Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Banaue-Sagada Trip: Day 2

 

After a power breakfast of dried fish pandesal and green tea cereal, we hit the road for the 2-hour drive to Batad.

We stop at the Banaue town market to buy some cup noodles for tomorrow morning. (Instant noodles for breakfast is such luxury!)

Then my boo-boo. I fall on my knee getting off the jeep.

 

L1070555They pour alcohol on my wound. I cry like a baby.

 

L1070573Then we see these men putting the poor dog in a sack to transport him to his final destination. Human stomachs. Ugh.

 

L1070581This makes Frances so mad she cries

 

IMG_8972But tears turn into smiles when we stop at Guihop viewpoint for a photo op

 

guihop rice terracesGuihop Rice Terraces

 

IMG_8977The road to Batad is rough and narrow. We are driving so close to the edge I get some kind of sick pleasure peeking out the window.

 

L1070609It’s a two-way road, too. Aren’t we glad we hired a private jeep.

 

IMG_8983Our jeepney driver Jun drives scary fast but with great confidence, I must say.
That’s our tour guide Nora on the right.

 

hanging house souvenir shopWe make another stop at the Hanging House for these two souvenir whores

 

IMG_9013Local crafts

 

L1080035Pray that it’s not too windy…

 

IMG_9016…when nature calls.

 

IMG_8992I am loving this hanging bench

 

IMG_9009Taking a photo of Nikko taking a photo of the view below

 

IMG_9005Random tourists who later hitch a ride with us

 

IMG_9021The souvenir whores, Jamie and Frances

 

L1080021Jenny taking a break from her yaya chores

 

IMG_8995And me. (Sorry, I’m a little too boring)

 

batad rice terracesWe start our trek down to Batad Rice Terraces

 

tree fernHave you seen a tree fern before?

 

L1070678The trail starts out pretty easy

 

IMG_9068Then it becomes a bit pebbly

 

IMG_9049And narrow

 

IMG_9069And rocky

 

IMG_9071And tricky

 

IMG_9076But nothing can stop us from playing celebrity

 

IMG_9078That is why all other groups overtake us every time, everywhere

 

IMG_9060I’m so hot and sweaty

 

L1070767And so hungry! Our healthy snack.

 

IMG_9087Nganga, Nora’s healthier snack

 

batad rice terracesAnd then we continue on

 

batad rice terracesTaking a photo of Nikko taking a photo of me

 

Some interesting things we see on the way:

L1070744Workers’ shed

 

L1070791Knotted grass which signals you to keep off

 

batad rice terracesGlimpses of the Batad Rice Terraces

 

IMG_9121Little Ifugao porters

 

rice godRice God carvings on an Ifugao hut

 

IMG_9124Yey! We’re almost there!

 

IMG_9125Look what greets us before we reach the tourist registration center.
At least we know dogs here are on a healthy diet.

 

IMG_9132And finally, after almost 2 hours of walking, we are rewarded with the most
awe-mazing view

 

batad rice terracesBatad Rice Terraces. The Staircase of the Gods.

 

IMG_9141Local children are friendly and smiling

 

IMG_9142Lunch today is at Rita’s Mount View Inn and Restaurant

 

IMG_9146The restaurant’s wall is filled with pictures and cards (and even IDs!) of people who have traveled here

 

L1070924Of course, we leave our mark, too

 

batad pizzaBatad Pizza – vegetables, egg, cheese, tomatoes and tuna

 

IMG_9153 IMG_9156
                          Rita’s fried rice                                                       Garlic and cheese pizza

 

IMG_9158 IMG_9160
                    Peanut butter pancake                                                       Cheese omelet

 

The food is nothing to write home about. We attack our own supply of Cheetos, Doritos, Sun Chips and M&M’s.

 

L1070927The toilet is not in the very best condition

 

batad rice terracesBut really, with a view like this, who cares?

 

IMG_9183The main highlight at Rita’s is this authentic Ifugao hut. The owner, Romeo (Rita’s son),
lives here with his family.

 

IMG_9182When you enter the hut, look to your left and you’ll see the bed

 

IMG_9181Look to your right and you’ll see the kitchen and pots

 

IMG_9178How they cook

 

IMG_9179Look up and you’ll see the storage for rice harvests, chicken feathers from their rituals,
and lizard carvings (they are signs of good luck)

 

IMG_9190Other miscellaneous items hang from the roof

 

IMG_9187Romeo owns this skinny pig who runs as fast as a horse when people come close.
Don’t worry, piggy, I already had lunch.

 

L1070943This is Romeo making himself some nganga

 

ngangaScooping it out

 

IMG_9192He insists we do a wacky shot (Told ya I’m really bad with this)

 

Because we are fat, unfit and lazy peoples, we decide not to continue the trek down to the villages and the falls.

The hike back up from here is already dreadful enough.

 

IMG_9194We walk up the same way we come down,
but why is it so much harder this time?

 

IMG_9196Widening the road

 

IMG_9202That white speck is our driver Jeff. See, even he is struggling.
And he’s waaaayyy behind me, too. Ha!!!

 

IMG_9204Fresh mountain water

 

L1070968For the last leg of the hike, Nikko and I opt to take the stairs.
It is the shortest route, but also the hardest route.

 

L1070963Look how big the steps. They kill my legs. And my knee.

 

We started the hike back up at 2:15pm.

 

L1070972  L1070978
            Nikko reaches the top at 3:20pm                                                I at 3:21pm

 

IMG_1518  IMG_1469
                        Jamie at 3:32pm                                                       And Frances at 3:45pm

 

IMG_1524 L1070992
We share our coconut blessings with chickens and puppies

 

L1080003Life is so much simpler without iPads, Wiis and PSPs

 

L1080015Roadside barbershop

 

las vegas lodge and restaurantDinner tonight is at Las Vegas Lodge & Restaurant. Of course, we go to where the flavor is.

 

L1080050Nora arranges a pinikpikan dinner for us. She says it’s a must.

 

L1080045Cool ceiling. With a live lizard this time!

 

pinikpikanPinikpikan – prepared by beating a live chicken with a stick prior to cooking.
The beating bruises the chicken's flesh, bringing blood to its surface,
which is said to improve the flavour after cooking
. (Source: Wikipedia)
This is indeed richer and a lot more flavorful than regular native chicken soup.

 

IMG_1559  IMG_1560
                             Las Vegas soup                                                                         Sarciado

 

IMG_1576  IMG_1570
                                        Higado                                                                     Fried sweet potato

 

IMG_1569  IMG_1579
                                   Native rice                                                                       Native coffee

 

IMG_1585Okay, we will DEFINITELY be outta here by 9:30pm

 

IMG_1586We survive the day, time to celebrate!

 

Related Posts:

Banaue-Sagada Trip: Getting There
Banaue-Sagada Trip: Fairview Inn
Banaue-Sagada Trip: Day 1
Banaue-Sagada Trip: Day 3

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