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 “Take the challenge.” As the Jackie Chan’s Around the
World in 80 Day” movie dares, so does Isuzu’s
Cloverleaf Endurance
Drive: four different destinations, four types of vehicles, and four
destinations.
The sea-lovers toured
Mindoro in D-Max 4x2s
with activities such as diving, snorkeling, and spa. The fit,
adventurous, and rough-and-tumble types indulged in the beautiful and
mystical Sagada in a pair of D-Max 4x4s. The Trooper was a perfect fit
for a trip back in history in Tuguegarao. For those who appreciate the
finer things of life were sent on a food trip in Bicol in Crosswinds.
After traveling 1,300 km, passing countless towns, non-stop
eating, and a few pounds heavier, I lived to tell the tale.
Day 1 - 5:30 am
On July 16 of the year 2004, just as the sun was rising,
there was an unusual flurry of activity at the Isuzu Manila dealership
branch. Cars were arriving one-by-one, people milling around and moving
about. Some
carrying traveling bags, others decorating the Isuzu cars with flags and
posters, and the rest were carrying packages. Voices, laughter and cell
phone ring tones can be heard above the roar of the vehicle engines.
 Suddenly,
someone shouted, “Picture!” Immediately,
everyone congregated into one huge group facing the camera. “Smile,” called the photographer. Everyone grinned.
“Wave,” shouted the camera-wielding Gilbert Delos Reyes from
AutoReview and everyone sort-of waved. In the middle of the group
was an Isuzu VIP, the Executive Vice-President, Kazuhiko Sho, to see
everyone off and wishing that everyone return safely with the cars
intact.
With that, everyone zoomed
off to their adventure. Mine was to the Bicol Archipelago for 3 days of
food tripping. And what a way to start with a bag of yummy goodies in
the car. Oreos, hopia, Tim-Tams, candies, Pringles and more
goodies—guaranteed to break anyone’s diet.
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Day 1 – 12:00
pm
Despite a full stomach from the McDonald’s Big Breakfast
and from the snack bag, we stopped for lunch at KBP Restaurant
in Caluag, Quezon. It’s a down-to-earth place whose food was quite
tasty. One dish particularly stood out – the ginataang santol. The
meat
from the santol fruit is cooked with coconut milk. As
Anjo Perez from The Manila Bulletin and a frequent
patron of the restaurant said, “The dish tastes differently every
time. It can be sweetish or sour, depending on the santol
meat.”
After taking photos of the Isuzu Crosswind at the
restaurant, off we continued with our drive (and munching goodies
from the snack bag). As Anjo enjoyed a soothing massage from the
Crosswind’s back massager, he soon dozed off peacefully.
Lucky him!
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Day 1 – 6:00 pm
 Finally…
we arrived at the Pepperland Hotel along the
Airport Road in
Legazpi City an hour ahead of schedule, despite the heavy drizzle
and gray sky.
The hotel was lovely and maintained impeccably. I happily
plopped on the comfortable bed in my cozy room. Imagine my delight
to find cable channels on TV. I was able to happily watch the
shows I thought I would have missed on this trip. The hotel’s
ambience and service are comparable to the hotels we have back in
Manila.
At dinner, Ping Arcilla of Bicol’s Department of Tourism
office joined us for dinner. The hotel prepared a dinner feast
perfect for the weary travelers. Naturally, the all-famous Bicol
Express was present along with the region’s fabled soft-shelled
crab and assorted seafood cooked with coconut milk or with tomato
sauce.
A delightful surprise followed after dessert when the hotel
brought a birthday cake for
Tessa Salazar
of the Philippine Daily Inquirer whose birthday was just a
few days ago. When the festivities were over, we all looked
forward to our homey rooms for a good night’s sleep. |
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