Clark was somewhat evasive. The first was when our trip to Kota Kinabalu with my Ugnafriends flopped. Wasted Air Asia tickets and dashed hopes of making memories together again after Sweden. I didn't make it slip the second time around although Zest Air aborted its operations to Clark. This is the downside of booking early flights and trusting blogs so much. Nonetheless, it was another blessing in disguise because the International Hot Air Balloon festival was moved two weeks later. The consolation was that I got my refund for my airfare, but my hotel will be left unoccupied.
I was on target. Revisit Nayong Pilipino at its new turf and Tune Hotel for a long sleep. Though I knew of a cheaper alternative of getting to Nayong Pilipino for less than Php 200, I gave in to Philtranco’s direct trip to Clark main gate for Php 450. The bus was warm and rather slow, reaching my drop off point after two hours from Pasay.
Whew, a long walk ensued from where Philtranco dropped me off and trotted under the heat of the sun until I found the entrance to Nayong Pilipino. No public transport heads towards the park where replicas of all the regions are found in this 3.5 hectares of government property specifically the National Historical Institute (NHI). The first Nayong Pilipino I visited 20 years back was near the NAIA terminal. I was destitute of information as to when and how this prized spectacle was moved to Clark.
I was allowed free passage maybe because there was no one to collect the entrance fee. The orchidarium was the largest structure with a great architectural design. Replica of Barasoain church was the next larger building where Sunday mass is held regularly.
The most interesting and truly relaxing part of my walking tour around Nayong Pilipino was the lively performances of the Nayong Pilipino cultural dancers. My eyes feasted on the simple to ornate, indigenous to national costumes worn by the dancers and their cool renditions of dances. What was really entertaining was not only their gracefulness but also their delightful visages. It showcased the Philippines as a multi-cultural society and home to many world class dances.
I retreated from the park shortly after I finished my lunch. I was lucky to be given a hitchhike from a kind family going out of Nayong Pilipino and heading back to the Duty Free area, my entry and exit point. Then I spent Php 13 for a long ride to the jeepney terminal beside SM Clark. Another jeepney ride to the hotel area which is inside an enclosure along Don Juico avenue.
Tune Hotel stands proud with its red and white combination. Air Asia’s booking office is part of the hotel. The hotel is high tech with its card key, elevator, free-wifi and all room amenities. It exceeded my expectation of comfort and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon lazing and with the option of TV entertainment. After two hours, I went to SM Clark for food shopping, returned to my hotel room and checked out at 11 the following morning. That was my short glimpse of Clark. I hope that I could return in a couple of weeks for the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the real one. :)
TRIVIA
The walking tour to Nayong Pilipino pinned me down with a slight fever while at Tune hotel. Fever the following day and coughs for the next 22 days. It was my first tour that sentenced me with an ailment.
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