SAGADA : OUR VICTORIOUS ADVENTURE (2016) PART 4

FINAL CHAPTER


Most of the time, I do have this problem of anxiety when the people you have made an emotional connection with has to go already, even with newly acquainted friends, especially those who touched me in some ways they're not aware of, those who left a good impression on you. I always look forward meeting people like that when I'm going somewhere. When it's time to go home, you feel sad and you miss them already. But of course, as it is, every vacation ends. If we could only stay a little bit longer.


(Photos by Alvin David)

Here are our stop over and random photos. 

The Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet, PH

(Photo by Besty Denise)

Breakfast at Rust n' Wood

soooo glorious!

Rust n' Wood

I can live in this place. Aroma of coffee mixed with the smell of old books! 

Here are the videos provided by our super gadget enthusiasts:

Video by Roma Daquiwag

Video by Alvin David

Enjoy!!!

For the future travelers, I will be providing you the contact details of our Tour Coordinator, the ever humble, funny, kind and accommodating Kuya Marlon Tauli. Our tour package included round trip van transfer (Manila-Banaue/Sagada/Baguio-Manila), transfer to all tour sites, 3 days 2 nights accommodation at George Guest House (one of the famous guest houses in Sagada), 3 days full tours as per itinerary, all guide fees, all registration and entrance fees. Food is the only exclusion. You can contact Kuya Marlon at 0918-352-2579 or 0928-896-8056.

SAGADA : OUR VICTORIOUS ADVENTURE (2016) PART 3

PART 03

After trekking to Bomod-ok Falls, we returned to the guest house to refresh and recharge for the afternoon town tour. We are headed to the historical sites of Sagada. 

It is always enriching to learn about the history of a certain place like Sagada and its people. I am amazed by the knowledge that my country is truly rich with dynamic cultures. Learning them from school books is way way different from seeing them in person from the historical sites to the people.  Appreciation is more profound when you see them with your very eyes, hear it with open ears, and feel it under your skin. All of your senses will perform their functions with real astonishment. I and mine did.

Let's tour the town!!!

SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN CHURCH
ECHO VALLEY, HANGING COFFINS, LAKE DANUM, SUNSET VIEWING

This is Saint Mary the Virgin Church built by American Missionaries during the early 1900’s.The church was founded by the Reverend John Staunton who came to Sagada to spread the Christian faith to its local people. Sagada is a predominantly Protestant community, with over 90% of its population sharing the faith. (Photo by Alvin David)

The inside of the Church. (Photo by Alvin David)

The only thing that's left when the church was destroyed by the war. The bell (Kampana).

With Kuya Marlon giving an introduction about the beginning of the church and how it was founded by the missionaries up to how Sagada became a tourist's destination. This gathering circle with stone chairs is a place where the council of leaders meet to discuss and decide on important matters concerning the community or church. 

It's just so nice to wonder around. Surrounded by the proudly standing pine trees, the sound that the wind and trees create are just so enchanting to my ears. If only I brought a blanket, I would have fallen asleep under one of the trees. I hope my future children will still be able to see this beauty of Sagada. (Photo by Bebeloves 😏❄⛄)

And of course, our groupie! 🚐👍👯🌞

From here, we trekked to the Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins.

Going to the Echo Valley we passed through this cemetery. One of the Fallen SAF 44 is buried here. Here, instead of lighting candles when visiting their loved ones, people bring woods and build fire on top of the tomb. 

Trekking to the Echo Valley. ❄❄❄☔

Here we are!!! Shout all you want and get an answer back! Hahaha! Yung mga may hinanakit na itinatago sa kaibuturan ng kanilang mga lamang loob, dito kayo magsusumigaw. Dito itangis ang lahat ng kinikimkim ng inyong puso. May Kuya sumigaw, at umalingawngaw talaga, "DUTERTE2016!!!" Hahaha!

Headed to the famous Hanging Coffins.

To be hanged here is like a status symbol, there are certain criteria. It is believed that the first coffin was hanged here in 1800's and most recent was in 2010 if I remember it right. The culture is very much alive. 🌙🌠🌟 (Photo by Alvin David)

SUNSET VIEWING, LAKE DANUM

Panoramic View of the Lake Danum, the yello-gold like body of water. ⛅⛅⛅

The spectators while waiting for the most awaited sunset. ⛅

Can we ever miss a groupie? Haha! Nah! Nevah! 😊😍😛

Missing you people 😉😊✈

Sun kissed. No filter. 

And the most waited... What a wonderful world! ❤🎧🎶 Sunset doesn't only end a day, it's a reminder of a new day to come.  (Perfectly captured by Alvin David)

Let us always be thankful to God for every sunset, not only for the sunrise. Life is beautiful, we just have to learn how to see it, not with our eyes but with our heart. As the Little Prince once said, "It is only through the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye..."  (Photo by Alvin David)

TO BE CONTINUED... (FINAL PART IN PROGRESS)




For the future travelers, I will be providing you the contact details of our Tour Coordinator, the ever humble, funny, kind and accommodating Kuya Marlon Tauli. Our tour package included round trip van transfer (Manila-Banaue/Sagada/Baguio-Manila), transfer to all tour sites, 3 days 2 nights accommodation at George Guest House (one of the famous guest houses in Sagada), 3 days full tours as per itinerary, all guide fees, all registration and entrance fees. Food is the only exclusion. You can contact Kuya Marlon at 0918-352-2579 or 0928-896-8056.

SAGADA : OUR VICTORIOUS ADVENTURE (2016) PART 2

PART 02

I am so excited to post all the photos here to share the fun and excitement that Sagada can give to travelers. Some people do travel for many reasons; some do for soul searching, others for fun and adventure, while others are just going with the flow, it may also be due to peer pressure, while for others it's a part of their job, or to unwind, for some, travelling maybe for their passion to learn about different cultures and people, etc. For me, it's more of giving myself the gift to experience the fruits of my labor. Yes, we work to support our families and provide their needs as much as we can. We are working for our future. But sometimes people tend to be focusing more for the future that they have forgotten how to live the present. I don't want to be like that. It is important to think about the future but we only live once. We will never really know when our time is over. It's been said many times, live today as if it's your last. We should not live to work, we should work to live and enjoy this life and create wonderful memories. (Now it's a little dramatic.) When will you start to travel? When you already have lots of money but no more energy to trek, climb and swim? I hope not. :)

Here we go! 

TREKKING TO BOMOD-OK FALLS / VIEW OF FIDELISAN RICE TERRACES

Ate Lauren, our tour guide for the day, giving a briefing on our way to Bomod-ok Falls. We have canes for support while trekking. (Photo from one of the besties' phones I think) 😊😀

We can not miss a groupie! (Photo by Alvin)

(Photo by Roma)

Ito yung may step eh, ikot-ikot portion. ✈🚀⛅🎶

Ang sementadong pilapil. 🎥🌞⛅🌈

Passing through the villages.👌🍞🚳🌈🌞

The Rolling in the deep portion by Besty Denise. (Photo by Zeh)

Malapit-lapit na sa katotohanan... 😄😆😋

Hahaha! The epic trekking outfit, socks and flip flops.

Enjoying the view of the rice terraces and the cool wind. ❄⛄

Everything that your eyes can see is my property! 🌞☁🌈🍍🍓😛 Line ni Besty Roma. 👯

We're almost there! The nakakanginig ng tuhod part. 🙏😭😅😓

Miming time!!! ✔⛅🌈

The breathtakingly beautiful Bomod-ok Falls. ❄❄❄☑ After almost an hour of trekking, just feeling the cool breeze of the wind mixed with moisture from the waterfalls, in less than one minute I felt like I didn't trek that far at all. Nature is such a powerful healer. I hope that more people will understand how important it is to preserve our mother nature, our home planet. I hope more people will protect her, because nature's revenge when she's being abused is something we can never ever survive. (Photo by Alvin)

Here we stopped to get some munch to refuel for trekking back to drop point. They got banana cues for P10, not bad. They also got fish balls and ice buco, bottled water and some energy drinks.

(Photo by Lara)

"Friendship goals... to places, to our dreams, to our future..." - Vee ✈🌞⛅🌟

Yes, you see it right! Top ride along those deadly cliffs! I feel so brave!!! hahaha! (guess who's the leader??) 🚐🚷🚳 (Photo by Alvin)

The best thing about our group, we eat altogether. Then we divide the total cost, it's way way cheaper for a good food. That's why I believe that one of the many factors to have a more enjoyable trip is our travel mates. No need to explain. For sure, you already know what I mean.  🍗🍚🍛🍞🍅🍍🍆🍉

And yes, top ride again! One of the many things you have to try in Sagada! You'll get racing heart beats, you'll scream, you'll feel brave, you'll feel weak, you will feel like all your body organs inside are colliding with each other, but in the end, you will feel complete, satisfied, and courageous, because you made it! Yes! We made it!🚐✅🌞

"Alvin and the Chipmunks!" Alviiiiiinnnnn!!! 🙌😆😛😀🚐🚳🚷

TO BE CONTINUED... (PART 03 IN PROGRESS...)


For the future travelers, I will be providing you the contact details of our Tour Coordinator, the ever humble, funny, kind and accommodating Kuya Marlon Tauli. Our tour package included round trip van transfer (Manila-Banaue/Sagada/Baguio-Manila), transfer to all tour sites, 3 days 2 nights accommodation at George Guest House (one of the famous guest houses in Sagada), 3 days full tours as per itinerary, all guide fees, all registration and entrance fees. Food is the only exclusion. You can contact Kuya Marlon at 0918-352-2579 or 0928-896-8056.