Along with local kids on our way to Calbayog City
I love adventure especially those that borders to the extreme side and at times dangerous when it comes to travel and modes of traveling and modes of transportation, so about halfway the 2-hour jeepney ride from Allen-Calbayog I signaled the conductor if I can move on the top of the jeepney. The conductor nodded and so I went up the roof. I love toploading because I can see the things that passengers inside don’t. It does feel great to be on the top right?
I love adventure especially those that borders to the extreme side…
Notice the rice sack and some groceries loaded on top.
The scene was very raw and rugged. The road already paved which is a good thing because its quite dangerous to topload on rough terrain. I remember my first time to try toploading 8 years ago, on the mountains of Ifugao. That was a memorable experience and I believe everyone should try it. It was funny to note too that almost all of us went on top of the roof so as to enjoy the scenic view Ifugao has to offer.
I also did some toploading (on a tricycle roof) at Catanduanes and Camiguin.
The Samar Sea on my right
Back to Samar, I’m traveling southward and on my right is the Samar sea and on the other side mountainous areas. Most of the vegetation is coconut trees (and some banana too), no wonder that locals’ main trade is copra farming. I saw some rivers and streams from the mountains that go to the sea. Most houses have nipa roofing and are made of light materials.
Some thatched homes beside the river
This is what I love about out-of-the-tourist-trail trip, the mundane things that make the travel experience rich. I guess I’m really drawn to the simplicity of rural life. I’m no city boy, I love the provinces.
Secrets of Northern Samar is a series of blog posts that encourages intrepid travelers to try the out-of-the-usual-tourist-trail. This happened last February 2011, one of the no-plans-whatsoever trips I made. I have a ticket to Catarman and I just said to myself, go and let’s see what’s in it for me… So I found these:
Spectacular Biri Rock Formations / The Forgotten Capul Island / Abaknon: On the Brink of Extinction / Catubig: A Forgotten Heritage / Hammock-Hanging Adventure at UEP White Beach / Summary & Expenses
I love top loading – used to do it during my UST Mountaineering days, we’d ride on top of the Jeepneys along with our big backpacks…last I did this was in Bacolod from Mambukal with Kareen (you know her too) and other Germans…
i remember that post of yours and you went to mambukal. yes, i know kakay fro CS.
epic experience talaga yang toploading. enjoy ba yung mga germans?
Same here! I love top loading! It’s the best way to travel–especially in the mountain provinces. My wife and I were on top of a jeepney travelling from Sagada to Banaue, and going to Pidilisan Rice Terraces in Bontoc.
Good stuff, James.
leland! wazzup? how’s aussie?!!!
thanks thanks! most experience toploading sa NORTH
hope you’re doing fie down under, and dont try something nasty like that of 127 hours
Maybe it is just me, but toploading looks dangerous to life and limbs. I once fell off an open flatbed truck when we hit a pothole. Luckily there was no vehicle closely following behind us and I got away with just a very sore butt.
yes sir, its dangerous and risky. lucky you got away with just a sore butt. its not for everyone.
when i was still a “newbie” in toploading, our leader would set up a rope for us to hold on for safety purposes.
I love top loading, but only for short distances! I can imagine the havoc it would do to my hair haha
haha! oo nga, talo yung girls na mahahaba ang hair.
still, its worth the havoc dba?
Di ko pa to nagagawa- sumakay sa bubong ng jeepeney at saka bus. Sarap!
Top loading is awesome! Lalo na from Tacloban to Maasin. Hehehe
wow! malayo-layo un ahhh.