Kiltepan Sunrise and lost in the Forest

As my body enjoying the cold weather in bed and having a good sleep, and still want to sleep, but we have to wake up very early, before the break of the dawn. And this is the start of our Sagada Adventure: Survival Challenge J

We leaved our lodge in full gear to conquer the morning cold temperature. And we have to walk about 3 and half kilometers. Going to Kiltepan peak, you had two options, First, by your feet, walk/trek for about 30-45 minutes. Second, you can rent a van that may cost 450 roundtrip, you have to arrange or book it to SEGA or SAGGAS office. For us, we choose the first, aside from being a budget travelers, we want to seize the place and experience each adventure and challenges that Sagada offers.

To trek going Kiltepan, doing it in early morning, you need to bring flashlight, for roads are still dark and expect some ascend and rough roads along. Bring also water and good stamina J . During our visit, there are only few groups choose to walk. Most go for van rental, and all of them passed us along the road and of course get ahead of us on the site. After our long walked for about 45 minutes we reach the site. Walking is bit tiring, but all worth it. I really enjoyed the cold breeze around as my jacket balances to keep me warm.

All visitors who got ahead of us are already on their best spots for the sunrise. There are more than a hundreds of visitor on the site. We wait for a couple of minutes for the magnificent sunrise and take some photos. Indeed, it was beautiful.

As the sun arises, we leave the site and took another adventure. I read through some blogs about the Malboro country in Sagada and how to get there. Though most blogger noted that there’s no clear signs headed to the site thus some are get lost in the middle. From Kiltepan, we went straight following the trail on the left side at Kiltepan entrance. Believing on my brave instinct, it’s the right way going there (hahahah). We walked thru a wide path until we reach a pork way, the area seems for logging trees. There is no one to ask for right direction. We take both ways, (one at a time) Going further, I’ve enjoyed all over with the pine trees, forest flowers, spiders, etc… not having a worry that we might get lost… And the history, we got lost in both in middle of the forest. We go back, failed to found Malboro Country L . Thus, having us a reason to visit again Sagada very soon.

Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins in Sagada, Philippines

Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins are the easiest and most accessible spot destination in Sagada. A few minutes of walk from the town proper. You can a lot a minimum of one hour for your itinerary, or it may take long depend on your photo shot and energy going down and up to the Valley.

Going there, we passed on the giant Bell and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and we also stay for minute to offer a prayer. Before I forgot, we don’t have a guide, but a family ahead of us is very kind enough to share and ask us to join with them J.  Headed straight from the Church and take left lead us to Cemetery uphill. Their white gravestones are in different sizes but smaller than in usual or common cemetery. The atmosphere around give me goose bumps. We stay a minute and offer a moment of silence and prayer for all the departed one buried in the area.

From the cemetery going beyond following the trail, sloping down, until we reach the side of the hill

were we shout out our names and echoed back, that’s way it I was called the Echo Valley. Adjusting a few steps, it was already a viewpoint for the Hanging Coffin below. Far beyond, you could see coffins hanged on the side of the cliff. Be caution in making steps, you may carried away by the view and make a wrong step, you might fall down and get hurt.

After do some shout outs and taking photos at Echo Valley, we descend following again the trail down to get closer to the Hanging Coffins. This time, the family we’ve joined and the guide decided to go back already. All of them don’t have enough energy to go down and up again because they have already a long day from Bomod-ok Falls. It took up about 10-15 minutes going down and reach the side of cliff were the coffins are hanged. We just take a few shots of picture and go back as darkness already meandering the site. 

Going up is an extra challenge, so it took us more time. And it’s almost dark when we got again to St. Mary Church. Then we had bread, to feed our hungry stomach, we bought it from the two kids at the side of the church.

CAGAYAN : Buntun Bridge

We wake up early to take morning selfies at Buntun Bridge. We want to capture pictures as the sun raising in the sky. But morning is a little bit gloomy, Sun didn't appear shining brightly as we stay. Still, the view is stunning, seeing the wide and long stretch of Cagayan River.

Buntun Bridge is in Tuguegarao City. A 1.3 Km long bridge that links Tuguegarao and Solano Cagayan. This is also known as the second longest bridge in the Philippines as the Cagayan river is the largest river basin the country.

We take the path on the side going to bottom of the bridge. And we're able to take a wide shot. The sight is just incredible. A combination of  Nature's beauty and world architectural force.

Though some Cow's "popo" scattered on the ground. :) . So, take a little caution, you may not want to step on it... or better have a fun and crazy shot... like hubby did :) <3

Tuguegarao Special Pancit Batil Patung

Before we headed going to Tuguegarao, I already did a research about the city, including food specialty. Most write ups recommend this Pancit Batil Patung.  Arrived late afternoon in Tuguegarao and while looking for our hotel, we come crossed to "Jomar's Special Batil Patung" panciteria. We came from a long ride so we're quite tired and hungry, and my tummy is really asking for it. :)

Settling down inside the panciteria, I ask hubby to take our orders. And he go for two order of super special. It's 80 pesos per order. While waiting, costumer can chop onions for soy sauce. After about 10 minutes our order came. And I was like .... WOW!!! The serving is like 2-3 persons. And the toppings are all over the top. I have to dig for the pancit :) ... It has chunks of chicken liver, chicharon, sunny side up egg, slice of suasage, carrots and beans. Upon having my first fork, ohlahhh!!! taste so good. Flavor of miki with taste its toppings, the crispness of chicharon combined together... THE BEST TASTE PANCIT EVER!!!

Given the chance to visit Tugugarao, don't miss to try "Jomar's Special Pancit Patung".

Cutting trip to Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley

Hubby and I decided to visit Cagayan Valley during Holy Week. I made an advance booking for our accommodation in Tuguegarao City for three days. But I failed to have early booking for our bus reservations, thinking that it would not be necessary. And when I ask for booking reservation a week before our date of departure, it's all fully booked.

Our plan is to leave Manila by Wednesday night, but since we don't have reservation we decided to leave Tuesday night, but when we arrived at the bus terminal in Manila, the last bus going Tuguegarao already left and we're advice to wait for 3:00 AM first trip.

Feeling hungry and frustrated. Hubby said, we don't have a choice but to wait. But still  I don't want to give up. I was thinking there must be something to be done. Then, one uniformed man ask our destination?... I sadly replied, to Tuguegagao and the last bus already left. He said... "ah Okey" but after a few seconds, he speak again and asked, if we want to do cutting trip?... Their bus is going to Banaue, but they can drop us in Nueva Viscaya junction and transfer us to other bus going to Tuguegagarao. Those buses coming from Bagiuo or Ilocos.

Rather than wait, we agreed to do cutting trip. 11:00 PM we left Manila terminal. Manila to Tuguegarao estimated for 12 - 13 hours travel. By 4:00 AM we're supposed to be in Nueva Viscaya. But unlucky we are, we're stocked for almost 6 hours at Sta. Fe. We arrived at junction almost 10:00AM, too late to catch the buses bound to Tuguegarao.

The unlucky us still lucky that there is a bus going to Roxas/Santaigo, Isabela, that arrived at junction almost same with us. Our driver is the one who talked to the other driver about our situation. No problem with them but the only available seats are the small extra chairs put at the center aisle. As hubby said, we don't have a choice, this is the best that we have, better go with it...

We left at 11:00 AM from Neuva Viscaya junction to Roxas, Isabela it took us 3 and half hours, there are traffics along the highway due to some road constructions. Arrived at Roxas at 2:30 PM. Yes, we're hungry enough, so we eat for our late lunch before going again to another stretch of Km ride.

From Roxas Isabela there are UV Express Van going to Tuguegarao City. We just asked kuya tricycle driver to drop off us at UV Express terminal bound to Tuguegarao. Since we're on the road for about 16 hours, I assumed, that it would only take us 30 mins to Tuguegarao from Roxas. But No... It took us more than 2 hours, it includes, drop off / pick up of other passengers and some stop for one way road, again due to road constructions.

Leaving at Roxas full arrived hungry at Tuguegarao, but Yes!!! Finally we arrived in our destination safe and sound. Thank you Lord.

Lesson learned, always have an early booking reservation. There are couple of buses bound to Tuguegarao that cater early booking reservation. You can go directly to the terminals or thru online.

• Dalin Liner - Sampaloc Manila
• Deltra Bus Transsit - Sampaloc Manila
• GV Florida Bus - Sampaloc Manila
• Baliwag Transit - Cubao EDSA
• Victory Liner - Kamias, Pasay, Manila, Caloocan

For Online Booking visit this pages:

https://www.pinoytravel.com.ph/

Alumbung Resort, Panglao Bohol

After facing roller coaster ride at the Sea coming from Cebu to Bohol. A comfy resting place is well deserve. From Tagbilaran Port, we hired tricycle to take us to Panglao, were we have our reservation to stay overnight. It took us about 45 minutes for 300.00 pesos fare.

We had our reservation at Alumbung Resort. The place really offers a HOME. Very nice place to stay when you are in vacation. Quite and very relaxing tropical green nature. The Cottages are equipped with ceiling fan, air-con, private shower with heater, balcony, free wifi, and there is also a mini swimming pool. They can accommodate from Single to Family at fair affordable rate. It's about 5 minutes going to Danao Beach and about 10 minutes to Alona beach through habal-habal ride.

They also have food and beverages. Which we had ordered our breakfast. It's bit pricey but taste so good. I love the hot chocolate. Plus, the owner very accommodating and nice. I've loved the place even we just stay there overnight.

For rates and reservation you may visit : www.alumbungbohol.com
Email : info@alumbungbohol.com
Landline: +63 38 5028059
Cellphone: +63 9274431769

Taoist Temple, Cebu City

Early on our itinerary  is visiting Taoist Temple. We ask for the direction at the reception area, and hearing it, I assumed it quite easy... (hahahaha) ... But Cebu has unusual jeepney coding, they have this number letters codes, for each route... like 4C, 4D, 17C... that make me confused. But locals are very accommodating to answers when you ask for directions.

Coming from Robe's Pension House at the corner of the street, we wait for a jeep with 4D code, going to LAHUG. We just ask Kuya Driver to drop off us at were we can ride habal-habal going Taoist Temple. And kuya driver is so nice to favored us and drop off us at JY Square Mall and the fare is just 10.00 pesos. In front of JY Square Mall there are already a group of Habal Habal that will ask you to take you to the gate of Beverly hills Subdivision for just 40 or 50 pesos back and fort. From the gate, you need to walk , go through left side heading to the temple maybe about 10 minutes or less. In our case, from the gate there is a good Samaritan offer us ride going to the temple. He said, their house is just a few meters from Taoist Temple. Very nice right?.... so thankful for that.

Going to inside the temple is free. It's open to public from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. And since this is a temple, we have to pay respect and observed the rules. The place is holy and a house of prayer. Taking photos of the altars are strictly prohibited. Silence is observed, for there are worshipers having their prayer and meditation. Observed also your outfit, if you are wearing shorts (like me) and wish to go inside the worship area/room, you may wear "malong" which is also provided at the side, before entering.

Inside the Temple there is a Chinese Pagoda, Great Wall of China replica, Dragons, Wishing well, old Chinese Bell, small garden and Souvenir shop. And since the temple is elevated, it offers city skyline view. Very relaxing atmosphere.