nomadic for days
We traveled back north to the province of Ifugao. Our adventure started from a long route of bumpy dirt road from Banaue to the "saddle". We stayed on top of the transport to get a better view. The road was hellish and we were like guys sitting on a toilet battling constipation. After reaching the saddle, it's an hour hike down to Batad where every drop of your water bottle turns gold.
Batad is a nice little village nestled on the mountains of rice terraces. We spent three days and two nights there and it was amazing. We stayed in Simon's Inn, a great guesthouse with an impressive view of the rice terraces. We were all lethargic from the long hike under the sun but the view was worth it. Staring at the spectacular Ifugao stairway made our sweaty efforts more worthwhile. But the trip does not end there.
After we refueled we hiked going to the one of the earliest village in Batad. It was a fast stop just to get a glimpse of the view and the amazing houses there. After a short rest, our guide lead us to Tappia Falls. The trail this time was narrower and even more slippery. The paths were a meter less and like vines away from the ravine. On the way to the waterfalls, we reached the ridge overlooking the impressive work of the Ifugaos. A part of the route involves traversing the terraces. We were like colonies of ants balancing and climbing down along those narrow steps.
After a few more minutes of following the trail down the mountainside, we could here the water then there we were walking a little faster. After a steep course, the Tappia Waterfalls looms into our view. It's amazing to actually witness the cascading water. The water was really cold. But we took off our shirts and soaked ourselves in the frigid water. We were chilling and screaming like people from the titanic. We were laughing while battling hypothermia. After resting and warming up, we head back to Batad.
It's amusing to see the amazing places we've been to behind us. Ifugaos are really impressive. But somehow it's disappointing to see this amazing view cut short by the rise of non-traditional houses. I heard about some threats by a lack of maintenance and alarming amount of trash. I just strongly urge the local government to pay at least some attention to this.
On our way back to our guesthouse, we bumped into some locals and everyone was just friendly throwing on us their sincere smiles and hellos. We reached our place before dinner and shared stories and some laughs. On that same night, the locals made a little presentation for us. They showed us their culture in one night and taught us their tradition through dance. We unhesitatingly joined and danced around the bonfire celebrating our culture and tradition and just completely had fun.
Batad is a nice little village nestled on the mountains of rice terraces. We spent three days and two nights there and it was amazing. We stayed in Simon's Inn, a great guesthouse with an impressive view of the rice terraces. We were all lethargic from the long hike under the sun but the view was worth it. Staring at the spectacular Ifugao stairway made our sweaty efforts more worthwhile. But the trip does not end there.
After we refueled we hiked going to the one of the earliest village in Batad. It was a fast stop just to get a glimpse of the view and the amazing houses there. After a short rest, our guide lead us to Tappia Falls. The trail this time was narrower and even more slippery. The paths were a meter less and like vines away from the ravine. On the way to the waterfalls, we reached the ridge overlooking the impressive work of the Ifugaos. A part of the route involves traversing the terraces. We were like colonies of ants balancing and climbing down along those narrow steps.
After a few more minutes of following the trail down the mountainside, we could here the water then there we were walking a little faster. After a steep course, the Tappia Waterfalls looms into our view. It's amazing to actually witness the cascading water. The water was really cold. But we took off our shirts and soaked ourselves in the frigid water. We were chilling and screaming like people from the titanic. We were laughing while battling hypothermia. After resting and warming up, we head back to Batad.
It's amusing to see the amazing places we've been to behind us. Ifugaos are really impressive. But somehow it's disappointing to see this amazing view cut short by the rise of non-traditional houses. I heard about some threats by a lack of maintenance and alarming amount of trash. I just strongly urge the local government to pay at least some attention to this.
On our way back to our guesthouse, we bumped into some locals and everyone was just friendly throwing on us their sincere smiles and hellos. We reached our place before dinner and shared stories and some laughs. On that same night, the locals made a little presentation for us. They showed us their culture in one night and taught us their tradition through dance. We unhesitatingly joined and danced around the bonfire celebrating our culture and tradition and just completely had fun.
Labels: adventure
POSTED BY magikero AT 7:32 AM
