If you are looking for a different kind of vacation, SAGADA IS THE PLACE TO BE. I always dreamt of visiting the place ever since I’ve heard of it. It is a 5th class municipality in the province of Mountain Province and located 275 km. north of Manila and 140 km. from Baguio. It became popular as destinations of foreign adventurers coz it features caves that can be explored… an interesting hike along an underground river… waterfalls and pool to cool off in after a day of exploring, chilly air, a quiet serenity and of course… yummy food offered by the locals along the place.
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| sea of clouds along the way |
I’ve been there just a month ago and I’m already eager to go back. I’m from Batangas who is used with the waves and the sands… and the scourging heat of summer made me look for some sort of mountains and cool climate. So when I finally had the means and the time, the road finally took me to Sagada. I joined a tour group together with my bro and cuzs! And that was it, after 12 hours of butt-aching ride from Manila (including the 4-hour zigzag), I’ve been embraced by an untouched beauty thereafter.
As we arrived, the group settled in a homestay and get ourselves ready on touring around. We opted to see ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CALVARY HILL, hike along the ECHO VALLEY, the famous HANGING COFFINS and the LUMIANG CAVE as our first tour spots.
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| The Wheel |
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| The Old Bell (1921) |
The old bell welcomed us as we tour around. They say that this bell is used during the Tirad Pass century ago and carried up to here by the wheel which also can be found along the church's vicinity.
Also, we have learned that the town of Sagada is predominantly episcopalian which is quite unique, to think that most of the towns in the Philippines are predominantly catholic.
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| St. Mary's Episcopal Church |
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| one of Echo Valley's rock formation |
As we went along, we reached the so-called Calvary Hill and Echo Valley. I even shouted a few times to test whether it echoed or not... and surprisingly, IT DID lolz! Here, one must get ready to walk, hike and climb beside ravines… ravines and ravines. My knees even shaked once in a while, good thing the urge of pix taking dominate my system.
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| the Calvary Hill |
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| hanging coffins |
After few minutes of grueling steps downward, we finally reached the famous Hanging Coffins. They said that those were remains of Igorots who had higher rank and served their tribe as leaders and considered heroes. Of course, had my own share of a photograph.
We stayed there for minutes and recovered our hearts out and get ready to hike up and enroute ourselves to Lumiang Cave.
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| coffins at Lumiang Cave |
Lumiang Cave is a burial cave. A lot of coffins can be viewed at the entrance. These coffins were made from large pine trees and remains were fitted inside in fetal position. Also, this cave is the entrance if you want to try the cave connection, adventurers got inside of this cave and went out on the other cave, the Sumaguing Cave.
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| can't help to fool around, lolz |
Mind you, better get a comfy shoes and get your muscles ready if you’re planning to try this by yourself.
So there was I, my first half-day stay in SAGADA!!! Am wondering what's in-store for me next?!! =)
wish i can go there too!
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