PAOAY, Ilocos Norte — The ride from Manila to this UNESCO World Heritage Site took almost 12 hours.

“Geez, that’s too long,” a local told me while standing in front of the ancient San Agustin Paoay Church.

I knew from the start — while waiting for our trip to start in Manila — that it’s going to take forever to reach Ilocos Norte.

Almost three years ago, I drove the family’s SUV to the sleepy town of Solsona, which is a town or two away from Laoag.

That was the longest I have driven my entire life. The farthest was Manila to Baguio.

But driving from Manila to Ilocos Norte without a reliever is no joke.

Compounding it is the fact that I have a bad back.

Anyway, that’s another story.

So, finally after half a day, we have reached Paoay and found ourselves dining on the province’s mouthwatering culinary treats.

After consuming them, I felt recharged and ready for the eight-leg Tour of Luzon that hit the road early Thursday with the Paoay Church as backdrop.

From here, the tour goes to Vigan and then onwards to La Union, Pangasinan, Pampanga and back to Pangasinan for the final and most exciting push to Baguio City.

By the time I return to Manila on Friday next week, I would have logged over 1,000 kilometers.

Good thing, I won’t be racking them up while driving but as a passenger in one of the vans the media are allowed to use in the 10-day event. Still, this is going to be a tough grind given the tight schedule every single day and all the traveling that’s gonna happen in the next few days.

But this early, I feel that it’s going to be worth it.

If you can only see the smile on my face.