Cuenca

You will now be in the outskirts of Lipa but the traffic will still be heavy as the area is very populated and primarily commercial. You will pass the Basa Air Force base on your right. Keep an eye out again for a right turn going to Cuenca. Again, the sign post is immediately before the turn and easy to miss. On this trip, there was a sign on the road about a bridge that was closed. I disregarded this sign and almost paid for it dearly. On the stretch between the Star Toll Exit and the Cuenca turnoff there are numerous stalls selling what appears to be aluminum cookware of all sorts. Makes you wonder where all the aluminum came from.

Cuenca Turnoff

Cuenca Road

Cuenca is a pleasant place to drive through. The terrain is hilly with denser forest cover. The view is dominated by Mount Maculot. About halfway through Cuenca, we found out what the sign at the turnoff was trying to tell us. The bridge on the main road was out. Fortunately, a local offered to ride with us and show us an alternate route through interior roads. He mentioned that there was a bit of rough road but assured us that our 4X4 could take it. Mom sat straighter in her seat and appeared to be making a silent novena. From experience, these locals have a tendency of understating road conditions and distances so I took this with a chuckle and a grain of salt. There is a related story when we get past Lemery later.

Mt. Maculot In Clouds

Leaving Cuenca

Batangas, Philippines