Lost in PH: Sagada, Mountain Province 2015
I made a vow to travel in the Philippines whenever opportunity arises, so together with my high school friends, I made my way to one of the places I long to visit -- Mountain Province. I tried to come prepared during this Sagada trip, as I once dreaded my trip to Ilocos where 3 days thereafter I caught a flu blaming road exhaustion. Traveling to Mountain Province means you only get to travel by land, and it's basically traversing each town by a series of land transportation ranging from bus, jeepney, or motorcycle.
And we did. 17 looooong hours. It was pain in the ass but what the heck! The harshness of the road vanished as soon as the mountain scenes started showing up our van's windows. Stunning mountain views, river valley scenes, mountain-side waterfalls and verdant rice terraces.
Lo and behold -- this beaut -- Banaue Rice Terraces!
Foggy Sagada, not sure if fog breath or cigarette smoke?
A trip to Sagada is incomplete if one does not go spelunking. I always read up on a place prior to making the trip and I was looking forward to seeing the ethereal cave formations in Sagada’s caves, but unfortunately, our tour guide advised us not to because of weather conditions. Huhuhu. Oh well, all the more reasons to go back to Sagada. :)
The Hanging Coffins of Sagada at Echo Valley 💀 (And the best friends to hang out with, whut. Haha.)
I can't even begin to describe what we went through to go to and from Bomod-Ok Falls. Almost a 2-hour trek from the top of the mountain, trailing rice terraces fields and a mini community of locals along the track. I just took this hike as a way of introducing myself to the beautiful landscape and historical culture that Sagada has to offer. Best part was swimming there, with the water blissfully cold, having the most fulfilling feeling ever! Gusto ko pa nga sana tumalon galing sa tuktok ng falls. Wala lang ako kasama hahaha
All around Sagada. Sagada Brew, Lemon Pie House, Ysagada Downtown Bistro
Dinner with Team Sagada at this Bob Marley-inspired theme bistro
And finally, the sea of clouds. I have a thing for sunrises and sunsets so when a place offers a must-see view, I always give it a go. Mt. Kiltepan... aaaah. Here is where you scream out a Perks of Being a Wallflower reference, "I feel infinite!" or a That Thing Called Tadhanda reference, "Ayoko naaaaa!" on top of your lungs especially when you're lucky enough to have a topdown going up the hill.
A panoramic view of ridges of the mountains, the morning clouds that hugs it and the rice terraces below with beautiful reflection from the rice paddies’ water. Sobrang ganda.
The Sagada Sunrise highlighted this trip and it was one of the most beautiful mornings I have experienced. I kinda had an emotional meltdown during that precious view. I was thinking, "I wanna experience this and I wish the person special to me were there to see it, too." :)
A photo of the pack I was with during the trip! We met them through joint tour, and we were all designated in one van. Thank you, friends!
Here are few tips when traveling to the mountains:
Prepare for a long drive. Dress appropriately. Forget about everything. Leave your comfort zone. Push yourself to try as many new things as possible.
I urge everyone to visit Sagada to do some soul searching, or a fancy trip with your family or barkada, or better yet with a special someone. Do it during non-peak season and enjoy the best view while you can.
Maraming Salamat, Sagada!
