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.