top 5 scenic roads in the philippines
Monday, August 22, 2005
when asked about my occupation on online forms, i usually place 'roadtripper'. i enjoy roadtrips and have been on amazing ones. going through a scenic route with a cup of hot chocolate and a conversation with friends is my idea of a great trip. added to that, going through one makes me proud to be a filipino.
here's my top 5:
1. unpaved national road from cabanatuan, nueva ecija to baler, aurora: it's one of the most lush greeneries that i have seen roadside. you wouldn't know what a rainforest looks like unless you see this one. really soothing to the eyes.
2. halsema highway: there are actually 2 beautiful sections of hasema. one from baguio to bontoc and the other one is from bontoc to tabuk. (i consider bontoc to be a break from the scenery. sorry to people who actually like the place.) the baguio to bontoc route is the highest in the philippine highway system. it is lined with wonderful mountain formations with rocks and pine trees dotting the landscape. feels like you're in some scenes of lotr. on the other hand, the bontoc to tabuk section is an experience on its own. imagine this: the road sits beside the river. running parralel beside the road and the river are 2 mountain ranges with grassy hillsides which are sometimes used as the canvass for the rice terraces. old human bridges also traverse the river and create a distinct feel for this region.
3. national highway from malaybalay to davao city: going from plateau to lowlands to mountains and back to lowlands (near the seaside) gives an impression that this landscape allows for multidues of sightseeing.
4. east road from antipolo to caliraya: if the timing is perfect, you could just see the famed manila bay sunset from one of the outlook points on the highway. plus there's a section where bamboo grass lines on side of the road. seems like zhang ziyi and chow yun-fat would just leap out from those plants. really feels like crouching tiger, hidden dragon.
5. bohol national road that goes through loboc river and chocolate hills: just those 2 wonders of nature is enough to make me drive on this road.
posted by lex @ 4:51 PM,
