Will I survive Sagada?

 It’s been a while since I last traveled. Last time was when we traveled to Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte with my family. It’s been almost 4 months since the last trip and now the travel bug has bitten me once more and I feel the need of traveling again. That is where Sagada comes in. Together with Rachel and Mina, my former office mates ( yes, just the three of us ), we will be conquering Sagada. 

Sagada Rice Terraces. Photo not mine.

Why Sagada? Sagada was really not the plan. A friend told me that the place is boring. While some reactions were " SAGADA? Saan yan? Sa Pilipinas ba yan?" Its actually off the beaten path compared to the famous Baguio City. My first glimpse of Sagada was through the Piolo and Juday movie "Don’t Give Up On Us”. In a most unexpected place, love finds its way... But will it survive the journey? Oh ha, ansaveh ng tag line. Haha. Maybe it’s a nice place to fall in love or fall out of love. CHOST! Haha.  I’ve learn some infos about the place from the blogs I’ve read before and I was kinda intrigue on why people would travel more than 12 hours just to be on that place. Maybe there is really something special with Sagada, aside from the cool weather of course. Thanks to my sister too who suggested that Sagada is a must visit place if you’re into hiking, caving and nature tripping. I am not a fan of hiking and long walks but for the love of Sagada, then go lang ng go.

Sagada is a 5^th class municipality in the Mountain province. There are no direct trips from Manila to Sagada. Its either you take the 6 hour bus to Baguio then take another 5 hour bus ride to Sagada. In our case, we will be taking the 9 hour Manila- Banaue bus trip because we wanted to make a side trip to Banaue and at the same time, see the world famous Philippine landmark, the Banaue Rice Terraces. From there, we can catch a 3 hour jeep ride to Bontoc, and then transfer to another 45 minute jeep ride to to Sagada. Ini- imagine ko pa lang parang nakaka haggard na ang trip. But then again, I know it will be a different kind of journey. As what others always say, it’s the journey and not the destination that matters. 

Hanging coffins of Sagada. Photo not mine.

Here are my to do list that I should accomplish ( or maybe TRY to accomplish ) for this Sagada trip:

1. See the famous Banaue Rice Terraces
2. Topload the jeepney.
3. Go caving and spelunking in Sagada’s famous Lumiang and Sumaguing caves
4. See the majestic Bomod-ok or Pongas falls. Either of the one will do.
5. Witness the sunrise at Kiltepan.
6. Food tripping in Sagada ( Lemon Pie and Yoghurt house )
7. Meet locals and new friends ( or meet someone to fall in love with ) Hahaha
8. Experience EXTREME hiking and see the hanging coffins and the echo valley. Take note: EXTREME hiking. Ihanda na ang body pain relievers. Haha
9. Reflect, contemplate and learn something new about myself. ( EMOTERO ) Haha
10. And lastly, the toughest of them all: Spend not more than P4000 for this backpacking trip. Yes, this is a budget trip that is why I will do all my best not to exceed my P4000 budget.

I can’t wait for next week to come. I know this will be another great experience. I hope that I will be able to accomplish everything on my list ( or maybe at least half of it ) so that will all pride, I can say that “I SURVIVED SAGADA!”

Bomod-ok Falls aka The Big Falls. Photo not mine.

Weekend in Dahican Beach of Davao Oriental

Date of travel: April 2010

Dahican Beach, Davao Oriental

Davao Oriental has some of the best beaches in the Davao region, whether for surfing, island hopping or just for swimming and simply for beach bumming. I’ve been to Davao Oriental for a lot of times. My grandmother is from Dawan, Davao Oriental. It’s a small barangay that you will pass by on your way to Mati City and most of my childhood was spent there. That is why Davao Oriental has a special place in my heart.

Just a typical summer trying to beat the summer heat, me and my friends planned an out of town beach getaway in Dahican, famous for its beach perfect for skim boarding and surfing. Weeks before the trip, everyone was so keen and interested in pursuing the trip. The day before the trip, ayun na, dami nang nagba-back out. Urgh! I hate last minute cancellations. So from 8, only 3 of us pursue the trip.

What to expect in Dahican? Turquoise water and big waves.

Our meeting place was the Davao City Overland Terminal, aka Ecoland terminal. We’re taking the bus going to Mati City because we were considering comfort.  Airconditioned buses ply the Davao- Mati route via Bachelor Express which usually takes 3 and a half hours of travel time. Fare is P280 for the a/c buses while its cheaper if youll take the non a/c buses. But in the long run, taking the bus was the wrong choice. The bus has a lot of stops along the way which makes the trip longer. We left Davao by 8:00 am and we arrived by almost 1:00 in the afternoon. 5 hours. HAGGARD!

The moment we arrived Mati City, all we wanna do is eat. We were so hungry like weve not eaten for days. Dagdag pa dun yung stress that we got from the bus trip. We went to Seaside restaurant which is near the bay walk in the city. Food is good and delicious too. And did I mention it’s inexpensive too. But what I loved most was their Empanada. Probably the best empanada in Mindanao. I reserved 2 boxes at 120 each that ill pick up the next day. Sure na ang pasalubong. Haha

Lunch at Seaside Restaurant. Hungry much.

After taking our lunch and buying some food for our baon and necessities (which included alcoholic drinks of course. Haha), we then looked for our habal- habal driver that will take us to Dahican Beach, which is a 20 minute drive from the city center. Price for the motorcycle ride was P40 per person which is reasonable enough. On your way via the habal- habal, youll get to appreciate the rural setting of the place which is so laid back. Probinsya kung probinsya ang peg.

Just arrived. AT LAST!

The smile on our faces. Happy beach bummers!

We told manong to take us to the cheapest resort there. We still have no reservations for that night. Walking in wouldn’t hurt that much. That’s the fun in backpacking. There were rooms available but at P1500 per night. HUWAATTT?!?! Its out of our budget. This trip we were completely on a shoestring so as much as possible wanted to make tipid. We walked a couple of meters along the beach and found this retreat house which was managed by nuns. We asked if we can stay in one of their rooms because we don’t have anywhere to stay. With the nagmamakaawa effect, ayun, sister offered a small room at P800 only. Not bad again. But heres the catch! No smoking, NO DRINKING, there’s curfew and that they will close the gate by 8pm. HUWAAAAAT?!?! “ Para tayong nasa kumbento. Maususnog tayo dito” We told sister that well just be back and get some things. In the back of our mind, “ KALOKA! Wag tayo dun, saying ang beer natin.”

Just beside is the Amihan sa Dahican camp. Its like a small camp where you can bring your bring and pitch your own tent and enjoy the laid- back atmosphere and just chill. The boys of Amihan were so friendly and helpful that they offered us one of their tents at only P300. They even helped us in preparing our dinner. They have a small bar (thank God) that sells soft drinks and beers. Well just what we need. Just in case kulang ang beer. Haha. We pitched in our tent that evening had our dinner and just enjoyed the night. Nothing beat a couple of beer plus a good conversation with good friends in ending the night.

Afternoon stroll in the beach.

Pero ang di ko talaga malimutan. We were already inside our tent when we heard outside the voice of sister. She was asking some people outside if they saw 3 young adults from Davao.

" Sabi kasi nila makikistay sila sa amin dahil wala silang matutuluyan. Gabi na and dapat andito na sila"  OMG! Sister was looking for us. So tahimik lang kami para di kame marinig. Good thing kuya never said anything that we were there sa tent. Haha. Sorry sister. 

Sunrise in Dahican. Photographers in action. 

The morning after, we had our leftovers from last night as our breakfast. Today is the time to enjoy the beach. The weather was good. Sun was shining bright, the sky was so clear and the waves of the clear, turquoise beach was calling and tempting us to take a dip. The boys of Amihan, especially Kuya ( the eldest of the brothers, forgot his name ) even offered us a free surfing lesson. He lends us their surfboards for free. They were so mabait and kind talaga. That is what I loved about them, friendly and genuine. What matters to them is that their guests would have a great time and that they will share their great experience with them to others.

Good morning. Whats for breakfast?

The entire day, we just enjoyed the sand and the beach. The shore plus the surf and skim boards were great props for a photo shoot. Haha

The long stretch of white sand beach of Dahican. A beach lover and surfers paradise.

Surf- surf din pag may time.

Surfer kung surfer ang peg. 

With kuya of Amihan sa Dahican, the best surfing teacher

Kristine, me and Grace. Surfers in the making. Chost.

Skim boarding like a pro. Chot. Haha

Bye! Gotta hit the waves. Haha. 

By noontime, its time to leave Dahican. We have to back in Davao City by afternoon. Good thing they have a friend who has a van that is going back to the town proper. They offered us a free ride back to Mati City. We cant say no of course. We left and bid them goodbye. And we told them that soon well be back.

Loving my curls. Haha

The small bar at Amihan sa Dahican with the awesome Amihan boys

In Mati City, we picked up our empanada and had a quick lunch in a nearby carinderia. Theres also a van terminal near the carinderia that offers a ride back to Davao at P230. We don’t wanna waste our time again in another bus ride so we took the van. We left Mati City at 1230 noon and arrived Davao at 330 in the afternoon.

Van ride from Mati to Davao. Bye Mati.

Dahican is a place that I will never forget. Not because of its beautiful beaches but because of the people I’ve met there. For sure I will be back. Im not sure when but for some day, ill experience Dahican again.

See you again Dahican. You brought the surfer in all of us.