From Bokong Falls to Benguet

Sagada, Mt Province --

How about another cold splash after a 45 min trekking downhill? Try Bokong Falls (also known as Sagada's small falls).

From the road, jump off the cliff or walk down (your choice), but better have a serious warm up as the trail to the falls is fairly steep and slippery.

There is no common path. You need to create your own. Or follow your instinct and learn from it. 

Going back to the road? You need to trek back, there's no other way. So anticipate all muscle cramps by taking all necessary NSAIDs. 

To keep you from walking, just look up, as the road is very visible. It's better than not seeing the finish line at all.

Back to Baguio --

You will never run out of zigzag roads and mountains that are good to capture if you're in the Mountain Province.

Photography enthusiasts will definitely enjoy all the slopes and curves as they go uphill and downhill.

It's all worth the shakes and the back pain conquering the rough roads - it's a free back massage as they say it.

And the wild curves and quick turns will undoubtedly invite all levels of drowsiness and will make you ill at the end of the journey.

The Caves of Lumiang and Sumaguing: Revisited 2013

One of the many reasons why tourists visit Sagada is because of its natural beauty and because of its famous caves. Two of which are the Lumiang cave (Burial Cave) and the Sumaguing cave. These 2 caves are connected to each other and they have this tour called “cave connection”. 

My first try was on 2003 with my college friends, followed by another trek with my office mates on 2011.

The trek starts at the Lumiang Cave. The rocks are sharp and dry. It took us 2 hours to reach the next cave - Sumaguing.

It took us 3.5 hours to finish the whole challenge. Both caves offer different attractions. The hanging coffins at the main entrance of Lumiang cave are just appetizers. From there, we started our descent for more than 100 feet passing through small passages. Aside from walking, we also did rappelling, climbing, embracing rocks, sliding down using your butt, going down high walls until we reached the part where different kinds of rock formations are located which are part of the Sumaguing cave. 

This year, we again decided to go back and try the Sumaguing entrance this time.

The trek was shorter but as of equal difficulty.

Since it was raining during the whole duration of our cave exploration, the rocks are wet and slippery so we were all extra careful.

The water was extremely overflowing and the current inside was really strong that we need need to hold to the adjacent rocks with full grip.

 

This year's trip was all worth the return. Other travelers asked if I will try it for the fourth time, and all I can say  is, "Why not?" 

😎

 

Revisiting Vigan and Baguio

After our long walk in the desert of Paoay, we hitched back to our ride onboard for Vigan. The weather was not good because of the typhoon in the southern part of the country, bringing strong winds and heavy rains all throughout Luzon, and we're not exempted.

We arrived Vigan around 6pm MNL. After checking in, we had dinner, and nestled in our pillars. We were so tired that we can no longer afford to roam around.

Unlike our first trip here, where we roamed around the city with a horse drawn carriage, we did it with our hired MB 100 van this time.

We bought pasalubong within Calle Crisologo and revisited some of the famous sites and took pictures with family and friends. 

After lunch, we headed to Baguio for another adventure. 

Unfortunately, we had some engine issues so we arrived Baguio late in the evening and we did not have enough time to roam around.


After dinner, we had 2 hours free time before our trip back to MNL. We just enjoyed the weather and the food, and of course, taking pictures.

The trip was short, but fun!

Revisiting Ilocos: Laoag and Paoay

Time check: 1400H MNL

Location: Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

We ordered bagnet, dinuguan pizza and sinigang na tuna belly.  This started the second part of our Day Two in Ilocos Norte.

After the sumptuous lunch, we roamed around Laoag and Paoay. 

Malacanang of the North was recently reconstructed and officially reopened to public for viewing yesterday for the birthday of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

Sand dunes in Paoay is simply amazing, and so is the church.

Up Next: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Revisiting Ilocos Day Two (Pagudpud: Northern Part)

After some eight or more hours of full sleep, we’re back in the game. Yeah!

Day Two in Ilocos started with bonding moments near the pool, and eventually at the resort’s lobby where wifi connection is stronger. While waiting for the restaurant to open, we killed time by taking crazy pictures within the resort.

After breakfast, we spent some hours in the pool and on the beach for some few hours of relaxation and bonding moments. 

After we checked out, we went straight to the Blue Lagoon. The sun was scorching hot but his powers were not enough to stop us from taking pictures. We are a certified group of cam whores.

After some few short stops at some northern Pagudpud attractions, we stayed for a few minutes near Paraiso ni Anton to rehydrate.

Last stop for the northbound tour was Kabigan Falls where the GCC babes showed off their own stuff to Mother Nature.

Next stop: Laoag and Paoay