Pamela W. Holloway 
I’ve always wanted to go to Baguio, given that grade faculty, but my mom may not let me due to the historic earthquake that occurred there when I turned into my mother’s womb. The earthquake passed off whilst my mom was traveling lower back to Manila from Baguio. And now I’m 26 years vintage but, I nonetheless have not been there.
Craving for a cold location on the mountains’ pinnacle, a pal of mine invited me to have an adventure. Not in Baguio, alternatively, in Sagada. One of the coldest locations in us of a. A place of peace and relaxation. It’s like a break out of place from the metropolis and fact. The well-known movie “That Thing Called Tadhana” is an area wherein damaged hearts move.
Traveling to Sagada is right for the circle of relatives, buddies, couple, or maybe a soloist. Though handiest decided on locations are beneficial for seniors and kiddos and of course, make sure to have a comfy ride from side to side because it will be a protracted one. So, to all folks that are projected to go there, here are my reviews of the locations we’ve been to and the meals we’ve got eaten.
TRANSPO
My pals and I took the Coda Bus Line in Cubao for P700 one-way – routing from Cubao to Sagada Town Proper. Make certain to buy tickets earlier because the bus is continually full. Coda Bus Line is placed in HM Transport Terminal, Maryland nook EDSA. The travel time is 10-12 hours so, I without a doubt endorse this bus which has reclining seats and true track & films. You’ll thank me after experiencing it. The bus departed in Cubao at 9:00 pm, Friday closing February 10, 2017. After 5 hours, we already arrived in Baguio City at 2:00 am. We had 2 stopovers from then till we arrived at Sagada Town Proper at 7:00 in the morning.
On our manner home, we also took Coda Bus Line for P700 one way. I endorse shopping for roundtrip bus tickets ahead. From Sagada Town Proper, search for the jeepney going to Bontoc provided via Coda Bus Line because the bus terminal returning to Manila is in Bontoc. No additional fee is needed in the jeepney as this is covered in the bus price. Riding their jeepneys is one of the fun parts of Sagada. If you are one of the adventurous people, undertaking your self to sit on the jeepney’s pinnacle.
Yes, you examine that properly! The seat on top of the jeepney except for the bags of the passengers. Most of those who did it become guys, but some women are courageous sufficient to attempt. I always conceived of it as a horrifying element since you may be seeing the cliff from above. But if your attention to the scenery, you will be thanking God for the high-quality view. It’s like a postcard brought to existence. Another exact factor approximately this bus is, you have got a stopover someplace with zero visibility to buy greens and other delicacies and another stopover in Banawe Rice Terraces for photo taking.
HOTEL
We stayed in Misty Lodge Hotel and Café – 2km away from the Town. It might also appear some distance, but we didn’t regret staying there. The hotel is very lots comfy, and they serve satisfactory meals in the town. Upon entering the residence, you may see a quite decorated Café with a Chimney on the facet. They have one room on the ground floor, four rooms on the second floor, and five attic rooms. The rooms are accurate for a soloist to a bunch of 4 people consistent with the room. Since we’re a set of eight, composed of four boys and four women, we requested 2 rooms abreast—fortunately, the to be had rooms are placed in the attic, dealing with each different.
The room for four human beings has 2 beds with a facet table and cabinet. Their 2d ground has a dwelling region with a deck of books that you can use in your spare time, while the attic has a hangout place in the middle of the rooms for peeps who want to play board video games. The residence is packed with books and games that guests can use for amusement. The lodge is relatively recommendable even though they best have a shared toilet. They best have two massive lavatories for the complete house, so; you would possibly want to wake up early as predicted to keep away from the traces. Another proper issue with this hotel is that they don’t become off the lighting fixtures at night time. You also have to word that they turned off all of the lighting fixtures, even the street lighting, at 10:00 pm.
I additionally recognize some folks who stayed at Rock Inn Hotel. It’s additionally a pleasing lodge, however, farther from Town than in Misty Lodge. And some other one is at Residential Lodge. Residential Lodge is already positioned in Town, so you do not want to worry about foot long distances in an icy street after the activity or after ingesting. But due to the fact it is in Town, they observe the lights curfew consequently, turning off the lights at 10 pm, which includes the room lights. So you can not do something past 10 pm aside from dozing.
ACTIVITIES
There are lots of activities in Sagada, though a maximum of them requires hiking. So, if you’re visiting with seniors or children, select the best ones that can be safe for them and make certain to hire a traveler guide. Here are some of the activities my buddies and I went to.
Mt. Kiltepan
We arrived at 7:00 am in Sagada Town and had our breakfast in Misty Lodge Café because we also want to test in. Unfortunately, we can’t have an early test-in, so we determined to depart our luggage on the receptionist and went to Mt. Kiltepan. From Misty Lodge, it’s a 2km stroll to the entrance of Mt. Kiltepan and a 20-30mins walk to the top, and you can pass there even without a guide. It’s a secure vicinity; be careful whilst you stand on the cliff. You also can take your vehicle or lease a jeepney to head on top.
This mountain became featured in the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana,” wherein the lead actress launched her emotions by shouting. Though within the film, they went there to watch for the dawn even as we went there at 10 am, and the view remains the first-rate! A clear view of the proudly Filipino-made Rice Terraces. I bet no different businesses ever thought of going there unless it is sunrise properly; we’ve got the region all to ourselves. We took a whole lot of outstanding pix without dashing. But if you want to look at the ocean of clouds, you need to move up there at 4:30 am and anticipate the sunrise. I’ll let you know; it’s absolutely really worth it.
Echo Valley Tour -> Hanging Coffins -> Underground River -> Bokong Falls
On our 2nd day, we determined to lease a guide for an Echo Valley Tour for P500 for a set of 10 people. This tour is composed of many routes, depending on your last destination, and right here’s ours. We first went to the church and the cemetery hill, wherein we listened to the history of the places and their traditions. Then we walked to the Echo Valley, an area wherein you will hear its echoes in case you shout. It’s exceptional! Then we went right down to the striking coffins. It’s not horrifying; it’s quite confusing, especially those in the center of the rocky mountains. How did they even manage to deliver it all up and push it within the mini caves?
Still disturbing, we hiked until we attain the underground river where we had to light fixtures our torch inner to peer wherein we’re going. You ought to be cautious inside because some of the stones are so low, you would possibly hit your head. When you reach the quiet of the river, it means you have to reach Bokong Falls. It’s just a small fall; however, it’s lovable. There, we enjoyed our lunch and swimming. Afterward, we took an exclusive path heading lower back to Town. It took us nearly four hours on this excursion. However, we enjoyed it.
Sunset in Lake Danum
Feeling pump, after our Echo Valley tour, we’ve got a little snack of barbecue and hotdog, then we rented a shuttle for P600 to power us to Lake Danum. A lot of visitors went there to time-lapse the sundown. Sadly, the sun was covered with clouds, so we haven’t sincerely seen it. But still, it is a pleasant place to have picnics. I also propose buying their on-the-spot espresso (Organo Gold espresso) or yogurt whilst looking ahead to the sundown. It’s clearly scrumptious!
Marlboro Hills
Since we already went to Mt. Kiltepan, we determined to hike up in Marlboro Hills to look at the ocean of clouds. We started hiking at 4:00 am on a Sunday at the same time as the sky drizzles. We hiked up for 1hr and 30mins, and it’s getting less warm and chillier. It’s better than Mt. Kiltepan, and it is not that recommended if it’s raining due to the floor receives muddier. It’s 0 visibility up there and makes certain you’ve got your fleece jacket on.
That’s all our activities in the course of our stay in Sagada. We also have some other riders to Bomod-OK Falls, but it was canceled due to their ongoing ritual on that day. Other than that, you may try going to Sumaguing Cave, Blue Soil, Lumiang Cave, Ganduyan Museum, Pongas Falls, and to the well-known Sagada Rice Terraces.
FOOD
If you’re searching for something to replace your burned energy after the activities, Sagada has hundreds of restaurants that you’ll no longer neglect. Of all of the places I’ve been to, Sagada is the best area where all the meals they served have vegetables. You don’t need to request for it; it’s miles given. Not simply that, their veggies are sparkling and scrumptious. Their dishes are tasteful, and the tacky pizzas & mouthful burgers are those which you shouldn’t allow the pass of.
Of route, remember to try their famous creamy yogurt. It is their forte due to its creaminess and freshness of fruits flavored in it. I advocate consuming in Misty Lodge Café, Sagada Brew, Salt & Pepper, and Gaia Café. Those are a few we’ve got been to, and it is an ought to! Especially Gaia Café, this location has a view of Banawe Rice Terraces, and it’s fine for his or her espresso and muffin. Also, it’s far better if you try their local meals that you can buy within the streets, such as wheat bread with chocolate/cheese, grimy ice cream w/ Hershey’s syrup, and yogurt.
PASALUBONG (SOUVENIRS)
Wondering where to buy souvenirs for your family? You don’t want to ride far away because the Town is a small area and has masses of souvenir shops. I advocate which you hoard their purple wine. HAHA, Just kidding! They promote one of the fine wines, and my favorite is Charlina Bugnay Red Wine that I simplest bought for P150-P160 according to bottle, relies upon on what shop you acquire it. Besides that, I’ve also bought a percent of mountain leaves for P10 and turmeric tea for P150, which is very good in cleansing the frame.
For 4 days, we, in reality, did enjoy going there, and I’m pretty positive I’ll be back there. If you’re a soloist looking for a break-out location or someplace to loosen up, this is an exquisite region for you. Or perhaps you are a couple of friends or your own family this is up for a journey, keep in mind to carry you’re A-recreation! Also, bear in mind to carry moisturizers and sunblock. Even though it is cold, solar’s warmness is strong enough to burn your pores and skin. Truly, Sagada is one in all a type! So while you’re there, capture the instant!
