The Travel Archives

...spelled l-i-f-e. We boarded a jeepney to route us through the towns of Bato and Baras. This time, though, we took our jeepney rides a notch higher - literally.


We rode on its roof. And that, my friends, was when I experienced life.

For an hour and a half, I was one with the wind. For an hour and a half, I had the farms, the sea, the lush mountain ranges all to myself. For an hour and a half, I was baked under the warm rays of the sun. What an amazing feeling that was. It was total freedom.

That is how traveling is supposed to be - free, spontaneous, wild. Experience the place without any constraints!

This is how we travel. (That is NOT my foot. FYI.) HAHAHA. Photo by Nicco Lampa

We were inside the jeepney at first. It was cramped with people, boxes, bags, and extra chairs. It was nightmare for a claustrophobic. After a few minutes, Nicco decided to join the few men seated on top of the jeepney. I, on the other hand, stayed on my seat and relaxed with the friendly passengers inside the dark, cramped space. I only had swimwear and a *really short* cover up on me, so it hassled me move along the restricted space with my rock-heavy bag and with more than a dozen eyes that can see through what I was wearing. But I could not resist the urge to transfer on the roof too! I did not want to let go of this rare opportunity to traverse the roads of Catanduanes on top of a jeepney.

I thought, "I'm staying up there. With the wind. With the view. With the province of Catanduanes."

And so, I climbed aboard my new "seat." I made my quickest move out of the jeepney and into my new space.

And ahhh, freedom. I finally had it.

The sea, a hut, some trees, and abacas - the view from the top Photo by Nicco Lampa

The mountains, welcoming us with the abundance of life :)

<3 We traverse roads together.

Seeing them all, without borders

When in Catanduanes (or when you are going to Puraran), try this. From Virac, take a jeepney to Baras (P35). It will pass by the wide, serene Bato River; the historical Bato Church; simple neighborhoods; the blue sea; green mountains; zigzag roads; farms, and a lot more. Upon arriving in Baras, board a tricycle to finally take you to Puraran Beach (P150).

Live life!!! The road to Puraran spells l-i-f-e, only if you make it to.