Highlights of my Sagada Trip
Frank Herbert once said "Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken." I guess, I've taken that to heart too much as I always yearn for lesssons to learn, new places to discover and new experience to ponder. The last of which in 2008 was my trip to Sagada. Albeit it's a little bit too late to blog about this (i've been real too busy the past few days), i guess my Sagada trip is still worth blogging about. Yup, ate lennie and I went in one of the coldest place in the Philippines on the coldest month of the year (december 27-29, 2008), what do you expect? we were actually freezing in cold especially during the night, hehehe! oh but we came prepared for that, right ate lens? (see our headgears). Who would imagine that even brushing our teeth became an effort as we have to gargle with freezing water or as ate lennie termed it "ice water", hehehe! But I guess that's the something that adds flavor to our Sagada Experience...
The trees are God's great alphabets; With them He writes in shining green, across the world His thoughts serene...- Leonora Speyer
We were mostly in the van on the first day as Sagada is a 12-hour trip from Manila. We left Manila at about 4:30 AM and arrived Sagada roughly at 5:30 PM (this includes some stops along the way). Because we took the Banaue route, the view was enticingly beautiful. Nevermind the rough roads, I looked with wonder and awe as green sceneries seem to capture my heart. I'm a self-confessed nature lover and I can't help but have that exquisite smile as I witess this great work of God. Like what I've said before, the trips that I could compare this to were our trips to Grand Canyon and Sedona Rocks in Arizona and our trip to Whistler Mountain in Vancouver. All three would take you to mountainous routes but yeah... i would have to award the best view to my trip to Sagada, and I wanted to say that without any bias. There's something about it that's enticing. The first two also gave me a great view but it was mostly rock formations and pine trees, gray-ish, red-ish views. The trip to Sagada via Banaue route would give you a better feel of being so close to nature, it offers green sceneries, dense forest, green fields and alike. I don't know, maybe i'm biased in some way. It's just that I'm proud that we still have such beauty here in the Philippines and I do hope that we get to preserve it.
We had a quick stop at Bay-yo rice terraces for some emergency reasons, wehehe! Let's just say that it is during these times when umbrella comes in handy, bwahahaha! At 5:30 PM, we checked in at Gecko Inn, then we went straight to Sagada Weaving. Oh, by the way, ate lennie and I joined the Gala Unlimited tours so we met other tourists in the van as well--- tito vin and tita flor (professors in UPLB), and Ernest and Elisha (they were brother and sister) then ate Locel was our main sagada tour guide and Kuya Fred was our driver.
There was also a wedding that was held that day, they call it "babayas". We were fortunate enought to see some men dancing around with their gongs. We had our dinner at Youghurt house, it was full that night. We had to wait for about 30 minutes just to have seats. Like what I've said, I'm not a yoghurt eater but i did come to love their yoghurt. We ordered the one with strawberries and banana. If I remember it right, yoghurt cost about Php80 and their meal about Php120 which can actually be shared by two people.
At Bay-yo Rice Terraces
Sagada weaving
having a picture with Sagada kids
dancing men (a wedding was held that day)/ Ballangbang
eating yoghurt at Yoghurt House
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. - Jawaharal Nehru
The second day was really the start of our adventure. We all woke up real early. Our first adventure was to trek towards the Bumod-ok falls, also known as the Big Falls. Again, the view and rice fields upon going there already gave me a satisfied feeling. It was a rather long trek. Seemingly, it took us one-hour going there, hehe!Since it rained a little yesterday, it was a bit slippery on some points especially on places where we have to go down. Nevertheless, the long trek was all worth it when you see the powerful cascades of Bumod-ok falls and dip your feet on its cold running water (sigh).
After taking photos and refreshing ourselves with Bumod-ok waters, we decided to go back. It was rather hard going back as you would have to hike up. Whew! This is the point when I said to myself, i really had to go back my exercising routine, tsk tsk!
Almost there
Rice fields and some more view
Bumod-ok Falls
With fellow tourist, ate lens
Cold water running on my waterpro shoes
Ate lens and her passion for photography
The tired trekkers
ate lennie and I resting
Us girls and the view
After having a hearty lunch at Masferre Restaurant (something which we sooo badly needed after that trek/hike), we had a quick stop to look at some hanging coffins. It was one of the traditions that some Igorots still keep these days. Our local tourguide did not talk about it much but from what I've heard, the bodies were buried above the ground for the reason that it would be easier for their spirits to get out rather than when it is buried 6-ft under. The coffins were noticeably small because the bodies were put in fetal position.
We went straight to Sumaguing Cave after. Aaaahhhh... the experience and view were beyond what words can portray. There were some points when I felt like danger was just a step away but then again, once you see the cave's beauty, you know that every thing was worth it. Sumaguing cave was also called the "Big Cave". Various rock formations are there to amaze superbly. It just makes you wonder how in the world were these created. Only the lamp gives light in this cave and everytime this lamp gives light to these formations, it just sparkles as if it's teasing you with its beauty. The cave trip took us about 4 hours and indeed it is one of the experiences I would never forget. I would love to go back there again!
Wonders and beauty
At the "cake" formation
"elephant" formation
"turtle" formation
"king's curtain and us"
I put my camera in ziploc when I took this... and yeah, this is the exact part where I got
cramps! Bummer! I slipped after i got through that seemingly hole and I fell on a shoulder-deep cold water... thank GOD, as in THANK GOD my camera was inside ziploc, otherwise, i would kill myself, figuratively speaking, hehehe!
I enjoyed this part...
We survived!
Initially, we planned to go to the Bonfire gathering... But I guess, we were all so tired so we had a hearty, yummy dinner at Haddeku restaurant instead where we laughingly recalled everything that happened that day, yeah, bloopers included! ^_^
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. - Anthony D'Angelo
I would have to agree with D'angelo, sunshine is always up to you and i guess having a good company helps a lot. On the third day, we woke up 3:30 AM and trekked for about 45 minutes just to see the sunrise and the much awaited view at Kiltepan. It was so dark and we only have our respective flashlights to light our path. We were patiently waiting for the sunrise and lo and behold, it was too foggy for us to see the view. It rained a bit as well which made it all the worse, huhuhu! But who says we can't enjoy this experience? All we got to have are cameras to keep our being giddy about this experience. Yup, we posed and posed some more. We also took advantage of the seemingly "twilight" (the movie) moment and took a pictures of ourselves... again! At this point, we met two new friends, Dennis and Pogs, who joined us going back to Manila.
Happy Together!
Sad because we didn't see the sunrise
Korean pose
Japanese
Sad again because it rained
Happy again because we have a camera with a remote, hehe!
Jump shots
twilight moment...
Afterwhich, it was time for us to pack up. We only had few minutes our pasalubong and souvenirs. I bought this shirt "I came, saw and conquered the adaventures of Sagada" as a proof that i went all through that hiking and spelunking, hahaha! Ate Lennie and I also took opportunity to have Coffee Alamid in one of the inns there. It was a relatively expensive coffee because it was very rare. okay, have you watched the Bucket list? yeah, Coffee Alamid was that coffee, it came from the poo-poo of civet cat who eats coffee beans. hmmm... yup, it was yummy though, wehehhee! just don't remind me that it came from poo-poo, did i just say that again? damn!
I also had my last yoghurt at the yoghurt house.
We had a lunch near the Banaue rice terraces viewdeck and had some good pictures with it.
Dennis, Pogs, me, Eliza and Lennie (natakpan namin ang Banaue Rice Terraces)
buying pasalubongs for my friends, hahaha!
Banaue rice Terraces
Posing with some igorots
smile!
Well, i guess that's just about it... my Sagada Experience! had so much fun!!!
The trees are God's great alphabets; With them He writes in shining green, across the world His thoughts serene...- Leonora Speyer
We were mostly in the van on the first day as Sagada is a 12-hour trip from Manila. We left Manila at about 4:30 AM and arrived Sagada roughly at 5:30 PM (this includes some stops along the way). Because we took the Banaue route, the view was enticingly beautiful. Nevermind the rough roads, I looked with wonder and awe as green sceneries seem to capture my heart. I'm a self-confessed nature lover and I can't help but have that exquisite smile as I witess this great work of God. Like what I've said before, the trips that I could compare this to were our trips to Grand Canyon and Sedona Rocks in Arizona and our trip to Whistler Mountain in Vancouver. All three would take you to mountainous routes but yeah... i would have to award the best view to my trip to Sagada, and I wanted to say that without any bias. There's something about it that's enticing. The first two also gave me a great view but it was mostly rock formations and pine trees, gray-ish, red-ish views. The trip to Sagada via Banaue route would give you a better feel of being so close to nature, it offers green sceneries, dense forest, green fields and alike. I don't know, maybe i'm biased in some way. It's just that I'm proud that we still have such beauty here in the Philippines and I do hope that we get to preserve it.
We had a quick stop at Bay-yo rice terraces for some emergency reasons, wehehe! Let's just say that it is during these times when umbrella comes in handy, bwahahaha! At 5:30 PM, we checked in at Gecko Inn, then we went straight to Sagada Weaving. Oh, by the way, ate lennie and I joined the Gala Unlimited tours so we met other tourists in the van as well--- tito vin and tita flor (professors in UPLB), and Ernest and Elisha (they were brother and sister) then ate Locel was our main sagada tour guide and Kuya Fred was our driver.
There was also a wedding that was held that day, they call it "babayas". We were fortunate enought to see some men dancing around with their gongs. We had our dinner at Youghurt house, it was full that night. We had to wait for about 30 minutes just to have seats. Like what I've said, I'm not a yoghurt eater but i did come to love their yoghurt. We ordered the one with strawberries and banana. If I remember it right, yoghurt cost about Php80 and their meal about Php120 which can actually be shared by two people.
At Bay-yo Rice Terraces
Sagada weaving
having a picture with Sagada kids
dancing men (a wedding was held that day)/ Ballangbang
eating yoghurt at Yoghurt House
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. - Jawaharal Nehru
The second day was really the start of our adventure. We all woke up real early. Our first adventure was to trek towards the Bumod-ok falls, also known as the Big Falls. Again, the view and rice fields upon going there already gave me a satisfied feeling. It was a rather long trek. Seemingly, it took us one-hour going there, hehe!Since it rained a little yesterday, it was a bit slippery on some points especially on places where we have to go down. Nevertheless, the long trek was all worth it when you see the powerful cascades of Bumod-ok falls and dip your feet on its cold running water (sigh).
After taking photos and refreshing ourselves with Bumod-ok waters, we decided to go back. It was rather hard going back as you would have to hike up. Whew! This is the point when I said to myself, i really had to go back my exercising routine, tsk tsk!
Almost there
Rice fields and some more view
Bumod-ok Falls
With fellow tourist, ate lens
Cold water running on my waterpro shoes
Ate lens and her passion for photography
The tired trekkers
ate lennie and I resting
Us girls and the view
After having a hearty lunch at Masferre Restaurant (something which we sooo badly needed after that trek/hike), we had a quick stop to look at some hanging coffins. It was one of the traditions that some Igorots still keep these days. Our local tourguide did not talk about it much but from what I've heard, the bodies were buried above the ground for the reason that it would be easier for their spirits to get out rather than when it is buried 6-ft under. The coffins were noticeably small because the bodies were put in fetal position.
We went straight to Sumaguing Cave after. Aaaahhhh... the experience and view were beyond what words can portray. There were some points when I felt like danger was just a step away but then again, once you see the cave's beauty, you know that every thing was worth it. Sumaguing cave was also called the "Big Cave". Various rock formations are there to amaze superbly. It just makes you wonder how in the world were these created. Only the lamp gives light in this cave and everytime this lamp gives light to these formations, it just sparkles as if it's teasing you with its beauty. The cave trip took us about 4 hours and indeed it is one of the experiences I would never forget. I would love to go back there again!
Wonders and beauty
At the "cake" formation
"elephant" formation
"turtle" formation
"king's curtain and us"
I put my camera in ziploc when I took this... and yeah, this is the exact part where I got
cramps! Bummer! I slipped after i got through that seemingly hole and I fell on a shoulder-deep cold water... thank GOD, as in THANK GOD my camera was inside ziploc, otherwise, i would kill myself, figuratively speaking, hehehe!
I enjoyed this part...
We survived!
Initially, we planned to go to the Bonfire gathering... But I guess, we were all so tired so we had a hearty, yummy dinner at Haddeku restaurant instead where we laughingly recalled everything that happened that day, yeah, bloopers included! ^_^
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. - Anthony D'Angelo
I would have to agree with D'angelo, sunshine is always up to you and i guess having a good company helps a lot. On the third day, we woke up 3:30 AM and trekked for about 45 minutes just to see the sunrise and the much awaited view at Kiltepan. It was so dark and we only have our respective flashlights to light our path. We were patiently waiting for the sunrise and lo and behold, it was too foggy for us to see the view. It rained a bit as well which made it all the worse, huhuhu! But who says we can't enjoy this experience? All we got to have are cameras to keep our being giddy about this experience. Yup, we posed and posed some more. We also took advantage of the seemingly "twilight" (the movie) moment and took a pictures of ourselves... again! At this point, we met two new friends, Dennis and Pogs, who joined us going back to Manila.
Happy Together!
Sad because we didn't see the sunrise
Korean pose
Japanese
Sad again because it rained
Happy again because we have a camera with a remote, hehe!
Jump shots
twilight moment...
Afterwhich, it was time for us to pack up. We only had few minutes our pasalubong and souvenirs. I bought this shirt "I came, saw and conquered the adaventures of Sagada" as a proof that i went all through that hiking and spelunking, hahaha! Ate Lennie and I also took opportunity to have Coffee Alamid in one of the inns there. It was a relatively expensive coffee because it was very rare. okay, have you watched the Bucket list? yeah, Coffee Alamid was that coffee, it came from the poo-poo of civet cat who eats coffee beans. hmmm... yup, it was yummy though, wehehhee! just don't remind me that it came from poo-poo, did i just say that again? damn!
I also had my last yoghurt at the yoghurt house.
We had a lunch near the Banaue rice terraces viewdeck and had some good pictures with it.
Dennis, Pogs, me, Eliza and Lennie (natakpan namin ang Banaue Rice Terraces)
buying pasalubongs for my friends, hahaha!
Banaue rice Terraces
Posing with some igorots
smile!
Well, i guess that's just about it... my Sagada Experience! had so much fun!!!
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