Conquering Sagada: Trekking to Bomod-Ok Falls (4.22.11)

the group before the trek

THE BIG FALLS

Second day, 22nd of April 2011 and we're about to start another breathtaking stay in Sagada. The group planned to stretch our legs and trek our way to Bomod-ok Falls a.k.a. the BIG FALLS. This spot is as popular as the Sumaguing Cave and it's something no one can afford to miss if you're in Sagada. They say its a day-long trek so we prepared some munchies and packed lunch to outlive the day. We left the inn at around 7am and head up to Banga-an, the drop-off point of the trek.

at a shed, after downtrekking 200 steps... 1800 to go!

As it starts, we're bound to a downhill of steps which is surprisingly cemented. Our guide said it was around 2,000 steps downward followed by a one and half kilometer terraces traverse before we can reach the falls itself. 

 
The view as we trekked down was really SUPERB. One will have an up close and personal view of the rice stalks as it swayed with the occasional blowing of the wind. We then passed through a village named Fidelisan wherein we paid P10 each as environmental fee.  It was worth it coz  it funded  the cemented pathways that  slithers through the terraces up to few meters before the falls. The trek down took us 2 hrs and its really tiring though… we're all thinking how much more if we head back! wheewww! But i guezz, those lots of pix taking along the trail helped us retain our strength.

  

Then finally... the beauty of a hidden paradise started to unfold as we approached. The actual falls is really BEAUTIFUL and BREATHTAKING nonetheless that the trek to it is equally amazing. Our guide informed us that the falls itself provide the whole town of Sagada some of their water supply. Few water pipes were constructed atop the falls that run through channels that enroute to some of their villages. No wonder, the waterfalls wasn't that big during our visit, added the fact that it was summer.

Upon arrival, we rested for awhile and prepared ourselves for a cold dip… I meant, REALLY A COLD ONE! As if you’re swimming in an iced-water! But I guezz, my falls adventure would not be complete if I don’t dare to plunge… and there was I! =) Swimming in an icy cold water made my bones really shivers. If you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t attempt to even go to the deeper parts. The cold could tire you easily and all the shivering could make it hard for you to make efficient strokes across the water. But it was worth the experience, I really took time to enjoy and take pleasure on the beauty the falls offers.

 

We had our lunch at the falls and have some bonding. We even clambered ourselves to the other side and enjoy the view in it. That bluish-green water... massive rocks... and an unending water plunge, whoooaaah! It really made my day.

After few hours, we need to trek back. Our guide instructed us to take another route, a rather easier one that would pass along AGUID village. It was expectedly more exhausting coz it was mosstttttly uphill. We even stopped a lot of times and breathe our hearts out.  But despite it, we were amazed on green rice stalks dancing with the occasional blowing of wind and seeing that throughout the trek made it such a wonderful experience and was really worth all the pounds that we shed off!

After two hours, we finally reached the top and head our way to some sort of.... CULTURAL and FOOD TRIPPING! That's up next... =)

Conquering Sagada: Sumaguing Cave Spelunking (4.21.11)

THE BAT CAVE!

From the Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins... we're bound next to the Bat Cave!!! Yipee, wishing to meet Batman and Robin! heheh.... Kidding aside, our next stop was the Sumaguing Cave or aptly  called the BIG CAVE. Am a bit nervous coz i've heard we have to go down for about 163 meters deep. Whoaaah! I can do that and I will let my daredevil spirit took charge! AJA!!!

Last 2009, the Lonely Plant (the world's best selling travel guide publication) listed this cave as one of the best adventure travel destination. And mind you, it is the only Philippine entry that time. And my itchy feet  is so very eager to try it by myself. 

ADRENALINE-FILLED 

 

At around 3:00 in the afternoon, we're all lineup for registration, all were kinda excited and nervous. Since we're a group of ten, they have assigned us two guides.  They brought a large lamp and knowingly lead us downward. Gosh, in a few minutes were about to commence one of our adrenaline-filled adventure.  

 

As we went down the cave's mouth, we were greeted by masses of bats and steep terrain of darkness. Good thing, it was Holy Week and a lot of adventurers were in there. Easy as it may seem, but its not...  its not a walk-in-the-park instant and our guide told us that the first part is quite hard. It involves butt scratching, and thigh aching. We're on line steeping down on a slippery, sharp stones, on which we have no choice but to crawl, smell and touch the newly poofed bat dung. It was a choice whether you touch it or fall down and end up in heaven, lolz. 

The second part as they say is pleasurable. The cave's magnificent chambers started to unfold. I WAS REALLY IN AWE upon seeing its what so called KING'S CURTAIN and other limestone formation.

The temperature were so cold and the stones have flowing water in it and there's a few water-dipping pools. Having simple astonishment was just an understatement upon reaching the bottom.  Had our photos, dip a bit and enjoyed the ice-cold water it offers.

As we stayed at the bottom, we were all mesmerized by the beauty hidden meters deep of Sagada. Our guide told us that this cave served as refuge of old Filipinos during the World War II. And there were a lot of caves here interconnecting with each other, passing from one route to another. That was why, cave connection is also part of the adventures in Sagada.

my favorite, the KING's CURTAIN

  

the group

   

Reality strike after few minutes and we had to go back. Since our strength were a bit renewed, we easily trailed our way upward.  There was even a part wherein we had to climb a knotted rope. It was really a daredevil experience for all of us. And there we were, after almost four grueling hours, we finally reached the top. 

But for me, despite this daredevil adventure is an achievement I will never forget, it's something I can be  proud of.  

I CAME OUT OF THE BIG CAVE ALIVE! =) 
and Here's my reward, hehe!

I CAME... I SAW... AND I CONQUERED! =)

Conquering Sagada: Hanging Coffins, Echo Valley & Lumiang Cave (4.21.11)

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.

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.

The Wheel

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.

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

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. 

the Calvary Hill

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. 

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.

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?!! =)

MT. PINATUBO: "Power of 3" Trek (5.23.11)

I love traveling and have read a lot of travel blogs. In fact, reading it is like a pill to my bored earthly being. It refuels my solitary existence and yields me to abide my itchy feet. I’ve been to quite a few places but don’t have the time to write and share my own travel experience. It’s just recently that I have finally found the means and the time to craft my own travel blog. Being my latest quest, my Mt. Pinatubo Trekking would be my foremost sight-see entry.

Just last week, my cuz and I were yearning for something. Being bored due to work for months already (in her case) and a bit obsession to do something uncommon in my case made us wrap-up for a day of adventure in Mt. Pinatubo. Just few days before our planned trek, the weather have been gusty that made us mull whether to pursue or not. But still, with an impetus to run after a day of quest… WE PURSUE! Whether we HIT or MISS!

So thrilled for the trip, we arrived at Pasay Bus Terminal (Victory Liner) at around 3:00 in the morning of May 23, 2011. Been late for about just 5 minutes for the first trip bound to Dagupan/Lingayen and settled for the second one. It cost us Php 175. After an hour, we left Pasay at exactly 4:00 in the morning and jumped-off at Capas, Tarlac junction around 7:30 am. 

From here, we rode a tricycle bound to Sta. Juliana (where the SPA Town is located and the jump-off point for Pinatubo Crater Trekking). The ride cost Php 300, we’re 3 so we had a hundred bucks each.

Arriving at the SPA Town, one has to register for the trek and cost us Php 1500 EACH inclusive of 4x4 ride, tour guide, use of SPA Town amenities, lunch (a choice between Korean and Filipino food) and trekking certificate (optional). Since we are all female, they assigned an Air Force Officer as our security to accompany us on the trek and we paid an additional P400 pesos.

trail route

There are two trekking routes to the crater: first is via SKYWAY with 1 1/2 hrs of 4x4 ride plus half hour of trekking and second is the OLD WAY with 1 hour of ride and 2-3 hours of trekking via O’Donnell River.

We opted to have the old way, though long trail and thigh aching, we're able to see lahar formations and canyons along the way as a reward, so worth it! 

As if young age, am insisting a 15-min more of trekking

And so there we are, after butt and thigh-aching two hours of trekking the rough river, we finally reached the pit-stop. It would just take few minutes from here to the crater depending on your age and vigor. We went beyond lush vegetations thereafter and finally reach the crater.

 Upon seeing the so-famous Pinatubo crater, 

I was in AWE AND BEEN BEWILDERED by something 

so magnificently beautiful yet so destructive.

Who would have thought that a catastrophic volcano who ruined millions of life two decades ago would be one of the breathtaking tourist spot in the Philippines! It's so majestic, can't believe i've seen it up close and personal…with my two naked eyes! A couple of grueling hours to reach it were so WORTH IT.

After hours of stay, we opted to go downhill. The possibility of rainshowers emerge as the cloud onset to get dark. Our tour guide (an Ita) elucidate that its quite dangerous if the rain falls down so we better get moving our ass out of the crater… and commence another two hours trek way back. And the Ita was right, we’re half-way the trek when the rain starts to fall so we hurriedly find our way to our waiting 4x4 wheels.

Upon arrival at the SPA, quite an ample serving of a sumptuous late lunch was already set. The use of their locker and shower room is also for everyone’s convenience. Php 1500 was worth it so don’t try to haggle around.

So that’s it, after a good bath and a lavish late lunch… we’re bound to go home…. but still, we eagerly asked the tricycle driver to drop us at CAPAS NATIONAL SHRINE (the starting point of the Death March way back in history) and have some photo ops at the Death March Monument.

Here's the breakdown of expenses:
P175 x 2 = P350 (2-way bus fare)
P100 x 2 = P200 (2-way trike fare)
P 133 (for the Air Force Security)
P 1500  (Reg. Fee at the SPA Town inclusive of everything)



All in all… the trip just cost us a total of Php 2,183 EACH! So worth it for a day of an exceptional adventure!