We stayed overnight in Williams AZ and checked-in in an overpriced mediocre hotel just 60 miles south of the famous Grand Canyon. The hotel room was clean but was located adjacent to the smoking area. Even though our door was closed we could still smell the cigarette smoke. I noticed a petite elderly lady who looked like she already had COPD but kept lighting one cigarette after another. The hotel offered continental breakfast- toast, cereals, muffins and watered down coffee. I noticed there were tourists from Germany, Ireland and England. I assumed they were going to the Grand Canyon.
Williams holds a unique place on Route 66 as one of the last towns to be bypassed by Interstate 40. Nestled along the western edge of the high country, it has retained much of its historic character while continuing to function as a small but vibrant community. The town’s location made it a natural hub for travelers coming off the long desert stretches from the east, and it served as a gateway to northern Arizona’s forests, mountains, and scenic routes. Route 66 shaped both the town’s growth and its enduring identity.
By the time we loaded our stuff in the car, the parking lot was virtually empty. We attempted to look for Starbucks but it was a futile endeavor – the small town did not have one. The weather was pleasant when we left. We found a gas station to fill up before proceeding and we also bought a much better tasting coffee here.
We passed a graffiti-filled abandoned shack with an arrow stuck on the ground. My Route 66 guide indicated that we were in Twin Arrows (although it’s now a Lone Arrow). One of the arrow was a victim of vandalism. I was disappointed by their senseless actions since these arrows have historical value and supposedly a roadside attraction!
The base of one of the vandalized arrow
This portion of Route 66 is mostly incorporated with I-40 but you can still experience the drive in some parts of the freeway. The drive was very nice since I mentioned the weather cooperated and there weren’t that many semi trucks on the road. It was interesting to know that this part of Arizona was in a higher elevation – from 3,300 ft in Kingman to 7,300 ft at the Continental Divide.
We drove on to go visit the famous natural formation – the METEOR CRATER! This is a private property and they charge you $27 per person including a group tour. It’s interesting to note that NASA used this crater to train their astronauts in the 60’s including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin who were part of the first humans to set foot on the moon!
Over 50,000 years ago space and earth came together when a huge iron-nickel meteorite 150-feet wide and several hundred thousand tons impacted an area outside of Flagstaff AZ with a force 150 times greater than the atomic bomb! The result if thus enact was devastation for miles and the creation of the giant bow-shaped cavity called Meteor Crater measuring 550 feet deep and almost a mile wide.
The largest discovered fragment of the meteorite that created Meteor Crater
The tour was very organized with a very entertaining guide named Kyle. He was animated and tried to explain scientific facts very plainly and easy to understand. Our group consisted of all ages. We walked a short distance along the crater’s rim in order to admire and visualize the significance of the impact the meteor’s devastating impact!
We drove more than 500 miles this day! We arrived in our hotel, a much better one than that in Williams – Residence Inn by Marriott. A very spacious room with a sitting area and kitchenette. It also had a full-sized refrigerator. Not that all these amenities mattered since we left immediately after breakfast.
Route 66 was officially commissioned in 1926, linking Chicago to Los Angeles and establishing one of the first coast-to-coast paved highways in the United States. Arizona became a critical segment of this highway, connecting the high plains of the east to the western deserts and the California border. The route followed older trails, rail corridors, and stagecoach paths, adapting the landscape into a navigable highway for the automobile era.
Route 66 always fascinated me and more so when I read about its history and significant contributions to the overall economic and infrastructure development of this country! We initially planned to fly to Chicago where Route 66 starts but altered our plans due to high cost of fuel and airfares. So Trini and I decided to drive a segment of the historic highway so we can at least help celebrate its 100-year anniversary.
We started in Summerlin Las Vegas where we are residing and drove about 2 hours bypassing Laughlin, NV and going through Bullhead City, Arizona. Although summer was officially over four days ago, temperature was still in the low-90’s. We began the historic drive just outside of Bullhead City where we noticed group of bikers and other vehicles also traversing the famous road. We surmised that they were also celebrating Route 66 Centennial.
Just before we entered the quaint and rustic town of Oatman, AZ we passed by a “collectible store” with “abandoned” vintage vehicles.
We stopped by a scenic view point where we noticed several stray donkeys (we realized they were the main tourist attraction in the area). One of them came to my window waiting to be fed (they got used to the tourists feeding them). After a few more minutes of driving we reached Oatman. We were surprised to see the dirt parking lot filled with visitors. There were stores selling all kinds of semi-precious stones and necklaces and other take-me-home-and-forget-me mementos. I bought the obligatory magnet to join the others in my refrigerator.
After browsing the different unique merchandise we decided to continue on and see what awaits us ahead. This portion of Route 66 is called Sitgreaves Pass Scenic Drive. It was an elevated highway with a maximum speed of 15 mph due to the narrow serpentine winding road. My eyes were constantly on the road to avoid going over the steep ravine, hence, I did not enjoy the so-called “scenic drive”. The up and down curves took us almost an hour.
I noticed several people on top of a hill from a distance and was curious as to what they were doing there so I decided to find out. I parked the car on a bumpy dirt road where two other cars were already parked. I walked a short distance to the other side of the parking area and immediately saw numerous crosses of different sizes and styles with names engraved I surmised were the loved ones of whoever placed the crosses there. A slightly tattered U.S. flag was billowing from the breeze overlooking the valley below!
We heaved a sigh of relief when we sighted the end of the dizzying Sitgreaves Pass, not only was the road straight and it was also wider! Driving past a small town of Hackeberry we came upon a trading post. By this time, we really needed to use the rest room. On the grounds were several vintage American automobiles and one of them was similar to the car Martin Sheen drove in California Kid. There were old vending machines and gas pumps.
After purchasing a Route 66 ball cap to add to my already increasing collection, Trini and I decided to continue on to our hotel as it was already past 3:00 pm. The route did not look as interesting as the ones we left and there was no sign of the historical highway although we were still traversing it. We passed a sign that said that we were entering Hualapai Reservation although nothing on both sides of the road would indicate that. We noticed a cargo train on our right that seemed to be endless, we could not see the end nor the front. Finally, at one point, I guess I was driving faster than the train, we caught up with the front end!
We reached Williams, AZ where we booked a room for the night. I remember that more than twenty years ago we took the Grand Canyon train from this quaint town. We drove a total of almost 300 miles today.
Tomorrow our destination is Albuquerque, NM. This segment of Route 66 has been incorporated with the modern freeways but we plan on stopping at the Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest National Park.
We arrived in Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 1:30 pm after a delay of more than an hour in Manila. Cebu is another beautiful place that we’ve not seen in more than 20 years. The city continues to grow and evolve into a tourist Mecca due to the rich culture, historical places around the islands and the colorful and vibrant festivals all year round.
Dr. Ting Patriarca, my niece, had a driver pick us up at the airport and took us to meet her and my older brother Nap Pebenito and my sister-in-law, Mary at their condo in Mandaue City (a city close to Cebu). We checked in at the Bai Hotel (courtesy of my generous niece). A modern hotel with awesome amenities and spectacular harbor and bay views!
The view from the condoMarc and Ting’s condominium in Mandani Bay
A street vendor selling water and cold beverages
The rooms were not ready and we were famished as it was already way past lunch time, so Ting took us to a place where you can watch the cooks grill all sorts of sea food – tuna, marlin, squids, etc. The healthy fare was delicious, especially, the grilled squid which was cooked to perfection – not tough but a little chewy!
Grilled sea food!
After the late lunch, we checked into our hotel. Our room was on the 12th floor with a sweeping view of the city! They have breakfast buffet that came with the room and the entire second floor was occupied for dining. There were so many options to choose from: Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, American, etc. Separate stations wrapped around the kitchen! The place is always crowded and the servers so busy that sometimes they forget to bring the coffee or beverage you ordered. Of course, you can get it yourself but the first thing they ask once they seat you is, “would you like some coffee?”, you say yes and off they go never to be seen again!
They even have a magtataho (taho vendor). Taho is a street food made from soft tofu, brown sugar syrup and tapioca pearls.
Our hotel room at Bai on the 12th floor
We rested a little bit and Ting told us they would pick us up again at 5:00 pm for an early dinner. That night we dined at a restaurant famous for their lechon (roast pig)! We chose a dish without the fatty crispy skin (as if that would make it healthier). Atty. Marc Patriarca, Ting’s husband, was there although he had to leave early to catch a flight for Manila. Marc works at the Bureau of Customs in the Port of Cebu City and would go home on weekends for family visits.
From left to right: Nap, Mary, me Ting and Trini
The following morning after we filled our bellies with the assorted dishes at the breakfast buffet, Ting picked us up and took us to a place I never thought existed in the Philippines!
TEMPLE OF LEAH – also called Little Taj Mahal as it was built by a very rich tycoon named Teodorico Adarna in memory of his late wifeLeah. But unlike the domed Taj, this mausoleum is built in Greco-Roma style architecture.
The road to the Temple of Leah was winding since it was located about 350 feet above sea level. Like other provincial towns and cities you can see political candidates’ faces plastered all over the side of the roads. You know Election Day is just around the corner.
The Temple of Leah is a “must see” when visiting CebuMy big brother, Nap and me with the city in the background
By the time, we were finished admiring this stunning creation it was almost time for lunch! Our driver, Toto (a native Cebuano), took us further to a higher elevation to a restaurant nestled on the hilltop called La Parisienne Sky! The terrace had an amazing view of cities of Mandaue and Cebu! Upon arrival we were greeted by a “French” staff complete with beret who greeted us “Bon Jour“! I asked her, “Parle vous Français” (do you speak French?) and she replied “bon jour”! At the table after ordering our drinks and when they were delivered I thanked the server “merci beaucoup” (thank you very much) and she replied, “bon jour”! It cracked me – the only words they know in French is bon jour!
The weather was so cool and breezy on the terrace
From La Parisienne, Ting directed the driver to take us to the Cross of Magellan which is located near the entrance of the famous shrine of the Santo Niño.
The exact spot where Magellan planted the cross in MactanThe original cross is encased in tindalo, another variety of wood
Unfortunately, I was not allowed to go into the church where the shrine is located since I was wearing shorts! I waited for them and people-watched!
Next was where Lapu Lapu killed Ferdinand Magellan in Mactan on April 27, 1521. Around that time the temperature was already much cooler due to the ocean breeze. There were few tourists, however, the place was used by students to practice their dance numbers. Magellan was a Portuguese navigator and was the first to successfully circumnavigate the world!
The spot where Magellan was killed
There was a guy who volunteered to take our photos (with our cell phones of course). He knew how to take great pictures and even did a few tricks with the phones like “drones” (video mode and moving it at certain angles to make it look like a drone took the photos!
The photographer made it look like Mary and Trini are wielding the swords!Ouch! Trini stabbed me!
That evening, we stopped by the Sheraton Hotel situated along the beach. As we made our way to the bar terrace we passed the infinity pools overlooking the ocean where the tourist were spending the last hour of daylight. We were lucky to find an empty comfortable patio set just steps away from the white beach (the sand transported from another location). We had a half hour to spare before the”happy hour” ended so we ordered from a very limited list of “buy one, get one” cocktails and beers. Trini also ordered a couple of appetizers – fried calamari, grilled sausages, pork and chicken which really filled us up to the point we did not eat dinner anymore. It was a very relaxing evening – a not-so-loud music playing in the background, well-behaved guests (still early?), good appetizers, great ambiance!
Today was allotted for the pasalubong day (buying stuff to bring home to friends and families)! We went to a marketplace called Tabuan where stalls are located selling different kinds of dried fish and other bottled and preserved fruits and meats. As soon as we got out of the van the smell of the dried fish overwhelmed us! Ting was right when she told us not to shower before going to the market because the aroma will stick into your clothes and body. How right she was!
FISH, FISH EVERYWHERE!The vendor is sealing the fish we bought in plastic and boxed them for us
Lunch was at Choobi Choobi just across from our hotel. The food was good but the air conditioning system was not cool enough and I started to sweat while eating!
Tomorrow we will be flying back to Manila for a ten-day rest in the condominium we rented in Greenbelt. We plan on just relaxing, pamper ourselves with massages, facials, and just walk around the enclosed malls. And maybe contact a couple of friends who we promised to see when we get to Metro-Manila.
Our sincere appreciation to our niece Ting and her husband Marc for making our trip a very memorable and enjoyable one. This would not have happened without their generosity. I also had a wonderful time bonding again with my brother Nap and his wife, Mary. Nap is already 83 years old but looks younger than me and still very healthy and fit.
