Sagada, Philippines Trip (DAY 1)

Looking for an adventure? I think Sagada is the place you are looking for.

I wanted to share my experiences right after we went home but I wasn’t able to post something because I have to review for my finals exam.

I am not fond of adventures and usually just stay at home but whenever we go to Sagada, my fears fade away and excitement comes in. So when my mother asked me if I want to join their tour with her students, I instantly said yes ~~(although I hesitated at first because we have an activity at school but I still join them.)~~

We left here in Manila at exactly 8 PM since the estimated travel time is 14 hours. We passed the Banaue Rice Terraces and stayed there for a while. They decided to eat breakfast there instead of going to another place so we can save more time, table rent is worth Php 150.

You can actually go down for a closer view of the terraces but I didn't come with them because I don't know how to balance since the way is narrow.

(Platform at their back - closer view of terraces)

Since I didn't go with them, I just asked my aunt about it and she said that it is more beautiful when you see the view from there. There were poles with carvings (which I believe they use for rituals) which you won't see from afar.

After that, we went directly to Sagada and arrived at around 10 AM. It is important to register first at the tourism office for your safety (we never know what could happen) because as I said a while ago, Sagada is a place full of adventure.

After registering, we stayed at Indegenous Inn which was reserved by my father ahead of time since they are quite (?) affiliated. I am not sure if the tourism office purposely don't recommend any transient house, hotel, or any inn. Since Sagada is not like a city where you can go around whenever and wherever, make sure to make arrangement with a tour guide recommended by the inn that you will stay to (my parents did).

NOTE:

Tourist guides are recommended by the place you will be staying
Tourist guides are needed for your own safety (especially in caves)
Price depends on the place you will go to and on how many people

We followed the itinerary and first went to Lumiang Burial Cave but before that, our tour guide briefed us with the dos and don'ts inside the cave. Having a guide sure is easier. They know the good spots to stopover for a photo. We walked towards the cave and stopped for a minute for photo taking where you can see a better view of the mountains. I didn't go down to the cave since I saw it last January when we went there. But as I remember, the coffins can be seen at the opening of the cave. The coffins are small because as our tour guide said, they position the corpse into their fetus pose because it's their tradition and they believe that they should have same position when they were born.

Then, we went up again since we don't want to pass the cave connection (Lumiang to Sumaguing Cave). So we went straight to Sumaguing Cave.

Tips about this cave:

Follow the tour guide's instruction

Don't wear slippery foot wears

Be ready to get wet ~~(with cold water)~~

It's better to give your things to the tour guide so it won't be hard

Ask the tour guide's assistance (if needed)

Expand your imagination

Be careful on each step

If you want to bring a camera, make sure it is water resistant

Going down the cave is really hard especially if it's your first time but it's all worth it after seeing how beautiful it is. From the mouth of the cave, we went down carefully since it's slippery and some rock are covered with bat poops (you wouldn't even know if you touched some already). It's totally dark and all you have to think is your safety rather than being bothered by those poops. There's a part where guides asked us to remove our slippers or other footwear because it will be the wet part of the cave where most of the rock formation can be seen. Expanding your imagination helps you to appreciate the view more, especially the rock formation. The rock formations I've seen there is not like the usual ones. We passed by some and we didn't even realized that it is one. For me, our experience inside the cave is a adventure or exploration while appreciating the art that surrounds me. It is like a maze with an art exhibit. Going up the cave is more easier since you already know the steps you will take. While going up, people who will go down asked us if it's hard down there and what is inside there and it is really amusing that we're also like them when we were in their position.

After that tiring but worthy adventure, we roamed around and shopped for our dinner. We went to Sagada Public Market where you can buy many things. Sagada is a really nice place, it has many shops around, many places to stay, and of course, a beautiful and peaceful surroundings.