Tagaytay: Friday 3 August 2013

Motorcycle had magically been cleaned overnight and was looking ready for another adventure. Departed at 6:55am in lovely sunshine. Rode through Trece Martirez and Indang but I had forgotten about rush hour in the provinces. There was much traffic with many people, jeeps and tricycles blocking the small provincial roads. However the traffic soon cleared and it was pleasant until the rains started. I stopped at a petrol station for gasoline and to shelter. The motorcycle had consumed 6.48 liters of gasoline over approximately 93 kilometers (mileage was 26,759 at gasoline station). At this time it seemed appropriate to wear my Rev-It rain jacket and trousers as it was sure to rain again at sometime during the day.

Sheltering in Gasoline Station

8:55am and feeling hungry so stopped at Santis deli-cafe in Silang. Scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, orange juice, toast and coffee.

Tasty Breakfast

Breakfast was very tasty with the sausage made by Santis at their main office in Yakal Street (as advised by the charming waitress). Explored the deli after eating and bought a bottle of wine along with bread and rack of lamb for barbecue later in the day.

The return to the farm was pleasant with no mishaps. Arrived at 10:45am with mileage of 26,845 kilometers, and started planting.

Pepper and Papaya seed planting

After all the handwork of taking pictures of people working, I retired for my lamb dinner:

Beetroot and spring onion from Farm Garden

Makati: Thursday, 2 August 2012

The R1150R had been left on the Optimate charger and, prior to my arrival, the driver had disconnected the charger, cleaned the motorcycle, and run it for 10-15 minutes. It looked good and ready to go.

Stored with Optimate charger

I packed my Kriega bag with papers for the Bank, my various cards and IDs, and my Rev-It rain jacket. It had rained heavily overnight and whilst not raining this morning, I decided to wear the Rev-It rain trousers as I felt sure there would be some flooding en route.

Departed at 09:55am with mileage 26,656 kilometers. Travelled through Tanza, filled up with 95 octane at Petron CEPX at a cost of Peso 495. Reached HSBC Makati at 10:57am. Parked in a motorcycle park and paid 20 peso for 1 hr parking - left HSBC at 11:30am to look for SMX near Mall of Asia.

Not able to find SMX so decided to return home for lunch. The rain had held-off all the morning and the weather was quite pleasant. However, while riding along the coastal road extension I could see storm clouds over Cavite City heading across the sea directly towards me. There was absolutely no shelter. The wind increased significantly and temperature dropped considerably. I felt a soaking was imminent.

Rain storm moving quickly towards me

I could see a wall of torrential rain about 100m from the toll booth. There was no option other than to ride into it. I reached the booth, paid the toll, and waited under the cover of the booth until the rain stopped.

The rain soon stopped and the return to the farm was uneventful and pleasant. Returned at 1:20pm with mileage of 26,739 kilometers. Hope the rain will stay away tomorrow and I can ride some more.