experiencing banaue

From the saddle point the rice terraces is still nowhere in sight, why it's right behind the next mountain! The view here though is fantastic! Thick clouds hovering mountain ranges, stiff cliffs leading down to thick forest and huge boulders. This is where our trek to the cottage, from which point the view is supposedly even more magnificent, begins. Everyone gears up for the more than an hour walk down and up the hills. But hold it down, guys! First things first... photo-op! As a serious photo hobbyist (I immediately bought a digicam upon learning about this Banaue trip!), I willingly took most of our pictures. My camera is so cool I'm whining no more about its tag. We then set out right after. The sun is still blazing but nobody's complaining... yet.

The first 50 meters is easily the most challenging part of the stretch. We have to climb down on a slope of about 40 to 50 degrees. Luckily I'm sporting a medium-sized backpack, it is a breeze for me. No sweat either for Weng, Shella and Chiqui who are carrying large bags like they're gonna stay 'til next week. Along the way we bump into some local and foreign tourists, who politely greet us with a warm hello. I figured that simple gesture has been like a norm among trekkers. It's dry all around so we don't have to worry about slippery and muddy soil. Plus most of the path are already paved with either cement or solid stones, making the whole trek manageable! What we really have to deal with is our breath because the up and down trek could really get you gasping for. Shella however can’t keep up with the pace of the rest. I’m not sure if it’s her legs or breath, probably both. Dennis generously lends a hand by carrying her bag. Before Shella could pass out, we reach our cottage, and we rejoice over what we have witnessed. A magnificent view indeed!

No time is wasted as everyone instantly takes out their cameras and starts to point-and-shoot. The Batad rice terraces looks exactly as in the postcards, I'm so glad I get to see it for real at last. The fields are covered with knee-length palay leaves. With the sun directly overhead it renders a glowing green effect! So I took and took photos of my friends who pose at the foreground of the terraces. Whoa but hey, why do I let their sweaty faces fill my camera? At once I hand over the cam, toss off the bag, put the shades on, reverse the cap, and cheese!

At the cottage we get ready for yet another hour-long trek - to Tapia falls. Barely able to rest, we head off again but with most of our things left behind in the cottage except our cameras, of course, bathing suits, flashlights, some trail food and water. The path to Tapia falls turns out to be more difficult than the previous trek. We must cross the terraces along its edges or sidesteps, which isn't any wider than a balance beam. I instantly remembered that I'm afraid of heights! The height between each step of the terraces is by the way comparable to a one-story bungalow. So it's no joke if you fall off, to bear a few fractured bones is the luckiest you can get.

I can now hear people grumbling out of exhaust and strain. Shella is so worn-out I figure she wouldn't resist any offer to carry her. Rocel and Des are struggling too with the slopes. While the rest of the ladies - Chiqui, Iris, Jannice, and Belle are cruising past the terraces without as much difficulty. The boys are predictably faring better, no one’s complaining. Except that every time I sense that I’m far above the ground I feel like I’m about to tumble. I don’t know how Jeff and Dennis could still manage to take pictures!

Soon everyone is so thrilled to finally make it to the falls after that grueling trek. I feel wonderful and blown away because it’s my first time to see a falls, surely the others feel the same way too. The water is extremely cold that only Weng, Jannice and Chiqui dare to plunge into the water. The rest either dip only their legs or shy away from the water at all.

And yes time again for another photo-op! Jannice and Iris glee in front of the camera at every opportunity. Des poses atop a big rock as though in a yoga, then Dennis and Fred follow suit. Weng struts his belly while Chiqui is soaked wet like a viva hot babe. Thanks to my tripod, we are able to take a group photo with all fourteen of us in it. Our little picnic at the falls is cut short when Ron and Dennis call out to pack up. Oh c’mon, you’re spoiling the fun! I find it a little crazy because we’re really having great fun. With hesitation we decide to set off. Gotta follow our lead or else...

Ron and Dennis are worried we might get caught in the dark on our way back. And they are absolutely right! We haven’t gone very far when darkness quickly falls. Alas I don’t have a flashlight Ron has to lend me his. It also helps that the moon isn’t in hiding tonight. I’m really nervous as we walk along the ledges of the rice fields. So nervous that I want to crawl my way back to the cottage! I am extra careful with every step yet I hit the jackpot! Twice! It’s definitely in vain as my right foot slips into the thick mud. My consolation is that I didn’t lose my footing to the left which is rather dreadful. Jannice is in front of me and I truly admire her balance, she even walks without a flashlight. Everybody is very tired now especially Shella who I suppose is dead beat by now.

As in the previous treks, we all rejoice upon reaching the cottage. Straight away we go to our bedrooms to rest while Shella despite fatigue carries on to prepare dinner along with the diligent ones such as Dennis, Ron and Belle. In the bedroom, Jerry, Weng, Jeff and I are almost dozing off until Jerry comes up with a wacky game – dugtungan! Iris and Jannice come in to join us. Weng, feeling groggy, can’t keep up with the game. We must be laughing very loud that Ron takes notice. He says we’re bothering people in the other rooms so we ought to end it all.

It is a quick dinner. Weng, who falls fast asleep after the game, skips dinner. Up again in the other bedroom, I’m having a little chat with Rocel, Des, Iris and Dennis. The girls then ask me to treat them with a little massage work. I oblige and it comes off very well because they feel good about it! Nice. As the night wears on, we all gather in the other room for the socials. Weng is still missing while Shella, though present, is already sound asleep. Our gathering brings us to a game… what else but dugtungan! In this game a few hush hush come out but ours to keep. It’s already early Sunday morning yet we’re unfazed until somebody, turns out it’s the landlady, yells at us from outside the window! Again, we’re apparently bothering other people at this late hour so we decide to call it a night.

Back in our room, I lie down on the bed beside Weng who stirs up. Jeff drops off on the floor at once. A few minutes later Jerry falls into his own slumber also on the floor as Weng sinks back to sleep. The night is so nasty for me though, I feel very sleepy yet I’m fully sober. I’m also upset about the weather which isn’t as chilly as I hope it to be, even as we’re in the midst of the mountains. Shortly, the rain pours down which eventually brings a cool breeze. Deep silence ensues outside after the rain dies down. But inside the room, I'm tossing and turning and all, trying my best to doze off while drowning into the harsh snores that fill up the whole room.

bus busted

Everyone is charged up at the bus station. My friends and I barely made it at our rendezvous as we beat the horrendous Friday night traffic in the city. Not long after we settled down, the bus hits the road for what seems to be a long drowsy journey to Banaue. Cool.

There is Dennis, one of our leads in this mountain trek. But what's with the hair, man? Then there's Des, are you in or are you out? Ron, the other lead, and Belle, you are so sweet together. I hope you both get stung by a swarming bees. Oh Shella, you're the most beautiful lola in the bus. How could they call you Mary Walter? Ang ganda ng lola mo. I heard Chiqui's in cloud nine as she's gone first base in the heart's game. You're not envious of her, right Rocel? Step aside Gary V, Weng is in the house! Hataw na! Iris, sorry but you got no chance in heaven to sit anywhere but beside Fred, who I notice has lost much weight from that trip to the Meiji land! Ain't so bad, you know. Are you starstuck yet, Jannice? I see you drooling like crazy over Rainier aka Jeff. Oh Jerry you don't seem too happy today, c'mon sit beside me and I'll see what I can do. Finally Json... Are you gay?

Long and drowsy journey it is but not exactly unbearable, until misfortune creeps its way on us hardly a tenth through our trip. At the first stopover the driver blurts out the bad news - our bus couldn't get on with the long drive anymore because of a compressor problem, so we all have to transfer to another bus. Whew! It isn't much of a hassle only the rescue bus would come right from where we have departed two hours ago. I see that all the excitement in us is swiftly draining altogether! Trying to be calm and holding up whatever excitement is left, we while away the time at the videoke bar across the street. Weng and Dennis gamely hit some tunes, while the others including me are content watching starlets strut their wares on the tv screen. It's amazing nobody blew their top on this unwelcome delay! Everyone's careful not to spoil the night.

Alas the rescue bus arrives, I am ready to rejoice! But if ever there is a time to scream s**t out loud, it is when I saw the bus - no air conditioning, dilapidated and all. Although it's dark outside I'm not a bit crazy about travelling on that kind of bus especially that we're a only a few hours ahead of the scorching summer sun. Fine! We're off to a real adventure, I figured. Isn't this what we've come for? So let's get it on.

We hit the road anew and the excitement starts to build up once again. As expected the sun catches up on us we can't do anything about it. By now some are aleady wide awake and enjoying the sceneries on the countryside while others still sunk in sleep. I didn't have enough sleep myself last night but I couldn't pass up the chance to behold the greens while the bus snake through up the mountains. The cold wind makes me forget the whole mess last night. I feel everybody's anticipation growing as we pass by town after town.

We reach the terminal right on time for lunch. We fill our tummies lightly at a restaurant not very far, with a couple of new friends we have met in the bus, and who we learned are seeking to reach the same destination. But hey, who says the journey has ended? We're yet to reach our final destination, that is, Batad, where the famed rice terraces are located. With a jeep, off we go to the saddle point, where we are bound to work up our legs and feet.