Trip to Benguet

From Sagada, we are bound for Benguet

Back to the harsh road... Benguet is a 4-5 hours drive from Sagada..
yeah, we should be all ready for that long trip again with a zigzag road and all that...

But along the way, we enjoyed the majestic view of endless mountains and terraces landscapes. Be it a rice or vegetable terraces. They're all over Mountain Province. And its really an amazing sight.

^ vegetable terraces

Mountain Province

I even saw the house of Marky Cielo on our way.. I saw his giant tarpaulin hanging on the wall just outside the house. And had noticed that there's been a lot of people outside.

So there, we're heading to Benguet to visit the newly bought house of tita alice at Genesis Point Village in Irisan, Benguet. A 45 mins drive to Baguio City.


But since we're already at Benguet, we visited the famous Strawberry field in La trinidad... There's been a wide, wide field of strawberry.  

It also has a very nice setting, quite amazing.

We didnt picked up strawberry there but instead we just bought the ones that is already in a basket. For 55/kilo. Not bad really. I have known lately that during peak season, the strawberry cost as high as 150+ / kilo.


This is the end of our Mountainous North Luzon Escapade.

We Survived SAGADA

From Banaue we headed to Sagada. We had taken the Banaue- Bontoc- Sagada route. Banaue to Bontoc is a two-hour ride while Bontoc to Sagada is a 45 mins. ride.

Our travel from Banaue to Sagada is a big adventure. We were uphill and the zigzag road was harsh and rough. 

The rain poured hard which terrified us of the occuring landslides along the steep road. We witnessed how the sands, and big rocks literally fall off from the mountain just infront of us which caused to blocked the road. We have to standby while the trailers and big trucks are taking it all out.

We arrived at Sagada nearing sunset. So we stayed at George guest house extension to sleep over for a night. We have been told that the building is new, so all is clean and fresh. Accomodation rate is 200/head/ night. The room was big with cozy beds, bath towels, 2 separate comfort rooms for men & women with water heater each, and with a small balcony.

^ here's the view from the balcony...

Sagada was a small town in Mountain Province.

Attractions here includes:

Sumaging Cave- unfortunately we missed this. We didnt get to visit this cave due to hard- rain. But i learned that it was the most famous and beautiful caves in town. Visitors should register first at the town hall and will be given a guide. No one is allowed to go there without a guide.

Burial Cave- this one too we didnt get to visit. i've known that this is where you can see a large stack of coffins put on top of another.

Sugong Hanging coffins- this is the only one that we saw. It's truly a mystery and unique in the world. Coffins are literally hanged on the mountain cliffs. It has been said that its a burial practice done by the people of Sagada century ago. And im not sure if people there nowadays still do the same. 

It's really an amazing yet very mysterious sight.

The next day, we're all ready for the next trip which is to Benguet. But before leaving Sagada, we passed by Sagada's church called St. Mary's church.

^ the church's interior

On our way to the church, we passed by an old, rustic giant bell.

More photos at:
We survived SAGADA

Next trip: Benguet

Banaue- Rice Terraces Escapade

Banaue is one of the province in Ifugao and a 10-hour drive from Manila...
the road leading to this town offers a majestic scenery of nature. One can definitely appreciate the tranquility and beauty of the provinces.

Here, we had seen the famous Rice terraces- considered as the "Eight wonders of the world " and has been called as " the Stairway to Heaven" An ancient sprawling man-made structure. One of the tourist spot in the country.

It is truly an amazing sight but as we had noticed, there are lots of houses nearby view point, which probably lessen the amazing view of this landscapes.

There have been signs of erosion and distortion. It's now barely planted and lose the perfect green as often seen in postcard, books or landscape painting. Many are in a sad state of disrepair. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

^ Truly an amazing sight

^ this little boy enjoyed the view

^ pretty boy at Banaue

^woooo.. cold!

^we've seen this native house alongside of the road

^ the natives of Banaue (you can donate a minimal amount for picture taking with them)

^ comfort rooms.. named after the two president of the Philippines

More photos at:
Banaue escapade

Next Adventure: SAGADA