Finding The Freedom Of The Open Road

Violy, Team Leader - Invoice Data Specialists

I knew from childhood that I was a traveller and an adventurer. I was meant to explore and delight in as much of the world as I could. However, I also knew that long haul, overseas travel was a step too far, given my humble roots. Motorbiking was an affordable alternative to the freedom I craved - a dream I’ve held on to for as long as I can remember.

It was only last year, as the pandemic hit the world and my husband and I left Davao City to work from home in our rural province, that this dream became a reality. We could finally afford our own bike - and we didn’t lose a moment in taking to the open road! There’s something powerful about biking that allows you to release your tight grip on life. To be fully present and relaxed, to enjoy everything that enters your senses, to see and feel things differently. Your mindset, attitude and actions are all driven by a place in your soul that is simple, young, happy and free.

When the opportunity to embark on the ‘Philippine Loop Adventure Tour’ came along we grabbed it with open arms! The prescribed route (of around 5,000kms) covers the whole of the Philippines and is broken up into three sections, covering the three main island groups of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. There are a bunch of requirements to successfully complete this epic tour, including tracking our daily progress and submitting photos and videos from designated checkpoints along the route. We’ve joined a crew of 18-20 other bikers, called ourselves ‘Team Laagan’ (which roughly translates to ‘Team Who Love to Travel’) and set out on the adventure of a lifetime! 

I can’t begin to describe how liberating and exciting it is to discover stunning waterfalls, mountains and beaches (many of which are only accessible by bike), as well as interesting people and fascinating places of all kinds. The fresh air and freedom invigorate and re-energize me. The support and camaraderie we experience with our fellow bikers is food for the soul. You truly feel at one with both yourself and the world around you. 

So far in 2021 we’ve completed three loops, totalling 1,777kms, across the Mindanao region and will finish the last loop of this section by Christmas. Next year we set out on discovering the Visayas region and in 2023 we’ll be conquering Luzon. Riding is my sanity break. My stress-reliever. My passion. Sharing this joy with my husband has brought us closer. Who needs to get on an aeroplane to discover the world?! There is so much beauty to be found in our own country - out on the open road. With all the people and places we’re seeing and the memories we’re collecting, I couldn’t be happier or prouder of making my childhood dream of travelling come true! You learn in the journey to let go and go with the flow of life. And, in this letting go, you find your true self.  

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