Pushing forward

So, my big plan for yesterday was to expand my hiking horizons by adding some additional length to my strolls. My bright idea was to do the backroads hike to Waltermart on the far side of Subic town and then walk the highway back to Barretto. I typically tire out around 8k, and I estimated my plan would require a 14k jaunt. Could I do it? Only one way to find out. Let’s go!

And so it begins
1000 steps out the back door of Alta Vista
2000 steps plowing along
3000 steps a leaning trunk
4000 steps village life.
5000 steps branch amputation
6000 steps on the Naugsol road
7000 steps STILL on the long road out of Naugsol.
8000 steps living on the Govic highway
9000 steps on the riverside
10000 steps to Waltermart. When I’ve walked this path in the past, I’ve always caught a Jeepney here for the ride back to Barretto. I was tired, but I pushed on.
11000 steps still in Subic town
12000 steps to Calapadayan
13000 steps to a bar I’ve never visited and likely never will. Back in the Navy days, this area was the place to go for raunchy entertainment. As far as I know, only two bars are left, and they cater to a Filipino audience.
14000 steps to a resort that caters to Korean tourists, or so it would appear.
15000 steps to the Calapacuan market street
16000 steps, and I’m really tired of hiking on this highway!
17000 steps on the road in Matain, and I’m about out of gas.
18000 steps to the Santo Tomas market
And at the 12.88-kilometer mark, I’d had enough.

My original plan was to finish at Sit-n-Bull, another kilometer up the road. But that trike stand in front of McDonald’s proved to be irresistible, so I grabbed a ride back home instead.

I didn’t achieve my goal, but it was still the longest walk I’ve taken in a very long time.
The stats for the day, which includes my dog walk and walk to the bars.

Speaking of the bars, I went to Sloppy Joe’s while Swan did a foot spa. She joined me there when she finished. Feeling hungry, we paid a visit to Myleen’s. And we broke our streak of same-same orders.

Fish and chips for Swan
And a beef enchilada for me.
It appears my date was phoning it in.

We did our nightcap at Wet Spot, where I bought lady drinks for Aine and Irene, and Daddy Dave treated me to a couple of free beers. I was at my maximum capacity of alcohol intake when we grabbed a trike for the journey home. I deem it to have been a good day!

My pal Brian flew his drone over Kalaklan Ridge and posted some really nice photos.

The ridge
Easter Mountain
Olongapo City
Barrio Barretto

Haven’t posted a photo of the boys for a while, so here you go:

Buddy boy
Lucky boy

And now it is time to shower up, put on my new duds, and head out to the wedding reception that starts at noon. It will be something different, at least. Me in long pants and no ball cap—who’d a thunk it?

Today’s Quora Q&A:

Q: Do I have to know Korean to live in South Korea as a foreigner?

A: Not really, especially in larger cities like Seoul. Most of the signage is in both English and Hangul, and the subway stops are announced in both languages.

Having said that, I suggest you learn some common words and phrases, if for no other reason than being polite. Most Koreans appreciate the effort, even if you can’t master the pronunciation.

Yeah, like I’m one to talk. I still know more Korean than Tagalog, though.

And now for the funny business:

I’ll be meeting Swan’s extended family for the first time at the wedding reception this afternoon. It’s my only chance to make a good first impression, but hey, what’s not to like?
I hope she came first.

That’s it for today.

5 thoughts on “Pushing forward

  1. Congrats on the 18K walk! That’s the equivalent of walking from my place down to the Bundang neighborhood outside of Seoul (Seongnam City). It’s basically the route you and I did when you were back in Korea some time ago. Good job.

    I don’t trust your Fitbit’s calorie count, though, unless that’s supposed to be a count for the whole day as opposed to a mere count of the 18K walk.

  2. Those Fitbit stats are the total for the entire day. My actual walk was only 13K (19000 steps). I can only dream of walking a full 18K in one go.

  3. Yeah, calorie counts on trackers always seem way overestimated. The rule I have heard is about 75 cal (max) per km. (Assuming of course a normal pace and not doing too many 15% inclines. LOL)

    So, 18 km would be more on the order of 1350 calories burned.

  4. Ah. I guess I saw the discrepancy (13K vs. 18K) and defaulted to the longer distance so as not to “short” you unfairly. Upon rereading your post, I see that you did, in fact, explain the FitBit figures. Sorry.

  5. Luckily, I’m not a calorie counter. I’m all about the distance! My problem is about self-discipline. I was sorely tempted to bring home a burger and fries from that McDonald’s (I resisted the urge). That would have canceled out all the calories I managed to burn during my trek.

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