Sagada Travel Guide: Getting There, Itinerary, Budget, Summary

August 7, 2012 by 11 Comments
Kiltepan Viewpoint, Sagada

"Let's go to Sagada." More than five years ago, just before our college graduation, my friend Tonet invited me to go to Sagada. Tonet and I had always wanted to visit Sagada for a number of reasons. "I don't think that's possible given that we're too busy working on our theses. Perhaps after graduation?" I suggested. After graduating, while we were walking in Makati, looking for a job, she brought it up again. "I think we should find a job first. And then let's plan a Sagada getaway," I dodged. She agreed. When we finally landed a job, the desire to travel to Sagada was still there. But neither tried to bring it up because we knew there was no way we could squeeze a 3-day trip into … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Budget and Expenses, Mountain Province, Planning a Trip, Sagada, Sample Itineraries Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Restaurant Review: The Yoghurt House – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

August 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Yoghurt House in Sagada

I have this weird love-hate relationship with yoghurt. You know that person that you always miss and you always want to see but when you're together, they make you sick? Yoghurt is like that to me. I hopelessly, desperately, dangerously love yoghurt but, unfortunately, it turns my stomach upside down. I'm lactose intolerant and yoghurt (and other dairy products) starts a revolution inside my big, big tummy. Imagine how I feel whenever I stand in front of the Yoghurt House in Sagada. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food, Mountain Province, Sagada Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Cave Connection, Crotch Situation – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

August 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
One of our guides at the Lumiang Cave

I was worried about one thing and only one thing as I stood by the mouth of Lumiang Cave, about to start our Cave Connection Spelunking Tour with friends --- the seam of my shorts. There's something that I didn't mention when I blogged about my Sumaguing Cave adventure the year before --- that the seam of my shorts, the crotch part, ripped apart in the middle of the activity. Good thing no one noticed. (Or maybe no one brought it up even though they noticed.) I thought I learned my lesson. But for Cave Connection, I totally forgot to come in my sturdiest, most durable shorts. The pair I was wearing was something I got for only P60 somewhere and I was a little bit totally worried that it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caves, Mountain Province, Sagada Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Sagada Weaving: The Twining Threads – Mountain Province, Philippines

August 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment
More threads!

I excitedly hung my camera around my neck as I hopped out of the vehicle and trod towards the main work hall of the Sagada Weaving complex only to be greeted by a "No Taking of Pictures" posted on the door. Just when I was about to take my cam off and put it back to the bag, one of the ladies working there said that it was okay. We asked if we could take photos of them while they worked and she obliged and encouraged us to explore the other parts of the workplace. From that moment on, I knew I would have fun inside the building. Warm hospitality always makes traveling a lot more enjoyable! Sagada Weaving has been weaving quality products such as bags, slippers, souvenirs, and apparel … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mountain Province, Sagada, Shops Tagged With: , , ,

Restaurant Review: Lemon Pie House – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

July 29, 2012 by 5 Comments
The famous lemon pie

I hate to start this entry on a sour note but I just have to say that I don't really like lemons. I enjoy it as a fruit or as a chaser for a hard drink but it loses me the moment it becomes an ingredient to a cooked or baked dish. So yeah, I dislike lemon squares and lemon chicken and other dishes with overpowering citrusy taste. But that bright yellow building that stands along the main road of the town of Sagada was too inviting. The Lemon Pie House is located farther down the road, away from the town's main establishments that it stands out from the grey and green setting. Before I knew it, I was already holding a small menu, deciding on what to have for breakfast that would go … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food, Mountain Province, Sagada Tagged With: , , , ,

Orange Picking at the Rock Farm – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

July 29, 2012 by 3 Comments
sagada ponkan

The Poor Traveler and his friends walked into the cafe without a care in the world other than to be seated and to be seated for a long time. The trek to Bomod-ok Falls while totally rewarding was also absolutely exhausting. (Imagine four hours of walking up and down the hills to the waterfall and back.) We picked a table, pulled chairs, and sat like the chairs were our long-lost lovers. What comfort! It was only when a waiter handed us the menu when we realized we were there for lunch and not just to be seated. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Farms, Food, Mountain Province, Sagada Tagged With: , , , , ,

Banaue Rice Terraces: Beneath the Clouds – Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines

June 24, 2012 by 2 Comments
Our view of Banaue Rice Terraces in December 2011

Clouds are usually my friend. When its sunny and I need a little cover, clouds are there for me. There are times, however, when they let me down. Especially when they're blocking the view. Two years ago, my friends and I made a stopover at Banaue Rice Terraces on the way back to Manila from Sagada. Unfortunately, the entire place was blanketed with thick clouds that we did not see the famed terraces in all its glory. Last year after another trip in Sagada, we decided to do it again. Fingers crossed, we hoped that the terraced would not be shy this time around and the clouds, not a buzzkill. It was our lucky day. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ifugao, Mountains and Hills Tagged With: , , , , ,

Sagada Bonfire Fest: Partyin’ Sagada Style – Mountain Province, Philippines

June 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Sagada Bonfire Fest

People, with drinks in their hand, danced to the loud music as the light flickered in the middle of the place. While it sounds like a scene from your favorite club in the city, that is how one would describe the bonfire event that happens in Sagada every year. Except, the dance is native, the music is created by traditional percussion instruments, and the light is coming from a big bonfire that burns gloriously at the center of the site. Every year, the Sagada Genuine Guides Association holds a bonfire event and tourists are welcome to join in the celebration. It happens on one night between Christmas and New Year (December 27 or 28), considered a peak season for Sagada tourism. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Festivals, Mountain Province, Sagada Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Kiltepan Viewpoint: Catchin’ the Sunrise – Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

June 13, 2012 by 3 Comments
Sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint, Sagada

The dew that the shrubs collected through the night was still cradled in their leaves’ lovely embrace when we arrived at Kiltepan Viewpoint. While time seemed to stand still for these droplets, we were hurrying to the top of the hill as fast as we could, trying to catch the sunrise. We cut the fog that blanketed the trees and carefully trod to the top, all the while trying to avoid stepping on the red mud. We ended up catching our breaths, our footwear covered in mud and our eyes feasting on this heavenly spectacle that unfolded before our eyes. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mountain Province, Mountains and Hills, Sagada Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Moving Mountains for Bomod-ok Falls – Sagada, Philippines

June 12, 2012 by 2 Comments
Bomod-ok Falls or "Big Falls" in Sagada

“This waterfall better be worth it,” said my friend Tonet in between gasps and pants. We had not walked even a quarter of the distance yet our legs and lungs were already complaining hard. It was exhausting, to say the least. But the view on the way there was highly encouraging. There we were, in the middle of the terraced hillside, planted with all sorts of vegetables. The view was nothing short of spectacular. Bomod-ok Falls is also called the Big Falls because, well, it is definitely bigger than Bokong Falls, another popular waterfall in Sagada. Hidden deep in a valley, it takes an hour to two to get here by foot from the main road (and that's just one-way). Bomod-ok's cold, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mountain Province, Mountains and Hills, Sagada, Waterfalls Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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