The Beach!

Artistic Diving in Sipalay

Beach Bum

On the way to Sipalay, we stopped by a lighthouse and this was the view that greeted us at the top.

I just love the beach!!! I want to build a beach house someday. The sound of the waves and the sight of crystal blue waters and azure skies give a feeling of tranquility and serenity.

Final Leg of the Sagada Escapade

Sagada
Day 3

“This tastes like Lactacyd.” –Kristin referring to the yogurt.

“What, you’ve tasted Lactacyd?” –Jing

“Ay, Yakult pala!"–Kristin

A hot bath feels really good when you're in a cold place. And to have a hot bath in Sagada, you have to buy a bucket of hot water.

After checking out of the Resthouse and before boarding the bus to Baguio, we had breakfast at the Yogurt House. I ordered vegetable fried rice with beef while Tin had a sandwich. Of course, we ordered yogurt with rice crispies, banana, and strawberry jam!! Yummy!! The sourness of the yogurt was just right for my taste buds.

We boarded the 10 am bus going to Baguio. After a 6-hour trip amidst the rice terraces and the mountains, we finally arrived in the City of Pines. The air was not that cool as I expected. And there were lots of jeepneys! What caught my attention was that taxis have rolled down windows to have natural cool air circulation. Even SM Baguio had no air-conditioning system and had lots of open spaces! More so, the mall did not look like the traditional SM shoebox-type architecture. Rather, it had a giant canopy as a roof with open spaces to let the cool air in. Anyway, who needs air-conditioning in Baguio?!

We also went to the Church of Our Lady of Atonement, a pink-painted Church right in the center of the city. After saying our prayers (and making my wish!), we went to Don Henricos, the first store of the famous Italian resto franchise here in the Philippines, for a hearty and very filling meal. It was situated along Session Road. We ordered beef calzone and some red pasta. We decided against ordering tiramisu for dessert due to carbo overload- the calzone was really HUGE!! And yummy!! It had lots of meet, red sauce, eggplant and cheese inside!

To burn some calories, we strolled along Burnham Park. Although it was past 6 in the evening, there were still lots of families and barkadas relaxing around the park. Afterwards, we went to the Baguio Market to buy some Baguio delicacies and strawberries as pasalubong. Since our bus going to Manila would depart at 11, we stayed in Starbucks at SM. To pass time, Kristin read a romance novel which she bought at Booksale earlier that evening while I scribbled down my thoughts on my journal. And yep, Starbucks had no air-conditioning system too!

We walked to the bus station, which was 2-3 blocks away from SM. After doing some last minute shopping at the station (we could not resist the call of knitted ponchos and bags!), we boarded the bus and tried to catch some zzzzzzzssssssss all the way to Manila. Unfortunately, when it was time to get off the bus, the two girls seated in front of us, took a LOT of time in putting their seats from the reclining position to the normal position. Funny, they just looked at Tin and I. Hello!

From Cubao, we rode a cab going to the boarding house. I did not go straight to the dorm since it was only 5 in the morning. After giving Tin my share of the cab fare, I got off of the cab. Tin followed suit. Without our knowing, the cab was following us because after walking for like 5 meters or so, the cab stopped, the driver rolled down his window and said, “Bayad niyo po.” Kristin and I were laughing because the money was still in Kristin’s hand!! After apologizing, we went inside the boarding house, woke-up GL and her mom because of our loud voices, and finally, went to sleep on a comfortable bed (for Kristin) and mattress (for me as I slept on the floor).

We woke up around lunch time, ate our lunch and went to a nearby spa for some lava stone massage to ease our aching muscles. This time, Em-em joined us. Before separating (I went back to the dorm while Tin and Em went to SM), we ate at Pancake House, which was just beside the spa.

Sore muscles after a long and exhausting vacation is a cheap price to pay when your heart and mind are beaming with contentment.

Day 2 of the Sagada Escapade

Sagada

Day 2

We woke up around 7.30 in the morning. It was so cold!! It’s like having an air-conditioned room. We went to the tourism office to get a guide for our spelunking. There we met Cindy and her brother Kevin, who asked us if we could share a guide and just divide the fee into four so we can save. Fortunately, we were able to hitch ride up to the mouth of Sumaging Cave. Otherwise, it would have been a 30-45 minute hike from the tourism office. To Cindy and Kevin, the 1 hour spent in going down to the bottom of the cave was no sweat! They were like Spiderman, skipping and climbing from one big stone to another; but for Kristin and me, it was such a struggle! I was literally crawling to go to the bottom of the cave! I did not mind putting my hands on bat’s shit if this would mean making sure that I would not slide down to the big rocks and be lost in this world forever. The rocks and land were wet by dripping water from above, making the trail slippery (and dangerous). So we had to be sure with every step. Luckily, our guide was very helpful all through out the activity. There was a point where we have to pass through big rocks which had to be wet with water so that we will not slide down. The water glued our feet to the rocks! It was like magic! It was such an experience! It made me realized that what would not hurt me physically would not kill me. So failing in exams will not kill me, but will only wound my pride.

Our guide showed us different rock formations which were named based on the thing that it resembled. When our guide first mentioned "pigpen", I asked myself how could they bring pigs to the bottom of the cave. Oh boy! My pick-up was slow!! Oh well, my brain cells are also on vacation when I am on vacation. Then, he showed us the pregnant woman, the one who impregnated the woman, and the turtle. There was a “cliff”, and a wet one! Going deeper into the cave would entail much calculated legwork that I declined to go further. And so was Tin! So we stayed in the semi-pool of cold water, basking at the beauty of the rock formations while Cindy, Kevin and our guide proceeded further. I just did not have the guts to go further. Going up was easier for them through a rope which they used for rappelling. Together, we headed back to the mouth of the cave.

My clothes were such a mess! My jogging pants was covered with mud, and yes, bat’s shit. Braving the cold water, I took a shower. Afterwards, we had a hearty lunch at St. Joseph’s Café where we made friends with the waiter (the cafe had only one waiter). Later in the evening, I would be the one to write our order on his order slip as he was busy tending to the other guests. As usual, we did not know what to order. I ended up ordering Vegetable Fried Rice with tuna which turned out to be good for two persons. It came as no surprise for Tin and me that we were able to finish our food up to the last bite.

With our able guide Adfil, we rented a jeepney going to Kiltepan, the highest point in Sagada where we saw a magnificent view of the rice terraces! It must have taken them a lot of patience and perseverance to make those rice terraces! Adfil told us that unlike the rice terraces of Banaue, stones held the rice terraces of Sagada and Bontoc in place. And with respect to ownership of the land, the families till the terraces which their forefathers tilled ages ago. Afterwards, we trekked through rice terraces and fields planted with cabbage, to get to the small falls. Tin was already exhausted so she went straight to the Resthouse while Adfil and I went to Echo Valley. There we met three of his friends in the local high school. And as the name suggests, whatever you scream, it echoes and goes back to you because the sound bounces from the mountain right across you! We were also able to see hanging coffins on that mountain.

That night, love songs sang by a local singer lulled us to sleep.

SAGADA

A day after my last final exam, my friend Kristin and I went to Sagada. The long bus trip was worth it. I did not mind seating still for about 11 hours!

I guess we were so excited to go to Sagada that we arrived 30 minutes or more, earlier at the Banaue-bound bus terminal. 20 minutes after the scheduled time of departure, we boarded the bus that will take us to the home of the centuries old rice terraces- Banaue. Our bus departed Manila at around 30 minutes past 10 in the evening. As there was nothing else to do but sleep, I tried to catch some zzzzzzsssss. But I kept on waking up every time I hear the screeching sound of the brakes as the driver stepped on the brakes. I guess he was maneuvering a curve. I woke up at around 5 am to the foggy sight of the mountains! It was like riding a bus in the clouds! I marveled at the sight of the rocky mountains on my right and to the planes and rice terraces on my left.

DAY 1

It was drizzling when we arrived at Banaue. Maybe this was the morning mountain drizzle??? Young men in their heavy jackets were waiting for passengers to ride their jeeps and tricycles to Bontoc or Sagada. Most of them were chewing ma-ma (I don’t know how it is called in English), giving them red stained teeth and lips so early in the morning. Perhaps chewing it gives them heat?? I don’t know. Tin and I were ushered to a blue jeep. The driver told us to wait for passengers going to Sagada. Sensing that this was different from what I have read in the magazine, I checked the mag and told Kristin to get off the jeep and ride the tricycle to the jeep terminal. The rent for the jeep would cost around P3, 000.00! And when we asked how much the fare is, the driver said it is P250/head to Sagada!

So we rode the tricycle that took us to the terminal of Bontoc-bound jeeps. The tricycle ride only cost us P10 while the jeepney ride going to Bontoc cost P135/head. We were seated together with old Bontoc women, who were in their 70’s or 80’s. Though old, they were strong women! They can still carry their heavy bags. They were friendly too. Hearing them talk made me feel like I’m an outsider. They were talking in a completely different language; I couldn’t understand a word they said! So when Tin and I were conversing in Hiligaynon, the old woman seated beside me asked me something. The only familiar word to me was “Cebuan” which I assumed that she was asking whether we were Cebuanos. And I answered Ilonggo. And the other old lady seated across us, who was in the same bus with us, said “ahhh… Tagalog.”

After 2 ½ hours of winding and sometimes bumpy roads of the mountains, we arrived in Bontoc where I bought some cold Coke and bread. The jeepney ride was made bearable by the panoramic view of the mountains! Not to mention passing by roads beside the rice terraces. I was tempted to reach out my hand and touch the rocks that were holding the terraces in place. In Bontoc, we boarded the jeep that would take us to Sagada. After 30 minutes of winding roads (again!) and scenic view of the mountains and a river, we set foot in Sagada! Ahhh…. FRESH AIR!! It has a sweet pine tree scent! The air was cool, giving me blushing cheeks! Everywhere I look, there were mountains! It seemed like the heavens and the earth met as the clouds barely touch the tip of the mountains! Right then and there, I knew that I would be coming back to this place over and over again!

We got off at the stairs leading to St. Joseph’s Resthouse. It was sitting on top of the hill. We checked in and went to register at the Tourism Office. We looked for Shamrock Café for lunch but unfortunately, it already transferred to another location and we did not have the strength to go down the stairs. So we opted to go walk a few steps north of the Tourism office and saw Masferre’s Inn and Restaurant. We were so exhausted and famished from the trip that we ordered a lemon chicken, fried chicken in orange sauce and garden salad without bothering to ask how big the serving was. Our eyes got big in surprise when our meal was served. My golly! One order can serve two persons! It’s like a quarter of one whole chicken for each of us! But then again, we were so hungry that we finished everything up to the last bite! Whoa! I also drank mountain tea which smelled and tasted like chamomile tea!

Reenergized by our power lunch, Kristin and I opted to explore the place. With a map at hand, we decided to walk to wherever our feet will take us. Our first stop was the Episcopal Church which was just right across St. Joseph’s. It has a huge bronze bell which when rang could be heard as far as the next town below. This piece of information was relayed to us by our guide Adfil (who toured us during our second day). After taking some pictures of the Church, we followed the arrow which said “To Echo Valley.” Climbing the stairs leading to the Priest’s House, and then following the arrow, we continued climbing uphill. We stopped when we thought that the hike might take as a long time (which was proven to be wrong when I used the same trail the following day) and it was already 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Instead, we decided to go to Masferre’s Photo Shop which we passed by in the morning on board the jeepney. Unfortunately, the shop was closed. We were later informed by Adfil that the pictures which can be seen there are those of the original inhabitants of Sagada, the Ifugao. Some pictures were already displayed at the restaurant where we ate our lunch. Looking at the map, we then proceeded towards the direction of the small falls. Halfway through our hike, we were welcomed by big barking dogs! And as I am very afraid of dogs (think: rabies!), we headed back to Masferre’s Photo. Sad about not seeing the small falls, we headed towards Mapiya-aw Pension House which according to a magazine has one of the best sights of rice terraces.

Mapiya-aw Pension was situated atop a hill in a secluded area. (It’s best for honeymooners!!!) It’s very private. Unfortunately, from their grounds, we could not see any magnificent view of the rice terraces. Perhaps we could see it from their rooms which were situated on the second floor.

Finally, we decided to head back to St. Joseph’s. Maybe tomorrow, we could go Somewhere.

Before going back to St. Joseph’s, we stopped by at Alfredo’s for our dinner. We ordered two plates of pasta- tuna and meat. As usual we did not bother to ask whether a serving is good for two persons. So when our waitress repeated our order as only one plate of spaghetti, we had a gut feel that their serving is BIG. And surprise, surprise! We were served two BIG plates of pasta!! A plate that could serve two-three persons! Oh well, our stomachs are bottomless pits, so we were not surprised that we were able to eat everything!! I have to commend the prompt service! Unlike in Bohol where it would take them an hour to serve your food, here, our food was served in 20 minutes (and you could hear the sound of cooking)!

So after our sumptuous and VERY filling dinner, we headed back to St. Joseph’s. It was only 7:30 in the evening. I was telling Tin that I’ll just finalize our itinerary for tomorrow then I’ll go to sleep when I already hear her sleeping soundly! I bet she did not hear a word I said! And it was only 8:00 in the evening!

Before I forget it, there is a curfew in Sagada. Light’s out at 9:00 in the evening.