Sagada : Your Guide To Getting Happy

Day 2

5. Kiltepan Point

Good thing our tour guide woke us all up at 4am as we headed straight to Kiltepan point. And this was the point where I knew the Sagada Trip was well worth it. It was beautiful. Whenever you see sights like this, you feel blessed. Mornings will never be the same when you see Kiltepan point.

6. Breakfast

So we head back to Misty Lodge for great breakfast. And this part totally made our sour experience the evening before into a sweet one. Pancakes, bacon, strawberry and all the stuff that make up a breakfast for champions.

 

 7.  Market.

After registering at the Tourist area along the main road we passed by the market and that was a good spot for some street photojournalism which was a good break from my wedding and boudoir photography hats. They say, to truly experience a place go to the local market.  And that we did, and it was amazing.

 

8. Bomod-ok Falls

I never really knew what lay ahead when we went here. All I knew was that we were going to hike and our tour guide manang Emilia was so gracious in taking us down there. Since they are used to foreigners they speak English better than they speak Tagalog. The 1-2 hour hike down the rice fields took my breath away (scenery wise). So did the hike back up (literally). But the journey in the ricefields and Bomod-ok falls is a sight to behold along with the cool refreshing water you can dip your feet into after that long walk. Ahhh sarap.

 

Details.

We passed the small villages which had huts that still had a ceremonial area.

 

This is She’s Nat Geo shirt.  Which served as the theme for the whole trip. Live Curious. Keep Asking. 

Kids can take the hike too.  I’m proud of this 11-year old boy.  Good job Niels!  If you do get tired though, the tour guides can carry you across the trail for an additional fee.

 

Natural pampering for feet.

 Don’t forget to prepare with the proper trekking shoes.

9. Cafe Saint Joe 

We had lunch at Cafe Saint Joe – we were so excited to choose stuff on the menu only to find out only the lemon chicken & fried chicken were available. But that didn’t matter since it tasted great anyway, especially the vegetables which were fresh, sweet and had that right crunch to it.  Just had to wait for some time for it to be served – so while waiting – candy crush!

 

 

10. Lumiang Burial Cave

Caving / spelunking is recommended to be done on a different day from going to Bomod-ok because it really is exhausting. But we did it on the same day, and given we weren’t as young as we used to be, we did survive it.

We started off with Lumiang Burial cave which holds the essence of the Sagada tradition of burying the dead in caves like this. Although since Christianity has taken hold of the place, this tradition hasn’t been done in the past decades.

There is a way from Lumiang to Sumaguing cave called the cave connection but that would take another 3-4 hours. You will get wet and you can’t take your cameras with you.  Ziplocks may work but better leave the gadgets somewhere safe & dry to be sure.

 

 

10. Sumaguing Cave

Recommended attire for caving : gloves, trekking shoes, led headlight, clothes you can get wet and muddy in. This part was wonderfully wet and wild. Its not very often that you find yourself in a cave with water running & rock formations glistening in the light.

 

11. Salt N Pepper 

Having Pepper Steak in Salt N Pepper was also one of our better dining experiences. The service was fast, the staff friendly and the food tasted great.

Day 3

12 Lemon House

If buko pie is to Laguna, Lemon pie is to Sagada. This lemon pie has meringue in it and has that natural tangy flavor. And we got ours by stopping first at The Lemon Pie House.

13. Echo Valley Hanging Coffins

What is Sagada without the hanging coffins. Taking a 10-15 minute hike down the valley brought us to the historic hanging coffins of Sagada. And you’d have to think how do they ever get the dead down there? Villagers would form a long line all the way from the top and pass on the coffins until it gets to its burial spot.

On the way there, you will pass the public cemetery.  Which surprisingly makes for a good backdrop in photos.

CONTINUE READING to see the hanging coffins & one of the natural wonders of the world.