Banaue - Batad - Sagada on the Love Month

Travel Date: February 11-16, 2016 (Thu - Tue)

Travel Buddies: Les, Shiela

YT channel links: 
Banaue - Batad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy-n_dI3Ebk
Bontoc - Sagada - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaSr5XLkmCc

Day0: Feb 11 (Thursday)

They say it's better late than never. It kind of describe this almost 2 year delayed blog. It was supposed to be written on the year of travel (2016) but got too busy and lazy to really sit and reminisce the moment. Thanks for the FB posts that Shiela, Les and I shared that kind of gave me refreshed memory.

So here we are, three independent women out to conquer the north on the love month. Personally, I've always loved the north, more so the Mountain Province and Ifugao area. And this trip is a familiar one, having done this 4 years ago (see "The Sagada Connection"). So I'm excited to see what's new but also prepared for a strenuous spelunking. I warned the girls it's not easy so they kind of prepared themselves for the "punishment". Although I was familiar with Sagada, Batad is relatively new to me. Back when we had Sagada trip then, we only passed by Banaue and only got the glimpse of the famed Rice Terraces from one of the viewpoints that the local government had setup for the tourist. This time, it's different. We get to walk past these rice terraces and trek along it. Quite challenging it seems. And I told the girls I have no idea if this was arduous or a walk in the park.

At past 7pm, we met at Capitol Commons and booked Uber to Sampaloc where the Ohayami Bus Terminal is located. Then at around 9pm, we arrived at Sampaloc and waited for the boarding. At this time, we already have our tickets which we bought ahead (Note: There is already an online booking in the late 2017). After boarding at roughly around 10pm, we then settled and prepared for another thrilling adventure.

Day1: Feb 12 (Friday)

Manila - Banaue ranges from around 8 - 10 hours of travel so we expect to be there at 6-8am the following morning. Passing by major highways and expressways  (NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX), we breezed through a smooth journey after a few stops. Then at past 6am, we stopped by Lagawe, a  municipality that is a town away from Banaue. We were told there was some mechanical problems and told to alight from the bus and wait for a replacement. After the replacement arrived, we finally reached the bus stop at past 8 and we're told to register, a must for all local and foreign tourists who will be staying in Banaue including Batad. We saw our contact carrying my name  and off we go to Banaue town proper. We dropped by a restaurant for a well deserved breakfast and discussed the arrangements going to Batad.

At half past 9 in the morning, we headed to Batad, an hour or two away from Banaue via jeepney. I decided to go on topload for a more thrilling ride. Shiela and Les decided to be on the safe side so they stayed inside. Along with me on top are 2 friends and a Japanese traveler who seems excited to do this first time. Passing beautiful mountain landscapes and long & winding road, we reached Batad saddle at around10:30am. 

As soon as we arrived, there were several guide services offered and we talked to one of them to meet us at our inn after lunch for the Terraces and Tappiyah Falls tour. 

After the agreement, we then take 10-15 minute walk to reach the Batad UNESCO Heritage marker and another 10-20 minute walk towards our inn, Hillside Inn & Restaurant. The inn sits strategically on the center of their so called "amphitheater", known to have the most beautiful view of the rice terraces. We arrived at half before noon and took our lunch, trying one of the best tasting Tinola I've tasted.

After lunch and along with our guide we then headed for an exciting trek to the rice terraces and Tappiyah falls. I told the girls I have no idea how far and difficult the trek was as it was my first time as well. So off we go, starting with a light trek that traverses across rice fields, occasionally stopping by for some instagrammable shots and selfies. 

Passing along the edge of rice paddies, we reached the small store which serves as plateau and the last viewing deck for the rice terraces. What comes next is a grueling knee-breaking trek down before reaching another small store that serves as another rest area. After that brief rest yet another knee-breaking trek down before reaching a semi-gradual trail. After more than 2 hours, we finally reached the last resting area & all the ohhhs and ahhs were then replaced with wows. The falls, visible from the rest area, are a welcome respite for our tired feet. After a brief break, we then headed to the falls and took a well-deserved dip. After half an hour of a blissful dip and commune with nature, we then headed back and reached the inn at past 5,  took our dinner at around 7 and called it day at past 9, getting a well deserved rest for the day.

Day 2: Feb 13 (Saturday)

Good morning Batad!!! A beautiful view greeted us as we started our day and prepared for an exciting adventure ahead of us -- starting off with the breakfast and the amazing rice terraces in front of us. I'd recommend you have to try their local Ifugao rice, as we're told that they serve what they harvest within the area. 

And though we would have wanted to stay more, it's bye bye time and so off we go to Banaue for our trip to Sagada. We left at past 9am and arrived in Banaue just in time for the lunch. Soon after, we rented a van going to Bontoc and were told to ride a jeep going to Sagada once we reach the terminal. After almost 2 hours of never-ending zigzag paved road amidst breathtaking mountain landscapes, we reached Bontoc at half past 3pm.

When we arrived, we then boarded the jeepney going to Sagada -- this time I opted not to be on top load. We reached Sagada at almost 5pm, registered at the Tourism office and checked into Alapo's View Inn, where we booked the accommodation beforehand. After a short rest, we then headed to the Hanging Coffins, passing by the Episcopal Church, town's cemetery and the famed Echo Valley. After quick tour, we headed to the main road, trying out the Salt & Pepper restaurant's Inutom (pan-roasted chicken) meals. We ordered all 3 of their Inutom dishes (Rosemary, Mushroom and Chili). All was really good specially the Rosemary. For those who loved it hot, the chili will kick you on the first dig. The price is reasonable plus the ambiance is cool -- a good way to end the day.

Day3: Feb 14 (Sunday)

Good morning Sagada!!!! We woke up as early as 4am to catch the famed Kiltepan sunrise and sea of clouds, highly popularized by a local movie shot on the same location (remember 'That Thing Called Tadhana').  Our guide Kuya Frenel fetch us at 430AM and arrived at Kiltepan at past 5am. We were then greeted with hordes of fellow tourists, waiting for the same thing as we did. Seated  comfortably on a grassy hill, we waited for the first glimpse of sun which they say is one of a kind. Indeed it is!!! Morphing from the red-orange hue, the sun slowly greeted it's well wishers with orangey bliss, then ending with a bright yellow charm. We waited for the sea of clouds to come out as well to complete the experience but we seem unlucky for the day.  But despite this and the overcrowded tourists who came to see this beauty, we enjoyed the experience more than ever. We left Kiltepan and vowed to come back, hoping we'd be lucky next time.

Since we woke up early and still have not eaten a full meal, we were craving for a good omelet so off we go to Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant. We tried their Spanish omelet and Bangus meals and I'd say it's a super must try. Their meal included fried banana and mango which kind of completes the whole meal. I highly recommend their meals!!! We then headed to the inn to freshen up and get ready for the Cave Connection (Lumiang - Sumaguing Cave).

At around 1030AM, we started the Cave Connection with a quick orientation from our guide  (Note: A guide is a must for any cave tour for safety purposes). As soon as our guide lamp gets lighted, we started to maneuver into a small opening which can only fit one person. Kuya Frenel had to use his feet as the stepper for us to reach the flat surface. One tricky maneuver  led to another and another until we lost count of the challenges ahead. Kuya Frenel was a big help to every downslides and challenging turns we encountered.  Although this is my Spelunking No. 2  ( I was first here at 2010), the trail seems to be a bit different, somehow more difficult from my first try 6 years ago.

As we go deeper, it became darker, colder and scarier as we brace for more challenges ahead. Nevertheless, there were many "rewarding" sights that took our breaths away --- small dip pools, cathedrals of stalactites,  amazing shapes of stalagmites ranging from animal figures, curtains and that of a miniature rice terraces, not to mention meeting a lot of foreign and local tourists who are equally beheld by the beauty of this cave connection. I must say that more than half of the beautiful sights are in Sumaguing Cave so I recommend that if you do not want the Cave Connection, you can  just try the Sumaguing cave alone -- the entry and exit are the same.

Exiting the cave at around 5pm, we asked Kuya Frenel to drop us by Gaia Café & Crafts, famous again for the same movie that was shot in the same location. Perched among the dense trees with the mountain as backdrop, this vegetarian restaurant is a perfect place to commune with nature while munching for their delectable dishes. We tried their gaia barbecue and adobo rice meals & added their local food Miki Mi Na which is like a combination of bam i and canton. I must admit Sagada is a real haven for food lovers. Their Miki Mi Na is a must try. It is sweet and full of flavors. I also tried their soya café. I so loved it. This is one place I would love to visit again.

Back at the inn, we reminisced as how we fared with the challenges that day and how we bravely took it. Giggles after giggles when we recalled how we were carried by our new European friends back at the cave. This day was indeed extra special. Just imagine three daring girls out on an adventure and ended up spending Valentines thousand feet under. Just imagine.

Day 4: Feb 15 (Monday)

It's checkout time!!! But before heading off to Baguio, we made a quick pasalubong hunt along the main street and give a try to their famed Lemon Pie. We were told we have to order a day before as they only operate on a made to order basis. Despite this, we still made some good buys on weavings and souvenirs.

Before noontime, just when we thought we could immediately hop into buses plying Sagada-Baguio routes, we were proven wrong. We're told to wait for the last available bus which leaves at 5pm, which means more stroll time around Sagada.

And so a little past 5pm, we left Sagada and braced ourselves for another nauseating yet  exciting ride to Baguio. Passing by familiar rice paddies & amazing mountain landscapes and intermittent snoozes, we finally reached Baguio at past 9pm. Then at past midnight, we left Baguio, richer by experience, more eager and excited for future adventures to come.

Cheers to more enriching travels, girls!!!