It was the eve of June 11th, Thursday, when I finally decided to join my mom and her officemates to their trip. It was a 3-day trip going to Banaue, Ifugao and Sagada, Mt. Province.
7pm I am still in the office and we have to catch up with the bus by 10pm at Manila. I haven't packed my things yet so my mom did it for me and traveled alone with bunch of things on her hands, back and shoulder. I still wonder till now how the heck did she do that! haha! Carrying two large back packs, a shoulder bag and three hefty plastic bags for our baon. whew! she was a wonder woman back then!
To make the story short, we didn't make it to the 10pm trip. We even transferred terminals just to see if there are still trips but to no avail. So we just spent the night on the bus terminal hoping for an early trip at around 3am. Instead of taking a direct route going to Banaue, we did took a bus going to Tuguegarao, Cagayan having cutting trips since the next direct trip would be at the evening, we have no choice then. The supposed-to-be 8-hour trip become an enormous 13-hour trip. whew!
Day1 was busted.We arrived tired and the weather says we got to stay in the lodge house. I forgot the name of our lodging house, sorry manang! People there are accommodating and helpful. We even cooked our dinner at the personal kitchen of the owner's house! laking tipid! We spent the night having a chitchat with the natives there. We had a somewhat overview on what was really happening and the history of their town. I think this is a rare experience and not everyone been there got to do this.
Day2, Saturday. We woke up early to fill this day with much more to see! We traveled with a tricycle going up the view deck. Magnificent! Though we didn't get a chance to get upclose with the rice terraces, I think I am solved with the spectacular view of what I have seen.
Trying to imagine how these people
did this with just their bare hands and simple innovations really puts me in awe! Spending like 15mins there just to feel and mesmerize with the view speaks on how beautiful it is! You would get to see and have a photo-op with the famous smiling-natives of the town! hehehe, everyone been in the place knows them! I wonder if they don't cramps squatting in that position for long hours! geesh!
Our contacted jeepney picked us up at the site heading towards Sagada, an approximately 2-hour trip from there. Since it was jam-packed, we decided to ride on top of the jeep! A very cool adventure for me and it was my first time! Plus it was more exciting because you would got a chance to experience and see the bumpy ride of a rough road on a mountainside trip! A two-thumbs up for me!
Once you've arrived in Sagada, you must first register to their tourist center right inside their municipal hall. It's just a few steps from the bus stop. You can immediately browse the tour packages available and some of the necessary questions you might want to know about the town.
Since it was way past lunch time, we decided to roam around the streets of the town in search for the place that could fulfill our roaring stomachs! One of my peers found this restaurant, the Kimchi Restaurant. Food was good with reasonable price. They have somewhat a range of choices from Filipino to American to Korean foods. Not bad for a province like this. Actually we also ate our dinner here!
We met three Korean students who are studying English in Baguio City. We all agreed to merge our group to minimize the expenses. First stop on our tour was the Sumaging Cave! This was my first time exploring a cave into this extent. Going down a very steep and dark cave with only lamps from our guide to light us. Plus there is a part where you will be stepping into bats' bowels, and even them throwing it to your head or body! yikes! It smells a lot and it is difficult to remove the stain from your shirt, so be prepared! Look how dirty we got in there! hehe, but it was a whole lot of fun!
After a series of mud-like, steep, rough flooring, you will then experience smooth, wet and clean steps! Now you can wash away those dirt caused by the bats! It is still steep though but you will be enjoying the fresh clean water coming the inside of the cave (don't exactly know where, haha). Plus the water is cold! sarap! There is actually a point, the end part of the tour, where we did a splash. I think it's called the toot den, well, I forgot the first name. It was deep but the fun was so relaxing and it was like the ultimate target of the tour. Though the water wasn't that clean anymore since it underwent many steps before reaching that bottom part.
Out of the many rock formations inside the cave, I have chosen these two. You know what are they?! I bet you do! haha! cool!
After we got off the cave, we are in search of whose got the dirtiest feet and palms! Now choose who the winner is! ahaha!
Day3, The Homecoming. Since we already got "bonding" from last night, we had a drinking session from where we stay, we (together with our new Korean friends) went for a trek going to the Hanging Coffins. We didn't took a tour guide for it will just cost us. It was an adventure going no where and with only a map and compass on our hands. After like two hours of searching the forest and mountain, we have succeeded! Mission successful! yahoo! I really thought that we would be lost in the forest! haha!
After our trek, we all had our last meal in the town and sort of having meal for our new found friends! We took our breakfast at the Yoghurt House. Though it is more costly here, but the food has more presentation and ambiance was great. Also, this is known for many foreign tourists. Our Korean friends suggested this place, by the way. I did enjoyed my meal! yum-yum!
Before we bid goodbye to the trip, we didn't forget to took a picture on our house for barelyt a day, the Sagada Guesthouse. This was one of the cheapest rooms in the place yet the service was fine enough for what we had paid.
Over-all travel rating: 9/10. Why not perfect? Because of some flaws along the way but I surely had the best time of my life! I really have to go back here! This place still has lots to offer and 3-day stay is not enough. Happy trip everyone!
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