nth time in Sagada

 

 

Up and Above the Clouds.. And the Falls

I woke up at 4 in the morning the following day. I am excited for the sunrise in Kiltepan. And rhis is what it looked like to be in the clouds. A shot before that magical moment.

And behold, the magic of sunrise! I am above the clouds. Staring at the sea of clouds. Everyone is at awe. Every sunrise is wonderful!

Time moves and the clouds was clearing the view, showing the vividness of what's underneath the ol buttermilk sky.

The sun is already up and spectators cannot moved on just yet. Everyone seemed to  have been looking for their moment of selfies and groupies with the dazzling spectacle of the break of day.

Before noontime, I joined another group for a trek to the Bomod-ok Falls. I strongly suggest  that this should be in everyone's list when visiting Sagada. The sight is worth the long march. Trek to the falls is more manageable than that of Tappiya waterfalls in Ifugao. 

 It's been a while since I dipped in the waterfalls. But never plunged myself to the ice cold water. I felt numbness in my feet and I can feel my right foot nearing to cramp just by standing at the shallow water. 

In general, I did enjoy the sights and the sound of the cascades of Bomod-ok waterfalls. Until the next visit.

In The Clouds..

8:00 in the morning. From Bontoc, I took the first trip to Sagada.

The town is in high spirit, it was day one of their 4-day fair.

I must've taken a good nap. It was already noontime. After meal, I walked to the bazaar and went to the Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins. 

The last time I went to see the hanging coffins, local guide is optional. This time, it is mandatory for every tourist or group, to help the locals and the community earn a living.

It rained in the late afternoon. I am in the clouds. It was frosty everywhere.

I ended the day with a cold beer in one of the artsy, rustic, must visit venue for drinking with good beats. 

To The Clouds..

It was half past 1 in the afternoon and the last bus going to Sagada had left Dangwa.

There was a non-airconditioned bus bound Bontoc, I booked a ticket and asked for a window seat at the back. 

Traveled 6 hours towards the misty Halsema Highway and arrived in Bontoc town proper at 8:00 in the evening. It's not shivery in Bontoc, but I stayed overnight.

I woke up very early the next day and walked the sleepy town to look for breakfast and locate the jeepney station going to Sagada.

I rode up on the jitney bus. Topload style! The chilly air blowing on my face while on the winding road is refreshing! The view of the mountains is magnificent! 

Took us about 35 minutes to reach Sagada, just in time for the parade. 

It was  the first day of "Etag Festival". How extraordinary! It was really a good day!

Breezy Sagada

 

Sagada is famous for its traditional way of burying their departed relatives.

Aside from the hanging coffins, the weather and the simplicity of the town is really inviting.

Going there is also an adventure, enduring the winding road for 6 hours, on a bus from Baguio City.

There are no shortcuts going to a certain spot in Sagada, but walking along, enjoy the view but remember your trail. 

The people there are used to receiving visitors, just be courteous and respect their culture. Be a responsible traveler. 

There was a time when an influx of visitors just littered the once peaceful and  neat zone. It was a relief that I wasn't there that moment.

Panag-Apoy

Happening every November 1, just before sundown, the people from the town of Sagada in the Mountain Province gather in the cemetery at the hill and would ignite a "saeng" near the graves of their departed kin. This custom is also known as the Sagada Festival of Fire as Panag-Apoy literally means "to produce fire".

Instead of the conventional candle, the populace of Sagada made a bonfire from pine wood, which is very locally available. The blaze would light the burial ground as dusk enveloped the community. This tradition is an acceptable church activity of the Anglicans in the town.