What's in store for you in Sagada?
I consider myself lucky, because I still have the luxury to travel and to go to different places even if it is just once or twice a year, not everyone are as privileged. Last weekend, it was a Sagada trip with the boyfriend and a few new found friends. Admittedly, I am an obsessive-compulsive planner when it comes to vacation getaways. I gather all related information from the place, do's and don'ts, things to bring down to the appropriate clothes to wear. Of course, I do believe in spontaneity but I also value our safety and security above anything else, hence the importance of researching. We found out about the tour through Metrodeal. For P3399.00 per person, we are entitled to (1) a 3D/2N stay at a hostel/inn, (2) a round trip transportation fare and (3) a tour in the town proper. Excluded in the package on the other hand are the following:
- Tour guide fee to Sumaging Cave/cave connection - P150 and P450 per person respectively
- Tour guide fee to Bomod Ok Falls - P100 per person
- Jeepney ride going to Kiltepan peak - P50 per person
- Meals all throughout the trip
We set off Thursday night, April 9, around 9:00 in the evening from SM North and arrived at around 6:00 in the morning the following day at North Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya where we had our breakfast. Continuing the road travel, we reached Banaue, Ifugao at around 9:00 AM where we caught the beauty of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. In 1996, it was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO truly for its unique appeal. Although it has also been placed in the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger because of notable deterioration on probable causes like the difference in traditional and modern day farming technology and perhaps poor conservation management. It was removed from the list last June 2012.¹ Maybe it wasn't as perfect as it was compared to the photos on text books and magazines way back then, but it was still an amazing site to see. Apparently, what we discovered based on what we saw during this tour is that almost the whole of Mt. Province uses the same farming technology. Everywhere I look, I see smaller versions of rice terraces!
And so, after fourteen (14) hours of travel and 6 stop overs, we finally reached Sagada at around 11:00 AM! This is the start of our very adventurous and stamina-building escapade. =) If ever you decide to go here, be sure to include the following in your itinerary:
1. Spelunking at Sumaging cave which we chose or try cave connections for the more adventurous side of yours - We spent 2 to 3 hours roaming in the cave for two reasons: (1) taking our time grappling through rocks, some with slimy guano (bat wastes) and (2) there were so many tourists the same time we were there, so basically there was human traffic. Nevertheless, the rock formations are really beautiful. Just a note, wear comfortable caving/trekking sandals since some rocks can really be slippery. Also, there is a part in the cave that you will be asked to leave your footwear and you will return soaking that you don't want to get your sneakers dirty and wet. On the other hand, the cave connections take a lot longer time to finish. Some of our co-passengers in the van tried it and took them 5-6 hours.
2. Trek to Bomod Ok Falls - It is the biggest falls in Sagada and the actual experience of going there is priceless, especially for me who's having her first time in trekking. According to our local guide, it takes a total of 4000 steps and is roughly 2 kilometers going to the falls. For that activity, we already made 8000 steps back and forth! Oh, talking about cardio. It is important to wear clothes that will protect your skin from sunburn and bring water and some snacks. Also, extra clothes if you want to take a dip in the water.
3. Tour in the town proper:
Church of St. Mary the Virgin - Initially, I noticed that I haven't seen any Catholic church going to Sagada and in the town per se. Later on did I found out that it is because it is largely an Anglican Protestant community. They are also one of the few who still do rituals specifically for good harvest and any other significant events. We were lucky to have a glimpse of a wedding ritual during our stay. At the back of the church is its old bell, fondly called the "ghost bell." The reason behind the name is that the sound can reach as far as Ilocos which is estimated to be at about 245 kilometers away.
Hanging Coffins - Ancient Igorots believed in Paganism. They also have a high value for departed loved ones that is why in the olden times, they hang the coffins on rock mountains where it is colder to preserve the bodies in the belief that they will come again and until now, they do not remove those coffins thus making it a tourist attraction.
4. Peak of Mt. Kiltepan - This landmark is a famous spot for watching the sun rise or the sea of clouds. Unfortunately, we missed both. Our driver said that not every one who goes there were able to witness it too so better luck next time.
5. Of course, don't miss the opportunity to try their local food. There are many restaurants in the area to choose from. In my estimate, prepare P120-250 per meal. I am suggesting this since we were not able to try other restaurants apart from Strawberry Cafe. Their yogurt though is really exceptional, nothing compares here in Manila. We choose to strictly budget our money and eat bread during breakfast that is why we weren't able to try others, not to mention we were too tired to aimlessly roam in the area so we always end up in the nearest which is this one. I also was not able to buy an "I survived Sagada" shirt which supposedly perfectly describes my feeling after the whole trip. So I guess, it gives me a reason to return? =)
Some suggestions you might want to consider:
- Bring loose cash because I did not see any ATM.
- Bring jacket for cold nights but also bring sunblock and any other that can protect you against the scorching sun if you're going during summer. It can get really hot at times or really cold once the clouds start covering the sun. And the most amusing part? It all happens in a day! The weather can change drastically.
- Prepare your body for the tiring travel and physical activities.
- Since we went on a tour package, I am not aware on how to commute going to the place but you can check on Visit Sagada's website here for more information.
On our way home, also part of the itinerary was dropping by the Strawberry Farm at La Trinidad, Benguet where we ate everything with Strawberry from ice cream to crepe and where we bought Strawberry jams.
Looking at the vastness of both the Cordillera mountain ranges and terraces on our way down felt like I was being carried away to a different dimension - reflecting and re-organizing a hundred thoughts. I'm thinking that the locals are thankful for tourists like us to whom some of them get their income, through selling services by being a tour guide or their local products. The question perhaps is what do they do on days that there are very few visitors in their town? Do they continue with their farming? Or do all of them have the knowledge to do so? Maybe. I also thought of how lucky they are, assuming they have a direct access of the rice they plant. But over-all, I think I am the most fortunate for having the chance to interact with some of them and see how nice the locals are, for seeing the beauty not just of their place but of their culture - on how they try to balance preserving it as well as making an effort to keep up with modernization and lastly, for intensifying my belief in living the simple life and appreciating small things because they make up for the bigger ones.
"To travel is to get lost and when you finally find your way back home, you are 1/3 better of your old self."
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¹Villalon, Augusto F. "UNESCO sites Vigan, Banawe Rice Terraces for heritage achievements." Inquirer.net. n.p. 4 November 2012. Web. 18 April 2015.
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