Gone Up North to Cagayan Valley

Saturday night -- I packed my bags, headed to the bus station and booked a bus ride going to Cagayan Valley. Inasmuch as it is not part of any weekend plans to go out of town, I had to due to some document issues that I need to fix and process.

Sleepless (not because it was uncomfortable inside the bus, but because I really have a hard time falling asleep often), the 9-hour trip did tire me, but I sure enjoyed looking through the glass window and see how the city landscape turned into farmlands and greenery the moment we reached the provinces.  

There's something magnificent about sunrise in the province

I reached Tuguegarao, Cagayan's capital city, before seven in the morning on Sunday. I stayed at an affordable hotel in the Centro -- Tuguegarao's city proper where most of the trades and businesses can be found. I can't remember how Tuguegarao look years before; I can't even remember when was the last time I came to visit here with the family.

I did not waste time and instead decided to clean up and explore the city. The Centro boasts a bustling trades and business center, where common Manila staples like Jollibee, 7-Eleven, Mang Inasal and McDonald's can be found. Retail shops, salons and spas are everywhere; banks and ATMs can be found every after each street. Tricycles or "tricy" are abundant here, thus navigating through the city proper will not be burdensome. Tuguegarao is transforming into a modern commercial city; Robinsons Tuguegarao for one is at the Centro and other mid-sized malls built around (Primark Town, Brickstone). Living here, I bet, is just like living in a typical city in Metro Manila where almost everything is accessible (only hotter 😁😁😁). 

I must admit that I was not able to explore Cagayan well enough within the three days that I was there. But it was not a waste of time as I have at the very least visited one of the many cave systems in the province and have tried its most popular food, the Pancit Batil Patong. 

I guess trips like this must always be planned well, although I still enjoyed my once-again impulsive decision to travel somewhere.