Sagada 11:Back in Sagada

It was supposed to be a six person trip. Faith, Jhayme, Jade+1, Cj and me. Faith just got hired on a new job and asking for a four day leave is impossible. And worst comes to worst, the day before the trip, Jhayme bailed on us because of an immigration interview which can never be rescheduled. Jade almost didn't made it, CJ and I just convinced him to go. That would suck if it will just be the two of us (CJ and I) on this trip. Though I was hoping CJ would back out on me so I can do a solo trip. hehe
So on the night of 22nd of November, there we were, all three of us, at Ohayami bus station at Fajardo St at Sampaloc Manila, boarded on an eight hour bus bound to Banaue
It won’t be the first time for me in Sagada. But it is for the two. A year ago, they were to go to Sagada but seeing the NON AIRCONDITIONED bus at Dangwa terminal in Baguio, the boys chickened out. (girls!) haha.
Last time, I did the Baguio-Sagada route; this time I'm doing the Banaue-Sagada route to see the Rice Terraces.
We did, I think, two or three stopovers along the way. One in Nueva Ecija and in Nueva Vizcaya. It was freezing cold in the bus. And it didn't help that my seatmate's mobile was on a loud mode that every single time she gets a text, I would know. Actually, the whole row in front and back of our seat would know. Worst was her ring tone. I don't know what is it but somebody's rapping on it, not really pleasing to the ears. Sleeping was impossible.
Around 7 or 8 in the morning, we arrived at the town of Banaue. We're trying do some trekking on the nearest terraces but a whole day should be allotted because of the jeeps leaving Bontoc is limited. No rice terraces trekking for us, I guess. Perhaps, another trip. Anyone?

Breakfast at People's Lodge

After breakfast, Kuya offered to take us to one of the viewpoints. We were supposed to go where judy ann and piolo had their shooting but the fog is not lifting. It would be a waste to go there just to see fog greeting you.

The jeep picked us up at the viewpoint. It took an hour and a half to reach Bontoc and another 45 minute jeep ride going to Sagada. Now, this trip is what I've been waiting. Top loading!!! haha.

The two chicks (jade and cj) were having second thoughts about top loading. I told them I'd do it anyway even without them. At the end, they climbed the jeep after all. Scared scaredy cat those two. Haha. Now this is commuting, we have to pass the police checkpoint first before climbing up because, for your info, top loading is prohibited. It was a 45 minute ride to Sagada. And it was great! Cold wind on my face, Chico River on my left while the mountains unfolding before. If taking the public transportation is as fun as this in the city.  Now, the pollution is a problem. tsk.tsk

I noticed the two were not used to the tourists we see along the way.  I was talking Jade into befriending one of them. Or just have a talk with them. True enough, he made friends with the Canadian sitted beside him.. His name is Andre, a 60 year old retired pilot. I think Jade was having fun chatting with Andre. He sort of believed that English was his second language at one point. haha.

Andre with us toploading

Past noon, we arrived at Sagada. Registered ourselves first at the tourism reg. booth and booked an afternoon spelunking. I did the caving before so I didn't sign myself up. A whole afternoon without the two. All by myself. hehe.
We checked ourselves in at Residential Lodge. After lunch, we went back to Kuya Mark, the guy at the reg. booth, for the spelunking and there was a surprise waiting for the girls..hahaha. Someone's hitching.. Kuya Mark and I can't contain our laughter. Haha. Its payback time for the two. I think Cj and Jade almost didn't want to continue. So, it was an afternoon of ménage a trios for the three. Swerte ni teh! Jackpot! haha.
And a few hours of alone time for me. Electricity was out so there's basically nothing to do. I dozed off instantly.
It was six in the evening when the two came back. It was evident they were wasted but were trying hard not to show it. haha. Chicks!!! So full of themselves for finishing for two hours. Come on, who wouldn’t?? First, there were only three of you and second, and the most viable reason, you're with a gay dude! Inside a cave! Anyone would have finished sooner .haha.
Since electricity was still out, the two had to shower with freezing cold water. Yaaaa! Then dinner at St. Vincent’s café; which we will be frequenting for the rest of our stay.
These two were fooling around while waiting for the lights to come on. I can't handle these two!! iba ang trip!

We had some shots with the owner. Sarap magshot kasi ang lamig. As expected, I was turning a different shade of red after a few shots myself. The walk back to our lodge was cold. Freezing cold.

ano n nga b name ni ate?

sarap ng chicken at un fries..ulam na!

Sleep was easy that night. Until I heard someone snoring...the who? hahaha. I was up at 3am and sleeping was impossible. Good thing, there's wifi. So I blogged away..hehe
The next day, we're off to see the Big Falls.
Sagada Tourism Info doesn't hold any tour at the Big Falls anymore. The barangay where the falls is has their own. So  we have take the jeep to the Falls and get us a tour guide. The trek lasted for about an hour.

Finally, I saw Bomod-ok Falls.

We just lied around and killed time. Past noon,we got back just in time to catch the last trip back to Sagada.

I learned a thing or two about the way of life in Sagada. Did you know that the rice they harvest is all native? I mean, the binhi they used is. It didn't come from the govt unlike the white rice we are used to eating. And whatever they harvest, that's the food they will eat. The harvested rice is for personal consumption, not for retail,not their source of income. You reap what you sow literally. haha. There were also some families who would do something for the community. Like this family, who are all well off. In spite of their status, they'd still do some tour related stuffs., for free! And when asked why. It’s their contribution to the community. I wish every one of us think that way.
 Back in Sagada, I was trying to talk the two into trekking Mt. Ampacao and Mt. Bato. But knowing them, they wouldn't do it.  After lunch, went to see St. Mary's Church but it was locked. We stayed a couple minutes at the nearby benches while a stray dog has been following us. The dog was actually following Cj. what a bitch. hehe. True to Sagada's vibe, both slept the whole afternoon. I. on the other hand, tried some of Sagada's food. Some alone time. 

alamid coffee

granola yogurt @ Yoghurt HOuse

I regret not trying the pinikpikan, the etag and the food served at Log Cabin. All the more reason to come back again.

It was raining that night so imagine how cold it is. We chose to do shots at our home stay. As expected, I was the first one out. haha. I went to bed beet-red. And yet again, I woke up at past three in the morning. And still, the snoring.. haha.
The Kiltepan point sunrise viewing is impossible because of the rain the night before. Waking up early will just be a waste if we continue. We had lunch, said goodbye to tita merry at residential lodge and boarded the last trip back to Baguio.

With Tita Merry @ Residential Lodge. Sayang blurred.

bus ride back to Baguio

We happen to meet Andre on one of the stopovers. He was leaving Sagada earlier than he planned coz his girlfriend is starting to get jealous of whom he's been company since. So to avoid some quarrel, he decided to leave early and continue the trip in Baguio. I was telling him to see Palawan if he can. El Nido was indeed in his list. I was telling him Coron. But I was a bit apprehensive of sharing coron. haha. That’s the thing. At times, I don’t want telling people where I’ve been, especially if the place was exceptionally beautiful. Not that I’m selfish or something. Because if I did, people will come and see it. And eventually, the serenity of the place, the beauty of the place will be gone. The place won’t be the same anymore.

With Andre in one of the bus stops going back to Baguio

We arrive in Baguio at five in the afternoon. Did some pasalubong shopping and drop off our things at Rina's place. We were to see Mark here for a quick dinner before going back to Manila. Mark was supposed to be with us in this trip. But he has a talk in Baguio at the time. Ikaw na! haha.

I slept the whole ride back to Manila. No loud mobile phones to wake me up this time. Till we meet again Sagada.. Maybe next time I will be alone..I hope so.

2012: My Travel Wishlist

1. a decent pair of aviator shades

 I got tired buying the cheap sunglasses every time I'm on a trip which never really protects my eyes from the UV rays. 
I wish I could afford these though..haha

2. sea to summit towel

 Granted! Thanks to franz. She gave it to me as my christmas gift. 

Next time, I'd buy the biggest one.

3. a decent backpack

 Yes. backpack. Any fellow traveler wishes to have one. 
I don't want the imitation on which North Face's logo start to fade after using the bag twice.

4. round trip tickets to Batanes

Oh yeah. The elusive Batanes tickets. Oh bakit ang mahal mo. 
One round trip ticket is more expensive than the HK ticket. Why oh why.

5. compass. a good old one.

I feel I'm a certified traveler when I've got one. No reason for me to get lost. 

Maybe I'll hunt some antique shops for this one.

6. mask and snorkel set

One reason. It's hygienic to own one. 
This should be on top of my list since I will be spending most of my time in the water this summer.

Grab your shades! Summer's here!

So I've been off the radar lately..I stopped (a bit) travelling last 2011.

I put travelling off for a while coz, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it gets tiring din pala. Nakuha kong nagsawa..hehe

But this 2012, I can 't wait!! Gala to the max!

So, where do you plan to go this summer?

Ooohh.. I can almost see myself.. on a beach, reading a book, getting a tan..

5 Lessons On The Road

1. It is so much fun travelling when you're young.

There's no perfect time to see the world than today. When you are still young. When WE are still young.  It's nice to be back after 10 years to the places you've been when you're younger. See if you still see the world the same way.  Has it changed? or have you? 

Youth is wasted on the young.
I plan not to waste mine. Some people my age are so eager to be adults. They waste time worrying about the future. I know some of us have responsibilities. But will you allow that to control your life?  We're gonna be young once. Just ONCE. Why not make the most of it. Have fun while we can.

Being a young traveller means you never have to worry of other people than yourself. You got almost everything to yourself. 

And I say, hanging around with people your age is much, more fun. When did you ever saw Boracay looming with old people? I mean, I know  its nice to have your family around on vacations but you have to agree that its much more fun with your friends around. People your age. People who have the same quirks as you do.

Nonetheless, I guess no matter where you are, sometimes, good laugh, good friends and good beer is enough. 
Good times!

2. How similar we are. No matter what age, race, or who you are.

Travelling a lot developed some of my skills, particularly talking with random strangers. When I meet someone, my questions are usually (if he's a fellow traveler) how long he's been on the road, where he has been and how long he plans to stay. And then the next conversation will be about family, work, etc. by then, I already establish a more personal relationship. I find people warm up when we talk about family. 

You think that people would be different because they're on different places but when you hear their stories, we're kind the same. Same problems in family, life, love, career. And I find that cool. Makes me realize what a small world we live in.

Same, same. But Different.

3. Greatest Lessons come from total strangers

I find some of my inspirations and life lessons from strangers. Strangers I meet on the road. Its different when you hear things from people than when you say it yourself. 

To meet someone you barely know living passionately irregardless of what they do is overwhelming. You get to ask yourself, am I like that? Am I living my life the way I want it to be? Am I living a passionate life? 

One lesson I got off from a stranger, simplify your life. Living in the city tends to confuse you on what the necessities and needs are. And the difference between the two. I find the lesson helpful. It made me see my life in a lighter way. I don't need to have things to be happy and contented.

And what I like about meeting strangers on the road is the kindness they show you. Not the kindness people show because they know you're a tourist. I'm talking about the genuine kindness. The kind that never asks anything in return. Makes you want to extend that kindness to other people. In a small, little way, makes this part of the world a better place. (Enter Michael Jackson's Heal The World)

4. Experiences are better than possessions. 

If people my age are saving to buy the latest gadget, I save for my next travel. For the past years, I was able to set foot on five countries in Southeast Asia, been to almost 20 places in the Philippines, swam with the whale sharks, conquered Sagada, snorkeled to my hearts content, wake board, para sailed, turned 25 on the road and so on. The list can go on. Unknowingly, I was having all these fun and unforgettable experiences. Experiences no one can take from me. Things that can never be replace by no amount of money or possession.

Travelling taught me not to be defined by my things. What I have doesn't equate who I am as a person. People see me as I am. Right there and then. They don't have my past to judge what I'm going to do. Every single day on the road is a constant revelation of myself. Of what I'm capable and not. Travel never fails to teach me a thing or two. Something I can never learn if I chose the stuffs society dictates you to buy to establish your social status.

5. The things that scare you the most are the most worthwhile

Being on the road constantly makes you do some pretty serious scary stuffs. I remember how scary I was when I almost fell off one of the cliffs in Sagada. No one was laughing at that moment, even our tour guide, Kuya Randy. We were so adamant on getting out of Sumaguing cave in one piece. But coming out of that cave for almost four hours of spelunking was all so worth it. Plus, it earned me some bragging rights to say I finished the Cave Connection in one piece! hehe.

When I traveled alone in Ilocos, I admit I was scared. At the airport, I was even doing ways not to get in the flight. I went to the airport 30 minutes before the flight and lined up at the longest line in the check in counter. But fate wants me to pursue this trip. I luckily skipped the long line and got in the plane just in time. I remember being half scared half excited during the trip. Asking directions. Going to new places. Entrusting your safety to random strangers. I did all those things. Alone.

It's scary if you think of it. But like everything else, the first time is the hardest. The first day of my trip was the hardest. I felt people staring at me, maybe they're wondering what am I doing alone. But then, nothing good would come out of me being scared. As they say, mind over matter. If people don't mind, it doesn't matter. hehe. So I got used to it. The second day I was more confident approaching people for directions and having small talks to people I meet on the road. I found myself having a really good time. For four days and three nights, I was alone touring Laoag, Pagudpud and Vigan. People might find it weird to go alone on such trips but I find it so empowering. 

At the end, I surprised myself that I can actually do these things. That's bad ass! 
Yeah, I'm a bad ass. C'mon, how many people can say, yeah, I traveled alone. 
Hell Yeah!