THERE’S a reason why motorcycle riders refer to cars as “cages.” If you want to experience freedom, ride a motorbike. Whether it’s a genteel scooter or a brash cruiser, nothing beats experiencing the open road on two wheels.

For most bike riders, travel is often about the journey and not the destination. In fact, riders embark on long trips just to drive on the open road with the wind in their face and the passing scenery a colorful blur from their peripheral vision. But it never hurts to finally get to somewhere scenic at the end of a long trip.

Here are five spots that are ideal for a weekend of easy riding from Metro Manila.

1. Daranak and Batlag Falls. Tanay, Rizal. Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours. Good for swimming, picnics, sightseeing

Partly bordered by the Sierra Madre Mountains, Rizal and Laguna are home to many scenic spots and hiking trails frequented by locals and tourists alike. The trip through the famous Marilaque (Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon) mountain road is already a treat in itself.

First stop is Tanay, Rizal where both the Daranak and Batlag Falls are located.

The 14-meter-high Daranak Falls (which means “to flow”) has a wide catchbasin and a very cool and relaxing pool for swimming. It has often been used as a location for commercial shoots and pictorials and is very popular with locals who want to go picnicking during the summer months and weekends, so it can get pretty crowded depending on the time of your visit. For an extra charge, you can rent picnic cottages or even camp overnight.

A steep 5- to10-minute hike on a cemented footpath will take you to the smaller but more serene Batlag Falls just further upstream. If you’re lucky enough to get the falls all to yourself, the setting can seem almost mystical, with the falls sitting peacefully in the middle of a dense forest surrounded by wooden tree houses. Overlooking the falls are a couple of yellow tables and chairs that seem like they were transplanted from some mall food court.

Batlag has two waterfalls, each with its own catchbasin. The smaller falls on the left has a dramatic veil-like cascade and secluded pool, while the larger waterfall on the right has an irregular rock formation that results in a more uneven cascade. Even if you don’t plan to take a dip, I’d recommend you bring extra clothes just in case you change your mind once you see the place.

These lovely falls could easily be the setting of a fantasy movie. But oh, if only tourists and visitors were more responsible! As it is, plastic bags, junk food wrappers and soft drink bottles litter the site. Hopefully, the local government can do something about this as the otherwise great spot is quickly becoming prey to vandalism and neglect.

2. Kawayan Farm. Km 63 Manila East Road, Barangay (village) Halayhayin, Pililla, Rizal. Travel time: 2 hours. Good for: sightseeing, dining

The Kawayan Farm primarily sells various species of bamboo seedlings but it also happens to have a rustic restaurant specializing in Pinoy food. Because of its location at the top of the mountain ranges overlooking Laguna Bay, it has become a popular spot for bikers, motorcyclists and road-trippers.

After a long ride, Kawayan Farm’s lush greenery and laid-back vibes offer the perfect spot to relax over a leisurely lunch. As expected, everything in the resort is made of bamboo, with shaded walkways leading from one area to another.

You can choose to eat in the main restaurant near the entrance or in one of the many secluded dining spots with bamboo walls and floors and gauzy curtains. Hearty meals like sisig, crispy fried hito and sinigang really hit the spot. House specialties include labong (a spicy Bicol express dish using bamboo shoots) and lumpia (an egg roll filled with lettuce and bamboo shoots).

Stroll around and you might come across a monkey tied to one of the bamboo railings, and several bamboo/nipa huts where you can opt to get a massage. Kawayan Farm also has very clean and well-maintained restrooms, which is quite a rare find on road trips.

3. Paete, Laguna. Travel time: 2 hours. Good for: sightseeing, handicrafts, snacks

Paete has become synonymous with wood carvings and sculptures. In fact the name of the town is derived from “paet,” the Tagalog term for chisel, the principal tool used in woodcarving.

The hand-carved statues of saints, popular during Holy Week processions, trace their origins to this historic town. Aside from the world famous carvings, Paete is also home to bakya (wooden shoes), lanzones, and papier mache figures of horses and saints.

The lakeside town lies on the northeastern part of Laguna, along the shores of picturesque Laguna de Bay. Aside from shops selling hand-carved items, also worth a visit are the Paete Church and Kape Kesada, a coffee shop that serves as an art gallery.

You may also want to pass by the picturesque church of Pakil on the way to Paete.

4. Caliraya Lake. Cavinti, Laguna. Travel time: 2.5 hours. Good for: boating, fishing, overnight camping

Caliraya Lake is a man-made lake situated in the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti, and Kalayaan in Laguna Province. It’s said to be one of the most accessible travel destinations for Metro Manila residents, and can be reached in 2 to 2.5 hours.

Caliraya Lake is very scenic and is dotted with partly submerged hills which form the lake’s islets. It’s also home to several private lakeshore resorts for those who want to stay overnight. One of the resorts is CaliRana, a private retreat owned by the Rana Family located on one of the islands hidden in the middle of the lake.

After a 30-minute boat ride, a swift turn into a secluded lagoon beneath reveals the hidden entrance to the resort with a statue of a mermaid guarding the port.

The 1.5 hectare resort has several guest houses ideal for clans or big groups. While it offers peace and quiet amidst nature, the resort also has swimming pools, a picnic grove, a fishing lagoon, outdoor game courts, view decks and winding pathways throughout the island. The grounds are dotted with landscaped plants and stone statues of everything from folklore figures to wild animals.

Since food is not served in the resort, guests must bring their own packed lunch or be prepared to cook their own meals. During a trip with the Alamat Crewsers Motorcycle Club, we stopped by a local market in Famy and later in the evening, enjoyed a feast of inihaw na liempo, fish and ensaladang mangga, thanks to the great cooking skills of the riders.

5. Pagsanjan Falls. Cavinti, Laguna. Travel time: 2.5 to 3 hours. Good for: sightseeing, boating

While it’s really located in the town of Cavinti in Laguna, visitors have to pass through the municipality of Pagsanjan to reach the namesake falls, which is one of the most famous in the country. The falls are accessible via a 17-km banca ride, shooting the rapids, and passing through gorges over a hundred feet high.

Going upstream takes about an hour, with the boatmen navigating with wooden paddles or with their feet the rocks protruding from the shallows. The return trip takes only 45 minutes. While the package rates are supposed to be standard and include everything, expect your boatmen to charge additional “tips” for their efforts especially during non-peak season.

Most of these destinations are reachable through the Manila East Road. But motorcyclists who want a more scenic ride are advised to take the longer but definitely more beautiful Marilaque route.

Riders are also advised to always keep safety in mind. Wear the proper riding gear and slow down every now and then, the better to witness and appreciate the splendor of the great outdoors. •

For more travel tips, visit the author’s personal blog Travel Up at www.travelingup. wordpress.com.