Banaue (The Off-Beaten Path of Batad)

1st day of 3D/2N Trip (Dec 19, 2015)

Famous Banaue Rice Terraces, Tappia Falls and Bon Fire at Iwahig Native House. That's what our Ideal Plan for this trip but it seems like the weather has a special plan for us. It is our first day of travel adventure and we all expect that the storm has gone when suddenly another storm is approaching the country to some southern part of the Philippines that might bring rainfall to the northern areas; We still go on despite that situation (Walang makakapigil samin! hahaha). The cold season has been felt all around our roadtrip and we convince ourselves that we might changed our itineraries because it's not just the rain that we have to deal but also the thick fog and becomes thicker as we get closer to Cordillera boundaries. 

First Photo Ops and stop over at the Welcome Arch of Banaue town. Thanks for the rain has refrain and we were able to get off the Van. Laid back Atmosphere and the thick fog greeted us. from there few kilometers more to be at the town proper where we will have our brunch. Peoples Lodge, that's where we will have our meal. The restaurant has a nice view of the lush green mountains, rice terraces and the small town of Banaue. One can enjoy sipping a cup of coffee while having meal here 'coz of the cold breeze. 

humble town proper as viewed from the restaurant

Now, It is time to decide for alternative plan. Our destination would be the view deck of the Banaue Rice Terraces but because the fog forbids us to see the good sight we opted to proceed to the next spot. The off-beaten path of Batad; Ampitheater view of the Batad Rice Terraces and Trek to Tappia Falls. We were warned from the start that due rainfall it would a difficult trek but still we proceed. Before anything else we rented wood sticks that serves as our trek rod (It was indeed a big help though!) Slippery trail showed us the first level of difficulty; I can proved that it was really slippery 'coz I used to slide down while walking into the muddy and grassy area. after a while we reached the what they so-called Ampitheater; It looks like a real ampi theater with a combination of green and brown. Yes, It was s great sight combination of colors of the harvested area which is the brown and the full bloomed Rice grains to be harvested which is the greener parts. What surprised us is the fact that we have to trek down and up these mountain turned into Rice Terraces to get into the Falls. 

fog again!

nice to look at but hard to take a walk here

we can still smile here:)

Whoa! We get a guide from the information center found meters away from the view deck for Ampi theater and started immediately our "long walk". Scenic view welcomed us in the whole trail but it was a steep path, slippery rice fields, sharp rock edges and seems like a never ending trail.When we've finally reached our destination everyone was in awe for everything is worthy. That was indeed a sight to behold, even those foreigners we spotted in the area was really mesmerized by the beauty of the Majestic falls; though we reached the great falls, we were not allowed to go near it due to strong current caused by the weather. We just enjoy the place by staying at resting area (kubo) that also serves as the view deck.

This is not easy.I swear

native house along the path

more to climb

left side is where the falls located

sighting the great Tappia falls

notice the strong current?

what a beautiful sight

Now, going back is a new challenge for all of us. The guide said the trail would be all going up but real difficulty starts when we were at the very thin path walk from the rice field with a slippery mud and too steep cliff. I almost cried when every step I take seems like I'll be sliding down into waist deep mud or fall into the cliff on the other side; no safe place to choose but thanks to my acquaintances for holding my hand and help get through that part, It was like the longest 5min. walk I've done in my life. After dealing with the slippery path more upstairs walk for us and heavy rainfall starts to pour us, another thing we worry about is not finishing the trail back before it gets dark. We were all tired but had to hurry so we had no choice but to continue walking without resting. When we finally saw the end of the trail we couldn't describe the happiness in everyone's faces for we finally made it before dark skies takes its place.

We're all wet but can't changed our clothes yet and get our dinner first to the town proper before going to Iwahig Native Pension house. It was a good meal after a very tiring walk and we appreciate so much the presence of hot coffee and chocolate that can give some heat to our wet and tired body. So much for the day we ended up rushing to our nesting place for the night. Another Plan has been set aside because of the weather which is the bonfire. We thought that challenges for the day is over not until we found out that heater is not available in the accommodation so we have to battle with freezing cold water to take a bath and it feels like we're doing an ice bucket challenge. It wasn't good at all. 
6am in the morning we woke up with cold wind blowing and the rain is pouring. Nobody wants to get out but we have to take a breakfast below our room while the place has been surrounded by thick fogs and the wind is blowing. If not with the fogs we could have seen the Banaue Rice terraces on our background. It was 9am that we have to bid goodbye to banaue but trying our luck for the last time we tried to drop by at view deck of the famous "hagdan-hagdang palayan" and it was blocked by the fog again so that's it. We just leave the place and head off to Sagada via Bontoc. 

A cliff right before our eyes

Our nesting ground

Hiwang Native Houses

Banaue is a good place to stay especially for those who want to escape life from the city or pause for a moment. It has a laid back ambiance and adventure side of face. You can really take a good time to unwind and just be lazy all day or challenge yourself to different kind of Adrenalin rush by exploring Banaue through trekking. 


You can check the 2nd day of our travel adventure by reading my post next to this.

Photo Credits: Lucille Taperla, Jhudy Abarico & Regine Vidal