Last week of October is another week for families or group of friends/co-workers to relax and have a break to lessons, assignments, and many paper stuffs in school and in work. On this week we also commemorate our loved ones who already past away. So as a busy person who wants to have a break, relax, unwind and escape from the four walls of classroom me and my pals decided to go to a unique place that is free from STRESS!!!
Since we know that beaches will surely be full during that week, we decided to go to another part of the country and visit the mountain range in the northern part of Luzon which is SAGADA. I've read a lot of beautiful posts and comments about this place. I got curious every time I read articles about it so I tried to convince my friends to go there.
On October 28, 2010 at exactly 8:30 pm we left at my friends' house to catch a bus to Banaue but since we are very unlucky because lot of people go home to their provinces, we end up riding on a bus to Baguio. We left Manila at 12:30 pm and we reached Baguio at exactly 7:30 am. After a minute, we ride in a cab to the Dangwa Terminal where we can catch a bus to Sagada. When we reached the Dangwa station we were shocked by the long line of people going to the ticket booth. Since we believed that "patience is a virtue" we tried our very best to fall in line. Imagine we are in line for almost 3 hours without eating anything... well that's life, if you really wants something you must really work hard to earn it.
On our way to Sagada, we were so amazed by the beauty of the mountain range in Northern Luzon. As we are in the bus we felt like we were riding on a plane because of the sea clouds that surrounds the way.
After a long trip we already reached Sagada at exactly 4:30 pm. We immediately find some place to stay for two days and we have chosen the Sagada Hotel (I forgot the exact name of the place). The place is fine for a practical traveler like me because its cheap yet neat and cozy. After putting down our bags and arranging our things, the first thing we did was to find a place where we can eat. We found one fastfood there and we ate red rice, adobo, and brewed cofee (delicious). After eating, we took a bath, took some pics and rest.
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| BURIAL CAVE |
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| CHOCOLATE CAKE |
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| SAGADA MAP |
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| THE BELL NEAR THE CHURCH |
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| RICE TERRACES INSIDE THE CAVE |
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| HANGING COFFINS view from the ECHO VALLEY |
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| WAY TO THE ECHO VALLEY |
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| VIEW ALONG OUR WAY TO THE SUMAGING CAVE |
The next day, we woke up early to eat some breakfast and stroll around the place. Once you're there you will really forget the busy life in manila for the place is very peaceful. There, you will appreciate the people who lives their life away from malls or high and huge infrastructures yet people who have smiles on their faces because they are happy and contented with what they have. After eating, we go to the municipal hall to ask for a tour guide. There are lots of places that you can visit in Sagada. In the hall, we chose to have a tour guide to sumaging cave. While waiting for our tour guide we opt to stroll around before going to the cave. We went to the St. Mary's Church which is a model from the old church in New York, the Echo Valley, St. Mary's School, and the Hanging Coffins. While we are strolling we met a couple who are also traveling like us. They asked if they can join the tour so it will be less expensive for them since they are only two. So at exactly 10:30 am, we went back to municipal hall to meet Kuya (i also forgot his name) our tour guide and the couple.
Our first stop is the Burial Cave. We saw different coffins there and its really amazing how they preserved the coffins for many years. From that tour I learned that the coffins were put only at the mouth of the cave so that it can be lightened by the sun's shine to the belief that the soul can travel easily to heaven. I have also learned that before, that place is believed to be part of the water for you can see lime stones and seashells around the place.
Our next stop is the Sumaguing Cave. Big and slippery rocks will welcome you down to the cave so for safety we need to put off our slippers and walk down barefooted. I felt nervous as we go inside that I almost thought that it we would be the end of the world because I can't see any light. But the little butterflies in my stomach changed into amazement and excitement by the beautiful lime stones and rock formations on the way. There, we have seen the prince, the king, the queen and the princess which is called as the Porn Cave. Why Porn Cave? it's for you to find out. We also saw chocolate, curtain, pig pen and its lost pig. By the way the activity that we did was called spelunking. On the tour I learned that the people there are really preserving the place by making it clean. I also learned that the people there are friendly and hospitable (how I wish that it will also be like here in Manila). After the tour we already go back to our hotel and took a bath. After that, we decided to have a dinner and buy some pasalubong for our families and friends. The next day, we woke up early to catch a bus from Sagada to Baguio and from Baguio to Manila. Again it was a long trip. We reached manila at exactly 8:30 pm.
Our first stop is the Burial Cave. We saw different coffins there and its really amazing how they preserved the coffins for many years. From that tour I learned that the coffins were put only at the mouth of the cave so that it can be lightened by the sun's shine to the belief that the soul can travel easily to heaven. I have also learned that before, that place is believed to be part of the water for you can see lime stones and seashells around the place.
Our next stop is the Sumaguing Cave. Big and slippery rocks will welcome you down to the cave so for safety we need to put off our slippers and walk down barefooted. I felt nervous as we go inside that I almost thought that it we would be the end of the world because I can't see any light. But the little butterflies in my stomach changed into amazement and excitement by the beautiful lime stones and rock formations on the way. There, we have seen the prince, the king, the queen and the princess which is called as the Porn Cave. Why Porn Cave? it's for you to find out. We also saw chocolate, curtain, pig pen and its lost pig. By the way the activity that we did was called spelunking. On the tour I learned that the people there are really preserving the place by making it clean. I also learned that the people there are friendly and hospitable (how I wish that it will also be like here in Manila). After the tour we already go back to our hotel and took a bath. After that, we decided to have a dinner and buy some pasalubong for our families and friends. The next day, we woke up early to catch a bus from Sagada to Baguio and from Baguio to Manila. Again it was a long trip. We reached manila at exactly 8:30 pm.
Our adventure in Sagada was really great. Yes it's true that to travel from that place is very exhausting because of the long trip but very rewarding once you're already there because of its abundant beauty and grace. After the trip, I can really say now that I SURVIVED SAGADA PHILIPPINES!
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