- tey's fleeting moments -: Revisiting Sagada

happened on Dec. 26-28, 2014

our half dozen family

After spending Christmas in Baguio, we spent almost seven hours traveling from Baguio to Sagada. This time, I made sure to enjoy the sight unlike before that I slept most of the travel since I had a fever at that time.

I highly commend DPWH for the recent road construction from Baguio to Sagada. Land travel is smooth this time. At least I'm happy that some of our tax payments didn't go to waste. The view is magnificent and awesome. I can only mutter - Philippines is so beautiful!

the long and winding road

Our first stop is a photo ops at Phil's highest point. It's a refreshing break after sitting for a few hours. We ate noodles and balut here.

And here we are.... what a relief to see this sign after seeing only mountains for hours... super ngawit wetpu lang talaga...

finally!

our dearest driver is so tired already

First part of this trip is the Sagada Weaving since it's located at the entrance going to the town proper. Unlike before, picture taking of weavers and the store is prohibited. Fortunately, there are weavers that time so the kids has learned on what weaving is. I didn't leave this place without a souvenir, of course.

we didn't look so tired at all

Next, we went to Tourism Center to register and get a guide for our tour here. There are lots of tourists in the center. I still waited for a few minutes before being accommodated. To register, you have to pay P100.00 for each person. I strongly recommend for anyone to be registered and to get a guide for your Sagada adventures to save time and feel safe at the same time.

Our Echo valley tour costs only Php600.00 including the guide but using our own vehicles. I opted not to experience the Sumaguing Cave this time since I fear for the kids' safety and I don't think I still have the energy to do spelunking. My kids can just return and do this thing when they are at the right age.

After finalizing the tour, we proceeded to our guesthouse - Sagada Igorot Inn. A room good for four costs only Php1,240.00 per night. It has the basic amenities but without Wi-Fi access. My only complain is that the staff are not quick to our requests.

Apparently, most of accommodations here are guesthouses or inns type only as progress here is still slow. It's a big advantage to have an advanced reservation for discounted rates (especially during holiday season) and you have to understand that Sagada is really a tiny town so accommodations here are quite a few. In fact, a lot of people slept inside their cars and some traveled to Baguio since there is no available place at that time. It seems all roads lead to Sagada.

Our room is located at the bottom

the view from our window

Pre-dinner is in the famous Yoghurt House. I just wanted the kids to try the yoghurt here which they didn't like much. They are not used to real sour taste hehehe.

enjoying this tiny town

waiting for it to open

The night ended in Salt and Pepper for a dinner. The food is just so-so and costs high. There's nothing spectacular in particular with what they have served us.

Another tip: Please ensure to have enough cash in going here. Though credit card payments are accepted on major restaurants and establishments, the internet connection is intermittent most of the time so you'll still end up paying in cash. ATMs are scarce, too.

There are now a lot of eateries so you won't go hungry. We found Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant which offers home cooked meals for affordable prices, with viands prices ranging from Php50-100 pesos with servings good for two. It's just a few steps from our guesthouse. Actually, Sagada is just a tiny place so everything can almost be reached by walking only.

Day 2 - this is where our adventure began...

Church of St. Mary the Virgin - it's close so we only peeked through the door to see the interiors. It has the same charm as the first time I saw it. But the area seems crowded now. I miss the tranquility that I first experienced here.

this is typical here - the bonfire station

Cemetery - it still has its eerie factor. There are still some bonfires infront of the tombs - a practice they do during All Saint's Day. Instead of lighting a candle, they make bonfires and spend the night with their dear departed.

the bonfire in every tomb

just like the Chinese tradition - empty tomb intended for the better half

Echo Valley - there is already a cemented pathway going here. There's still the fear factor in walking at the side of the cliff but less tiring now.

can you spot the hanging coffins?

Unlike our first visit, we were able to go down this time to the hanging coffins. It was surreal to see them up close and personal. We learned that the latest coffin that was hung here on 2005 was of the father of our tour guide - George. It his father's last request - to be buried the traditional way. The rest of the coffins maybe centuries old. Just imagine how they were placed here; being hand carried up and down the mountains.

with dearest mom, minus our Ate

making our challenging trek happy

The Bokong Falls - another not so easy trek. With the high altitude and with almost empty tummies, we were already catching our breaths while trying to see this mini water falls. Honestly speaking, the long trek is not quite worth it for this humble falls.

rest station

mini rice terraces

kids enjoying the swim

Lumiang Cave - even if the kids and my sister are so tired already, I insisted that we still go to this site as I find this one of the most important sites in Sagada.

This is the last stop for our tour since we are all soooo tired already. We just want to rest, period.

We should've visited Kiltepan Peak early in the morning and tried orange picking in Rock Inn farm, but we needed to go home to Pampanga so we opted to leave early. On our way home, we have experienced being engulfed by clouds. It was an amazing moment! It seems we are in heaven already (para namang nakita ko na heaven hehe). It's definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

I'm glad that I was able to return here when my body can still withstand the long hike and trek. Honestly, I still love how laid back life here in Sagada. However, I don't think I will plan for a return soon since my kids have seen it already. I really pray that they will still preserve its culture and treasure their natural gifts. It's quite disappointing to see garbage piled up and the irresponsible people disposing their wastes improperly and not respecting the place.

Then it's mountain ranges again but this time it's a more grueling travel. Literally, no human beings on site.

We can't leave Benguet without passing by one of the wonders of the world - the Banaue Rice Terraces. The kids were definitely in awe upon seeing it. They didn't imagine that it's enormous. I hope they have realized how hard life is then and how creative our ancestors were.

But first the prelude to the big ones...