1100 Rebels

We went out again to the Enchanted Kingdom, which is closed since 2020 and continued our trip through the "canyons" going up to Tagaytay City. The twisties were especially sharp-curved and at times treacherous.

My ABS cable got damaged by a carwash. After 3 months, finally the new cable arrived. And it was time to do the 5000 km inspection. Two birds with one stone scenario. From Lipa City to Sto. Tomas there is this fairly new expressway, which I usually take going to the Honda dealer. A nice opportunity to let the Rebel fly...

We visited a strawberry farm in Alfonso, near Tagaytay. The strawberries there were excellent. The place was clean and cool with a lot of trees around. A very attractive place, except.... its parking place, which was a kind of gravel pit.

A fun drive to Tagaytay and to the vicinity of the Taal lake on a sunny late afternoon. We were out to catch the Golden Hour and see the sunset.

Back to Montemaria, but going past the monument and taking a loop along the coastal roads of southeast Batangas. Narrow roads, stony beaches, and industrial facilities were the only attractions in this area. But nature and the views were beautiful nevertheless.

Another trip to a pilgrimage site, Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon, near Mount Banahaw. It took us 4 hours and almost 150 km to go there and the another 4 hours and same distance to go back home. It was an interesting, yet challenging ride with my brother-in-law...

Taking a tour back to the Taal Lake, late in the day and riding home into the setting sun

The Mother of All Asia–Tower of Peace is a monument shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary as a symbol of unity and peace in Asia and the whole world. It is located at the center of the eight-hectare pilgrimage site called Montemaria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center in Sitio Montemaria, Barangay Pagkilatan, Batangas City, Philippines. It is the world's tallest statue of the Virgin Mary at 98.15 m (322.0 ft) which includes the plinth/building it stands on.

Going to Agoncillo, a little town very close to the Taal Lake and Volcano. Beautiful scenery and similar roads, newly paved, as it seemed, made our ride a fun thing. From Agoncillo, we continued to ride up the mountains to Tagaytay, a reverse route from last Sunday, when we went to the Shrine of Padre Pio

Sunday morning and we were on our way to Sto. Tomas to the shrine of Padre Pio. Along winding roads and the Taal lake with its volcano.

I learned that there is a solar farm near the boundary of Calatagan and Balayan. Not too far from my place. I gave it a try and went out to take a look at the solar heaven in the remote area. Not much to see, except an ocean of solar panels and some guards, who looked at me in suspicion, trying to figure out, what I came for

A long and winding road trip on my Rebel 1100 DCT, just before my first inspection and oil change. A great ride along beautiful nature and scenery.

A post Christmas family outing and lunch to Matabungkay by car and bike. And I took a dive into the Matabungkay waters.

We went out into the mountains towards Taal lake near Tagaytay. On our way back, we used the national highway, which was in top condition. Fun to ride through the twisted roads up the mountain and a paved highway. There was a bit of rain, just some drizzle, which lukily stopped as we came down from the mountain.

Our target is Taal and the beautiful Taal church, which is considered the biggest Catholic Basilica in the Far East, the Basilica de San Martin of Tours. The municipality of Taal is known as the Balisong and Barong Tagalog Capital of the Philippines. The town is home to hundreds of heritage structures dating from the Spanish colonial period. Scholars have been pushing for its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

A motorbike trip from our place to barangay Cayponce and a "talking head" video, where I tested the new lavalier mic while driving. I do a bit of explanation and narration about Balayan until I reach my destination.

Driving my Rebel 1100 late in the evening along the highway.

Sunday early morning and we set out for a ride to Calatagan, a little, very clean town just 30 minutes away from Balayan. We visited the church and the beautiful park nearby.

Last time in Matabungkay white sand beach, a public beach, was in May 2019. But the beach was more like a dump site for garbage and all sort of plastics. The waters were green from algae overgrowth.... a pretty disgusting scenario. I was wondering if things had changed after more than 4 years....

I got a rebel at home, a new motorcycle from Honda, the "Rebel 1100 DCT". So I am back to motorbiking after a long 16 years of abstinence. And I joined my friend Junior, who rides a Harley, on an early sunny Sunday morning to travel to a neighbouring town, Lian, for a first (longer) ride and thorough impression of the new "beast". I love the "automatic" bike, which makes riding a fun event on 2 wheels. No clutch, no gear shift lever... simply amazing