We were in awe when we reached the Philippine Pali in Atok, Benguet, the highest point of the highway system. The sight was perfect. The mountains were grand covered with cold morning fog. It was so serene and peaceful to look at them. Benguet was really fabulous.
And so our journey continued...
Finally, we arrived at Sagada before lunchtime of Saturday and checked in. The weather was just perfect. The sun was kissing our skin but the temperature was cold. We had lunch at Salt and Pepper. Most of us ordered the rosemary chicken and beef tapa for the win. It was not a tremendous lunch but we definitely enjoyed making okray of the place. A meal in Sagada would cost you roughly P100 to P 200. It is not bad because the servings are huge and of course you have to pay for the ambiance and all.
In the afternoon, we headed to the Lumiang Burial Cave where some of the hanging coffins can be found. The way down was very, very steep. Most of us were not accustomed to too much exercise working in offices. Our efforts were not wasted. Alas! The hanging coffins were awesome!
A burial practice being done by the poeple of Sagada for 2000 years, the ritual involves hanging coffins of the departed so that they will be able to guard those whom they left behind.
Then we went spelunking at the Sumaguing cave! Thus far, this is the most extreme activity I have done in my whole life. Without any safety gears and proper attire, we descended underground to what seemed to me a never ending 100-120 degrees slope of three stages. The first one was relatively easy because light from outside the cave was still shining through our trail. The second stage was the slippery stage. Why was it slippery? Because of the dirt and urine of bats. Not only was it slippery, it was also stinky. Aw! For the final stage, you will have to pass a water tunnel which will take you to the other cave. (We were not brave enough for this one.)
There was also a difficult portion where you had to climb up on a rock which was standing proud at 90 degrees. You have to make bwelo and then ran a bit faster so that you can grab a rock ( and to your own dear life) and then quickly climb up. One wrong move and you are definitely dead meat. I thought I was going to die.
The Kuya tour guide showed us seashells inside the cave which meant that in the past, the place was below seawater. Amazing!
In the evening, we had Java Chicken and the unforgettable yoghurt! Where else but at the Yoghurt House! Just a reminder, if you are aiming for quality dinner, make early reservations and come to the restaurant around 6-7pm. That way, you will be able to enjoy all the dishes of the resto. To top it all, we had a Sagada local kid serving us with her high pitched voice and rosy cheeks. Until now, we cannot get over her English accent. :)
The following morning we went to Kiltepan Rice Terraces to view the sunrise and do some jump shots! Immediately after, we went back to our inn. Some played pusoy while some went to the yoghurt house to get yoghurt! What else?
Just when we thought that we were done with extreme activities and near death experiences, we again descended towards the BIG Falls. Did you hear my BIG voice? It was trekking at its finest with wild grass, newly created path, and a downhill trail to the BIG Falls. And you already know what we saw down there. Pure awesomeness!
We dropped by the Sagada weaving to take a quick look at the Sagada weaved products? Oh my, am I redundant? The woman who was weaving while we were there was not very showbiz. She did not want us to take any pictures with her. Just the same, we were fascinated at how she puts detail, patience, and hard work in her craft.
Then it was lunchtime again. We went to the well reviewed Masferre Restaurant. The owner was the late Eduardo Masferre, father of Philippine photography, self-motivated documenter of this people's life ways. Imagine that. We were wide-eyed while we viewed his photo gallery in his restaurant. The menu in this restaurant is more of American food.
In the afternoon, we went to St. Mary's Episcopal Church and the Echo Valley where we saw another site of hanging coffins. We shouted at the top of our lungs (What's going on?!) like what Tarzan does in the movies. I may not be able to justify by my words alone how spellbinding the place was. The museum in Sagada is also a must see! An old lady who was also a cancer patient survivor told us tales of the people of Sagada.
And then we went to the Sagada Pottery, an old ruined nipa house where we expressed how we missed of our friends who were not able to come with us!
When we got back to our inn, I had a bit of a movie marathon while others played you know what by now. They have cable there you know.
For dinner, we went to the Log Cabin. The place was simply charmed. With a great facade and most especially a bewitched ambiance. Haaay...it was like being in a dreamlike dinner where all your friends have been invited.
Before we finally got into bed, we went out to buy something for breakfast and pasalubong. At that moment we understood why most of the shirts read, "I survived Sagada." We definitely did. And of course, you already know what happened that night, pusoy dos battle continued.
We decided to leave Sagada earlier than planned. Instead of 7am departure, we got up at 430am. Now, that was not me. When going to Sagada, make sure that you bring an alarm clock friend to help you keep the time even when you played all night.
And so we left for Manila that morning, with heavy eyes, got fascinated by the cliffs and the mountains, etc, etc. We went picking strawberries in La Trinidad. Wait, did we? We bought all the jams and veggies we could buy because they were so cheap but definitely fresh!!! For 200 pesos only, you will be bringing home a sack of vegetables. Do not forget to buy your broccoli guys!
Then we had lunch at the Gerry's Grill at SM Baguio which zapped us back to Metro life! From Baguio to Manila, we enjoyed the scenery again and again. We dropped by a gasoline station and ate fishballs and kikiam just like when we were in high school.
There were many other great pictures and better words to describe Sagada. I tried giving you a good glimpse of it but I suggest you don't take my words for it and discover the place for yourself.
My only prayer is that Sagada will be properly preserved and developed.
Sagada is really an exciting place to go. It takes any willing heart to a whole new world of culture, people and places. I very much enjoyed our foodtrips and sightseeing not to mention the extreme activities we did. If you are planning to go to Sagada, come with the best of your lots to make your visit a truly memorable one!
Note: Transportation (a private van), lodging, and tour would cost P3500 - P 4000 excluding food each for 10-12 persons.
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