Day 2: Of Pigs in the Sea and the Night of the Living Dead
Captains Log Stardate 11-4-05

This was a day that would begin with loud laughter and would end in silence and deep concentration. Take off time was moved to 10:00 am to allow the riders ample time to recover from the rigors of the previous day and the celebrations of the previous night. The previous evening, we were each asked to fill out an order form designating the type of breakfast we would want prepared for the next day. Most chose either the house specialty of tapa or the local delicacy of longganisa, with the exception of Nani and Simon who ordered tinapa, the former because he just felt like it and the latter because of his famous aversion for anything that looks like it came off the flesh of some land animal.

Breakfast at Laoag

As the repast was laid out in front of us, a very hungry Teddy declared that he had ordered tinapa and proceeded to devour the second plate of tinapa that was on the table. This created some consternation on SimonÕs part since he too was hungry and ready to consume the same prepared viand. Re-checking the list of last nightÕs previous orders, it was discovered that Teddy indeed had consumed food not meant for his digestive system. Sheepishly acknowledging his mistake, he asked Simon to order a second such dish. Much to SimonÕs disappointment and the amusement of the rest of us gathered there, the chef announced that he was sorry that no more tinapa was available. So poor, thin Simon had to make do with a breakfast of rice and pancit, the breakfast of champions (or disappointed tinapa lovers).

While consuming this meal, it was inadvertent that someone would ask Simon about his aversion to pork to which he replied that it was due to the fact that he was bitten by a pig and had a nasty vomiting spell after eating pork while still quite young, resulting in an aversion that lasts to this day. Asked what type of food he preferred, he replied carbohydrates and lots of "lamang dagat." To this, TB replied with the quote of the day and probably the comeback of the entire ride, "Kung itapon ko and baboy sa dagat, kakainin mo ba?" Needless to say, the statement was met with so much raucous laughter and resulted in many suffering from severe breathlessness and cramped stomach muscles. "Lamang dagat" would haunt Simon for the rest of the ride.

Before taking off at 10:00 am, the guys would ask for an easy ride pace to Pagudpud. If you believe that fact then you would also believe that Simon was capable of eating pork thrown in the ocean. ReggieÕs bike was resurrected through the persistence of Romy and the timely assistance of Phil Naval, who happened to have the right tool for the right time. JongÕs bike, however, remained on the truck and he continued the journey as a rider behind Teddy. We gassed up at a station just outside Laoag where we again would be met by members of the Road Warriors, this time bringing along Darwin, a fellow member and a proud owner of an X9 500. Everyone from that group was eager to meet just one person, Nani Juarez, local scootering guru and the self-proclaimed Doctor Scoot of Scooterista Magazine. Because we were in a hurry to leave, pleasantries were limited to a few exchanges but they found out that we would be back for breakfast the next day as guests of his honor the mayor. They then volunteered to meet up with us on our return trip and even generously volunteered to escort us back into the city. Gassed up and ready, we headed with much gusto for our final destination in Pagudpud.

On the way, riding at a pace that no one would dare describe as easy, we were treated to magnificent vistas of the coast with its raging deep blue seas and rocky coastlines. We would stop briefly at a local tourist spot, the lighthouse at Cape Boreador, built more than a century ago. Here, we were treated to magnificent ocean views and lots of picture taking opportunities. Many of the guys even climbed up to the top of the lighthouse itself, a considerable climb indeed, just for the added treat of the excellent view it provided. Wrapping up that session, we traveled down for a short distance to a flat space just in front of the ocean, where a group picture taking session was done for both riders and their bikes.

El Presidente at the Cape Boreador Lighthouse

Resuming our sojourn north, we came upon a sign announcing the windmills constructed as an alternative source of energy to fossil fuels. Curious creatures that we were, and spurned on by the prodding of Clifford Certeza, we made a slight detour to try to investigate this phenomenon. Unfortunately, the roads turned to gravel tracks through forested areas that proved difficult to navigate so we gave up on that idea and moved on. Fortunately, these same windmills were quite visible on the coastline a little further down the road, and were a most impressive site indeed.

We proceeded to make our only gas stop at a small Petron station in the quiet little town of Bangui, Ilocos Norte. From here, we continued north, with the long stretches of road slowly giving way to short, tight twisties, the kind that every scooter rider dreams of. All pretensions of an easy ride pace quickly disappeared from this point on. It was mano-a-mano once again as scoots and riders fought each other through the tight, sharp corners of that coastal road leading to the Patapat elevated highway. It was as if the entire area was designed with motorcyclists in mind and we all had great fun challenging each other, like big kids let loose in one grand playground. But we were aptly reminded of the dangers of the game when John Certeza, while negotiating a deep right handed turn, went wide and almost established a personal relationship with a passenger bus. Thankfully, nothing happened and no other untoward event would occur.

The real treat would come as we exited the roads through the mountains and entered the Patapat elevated highway. After negotiating a deep right hander, the vista suddenly opened up to reveal a deep blue, ragging sea full of whitecaps, crashing on a jagged, rocky coastline, under a gray, cloudy sky with beams of bright sunlight just making it through the cloud cover. For someone who set eyes on such magnificence for the first time, the experience was both emotional and awe inspiring. I remember that, just seconds before, TB and I were gamely racing each other through the curves when suddenly, that whole vista just flashed before our eyes, causing us to suddenly slow down and frantically wave and point at the scenery. Glancing at my rear view mirror, I could see the rest of the guys doing the same. Looking forward, I could see that we were indeed on an elevated piece of highway, supported by large concrete pillars over the unforgiving coastline. The entire experience truly affected me, causing a tightness in my chest, a catch in my breath, and fogginess to my vision. It was as if I suddenly became privy to one of the CreatorÕs great handiworks. If a man could have a small piece of heaven on earth, I believe that I found mine in those short, exciting moments and gave thanks to God for being alive. A little further on and we finally reached our temporary lodgings for the night, the simple beachside resort of Panizian. On its mud-strewn driveway, Reggie experienced the only mishap of the day, slipping and falling on the mud as he attempted to park his Hexagon. Thus, Nardong Putik Jr. was born, earning me the "senior" appendage to my own sobriquet.

Pannzian Beach Resort

The conclusion of that ride was met with much congratulations and celebrations by the assembled riders. High fives and handshakes were shared all around. Compliments on riding skill were exchanged. Our President, in fact, commented that Euroscoot had become a mutual admiration society. The customary group picture was taken on arrival. This was followed by the opening of the pharmacy, the unwrapping of aluminum foil, and the consumption of chocolate cakes. The night of the living dead had just begun.

The first few minutes of the "Night of the Living Dead"

The events of that afternoon and evening, as a consequence, would become blurry and hard to remember. I do remember sumptuous but simple meals highlighted by brown mountain-grown rice. I also remember a short period of hyperactivity, marked by prodigious drinking and riotous laughter. And then, all was silent. Groups of people either retreated to sleep off the effects or sat on the beach to stare constantly at the raging sea, the fog-covered mountains, and the sporadic rainbows that appeared. Teddy earned the sobriquet of Hector in this place (Hector, as in, "Pare, hector na hector na ako!"). Jong, joining the fun for the first time, eventually succumbed to the "thinker" syndrome. It was the only time I did not see him cavorting around with his camera. For the rest of us, the atmosphere of silence persisted until dinner time. After that, it was an early lights out for most of us for some much needed rest and recovery. So, what started as a day of excitement, adventure, and hard riding ended in a stoney silence fit mostly for the undead.

Day 2 Summary:
Take off point: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Destination: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Total Traveling time: 2 hours
Total distance traveled: 80 kms.