2013: Laoag - Pagudpud - Vigan - Sagada - Banaue Escapade in 1 (one)Week

Day 1: Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2013 (Hello Laoag!)

Paoay Church

Our flight from Davao departed at 10:05 AM, Labsy and I were glad we had this schedule. Perfect enough that we don't need to be too early in the airport, we can still enjoy breakfast and just in time for lunch when we reach Manila. We stayed in the airport since we had another flight to Laoag at 7:05 PM and grab the chance to find some electrical outlets to charge our phones.

Our first day was spent mostly at the airport and since we won't be staying long in Laoag, I opted to look for a cheaper place to stay. I thought since we will arrive way past 8PM and will leave early the next morning to start the site seeing, a so-so place would be OK. But NO, it wasn't!

Our ride to town

But, before reaching to that "never-again" place for overnight. Our ride from Laoag Airport to town was free! Yes, free. The Laoag Airport has a free shuttle, using an electric powered multicab (small jeep) for the tourists. We registered at the Information Center and got ourselves two free seats to town or their Capitol.

Sinking Bell Tower

Then we took a tricycle and went to Pichay Lodging House. We were disappointed with the place, but since we were tired to go out to look for a better place, we stayed anyway. The place wasn't maintained, cleanliness was in question and the attendant wasn't also very encouraging. So, we just gave it a night and slept the disappointment over.

Manila Expenses:
Taxi - Php145

Terminal fee - Php200 each

Lunch at Kenny Roger's - Php425

Grocery (water and lotion) - Php75

Dinner at Mini Stop - Php130

Day 2 AM: Thursday, Sep. 12, 2013 (Around Laoag, Paoay and Batac)

Paoay Lake

We went out early for a breakfast at Mc Donald's Laoag, which is also a walking distance from the Church and the Sinking Bell Tower. We intended to leave our packages at the lodging house while we tour the tourist spots of Laoag. So, after breakfast, we went to the Church to pray and ask for guidance for the day's trip and spent a few minutes at the Sinking Bell Tower.

Malacañang of the North

We walked a few blocks to find the jeepney going to Paoay, so we could start at the Paoay Church. When we found it, it was still waiting for passengers, and we thought, we don't have the luxury of time, so we went to haggle with the tricycle drivers to take us to three spots we want to visit. These are the Malacañang of the North, Marcos Mausoleum and Presidential Center and Paoay Church. From their Php1,000 offer, we agreed with Php600. We said, we would not take long since we needed to go back to Laoag to check out from our hotel before 12NN.

Malacañang of the North

So off we went from Laoag City Proper down to Paoay. Our first stop, the Malacanang of the North. Situated near the Paoay Lake, which gives it a refreshing scenery that keeps you glued to the place. It was my second time, me and some colleagues went for an Ilocos trip last Dec. 2012. I didn't blog about it, because I was looking forward for this year's escapade with Labsy. :)

Marcos Presidential Center

The Malacañang of the North seems to have everything as it was, except for a corner which they made like a canteen. They offer refreshments and other stuff for the tourists, which is good, because after an hour of picture taking while visiting every room, you can just buy some drinks to ease your thirst.

We stayed for a few minutes and then off we went to Paoay Church. We didn't stay long in the place, we went inside to pray and took a few pictures outside. And since, it's just me and Labsy, we only got solo pics. What's better in The Malacañang of the North, there were tables or cabinets or bench to put the cam on timer mode so we can have a picture together.

Marcos Presidential Center

Next stop, Marcos Mausoleum and Presidential Center. I'm sorry but cameras are not allowed inside the mausoleum, so we only have pics inside the Presidential Center. When we went up the stairs, the view somehow disconnected me from what I remember from my visit last Dec. 2012. The whole center was repackaged, from an old mansion setting to a technologically enhanced and modern setup.

I'll admit, the personal effects of the Marcos' were not as numerous as the previous setup, but the presentation now is far better than it used to. The presentation was overall pleasing to the eyes and your camera. :)

SM, previously the Heroes Hall

After enjoying ourselves with the Presidential Center, we went back to Laoag and asked our driver to take us to SM. Their SM is not your regular boxed type or modern building, but it is the building that used to be the Heroes Hall. We went around the building and found Mang Inasal to take our lunch.

Lunch was your usual chicken BBQ experience, topped with a sweet, cold halo-halo. Burp! :)

Laoag Expenses:
Pichay Lodging House - Php600
Tricycle to and fro Loding House - Php11 per person/trip
Breakfast at Mc Donalds - Php200
Tricycle for the Tour - Php600
Malacañang of the North Entrance Fee -Php30 per person
Marcos Presidential Center Entrance Fee -  Php50 per person
Lunch at Mang Inasal - Php207


Day 2 PM: Thursday, Sep. 12, 2013 (Pagudpud South)
 

Bangui Windmill

We checked out from the lodging house and took a tricycle to the Van terminal for Pagudpud. We contacted Jomar and told us to look for his tricycle when we arrive in Pagudpud. After getting off the van, a man approached us and asked if we were the ones who contacted Jomar. This man's name is Rocky, he's Jomar's younger brother. He said, his Kuya Jomar is on Vigan tour, so during our time in Pagudpud, Rocky was our man.

Bangui Windmill

Rocky took us to their suggested place for the night. The Jun and Carol Beach House. Our room was clean, with AC and TB, and has a veranda that offers the ocean view and smell of fresh air. All these plus breakfast for two (2) for only Php1,300. When we checked out their menu, breakfast is worth Php157 per set, so basically, our room just costs almost Php1,000. Not bad for a beach front location. While talking with Jomar, we asked discounts for his tour and he said his discount would be a free lift from the Pagudpud junction to the resort and resort to the Bus terminal the next day.

Bangui Windmill

It was almost 3:00PM, we asked Rocky if there is still enough time to tour the South part of Pagudpud, the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and the Bangui Windmills. He said we can still make it, and so we refreshed, grab our cams and off we went for the South tour, for Php950. Rocky's Tour package was only Php600, but when the tricycle enters the jurisdiction of Bangui, they are obliged to pay Php50. Then, in reaching the junction for the Kapurpurawan Rock formation, the guests will transfer to another tricycle for the Cape Bojeador and Kapurpurawan Rock Formation trip for Php300. So that's what Php950 was for.

Bangui Windmill

The cost of the ride seems expensive, but that was okay. The location of these places were really far from the center of Pagudpud. It took us more than 30 minutes in a no traffic on a top speed tricycle from the resort to Bangui. Then around another 30 minutes to Cape Bojeador.
 

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Rocky took us first to the Bangui Windmills. Labsy was surprised to see that these structures were really huge. I had the same feeling the first time I saw them, they look like toys in the pictures. Labsy went close to the foot of one of the windmill and he said it was scary. It felt like it will fall on you and something that huge will definitely show no mercy.

Next stopover is at the Tourist Center for the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. We paid Php20 for the registration and transferred to another tricycle. The driver told us that we will visit the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse first so we can still go up, since it closes at 5PM.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Initially, Rocky told us that he will wait at the Center, but we asked him to join us so we have someone to take our pictures and he did. Rocky became our official photographer during the tour and he didn't disappoint us.

Last stop is the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. We still have a long way to ride from the junction and the road wasn't finished yet so some parts are still rough. After about a 10-minute tricycle ride, we walked for another 10 minutes and then we're there.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Labsy, my kinda' picky hubby, was kinda disappointed with the formation of the main rock formation. He said, "mao na to?" ("was that it?"), while we were in the viewing point. I told him, "no", wait for some more at the back part of the rock and there it is, he said something like, "oh, ok, that's better" and I felt relieved.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

We stayed longer in the rock formation enjoying every angle, shape and grade. We went back to the resort and ordered dinner. It was my goal to give Labsy the opportunity to taste Ilocos' very own bagnet and so, that's what I ordered for dinner, and he loved it.

We ordered hot water and had coffee before hitting the sack to seal the night away...


Day 3 AM :  Friday, Sep. 13, 2013 (Pagudpud North)

Saud Beach

We woke up early to take a stroll along the shore of Saud Beach. The beach was very inviting but we planned to take a dip at the Blue Lagoon later after the North Tour. So we just strolled and played with the sand and each other. After a quick walk, we went back to the resort and ordered our breakfast.

Kabigan Falls

We asked Rocky to come back for the North Tour the next morning, which costs another Php600 at around 7:00AM. Our main objective was just to swim in the Blue Lagoon, but since we were located at the Saud Beach which is a few kilometers away, Rocky will ask for Php400, to take us there and back to the resort. Since the whole tour is Php600, we decided to cover everything. Rocky came around a little past 7AM, then we head to our first location, the Kabigan Falls.

Patapat Viaduct

The nice part going to the Falls was the walk, we get to stretch some muscles and exercise some sleepy joints, but not too much. It was about a 15 to 20 minute-walk after registering at their tourist center for Php60 each, which corresponds to the Php10 entrance fee and Php50 guide fee.

Paraiso ni Anton

I've already oriented Labsy that after all the beautiful waterfalls we were able to visit on our previous getaways (Cateel, Lake Sebu, Camiguin, Iligan, etc..), Kabigan Falls is not that much. But, we went anyway. I guess it isn't the view that we remembered more, it was the experience, our hangout.

Agua Grande

Next stop was the Patapat Viaduct, where we didn't stay long as well and just took a few pictures. Then we went to the Paraiso ni Anton. In all the places we visited, this is one of the two points, I'd consider the least places to visit. It's just a place along the road that offers a cold water streaming from the walls of the hill or something like that. Although, when we went there, I just remembered that there was a grotto of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus, which made the visit good.

Timmangtang Rock

Next we stopped by the Agua Grande. It's a picnic place, which offers fresh ocean breeze while having your picnic and a lazy environment to keep you stick with your company and have a great time. There's an entrance fee if you plan to stay, and since we didn't, we just took our picture by the entrance gate.

Fourth stop, is the second of the points I've mentioned above that I didn't find appealing and worth the stop. But since Rocky took us there, we took pictures anyway. The Timmangtang Rock. It's basically, just a rock in the middle of the shore. :)

Bantay Abot Cave

Next stop was the Bantay-Abot Cave. It's a little cave that opens the door for a nice view at the other side of it. It has a nice reddish rock formation that we didn't appreciate right away, until Rocky took our pictures with it.

Blue Lagoon

Last, final and the most awaited stop was the Blue Lagoon. When I went there last Dec 2012, I wasn't able to enjoy swimming and this time, I made sure that I did. We ordered food first so it will be ready after our swim. The place c/o Hannah's Beach Resort also offers zip lining from the mountain across the resort over the ocean, to the base back at the resort. We saw a couple of foreigners enjoying the ride, but we didn't, we already had our zip line share at Davao's Eden Nature Park, Digos' Camp Sambros and South Cotabato's Lake Sebu.

After that great swim, we ate our lunch and then went back to the resort to freshen up and get ready to check out and head to the bus station for a trip back to Laoag and then to Vigan after.

Pagudpud Expenses:
Van from Laoag to Pagudpud - Php80 per person
Jun and Carol Beach Resort - Php1,300 with breakfast for two

Refreshments (3 Gatorade) - Php140 
Dinner (Bagnet, rice and soft drink) - Php389
South Tour - Php950
Kapurpurawan Registration Fee - Php20 (for 2, discounted, it's Php15 per person)
North Tour - Php600
Kabigan Falls - Php60 per person

Refreshments (Buko Juice) - Php45
Lunch (Half kl grilled pusit, half kl fried fish & half kl fish sinigang, rice, soft drinks) - Php521


Day 3 PM :  Friday, Sep. 13, 2013 (Vigan)

Calle Crisologo

The bus ride back to Laoag took roughly 2hrs from 12:45PM - 1:45PM. We asked the conductor to take us or least tell us where to alight to catch the bus bound for Vigan and he did.

The Vigan bound bus (or so we were made to believe) departed around 2:30PM. When we reach a town (sorry I forgot which town, it seemed like a blur), after about an hour and 30 min. They asked all Vigan bound passengers to transfer to another bus. Good thing they didn't ask us to pay again. We reached Vigan around 4:30PM, and went straight to Green R Hotel (0923-837-5035 / 077-632-1149 / greenrhotel@gmail.com).

Kalesa in Vigan

The hotel room was only Php750. It was clean and well maintained. It wasn't a luxury room, but it was more than nice for its price, and it's just a walking distance from Partas bus station need you be there right away.

After settling in, we went out to get some nice old historic view at Calle Crisologo. I told Labsy that this is the most highlighted place to visit in Vigan and would also be nice if he could experience  a kalesa ride. So after a few pictures taken and a little walk, we got ourselves a kalesa for Php150/hour.

The Kutsero gave us a quick round about the places to visit, but since it was already past 5PM, we just passed by most of them and just listen to his word of facts and history, except for the Church where we were able to went inside and offer a prayer.

After the tour, we asked the Kutsero to take us to Cafe Uno. That's where I had the best lunch when we went the last time. Labsy and I ordered, sapsapuriket (hot spicy chicken soup), salad otong katuday (string beans & corkwood tree flower salad) and bagnet sisig, which turned out to be the best!

Cafe Uno

Again, we were overly satisfied with the service and the taste. We went out undescribably full, so we strolled along Calle Crisologo to ease the tightness and bought a few souvenirs. We wanted to have coffee at Coffee Break, but we decided to have it later at the hotel, since we can't take anything anymore just yet.  :)

Tricycle fees were varied. I'm pretty sure the distances between the places we were taken to have more or less almost the same in distance. From Capitol to the hotel it was Php30 (for two), from hotel to Calle Crisologo, Php20 (for two), from Crisologo to hotel Php40. What the??? Anyway, we just let it be...

We rested well that night as we look forward to the unsure adventure the next day. The route we took from Vigan to Sagada...   ;)

Vigan Expenses:
Bus from Pagudpud to Laoag - Php60 per person
Bus from Laoag to Vigan - Php100 per person

Tricycle (Capitol to hotel) - Php30
Green R Hotel - Php750

Tricycle (Hotel to Calle Crisologo) - Php20
Kalesa Tour - Php150 per hour
Dinner (Bagnet sisig, sapsapuriket, salad otong katuday, rice and fruit shakes) - Php610
Souvenirs - Php280

Tricycle (Calle Crisologo to Hotel) - Php40

Day 4 :  Saturday, Sep. 14, 2013 (Sagada)

Arriving in Abatan

We woke up around 5:30AM, prep, grabbed our bags and checked out from the hotel. We went to the nearest seven eleven store and had some noodles for breakfast and bought few stuffs for the road. We then went to Partas bus station and were able to get seats for the 7:00AM bus bound for Baguio.

Abatan to Bontoc

The regular route to Sagada would be, to alight in Baguio from Vigan for 4-5hrs, then take another bus ride from Baguio to Sagada for 6-7hrs. Which will get us to Sagada around 6PM or 7PM. I was looking for better options where we could shorten the time, but still get the chance for a little adventure along the way. I studied the map, asked a few inquiries from a fellow blogger (thanks to you!) and decided to take the Cervantes route.

Tour Packages

Initially, I was told to take the bus from Vigan to Bitalag junction (that's before reaching Tagudin town), then take a van from Bitalag to Cervantes, then another van from Cervantes to Bontoc, then a jeepney from Bontoc to Sagada, and we have to consider the time since most of the last trips are at 1PM.

Trip Schedules

So we told the conductor to take us to Bitalag Junction. We reached the place about 9AM. We head to the van stationed just a few steps from the junction. It departed around 10AM and we reached Cervantes by 12NN. We then asked where to get to the van heading for Bontoc and they said, there's no van going to Bontoc, but instead, to Abatan and we can get a van from there going to Bontoc. The van from Cervantes to Abatan leaves at 1PM, so we had an hour spare for lunch and so we took it at a nearby eatery.

Tour Packages

The best view we had in this road trip was the view along our Bitalag to Cervantes route. It was remarkably amazing. We were in awe with God's given nature and life. I'm sorry though because we were in route we couldn't take pictures, so we just feasted on nature's wonders along the road to Cervantes. I'm not sure how to describe the view but it was picturesque.

Egg & Lemon Pies

The van left Cervantes at 1PM and we reached Abatan at 2PM. We then went to the van for Bontoc and waited until it left Abatan around 2:30 PM, reaching Bontoc around 3:15PM. We then went to the location where jeepneys bound for Sagada were waiting. We just asked the van driver to take us to the nearest street and point it to us. The jeepney left around 3:45PM which took us to Sagada around 4:15PM.

Sagada Lemon Pie House

When we reached Sagada, we then walked towards their Municipal Hall, to register as tourists in the area and inquired regarding the tours we can accommodate during our stay. The officer told us that sometimes they allow the caving at night but they would recommend to do it the next morning for safety reasons. He said we can come back as early as 7AM and they can provide a guide for us. He suggested to do the short course caving with vehicle to save time and then the Eco Valley tour before leaving Sagada at noon.

After registration and a quick chitchat with the officer at the Municipal Hall, we headed to our home for the night, George's Guest House. For only Php400, we've got our own room, with 2 double size beds, our own CR, TV and veranda (we were at the third floor, with a good view). The room was clean and comfy, I could never ask for more. Further, the guest house also has it's own restaurant where we can order food especially for breakfast.

View from the guesthouse

After settling in, we went out for a stroll, bought some key chains as souvenirs Php200 (3 for Php100) and an umbrella (Php250) because it was raining at that time. While paying for the souvenirs, we asked where best to eat dinner and they recommended the Lemon Pie House. We ordered set meals for dinner, and while they were still preparing, we ordered a slice of each of lemon and egg pies, and their arabica brewed coffee to take the cold off.

Sagada Lemon Pie House

After consuming the pies and coffee, we concluded that we just had the best lemon and egg pies and the perfect coffee to have them with. Then dinner was served. Then we said, "did we order for four?". Each set meal looks like a set for two, we just need to add rice. The servings were really big for us.

Sagada Lemon Pie House

Anyway, after dinner, we went back to our temp home and asked if they provide in-house massage service and they do, for Php300. We scheduled it at 8:30PM, an hour for each of us and by 10:30PM, Labsy and I were relaxed, body felt light and we were looking for something to eat..  :)) We were hungry! Good thing, we didn't finish everything over dinner, so we took our leftovers and ordered additional egg pie to go, so the chicken and pie became our midnight snack, and then later took a deep, calm and peaceful sleep. :D

Roadtrip to Sagada Expenses:
Vigan breakfast at seven eleven - Php120

Bus Vigan to Bitalag - Php149 each

Van Bitalag to Cervantes - Php150 each

Lunch at an eatery - Php160

Van Cervantes to Abatan - Php70 each

Van Abatan to Bontoc - Php50 each

Jeep Bontoc to Sagada - Php45 each


Day 5 AM :  Sunday, Sep. 15, 2013 (Sagada)

Hanging Coffins

A beautiful cold morning welcomed us on day 5. We started our day early to be at the Municipal Hall by 7AM. We ordered breakfast at the Guesthouse and went straight to the Hall bringing my sling bag, the cam and water.

Sumaging Cave

We were immediately entertained as we inquired at the Hall and were given quotations for the vehicle (this is optional), Php350 and guide fee of Php500 (guests up to 4 persons). Waited for around 10minutes and off we went to get the short course caving started with our driver Hans and guide Mang Aklay. I'm not sure if you can, but if you can, ask for Mang Aklay, he's perfect really. He assists well, talks about the rock formations pretty well and great in taking our pictures.

Sumaging Cave

Our first stop was at the viewing deck for the hanging coffins. Which gives us an idea of how and where coffins were hanged.

Next stop was the amazing Sumaging Cave. I never really expected to have a great time inside. It started that I was a bit scared of the dark and the rocks that we might slipped and end up at the bottom or hit the rocks or something to that effect. But, Manong Aklay was very good in assisting us in every step of the way.

Manong Aklay

We have been to Palawan's amazing Underground River and saw the nice formation in the cave but Sumaging Cave just topped it! We found or Manong Aklay showed us the different formation, some funny, some "pornographic" in a way, but definitely awesome. We only have this light brought by Manong Aklay, yet we had the best times with the rocks and the water like we have been to the place many times. It was one H*** of an experience and we won't mind coming back and doing it all over again.

Sumaging Cave

Third stop was the Lumiang Cave where we saw one of the burial place of the natives of Sagada, right at the entrance of the cave. It was a few steps down from the main street, a bit tiring after what we did in Sumaging Cave, but we were okay.  :)

Sumaging Cave

That ended the short course caving tour. We asked Manong Aklay what else we can do with our time and he said that we better freshen up first, check out from the guesthouse and then we might be able to go for Eco Valley Tour before they'd take us to the jeep going to Bontoc at 12NN so we can catch the last trip going to Banaue at 1PM, and that's what we did.

Sumaging Cave

The Eco Valley Tour gave us the chance to see the hanging coffins up close. Labsy was a bit discouraged at the hanging coffins viewpoint earlier, because he really wanted to see them closer, and wish granted! Before going down where the hanging coffins are, Manong Aklay took us to its viewing area from the hill. He told us to shout and we can hear the echo. Labsy and I tried and we loved it. Hearing the nature saying what we shouted, it's amazing!!!

Lumiang Cave

We then walked our way down to the location of the hanging coffins. BTW, I may sound like the walk was effortlessly done, but no, some passages were rocky, some were slippery, and going down and back made us exhausted enough to shout again and again and listened to the echo while feeling blessed, relieved and at the same time punished. Oh well, that's what you get in an adventure.  ;)

Eco Valley

Sagada stay is almost over, but before taking us to the jeepney terminal, we went to the Virgin Mary Church to offer some prayers, thanking God for the gift of life and love, for the adventure we had, the people who helped us achieved it and for each other for making this escapade worth doing and worth keeping (we still have one more journey to conquer).

Sagada Expenses:

Tourist Registraton Fee - Php70

Souvenir - Php200

Umbrella - Php250

Snacks and Dinner at Lemon Pie House - Php430

Massage - Php300 each + Php50 for tip

George's Guesthouse - Php400

Breakfast at the guesthouse - Php230

Short course caving guide fee - Php500

Vehicle during tour - Php350

Eco valley guide fee - Php200

Refreshments - Php100

Day 5 PM : Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013 (Banaue)

Hans and Manong Aklay took us to the jeepney waiting area and timing enough before the 12NN trip leaves.

From Sagada, we arrived around 12:45PM in Bontoc. We got into a van and waited. It was already past 1PM and yet, the van is still waiting for passengers to fill in the empty seats. And we need around 10 more!!! I wondered if we can still make it to Batad Village that afternoon.  :(

Rent rates

Another driver from a different van came to us. He said they're from Banaue and they just took some tourist to Sagada earlier. They were taking time having some snacks and will start heading back to Banaue after. They offered us an early ride to Banaue then to Batad Saddle and they will fetch us at the Batad Saddle the next day to give us a ride back to Banaue for Php2,700. Miguel, the driver told us that the jeepney rent for Banaue-Batad-Banaue is actually Php2,800. He gave us Php100 discount plus our ride from Bontoc to Banaue, which was supposedly Php150 each would seem free. Justin, Miguel's friend also offered himself to be our guide for the roughly an hour walk going to Batad Village from Batad Saddle for Php1,200. Since the van we were in was not planning to leave Bontoc anytime soon, we agreed.

 
Considering the possible expenses we will incur for our Banaue-Batad journey, we asked Miguel and Justin to take us first at an ATM machine to withdraw few more cash. While we were at it, Miguel was able to let few more passengers to join us in the van going to Banaue. It was alright with us as long as they won't be cause of delays.

View from the terrace

As we were on our way to Banaue, the weather started to turn bad and was raining hard. I was a bit hesitant to continue to Batad Saddle, but they said it will be alright. We reached Banaue around 3PM and then went continually to Batad Saddle. I never really thought that it would be a long and rough ride, and since the weather made us closed all the windows, I felt a little sick, but somehow managed the whole trip. For times like this, keeping the Vicks vaporub close to my nose helped me ease the nausea.

Cleared landslide

During our roadtrip to Batad Saddle, the rain became heavier, the road looked dangerous and streaming with water from the mountains. I was a bit scared not because of the road but of that one hour walk we need to do under the rain. I imagined getting sick after that walk. Anyway, something happened. Before we reached the Saddle, around halfway through, there were landslide areas so we weren't able to continue and we turned back to Banaue. We were fortunate that we had a night to recharge our strength before taking that long walk to Batad Village, but sadly, there were people stranded from the other side, while some walked their way home to Banaue which made them leave their jeepneys on the side of the road and reached home late that night, all wet and perhaps hungry.  :(

uncleared landslide

Miguel took us to People's Lodge & Restaurant, and we settled in a room with 2 twin beds, with CR, a veranda with a nice view of the mountains, but without TV and the most down side is NO electrical outlets for Php600. In charging our phones and gadgets, we need to stay in their restaurant and charge them at the counter table. It was okay, since we were already hungry and tired, we took the room, settled in and went up to the restaurant to order dinner.

uncleared landslide

I was glad that we stayed in Banaue and had a good night rest before taking another adventure the next morning. While feeling full after dinner and getting ready for the next day's event, a colleague called and told me some bad news about a colleague's wife's sudden demise. I was totally shocked and couldn't help but shed some tears. What a news!

Day 6 : Monday, Sept. 16, 2013 (Banaue)

a view from the stop-over

Morning came and we were ready by 7:30AM to go to Batad. After a day before's incident, Miguel brought his jeep this time and left his van at home. I also preferred that, I felt sorry for the van, with all the obstacles it tried to overcome the last time.

the road to Batad

Well, we started the trip to Batad Saddle at 8AM. We arrived a some 20-minute walk before the Saddle. As it happens, there were still uncleared road, so we left the jeep and Miguel told us that if the road clears later, they will wait at the Saddle. So we started walking on the mud that slid from the mountain side, over some trunk of trees and some streaming water on the road. Our shoes tell them all.  :)

Batad Rice Terraces

We reached the Saddle after walking for about 15-20 minutes. Rested and ordered fresh buko juice. We went up to their viewing deck and had a quick look at our destination. Then a few minutes later, we started going down the steps towards Batad Village. It was another hour of walk, until we finally reached the Tourist Center and paid for the heritage fee of Php50 per person. We stayed for a while and took pictures where the Batad amphitheater like terraces as our background.

Batad Rice Terraces/Village

We continued our walk towards the village until we reached Batad Pension & Restaurant. Our guide suggested we place our orders for lunch before we continue our trek to the Tappia Waterfalls so it will be ready by the time we get back. We then continue our walk passing on the stone walls of the terraces. It was amazing seeing them up close and actually walking on these beautiful place and creation. We had a few stopovers for picture taking and some water breaks.

Batad Rice Terraces

Along the way there were stopovers prepared for visiting tourists with bench where we can rest and also there were sellers of refreshments. So if you forgot to bring water, you can buy there, although it would be more expensive.

After spending time with the terraces, we started our walk towards the Tappia Waterfalls. We were discussing if we wanted to go to the falls, I wasn't really excited to go, but we agreed that while we're there we should cover everything we could, so we continued the trek.

Batad Rice Terraces

It was a long, steep, tiring trek. When we finally arrived, we just took a few pictures then went back right away because the clouds seem to appear dark and looks like it was going to start raining. And besides, we were too tired to appreciate the view. :( So we head back to the Batad Pension & Restaurant. Our way back was harder because it was going back up. Going down, my knees felt weak at some point, but going up took my breath away. My legs seem to complain so I had a lot of stops to recover energy.

Batad Rice Terraces

When finally we arrived at Batad Pension and Restaurant it was already around 12:30PM. We were tired and hungry. We asked if they could already serve our orders and they did after a little while. We ate to our hearts' content and I felt heavier and all the energy we gave off going down to the waterfall went to the drain for a while. A few minutes later it started to rain and we were worried that there will be landslide again and will be stuck in Batad, we can't catch our ride with Ohayami Bus (http://www.ohayamitrans.com/) at 7PM that same day and our flight back to Davao the next. So we decided to start moving back to the Saddle despite the rain with only our umbrella to cover us.

Tappia Waterfalls

After around five (5) steps up the stairs, Labsy stopped and said he cannot move his leg. He said his having leg cramps. We let him rest and waited until he was back into his feet. After a little while we continued our journey. We had a lot of stops because Labsy's legs weren't cooperating, but eventually after a struggle, we made it back to the Saddle together, possibly not in a very good shape but in one piece. We were just glad that we made it back and super glad that we saw Miguel, which means we need not walk another step.   :D

Banaue Rice Terraces

We went back to Banaue and since we still have an hour to spare, we asked Miguel to take us to the Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoints. Labsy was all disappointed with our trek to the waterfalls that he suspected to be the cause of his leg cramps. But when he saw the Banaue Rice Terraces, all his reservations were gone. He was too satisfied with the view and was way glad we were able to visit the place. While we were taking pictures, another group was gathering and their guide told them that they may trek down the terraces which will only take two (2) hours. Labsy was a bit furious at the sound of that. He said, here's this beautiful creation,very accessible, takes only 2 hours to trek, but why the h*** did we go to Batad? He loved the rice terraces in Batad, but the rice terraces in Banaue was blooming at that time, he'd rather blend with it and to add insult to the injury, the trek down to the waterfalls was unnecessary.  :(

Banaue Rice Terraces

Well, we don't have the time to trek again and it started raining too, so we went back to the lodging house, washed up and ordered dinner. We went to the bus around 6:30PM and waited another 30 minutes, and we were on our way back to Manila.

Banaue Expenses:
Jeep Sagada to Bontoc - Php45 each

Refreshments - Php30

Van/Jeep - Php2,700

Guide - Php1,200

Heritage fee - Php50 each

People's Lodge & Restaurant - Php600

Breakfast - Php230

Refreshments  - Php66

Lunch - Php610

Drinks buko & water - Php260

Souvenir - Php50

Dinner - Php260

Bus Banaue to Manila - Php450 each

Day 7 : Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013 (Manila)

Having fun with the rice terraces

We arrived at around 4:30AM in Sampaloc, Manila. We grab a cab and went straight to Mc Donalds, MOA for some pancakes, coffee and hot chocolate. We stayed there, then went walking and transferred to Jollibee for another set of breakfast. We stayed until MOA was opened and spent the rest of the morning at the mall. We bought some J.Co donuts for the family and colleagues back in Davao then went to the airport. We spent the rest of our afternoon at the airport, hopping from one restaurant to another, for some lunch or cinnabon or donuts. We were on food trip, then went for an hour and a half flight to Davao and head home. :)

Great time with Sumaging Cave

We've got everything we planned covered and we were so glad we endured and enjoyed it at the same time. Definitely there'll be a next time. While at the airplane, we were already looking at some flight connections for the next trip... I don't know when, but another day another location, another adventure...

Live life while we can and live it well happily!