June 1, 2012.. We went to Sagada, Mt. province right after our shift which was 9pm-6am. At exactly 9:30am, Victory Liner bus, Caloocan station left for Baguio. Fare is at Php445 each. It took us almost 6 hours to finally arrive in Baguio. Unfortunately, we missed the last trip going straight to Sagada ( Lizardo busline -last trip at 1 pm). So we rode a taxi cab for php75 going to the Rising Sun Bus terminal, located at the Slaughter House at Magsaysay road. Just in time, we were the last passenger who boarded the non-aircon bus which cost us Php212 each, only we are on standing ovation. Luckily, gentleman from the north still exist up to this day(he..he..),so me, Joen and L.A. were able to take our seats. It was another long waited 6 hour ride from Baguio to Bontoc. A very cold mist kissing my cheeks. Fog covered the place. My two companions managed to sleep despite the scary zigzag road. I pretty much cant sleep the whole trip because everytime I look out the window, all I can see is " Bangin" and it scares me to death specially when I thought of how the driver drives the bus. It seems like the driver already memorized every angle of the foggy road even with eyes closed.
First stop over
We finally arrived in Poblacion, Bontoc at around 9:30pm. Stayed at Walter Clapp Centrum for only Php200 / head/ night.Unpacked our things, took a little shower and prepared budget dinner.
Budget dinner: Tuna Paella / bread and tuna spread
June 2, 2012 -Quiet morning in Bontoc,Mt. Province.Woke up at 5am to catch the first trip to Sagada.
Hot water cost Php10
Had a cup of coffee from a nearby coffee shop. Breakfast meal cost P70 with free Kapeng Barako. We didn't know that it's free until after we ordered hot water because we had our own "baon" 3-in-1 coffee in sachets. Instead of a breakfast meal we bought pancit canton and have the store owner cooked it for us with 3 hard boiled eggs for Php90 all in all.
First Jeepney trip to Sagada left at around 8:30 and we decided to take the 2nd trip because we were still enjoying our breakfast, after all jeepneys depart every hour. Other Bontoc Fav spots are Bontoc museum, Malegcong Rice Terraces, Bay-yo View Deck and some hot springs nearby. Unfortunately we were not able to do the side tripping anymore because we were so excited of what Sagada has stored for us. Joen and L.A. did the "Topload", I did not because I am scared of the " Bangin". Jeepney ride is only Php45 to sagada in 45 minutes traveltime.
Finally in SAGADA: We went straight ahead to the Municipal hall to pay for the registration fee - Php35. Then, we looked for an Inn. There are lots of good places to stay in Sagada proper but one of my recommendation is Residential Lodge - Php200/pax/night with free wifi, unlimited Kapeng Barako,hot bath, and u can cook your own food.
After taking our lunch, we headed to the Saggas Office to get our tour guide. Package fee is Php400/pax for the Cave connection (entrance is at Lumiang cave and exit at Sumaguing cave).
Lumiang Burial Cave
Giant Mushroom
Shadows
Echuserang Frog
Royal Curtain
It was thrilling and somewhat scary but fun knowing that we were able
to triumph over a couple of hours spelunking, crawling, gliding, climbing, rappelling and pushing our
limits, finishing the whole track of stalactites and stalagmites not to mention the icy-cold-water.
At dinner we tried the Pinikpikang manok- A delicacy to the Igorot (local tribes men). It is prepared by hitting a live chicken with a small stick again and again
until it dies. Then it is roasted over open fire, and it's feathers
plucked by hand. Roasted until it turns a bit brown, they cook it in
different ways "Tinola" boiled in soup with ginger or "Adobo" cooked in
soy sauce. Mind you , people in Sagada are eating brown rice, when you buy one in Manila its really expensive.
June 3, 2012 - Site seeing Day tour: We were supposed to see the sunrise at Kiltipan Peak, apparently, the sun was hiding from a very thick fog, so we just ended up taking pictures with white background.
Then we headed to the Echo valley, Hanging coffins, Bok-ong falls,Underground River, Lake Danum, Pottery and Sagada Museum. We were not able to go to the Marlboro Country and Bomod-ok Falls as it started to rain and still very foggy. All of it for a half day tour cost Php800( if marlboro country and bomod-ok falls are included then it could have been Php1400 all in all) and Van rent for Php1200.
Hanging Coffins at Echo valley
Hanging Coffins - This is a traditional way of burying people that is still utilized. Not
everyone is qualified to be buried this way; one had to, among other
things, be married and have grandchildren.
On our way to the Underground river, we passed by some wild berries , peanuts and coffee plant/trees.
Bok-ong Falls
Sagada Pottery
They say that the sunset in Sagada is best viewed from Lake Danum. However, at that time that would be impossible because the sun is still hiding behind the thick fog.
Lake Danum
Jeepney last trip back to Baguio is at 1pm and we missed again that ride. Good thing, there are 2 good Samaritans that we met during the caving - Gianne and Oscar. They offered a ride in their car back to Baguio. We saved Php220 fare from Sagada to Baguio, thanks to them, now I can buy more "pasalubong".
Over all experience.... I can say... I survived and it's really more fun in Sagada!
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