SCTEX

I found this photo sitting dormant deep in the recesses of my archives. This was taken last June 10, on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, at approximately 100 kph.

As part of my work back then, I would travel to and from Subic quite a lot. Now what I've experienced in Subic, Olongapo, and the surrounding towns would fill up a whole new book of tales in itself, but one of the real pleasures I've had in travelling to Subic would be the SCTEX.

One of the newest highways in the Philippines, the SCTEX also happens to be (in my opinion) the most scenic. It has three main exits - Subic, Clark, and Tarlac (hence the name) - and the view sharply changes from one point to the other. Going to Subic from Clark, you're left agape as mountain after mountain looms over you, made even more majestic by the sun's highlights. Head the other direction to Tarlac, and you'll find yourself amidst field after field, with nary a man-made structure in sight.

And once in a while, you'll get that eyeful that will make you want to...well, stick your head out of the driver's window at 100kph with a camera in one hand, and wild abandon in the other.