one of the towns in pampanga, it was decided that we would divert to the sctex when we get to dinalupihan, bataan. when we got to dinalupihan, lo and behold! there was no exit yet from olongapo-gapan road going to sctex. so we simply just passed under the new expressway and went on to our destination on the same route.
yours truly went gaga over the sights. amazed by the vast expanse of green after about a year of staying in the concrete jungle that is my beloved manila. here are some photos taken on olongapo-gapan road. (sctex pics to come soon)
the eruption of mt. pinatubo in 1991 left the provinces of zambales and especially pampanga practically a barren wasteland. almost 20 years after, both provinces have thankfully gotten back on track.
i see fields of green...
gray asphalt too...
...and i think to myself, what a wonderful world. ;-)
Saan ka nagpunta sa Subic? :-)
ReplyDeletehehe.. natawa ako sa version mo ng song.. what a wonderful world talaga...
ReplyDeletesarap mag bakasyon po anoh? iba simoy ng hangin...
Hay, I have yet to try that new expressway. Tagal ko na ring di nakakapunta ng Subic. Belated Happy New year Carla... :-)
ReplyDeletedyosa: sa sbma mismo, then nagstay kami overnight sa courtyard inn sa waterfront rd. =)
ReplyDeletemimi: hehehe! sobrang sarap nga, as in feel na feel ko pa nun :D
rudy: super ganda nung expressway! will blog about it soon =) belated happy new year din!
Halos everyweek dumadan ako sa sctex and pinakafavorite ko na portion doon yung bundok na hinati para magawan ng daan.
ReplyDeletehope u had great time in subic.
Very nice pics! Buti at may bagong highway na that offers an alternative. :)
ReplyDeletebeen sometime since i went to subic...have yet to pass by SCTEX din
ReplyDeleteNice photos. Wonderful world, indeed!
ReplyDeleteroadtrip there is fun specially when you get to see the mountain range on one side.
ReplyDeletelawstude: oo nga e. i think nakuhaan ko ng pic yun. ako naman ang fave part ko dun yung mountainside. had a good time sa subic, thanks =)
ReplyDeletepanaderos: thanks! oo nga. sobrang na-excited ako nung dun kami dumaan pauwi e hehehe :D
backpacking philippines: hay, i'm sure na kahit ikaw ang magddrive dun marerelax ka sa scenery. =)
dodong flores: yup i agree! and thanks! =)
the dong: yupyup! yun ang fave part ko sa roadtrip dun =)
hmmm... refreshing nga sa mata ang country sides... So dun kayo nagcountdown?
ReplyDeleteCool yung background music mo.
Honestly, I miss the Philippines.
ReplyDelete(:
"....gray asphalt too...what a wonderful world" LOL!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, did I not frequent this some months ago?
kris jasper: yup dun kami nagcountdown. ayus nga kasi 2 fireworks sabay mula sa beach at bay. hehehe cute no? thanks! =)
ReplyDeletekyels: then you should visit soon, then we'll meet :D
photo cache: hehehe :D :D yup, you visited my blog some months ago. my blog was formerly called the lamonster traveler. i'm just thinking of a new name for it now :D many thanks!
happy new year!!!
ReplyDeleteang reklamo lang ng mga driver sa sctex, madali silang antukin kasi walang nakikitang sasakyan hehehe. pero siguro iba na ngayon. :)
hi, ate c! :D
ReplyDeletewow, i hope you enjoyed your trip. i miss subic. i need to go there for the tigers in zoobic! haha. :D