It's been awhile since Lozano Clan had a family vacation... how about SAGADA?
We stop over and had dinner along NLEX to prepare us for the long ride.
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| Shell Station, NLEX |
Our first stop was Banaue Rice Terraces. While we were taking pictures, I accidentally fell on the rice paddy! As you can see, I'm not wearing any shoes!
We did also took pictures of Bay-yo Rice Terraces.
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| Banaue Rice Terraces |
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| Bay-yo Rice Terraces |
After that we actually thought our travel was near its end until we saw this!!! This maybe the reason why it was called "mountain province". Along our way we unpack our lunch and eat on one of the road stations beside a natural spring.
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| mountain province |
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| my younger brother having the time of his life! |
We arrived in the town of SAGADA and spent two (2) nights at Indegenous Inn.
Our first morning activity was Spelunking! They offer two (2) options wherein people can choose the easy way or the hard way... and guess what, we've decided to make our lives more miserable by going through Lumiang burial cave and exit through Sumaguing cave which would take 2-3 hours for professionals and 5-7 hours for beginners. See for your self!
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| Lumiang burial cave |
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| Spelunking - meaning to explore caves |
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| Insertion - act of placing yourself inside an opening hoping you fit |
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| Water levels here change depending on season |
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| minor rappeling |
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| light at the end of the tunnel... WE SURVIVED SAGADA! |
My wife requested that we try Sagada's famous lemon pie and it really was something that every tourist should taste!
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| The Sagada Lemon Pie House |
Our second day was not a walk in the park. I really can't remember how long we literally utilize our legs but it pays off once you get there. As the saying goes "there is no easy way to a place worth going to". Our destination was Bomod-Ok falls which mean "Big Falls". We carried sticks for safety since the path varies in slope.
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| Off to Bomod-Ok Falls |
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| We're halfway there... I guess |
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| Bridge over troubled waters... |
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| Big Falls indeed! |
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| Best way to enjoy it is to take a plunge! |
I can't tell you what happened on our way back. Just imagine things got really harder! Anyway, WE SURVIVED SAGADA!
Later in the afternoon we visited Ganduyan Museum, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Calvary Hills, Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins all located within reach.
Inside Ganduyan Museum you won't be roaming around to witness exhibits, instead you will actually do time travel headed by our strict but sweet ol' lady. Once you're there you will definitely be proud of what the locals did for this land and for our country.
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| St. Mary's Episcopal Church |
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| On our way to Echo Valley |
You might notice that stones and rock formations here in SAGADA was somewhat similar to Palawan. The elevation of this province was no joke! But did you know that this area was actually under water million years ago?
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| This may be the echo valley but it can't echo Ella's smile |
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| Hanging Coffins |
That evening we went to a nearby souvenir shop to get some goodies!
Dawn of the next day, which was our last day of course, we went to Kiltepan to view sunrise which kinda sad since all we saw was clouds. Then after we took pictures of the priest-engineer monument. Still, we manage to wear a smile 'cause SAGADA taught us how to persevere, be strong and patient.
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| Family Pic with Kuya Choy! |
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| Reverend John Armitage Staunton Monument |
On our way to Manila we took a break in Atok, Benguet which was the highest point in Philippine highway system while everyone enjoyed the view and ate "balot". We had lunch in La Trinidad and did a final stop at the Lion Statue.
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| Atok, Benguet |
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| La Trinidad Strawberry Farm |
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| Lion Statue |
All in all SAGADA's journey and experience was not for the faint-hearted. I'm really proud of everyone especially my mom who had shoulder surgery but still managed to join us in this adventure. Also, this vacation wouldn't be possible without our regular service and vacation guide Kuya Choy.
We still have a long list of places to visit which surely means this was another beginning.
IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!
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| Me and Kuya Choy |
