Taking it easy in Sagada

  Sagada, Philippines
Sunday, December 17, 2006

Several days on the road
The typhoon grounded all airplanes the next day, I had decided to move on as diving-conditions  would be poor for several days, thus leaving the next morning with the 'Superferry' (steel hull as compared to the piece of driftwood that brought me to Coron).
Arriving in the Port of Manila at night turned out to be less dangerous than the rumors claimed (we grouped together and tried to look dangerous though :-) , the only 'trouble' was some blokes trying to make us take their taxi (obviously we didn't).
A poor meal, a few hours sleep and then out of Manila ASAP, to Baguio (pop 250000 + 250000 students) mainly to get my VISA-extension (Originally I was considering overstaying, but rumors have it that the border guards at the airport blackmail you if you overstay. Somehow I have the impression that I would be hugely unpopular in Molde if I didn't show my face there by 09.00 24.12.06.)
The only notable events in Baguio (other than the first tasty meal since before the typhoon (they had great Coq au Vin in Coron)) was going to the Barbershop just outside our hostel. A dirty, tired traveler who hadn't had a shave since he left home was treated to hot towels, facial massage, shaving soap and an excellent shave the old-fashioned way. GREAT!
I also extended my visa in less than 15 minutes! (8 hours in Manila :-)

The good life in Sagada
After another long buss ride (7 hours) i reached my current location a few days a go - A backpacker retreat called Sagada (pop 1350, elevation about 1600 m) in the mountains in northern Luzon. Here I chill out in the delightful mountain air, indulge in tasty food and a few beers. Two days ago we decided to go to a local waterfall to have a swim, ignoring the advice of the Lonely Planet ('Many people head out for a stroll and returns hours later covered in mud, picking leaves and thorns out of their hair.
Do the sensible thing and take a guide.') But that would be boring! Thus we headed of in the complete opposite direction (wrong waterfall), after trekking downhill for 30 minutes we re-studied the map and decided - 'we must be on the wrong side of that mountain. Let us cross it.' As said: we climbed the mountain, struggling with poor paths, slippery slopes and smoking Irish guy...
We climbed it almost too the top, before our Irish mate refused to take another step up-hill, thus we turned around, went back down and picked leaves and thorns out of our hair.... The scenery was amazing though!! (and well worth the trip).
I'd like to note that we did find the waterfall even before we headed up the mountain , but it was sooo small that we kept searching...

The day after we made it to the right waterfall without a guide.

2.5 hours under ground

Today I've been caving.  Waist deep ice-cold waters, wet rock, rough climbs, thousands of bats, tiny holes, where you have to remove the backpack, breathe out and sqeeeeze yourself through. Outstanding fun! Spent the entire 2.5 hours walking barefoot (Converse All-stars are great on the streets but fail in the subterranean environment) .  (and i did take a guide). The walk is between two different caves, it was discovered only a few years ago.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Back home (soon)

Today will be my last day before I start on my long journey back to real life starting with no less than 4 different bus-rides tomorrow. At the end of that long ride I've got some very good fun waiting just outside Manila. But I'll get back to that later.
I wish you all the best Xmas celebration, stay safe!

 


Ps: To those of you who think that I plan not to return for Xmas based on the end trip date on this page; 'Think better of me'