Going Around Batad Terraces

After arriving in Simon's Inn in  Batad and having lunch and siesta, the group decided to explore Batad town below. You see we we're billeted in the Inn which is located on the top of the mountain while the town itself is located below (or on the side) of the mountain.

Exciting!!!

View from the top

 One thing that caught my attention in Snmon Inn is the Wall post of remembrance (or sort) for the visitors of the Inn. They post different items on the wall like calling cards, photos, stationaries, etc. I think it's cool to leave something behind on a place (just like this wall) instead of marking your memory on some stones, trees, and what not (which is not cool!) or bring something to Manila from Batad!

Look for my calling card here =P

Trekking starts at 3:00PM. The weather is perfect and we we're all excited. It was not that scary nor challenging when you trek to Batad. It's like a walk in the park. Naks!

Green foliage everywhere!

View from the mountain side!

Dapit hapon na dali!!

Majestic!

Outstanding!

Batad is full of Sunflower as well. There's a lot of sunflower on the road side. Wonderful!

After almost an hour we finally arrived on our main destination, it's the hut in the middle of the field. There we took rest and savor the majestic view of Batad.

We we're in front of the pack, the girls trek so fast! I think being a long legged person does make you walk fast. LoL! Since we walk fast, we have time to take some picture while we wait for others =D.

Lovely ladies Edz, Madam Patel, Alex and Mica

Finally the others catch up on us, and it's time for a group photo-shoot =D

From the terraces we finally made our way to the town proper which is located on the middle of the mountain slope. Here is the steep stairs which we need to pass through. where only one person is allowed to pass (no overtaking please!).

#Afraidyaguillar

In town proper, we did visit some old Ifugao houses where the tradition of woodcarving is still practice. Saw this rice bowl with some engravings on it. Curious as i was, i take a look on this thing and I found out that it was made sometimes in 1960's pa! Cool!

No wonder I can't master my Bikram yoga, I'm totally clumsy when it comes to balancing! I almost fell on the ricefield when we walked on these single lined paddies. Yikes!

Thank God I didn't fell, embarassing much if I did!
 LoL

The challenging part of the trek is the return to the Inn part. We took a different path which leads us to really climb the mountain slope while the other group opt to walked on a steeped stairs. 

It was fun since climbing is my expertise. Naks! Though climbing with a slr on your back is quite challenging.

Me, Madame Patel, Edz, Tina and her bf made it in the climbing part. Whew! We we're really relieved when we finally made it on the top.

And of course my fabulous friends won't give up as well. Alex and Mica followed soon after.

Triumph!!!

Edz still smiling even when the hike is rough and hard!

Cool!

More to follow...

World of Wonders in the 7th Wonder

It wa a trip i can't resist. When Dom told me he was planning for a weekend trip to Batad I immediately said yes (without thinking). Not only did I join but I drag two of my colleagues as well to Batad. 

Thank God Edz and Madam Patel was game on this trip or I will not have someone to talked to and asked to take my picture! LoL.

It was an overnight trip, and as always it was a struggle for me to travel and sleep at the bus. But the morning after the trip this scenery welcomed us at the restaurant we're eating (for breakfast).

Hola Banawe!

#itsfuninthephilippineswiththisview

Oriental breakfast for me and the girls

After an hour of breakfast, chitchat, photo-ops and what not, it's time to depart to Batad via a jeep that Dom rented out (it was included in the trip fee). Almost everybody want to ride at the top of the jeep but since it's already past 9:00AM and the sun is all up me and the girls decided it's better to ride inside the jeep. As Madam Patel would say "ayokong umitim!"

Kami na ang best in skin-care!

Micamyx, Dom, Alex.....

And the rest of the gang!

As like my first trip in the Cordillera last Holy week, the road are still a heart-thumping experience ride. There are some areas where it's a dirt road, one way only and with landslide on the side, but most of the road are paved naman in fairness.

Going to Batad is already an adventure while even riding a jeep

Rocky Road!

For almost an hour trip we need to disembarked from the comfort of our jeep and need to do the trek to Batad. It was an hour trek but with the view like this it's worth it diba?

The hills are alive with the sound of music..

One of the terraces along the way

Lovely, Energetic and Full of Energy Madam Patel and Edz

Finally. we arrive at Batad, first thing we did was list up our name in the tourist register station.

Maayos ang pila namin (may disiplina) jejeje

This way to our accomodation

And here's the view of our accomodation. Outstanding!!

More to come on trekking at Batad

Superstitions!

Together with the coming of New year comes the age old superstition of our people and with our own families as well. Some of those superstition are wearing polka dots fort New Year (which signifies more money in the coming year), 12 sets of different round fruits for good luck (heck, we didn't ever complete this one since my sisters always ends up eating all the grapes before midnight!), blowing up firecrackers to drove away the negative vibes from your house (sayang ang perang pambili ng paputok!!!) and what not.

Anyhow, I list up some of superstition which I just learned last 2011....

1. Getting married in a church with very strong structure. Strong structure = strong married life.

I actually learned this info from my good friend Shane who was married in San Agustin Church. True enough it was an old saying that you should get married in a church with reputable and strong structure. One thing that comes to my mind is the mighty San Agustin Church! It was the only church in Intramuros that survives WW2. It's in my bucket list to get married here hahahaha.

All Hail to the Mighty Church!

2. The Lion Dragon statue of China

According to the receptionist at our hotel, the lion dragon statue means goodluck and prosperity to the owner of the house. No wonder every house/ building/ temples/ establishment in Beijing has this on their doorstep. Hmmm..makabili nga ng ga-higanteng statue para sa future bahay ko.

Lucky Me?!!?

3. Visit the Church first before going in a vacation
According to Kuya Efren, before daw kami maglamyerda sa Cebu City we should at least go to the Church first par ama-bless yung vacation namin. And so we did! Ayan may ibidinsha! LoL. It was indeed a fun filled vacation at Cebu and Bantayan Island. Da best!

Thank you Lord for the Blessings ha!

4. Wood carved gods of the mountains
I have a secret to tell you. Afraidy Aguillar ako sa mga ganitong bagay na makikita sa Banaue! Waaaaaa!!! But just the same, the time I went to this place (twice last 2011) I simply pay respect to them and asked for safe passage expecially when we do the trekking in Batad and Kalinga (will post the story soon!). Nevertheless with the help of prayers narin our trip was a success and accident free pa. Yay!

Hellowh powh!

5. Shiny, Shimmering Splendor! The golden door knuckles of Forbidden Palace

Well, technically it was not only in Forbidden Palace that you can find this huge door knuckles but in Temple of Heaven as well. I think most of the Palaces in China have these one. It was plain curiosity when we we're in Forbidden Palace that all the Chinese people who passed by the door simply touch or grasp the knuckles before entering the premises. Shempre hindi ako papatalo, I did the same when I passed by the huge door of F.P. And according to our receptionist (see item 2) touching the knuckles daw means good luck. Niaha! Buti nalang nakahawak ako kaya puro blessings ako nugn 2011. (note to self: magpalagay rin ng ganitong pintuan sa bibilhing bahay para swertihin, kasama ng higanteng lion dragon statue. pag hindi pa ako sinuwerte ewan ko nalang!)

Ms Olive and her trademark pose (i.e. pa-cute and innocent effect pose)