After the long wait… Finally, here’s the second (and probably the last part) of my Banaue-Sagada Adventure.
April 23, 2011: Black Saturday – Early morning we had our breakfast and prepared ourselves for the most intense part of our visit to Sagada.
We are set to go to the Sumaguing Cave, Lumiang Burial Cave, Sagada Underground River, Echo Valley and the famous Hanging Coffins.
First stop is the Sumaguing Cave. I honestly do not know if there is an entrance fee. If so, I do not have an idea how much it is or even how much is the guide’s fee. Reason: This is a partly sponsored tour. Everything has been arranged even before we elope from Manila. All we have to do is to follow the itinerary as strictly as possible.
Anyways, before we enter the cave, the guides told us to just leave our belongings in our jeepney. Even the jackets should be left because we will get wet inside. I only have my flashlight in my pocket and nothing else. We had picture takings before we enter the cave. There are few instructions before going inside from our guides. The first part of the cave was very rocky. As we go on further, it became more difficult as there are some rocks which are a little bit more slippery than the other. We do not have a choice but to hold-on to the other rocks with fresh bat dungs for the life of us. At one point of the cave, the guides requested for us to remove our foot-wears and just leave it at a certain part of the cave wherein we could get it later on our way back. It has been a lot easier when I removed my slippers. The next part of the cave was exceptional. I was amazed by the different rock formations such as the Pawikan (Turtle), The Queen, The King’s Curtain, Rice Terraces, The Cake to name a few. True enough, we got wet… very wet… I even had my watch broken. Too bad I brought the wrong watch, it’s not water resistant. The water was so cold and it gets deeper as we go further down the cave. We had to do a little rappelling to get back. But the spelunking was superb. And the cave was wonderful that I want to come back.
We had to pay 20 pesos in the near-by comfort room to wash-up. And then the girls went up the jeepney for the “top-load” as we move to our next destination… The Lumiang Cave.
Lumiang Cave is interconnected with the Sumaguing Cave but it will take 4 hours of spelunking from one cave to another. Lumiang Cave is a burial cave.
After visiting the Lumiang Burial Cave, we went down (again) to the Sagada Underground River. Had a little picture takings and then we decided to take a trail to the Echo Valley. From Echo Valley, there is another trail towards the famous Hanging Coffins, if you want to have a closer look.
Going back from Echo Valley, we passed by a cemetery and a church and we head back to the guest house to have some rest. After a few minutes of rest, myself and Olive went to the Ganduyan Museum which is just a few steps away from the guest house where we were able to meet Christina Aben, the founder and curator of the said museum.
We had lunch at the Yogurt House and then went back to the guest house to take a bath. While Greyz is taking a bath, myself and Olive decided to explore the streets of Sagada where Olive bought Barbeque and Hotdog. I’m a little bit jealous because I cannot eat meat at that time since I am following an old Semana Santa tradition. Right after she finished her barbeque, we went to the Cosmic Tea Herbs and Fruits aka Yoga and Herbs to have a cup of Cosmic Tea. Cosmic Tea is a special tea made from boiled mountain leaves, herbs and spices.
April 24, 2011: Easter Sunday – Our last day to Sagada and Banaue. We packed our things after a free breakfast and went for an early Easter Sunday mass before we head back to Banaue where we were given only 30 minutes of shopping while waiting for our bus to arrive at the station.
The bus arrived and we wait for a couple of minutes more then we travel back to Manila leaving the wonderful place of Banaue and Sagada. Taking nothing but pictures and great memories with us.
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