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.

SAGADA : OUR VICTORIOUS ADVENTURE (2016) PART 1

PART 01

Since "That Thing Called Tadhana" has topped the movie houses when it was released on the big screen, Sagada has been the talk of many travel enthusiasts. Although the small town up in the mountains had become a tourist destination even before, it can't be denied that the movie has contributed a big part in the out-pour of local travelers. And I am one of those who got smitten by the breath-taking natural beauty of Sagada.

Let's cite some geographical information of the place. Sagada is nestled in a valley at the upper end of the Malitep tributary of the Chico River some one and a half kilometers above sea level in the Central Cordillera Mountains, enveloped between the main Cordillera Ranges and the Ilocos Range. Mount Data in the south and Mount Kalawitan in the southeast pierce the horizon. Mount Polis, Bessang and Mount Tirad in the east, and Mount Sisipitan in the north mark the Mountain Province–Abra boundary. (Wikipedia)

So, let's begin re-telling my journey to the wonders of Sagada.

Most of the time, who you travel with makes the journey more unforgettable. True enough. You are looking at a newly formed circle of friends brought altogether by one common goal, travel. (Photo taken at Saint Mary the Virgin Church's compound which connects to the Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins. Credits to Alvin David & Roma Daquiwag, two of my travel buddies. They have a GoPro cam. Astig!)

After almost 12 hours of travel from Manila to Sagada, finally, our group made it safely to George Guest House. We are 12 in the van but this is our group as per payment. A group of 5 is 2,999.00 per head all-in except food. (Photo by Alvin)

Everyone is looking excited, yeah? Ah, no. Hungry! This is the dining area of George.  If you are too lazy to look for a place to eat, you won't regret recharging your tummies here. I love their veggies! Crunchy and fresh! One of the many things I looked forward to before going to Sagada, eating fresh vegetables! :)
 (Photo by Alvin)

This is our second day getting ready for trekking to Bomod-ok Falls. (Photo by Roma)

Before our most exciting and adventurous activities, I want to show you first some of our stop over photos.

The picture says it all! :) (Photo by Alvin)

Close na kami, agad agad! At Banaue Viewpoint but the fogs are covering the astonishing view, nevertheless, Banaue is still as breathtakingly beautiful as the triplets in our group, Mia (front), Lara (next to Mia) and Denise (behind them). These beautiful people are amazing.

From here, besties were born. :) The original besties Zeh (beautiful lady with a cap) and Roma (the pretty lady in red sweater), and the adopted besties, us. 

Photo by Alvin David

Photo by Alvin David

More stopover photos on our way home. You'll see the majestic beauty of nature as you read along. :)

Travel with me as I narrate here our victorious adventure in Sagada through pictures taken mostly by Alvin David and Roma Daquiwag's GoPro cameras. But others were from all the besties cellphone cameras. I wasn't able to take many pictures because yeah, I brought my camera, without an SD card! hahaha! 

Day 01 Lumiang Burial Cave, Sumaguing Spelunking/Caving 

Lumiang Burial Cave

This is the Lumiang Burial Cave were the indigenous people of Sagada were laid to rest. Interestingly, coffins mostly are very short while some are long and why were they at the opening of the cave. We learned that our ancestors believed that one should be laid to rest in the same formation as one was born. So the coffins were small because they are in fetal position. The longer coffins suggest the arrival of Christianity, the dead no longer was in fetal position. We are having a little history class here. I really listened carefully to the tour guide. Most coffins were made  from a tree trunk. There is one there that has an engrave of a Gecko, a representation of being a leader in a community. They said that the coffins were inside the cave at first, but many believed that their spirits are still alive roaming around. They then decided to transfer the coffins at the opening of the cave for the belief that they will be the ones to guard the hidden treasures which they believed existed inside the cold cave. Superstitions were truly alive on that era. (Photo b Alvin) 

Sumaguing Spelunking/Caving

I wasn't the adventurous kind of a person until I had the chance to become one. My kind of travel is quiet, peaceful, with lots of time for sightseeing. But then I found out, I can also ride at the top of a jeepney running along deadly cliffs! and explore the depths of a cold graveyard like cave by rock climbing and rappelling with my bare hands and gear less feet. (At the right side of my blog, you might also want to read my surfing experience in Baler, Aurora :) ) 

Yes we are ready!!! 

I'm not going to describe the process how we get in there. You have to experience it yourself so you can have the pride to buy the shirt, "I SURVIVED SAGADA". Just enjoy the photos. They may not say it all. :)

(Photos by Alvin David)

Everyone in action! AJA!

Ngiting Tagumpay! May mga gutom na din dyan. At nanginginig na mga tuhod. :D

TO BE CONTINUED...


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.