When it comes to counting those “few people” on earth obsessed with travelling, include me. This article is an account of my first and short escapade in one of Cordillera’s known destination. It includes a brief overview of the place, its location and how it attracted me like heaven to go there. Stupid moves during the first few hours of my journey were detailed here also. Moves that all rooted from too much excitement. Join me as my memories few years back take you to a beautiful mountain paradise. A place that is dreamed by many but reached by few. My destination – Sagada.
Sagada Overview
Sagada is a fifth class municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines. It is located 275 kilometres (171 mi) north of Manila (at least 12 to 13 hours by bus), 140 kilometres (87 mi) from Baguio, and it is adjacent to Bontoc, the provincial capital. It is famous for its hanging coffins which is a traditional way of burying people that is still utilize up to present times. Popular activities include trekking, exploring both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visiting historical sites, nature hikes, and participating in tribal celebrations.
Why I chose Sagada?
For a novice traveller like me, Sagada trip maybe a total challenge. I know nothing about hotel and bus tickets booking thru internet. Ignorance at its best during those phase of my life. And there could have closer destinations for me to go to like Cebu, Bohol or neighboring Panay provinces that, perhaps, just a sort of acclimatisation for an impending all elevating desire to wander probably all throughout my life. Hmmm! Some time in 2003 (during my college days), I happened to watched a local film “Sex Drive”. A film that was played by Maui Taylor and Katya Santos. Uh oh! Yeah got it, calm down! I read your mind. Lol! Let me be a little defensive for a moment. That title may seem to be unpleasant for conservatives and somehow may make them formulate the kind of person I am but hey it doesn’t work that way. The film featured majestic places over north of Luzon while the character were on their journey of fun and sex to Sagada. Their actions left my memories sooner but the beauty of Sagada rest deeply into my memories. I promised that one day I have to experience it real myself and enjoy the majestic view it offers.
6 Years after watching the movie..
The time had come. Got a vacation from my job (first job), earned a little fund from it and apparently Sagada was already within my reach. Not a single time wasted in planning for the best itinerary of my trip. And only I realized, surfing and searching the internet for the cheap hotel accommodation, bus schedules, as well as plane tickets that would take me from Iloilo to the capital is as easy as A,B,C. Oh yeah! My high level of excitement made me did everything I supposed to do for the trip sooner. Sagada, I’m on my way!
Ooops! Bloopers!
My journey began. I left Iloilo for Manila in an afternoon plane flight. Arrived in Manila an hour later, a good friend was to meet me at the train station. Also, it was during those times when one of the most embarrassing moments in my life happened. My excitement and momentum for Sagada trip shifted to seeing a friend whom for quite some time I never got the chance to catch with. As I hopped at the train station, there comes the lady in red standing. Her arms resting perfectly to a chest level cemented walls as if waiting for somebody who knew her much that even without presenting her face could recognize her. Without a doubt, at the back of my mind she was my friend waiting for me. I approached her from behind and my lip-formed palm surprisingly landed on her cheeks saying “friend”. She turned on me. Alas! She’s not her. I may say she was in rage. Of course who would not be? It’s a molest act. Lol! My embarrassed face backed off immediately while apologizing her I mistaken her as my friend. I hurriedly went off the train station, calling my friend this time that I arrived ahead of her while expecting somebody, that lady maybe for some sort of retaliation or worst, a police officer to arrest me up. My friend arrived.
We hurriedly pushed ourselves into a cab. Good thing she didn’t bother to ask why I’m in haste. I told her the details while we’re heading to her apartment for an overnight and for some final preparation for my Sagada trip the next day. She laughed and nearly slapped me. Arrrgh! LOL.
This is it..
Buses for Sagada leave their once daily trip from Manila at 8:30 in the evening. So I spent the whole day at my friend’s place relaxing in preparation for my long trip in the night. Two hours before the scheduled departure, I was already at the bus station (along E.Rod in front of St. Lukes, January 2010). Enough time for me to took my dinner at nearby resto, do some refreshment and then headed back to the terminal. There were only few passengers inside the bus that departed exactly on its scheduled time. Shall I say it’s a good opportunity to keep my body rested for I can curl up with its unoccupied whole length row seats. It’s a smaller version of the bus actually, different from those that usually ply over long distances from the country’s capital but the comfort it offered was worth praising.
From Manila, we passed several provinces like Bulacan, Pampanga and all the way up to Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao. There were several stopovers too for some body stretching and refreshment.
Even only in silhouettes, the view of the mountains outside the bus window was stunning. How magnificent that landscape would be in daylight and in good lighting conditions.
The state of the seat being unoccupied gave no extra privilege as to what my body needs some rest is concerned. The benefits of being curled up or even flat on seat to sleep were never maximized. Not even used at all. I was wide awake since the trip began. I started to realize the need of it when I glanced at my watch it’s already 5 in the morning and the bus began to stop often to pick and drop passengers. We’re in Banaue, Ifugao that time. The bus was teemed with passengers and some even found comfort in standing along the alley. I told myself not to be bothered by sleeplessness until reaching Bontoc, the capital of Mountain Province.
The view outside became clearer, sun rays creeping and slowly rising over the horizon. It’s a marvelous sight to see over Cordillera highlands. We’re almost done on the final hour of our travel to Bontoc.
Arrival in Bontoc, Mt. Province
Around 8:30 in the morning the view of a cool, cloud wrapped and peaceful town of the Mountain Province capital takes its turn. How nice it is to feel being able to stepped on a place topographically different from what I used to have while cool breeze of the gentle wind strikes my face and contemplating on how far I’d endured to reach such a breathtaking sceneries. I roamed around Bontoc for half an hour, walked aimlessly along its streets while shot every details of the place that present themselves to be photographed before heading to another hour of jeepney ride to Sagada.
Bontoc to Sagada
For Bontoc to Sagada trip, most of the travel blogs I have read recommended one had to find a spot on top of a jeepney for an added trip challenge. If you’ve got the nerve for an extreme experience you will be rewarded with endless 360 degree view of the Cordillera mountains and the famous Chico River down below. But if not, like me, (I mean not now, my hand-grip was not reliable) then forget about it. Good spot inside is waiting for you anyway.
Roads were not well paved (that was January 2010), part of it being cemented while the rest were rough and dusty. Narrow spaces puzzled me how a facing vehicle pass each other smoothly, yet they just did. Just one thing, a driver’s single wrong move may lead us down into its nearly vertical cliffs and deep slopes. Scary isn’t it? Well, not enough to break the spirit and excitement that I have.
Arrival in Sagada
So this is Sagada! It was like OMG. Can you just pinch me? It left me speechless upon hopping out of the jeepney. As if like the spirits of the pine trees around possessed me not make any sounds of awe and that it wanted me to savour the moment in silence instead. The place was so unique. I can hear teens voices, some screaming while having their past time playing basketball at the court nearby. Other sounds that can be heard were being created by pine trees stroked by winds around. Generally it was quiet and peaceful. I felt like my world stops turning and I want to stay there for the rest of my life. I’m so mesmerized with its beauty and serenity.
Wandering Around Sagada
The hotel I booked was conveniently located few yards from the town centre. Inns and lodges were few steps away from one another as well as restaurants too. The juxtaposition of everything was just perfect.
I checked in at Residence Lodge. The room was equipped with everything I needed. Washroom with bath tub was so clean. No television. I don’t need one anyway. There was a lobby just outside the room with various displays of caricatures and figurines on the wall, and a fireplace that can be used in extreme chilly days. A veranda overlooking the entire town of Sagada completed the accommodation experience.
Tita Mary, the hotel’s steward offered a native coffee (welcome drink for free). I got a cup of it. I’m not a huge coffee fan though but I could say it was perfect.
After eating breakfast, I hurriedly packed up my handy bag and began to roam. Oh did I mention Sagada had no public transport to take you around? It is best explored by foot. So my long list of what-to-do and where-to-go was out. I did not hire a tour guide to visit each of the sites and simply rely on my map reading ability. These were the spots I managed to exlore in Sagada.
I spent the rest of the day roaming around and in the evening had my no-frill dinner at the nearby resto (Salt and Pepper Diner).
That tiresome day was well compensated with a quality comfort the bed at the hotel offers. I had a good sleep in Sagada.
thenightingaleexplorer 