This trip was one of those just get up and go trips. although we did have some time to plan it, though it was more like last minute planing. We actually didn't have an IT till the afternoon of our trip and then it still wasn't really an IT just a general outline of the possible things to do once we got there.
We decided on the trip some one week prior to the set date.
A friend of mine and I were chatting over YM talking about her leaving for china for work when we decided to take a go away trip together with some of our friends. We decided on the Ifugao mountain province and since it was a long weekend coming up we thought it the perfect time for the trip. So that night we had made our decision. We were leaving Friday night after my class and coming back on the latest day possible. Now since Monday was going to be a public holiday and i didn't have class on Tuesdays the latest option was Wednesday morning so that i got home in time for my Wednesday PM classes.Hectic, spontaneous, unclear but definitively an adventure. To top it off we were all broke! Being students, well me and the other 2 friends that were game for the trip, and Jenny being a fresh grad with no job, it wasn't really a surprise.
A week later we left on a Friday night right after class as agreed on. Now Jenny(my friend leaving for China) had bought the bus tickets the day before so at 9pm we left for the terminal for the 1045 bus to Banaue. Now since this trip wasn't really planned and we had virtually no money at all, we packed as light as possible. This is what we knew and what we brought:
The mountain province was cold
--> Jacket, long sleeved shirts...anything warm. But since i have a high tolerance for cold and i have this thing about tan lines i packed 1 jacket, 1 shirt with long sleeved made with special material meant to keep you warm, razor backs and Jerseys.
We had no little to no money
--> Food for 4 for the whole trip including meals and trail food
--> Cook set to cook the food we had --> Tent for when we have the opportunity to skimp on lodging
--> At least 3L of water. We were told water was expensive in Banaue
The usual
--> Toiletries, Sun block, clothing, personal medicines.
Now since this was going to be the mountain province and we do trekk as a hobby we wore the usual attire, trekking sandals, clothes that dry fast and waterproof bags.
Dont forget to waterproof your bags. June is part of the rainy season in the Philippines and we were headed into the mountain province so this wouldn't be a bad idea to put somewhere on the top of your list.
So having said all that you can only imagine the packs we were carrying.
By the time we got onto the bus it was obvious we were mountaineers/trekkers because of the way we dressed and the size of our bags. The bus left at 11pm and we were off on our adventure. We made friends with the drivers and were intrigued by the on board toilet which is extremely hard to use. The place is so small and cramped i have no idea how anyone, any female could possible squat in that unless they pee like men. Anyway I for one have a hard time sleeping on a bus so i was awake pretty much the entire trip. We had two stop overs, with enough time for a bathroom break and browse at the food on sale. When the sun came up it was refreshing to see the vastness of mountains and the lushness of the trees. Something your deprived of living in the city.
At 7am we arrived at Banue our first stop. This part was funny. I was first off the bus, then Ciego, then Dom, last off was Jenny. I noticed straight away when the we got off the bus the locals were speaking Filipino, when Jenny got off the bus they started speaking English. Jenny compared to Dom, Ciego and I looks "foreign". Although we were all born in the Philippines Jenny has strong Chinese blood so her looks are obviously not Filipino. Out of the 4 of us i would be considered the "foreigner" Yes i was born in the Philippines but grew up in Papua New Guinea and only just came back a couple of years ago to continue my education. So we all found this really hilarious. Although yes it is a bit unfair how the locals give double standards for foreigners and locals, we got to experience this to an extent since everyone thought Jenny was a visitor from another country. We sort of just told ourselves "we cant blame them, its the only income some of them have". But remembering that we were on budget we haggled and fought for better prices. Common we were just being practical.
When we arrived we walked to the town main, skimping yet again on the fare, we had legs so walk. We had breakfast at one of the inns available. The meal wasn't so exciting. Definitely not worth the 85 pesos we paid for it. After that we registered then hired a tricycle to visit one of the view points while we waited for the jeep to Batad. Now Banaue is home to the Philippines rice Terraces. When we first set eyes on the terraces when we got off the bus. I have to admit i was slightly disappointed. I really couldn't see what the fuss was about. Yes the place was amazing when you first see it. But then you notice all the people, then the not so appealing houses dotting the terraces, then the Terraces start to lose their appeal. I then start to think and wonder what they must have been like hundreds of year ago untouched by the modern world. Now that was beautiful. But the terraces were still a sight to behold just imagining how and why was amazing.
After the viewpoint we headed off to Sadle the jump off to Batad which was 1hour and a half away by jeep ride. Once we got to saddle we started off on a 45 min trek to Batad. Now this is where you really start to appreciate the Terraces. The terraces here were beautiful. The inns in Batad are cheap charging per head, you get a room with beds, the bathrooms are common and food is expensive. Good thing we had food and a cook set. After a quick stop over at our inn to dump our stuff we headed for the falls which was another hour and half trek through the terraces and up over and through a small hill. The trekk was tiring but the falls were worth it! The falls seemed to go on forever with beautiful clear and icy cold water. We took a dip and the water was cold but tolerable. The falls fell so hard the water formed small waves. it was like being at the beach with a small rock shore to sit on while the waves lapped up up over your feet and knocking you over at times.After the falls we trekked back getting back just as the night sky was getting dark. At this point all the water we had brought was gone. We needed to restock.
The next morning we trekked back to Saddle and caught a jeep back to Banaue. We rode the trip back Top load! painful to the behind but a must try. Imagine 4 girls sitting on top off the roof on a rough road with all the men sitting inside. I think some of the locals found this funny. I know we did. Once back in Banaue we bought water which was sold to us the what im guessing was the normal price, not so very different from manila. We stocked up on about 2L each then headed for the waiting shed to wait for the bus to Bontoc which was a necessary stop over to Sagada.
The bus ride to Bontoc was on a mini bus mainly used as transpo by the locals. The ride was really dusty but the sights were interesting and the locals were friendly easily chatting up a local on the bus ride to Bontoc.
At Bontoc we had lunch at Midtown as recomended by our newly found friend on the bus. The meal was large and tasty well worth the 65 pesos. After lunch we headed for the local museum again recommended by our friend from the bus. After the museum tour we headed for the jeep stop for the ride to Sagada. The jeep again is mainly used by locals so you'll be cramped inside with various local goods and friendly local people.
Once in Sagada we registered and went Inn hunting. The inn we wanted was full so we ended up looking for a vacant in that also fitted our budget. We finally found the perfect in as the sun set.
In Sagada we visited the caves, the bones, the hanging coffins, the weaving shop we also ate at the Yogurt house. Now the meals here were big and really tasty. We were also lucky to see a local prayer ritual that was being held for the owners mother that had passed away. But overall Sagada was a lot of walking which was refreshing as the scenery was nice, the air clean and the weather favourable considering it was the rainy season.
After spending 2 nights in Sagada we headed for Baguio. We caught the 1pm bus to Baguio. The Air was cold on the way down, the scenery absolutely beautiful and the fog everywhere. Take note please when you visit the mountains bring a jacket. We were unfortunate to be on the same bus with a visiting tourist who was in leather shoes and short sleeves who after a couple of hours started feeling the cold and put on another short sleeved shirt. He clearly had no jacket or anything that went past his biceps. I'm a little bitter coz i was in a razor back and didn't mind so much the cold. It was hot in manila and this was refreshing for me. Plus my friends and i are photo hobbyist so we were snapping pictures from the window every so often. Now whats the upsetting part. The man was clearly cold but said nothing so we just went about our business. He then approaches Dom in an abrupt manner and says pretty loudly "Excuse me could you please close those damn windows its freezing in here". Now if he had asked us properly we damn well would have done so but no he had to do it that way. Look buddy who ever you are its not my fault you didn't bring any warm clothes. I don't think that travel book you were reading knows anything about the Philippines.
Anyway the trip was pleasant although we lost a couple of photo ops coz of the shut windows. We arrived in Baguio around 7pm. We had dinner, did a little souvenir shopping then caught the 11pm bus back to manila. The budget was 4000pesos i had 500 pesos left.
I'm planning another trip in August! i hope it pushes through!
