3 The Echo Valley & The Hanging Coffins; Sagada's Best!

The Famous Hanging Coffins, Sagada.

Fresh from an epic body twists and manoeuvers inside Sumaging Cave. We asked our guide to bring us to Echo Valley where you can also see from afar the famous Hanging Coffins. We don’t have enough time as it's near dark. Although, Echo Valley is convenient and not needed for guide and ride because it is seated few meters from the town proper near bus terminal. However we still asked Ate Mel to accompany us and we have to pay additional.

St. Mary the Virgin Parish, Sagada.

The trail starts from terminal area then to St. Mary Church then stairs to enter the Calvary Hill (Mission Compound) Cemetery.

I’m telling you, this is the most accessible tourist spot in Sagada. Only five to ten minutes walk and you’ll have the view of Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins.

The Historic Bell.

All the way to Calvary Hill you will pass by the standing proud St. Mary Episcopical Church and tarnished Sagada Bell in the heart of the town. As per Ate Mel, the bell is truly a symbol of diligence and persistence. The Bell was requested from Church of Vigan and the transfer was then a problem. Imagine how this huge and weighty bell mounted in the highest town.

The Calvary Hill (Mission Compound) Cemetery.

The Calvary Hill

The jeep brought us up all the way to the entrance of cemetery. Echo valley is only ten minutes walked but you will passed by the Calvary Hill.

I asked our guide if there will be Panag-Apoy tonight as I read from the internet.

She said that it only happened during the dusk of All Sain’ts Day, 1^st of November. This practice is being done by creating a fire using dry pine woods or locally term as saeng before lighting a candle. The locals will then perform traditional dances part of their rituals while wearing traditional costumes.

After a little background about the Cemetery, we cruised to witness the enigmatic Valley. The trail is a little steep and narrow which I found easy. I know I am inclined of some steepest trailer in my climbing experience. But for beginners, don’t worry it’s safe.

The Echo Valley.

The town of Sagada seen from Echo Valley.

Couple of minutes later, we reached the Echo Valley. Why Echo Valley by the way? When you shout your voice will bounce back. It feels like you have the loudest shout as it will stream the entire valley. This is not new to me; we are always doing it back during my childhood days in the province. But I miss shouting really.

However I found it disrespectful, because the Echo Valley is in between the public cemetery and the Hanging Coffins.  The place should be quiet and peaceful as a sign of respect to those departed. This is only my view, please don't get me wrong.

We stayed at the valley for couple of minutes. There are foreign and local tourists coming in and also pretty excited to take pictures and selfies. I heard some people shouting while going back to the Valley from the Hanging Coffins. 

Then our guide asked us if we are done.

I said, “No, would it be possible to go up close?”

Seems like she doesn’t want us to go there, maybe because there was a tree fell down and block the trail. And I was like compulsive. My visit will never be complete without getting nearby the Hanging Coffins. She agreed but we’ll have to climb down slowly. I understand that she is just thinking our safety.

Hanging Coffins, up close. #TwoThumbsUp

And finally I was able to go up close at the Hanging Coffins. And I was like fulfilled and finally the place that I only dreamt in front of monitor is now right before my eyes, face to face. I can’t avoid having pictured very near so I pushed myself climbing on the rock. It's bit dangerous but I made it.

And I can’t also resist having pictured it on my phone and put it on my facebook page real time. A Christmas gift indeed. Hehe.

Only Igorots who died a natural death are allowed to put inside the coffin, there are other burial caves around the town depending the cause of death. The hanging coffins are small so you will think that only babies will fit into those tiny coffins. Part of the tradition, the deceased body should go back to fetus like position so if you witness the deceased body you will really the bones cracking. The coffin is hanged first before placing the corpse inside it, so before the day of funeral, so imagine how locals placed the corpse inside it.

5 SAGADA: SPELUNKING AT SUMAGING CAVE. ONE OF THE BEST!

Other groups inside Sumaging Cave.

Spelunking wasn't really part in the itinerary. In fact if time only allowed us to be in Sagada without any drawbacks then at least we can have the most favorite caving by chance. Initially and part of the itinerary is just the Echo Valley Tour, Kiltepan Sunrise Viewing and other basics including Bomok-od Falls. However we just found ourselves underneath below-freezing-like Sumaging Cave. 

After our breakfast/lunch, we went directly to Sagada Tourist Information Center to check the prices and packages for the tour. Anyway the reason why we chose Sagada Tourist Center over SAGGAS (Sagada Genuine Guide’s Association Inc.) because of the issue that I heard that they're are private sector and working against the LGU guidelines. So they don’t have the standard prices/packages for each tour..

I heard Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins can be trek without needed a ride and guide as it is seated back of the Church near the town proper. And since we don’t have enough time for Bomok-od Falls we decided to do Spelunking instead at Sumaging Cave.

It was only the two of us so no option but to carry all the baggage. We have to pay the entire tour package for P1,300 all in (transporation, guide, environmental fee, sumaging cave, echo valley & hanging coffins), nahhh its pretty expensive.

House where you can wash after spelunking and left your belongings. You can also buy souvenir items here.

Before we start our start our trek all the way down, we had to leave our sweater and all things. My precious advice when you go spelunking just wear shoes/trek slippers, short, shirt, or anything you feel comfortable. Unlike us we didn’t know, we were fully covered with thick sweater. Darn!

Ate Mel, our guide, told us to just leave our things in the house and bring important things especially camera.

Stairs, the entrance of the cave.

I was very excited to march all the way down to cave; I know I can do it because I had been climbing mountains so it will be easy. Although this something difference, instead of climbing up, you have to climb down.

This would be my second cave that comes after tiny cave in Bohol. So it pictured my mind that we will be staying for only 15 – 20 minutes or so like the one in Bohol. The trail started with a plain and stone surface stairs however just be careful because those color white stones are slippery.

Stalactites hang from the ceiling; Stalagmites rise from the ground.

Upon arriving at the mouth of the cave, you will hear the chirps of the bats and unusual sounds coming from the bottom. And at the end of the stairs-like stone you still have the visibility as the daylight still passing through. 

Small amount of light at the mouth of the cave.

Ate Mel told us that this is the start of the real deal game. When I look down I no longer have any sense of sight but just a plain dusky black. She started to fire up the petromax and she gave us a little direction what to expect, what to do, and the proper position while climbing down. If it’s necessary to grip your hands on the rock, then do it no matter how dirty and muddy it is. It will save your life.

The Dark is Coming.. Ate Mel and her Petromax.

She told us to be careful because we never know what will happen down. No need to be fast, as she said, “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time.” Treat the cave with some respect, a careless nudge can destroy them in an instant. Enjoy each and every formation because they have taken thousands of years to develop.

This is just the start of the Challenge. Other groups ahead of us.

After endless of body twists and maneuvered some threatening stunts I realized that the cave is totally enveloped my body. We only have kerosene lamp to light up the trail, it’s totally dark inside. The stones were slippery and the water (I dunno if it was the water or bat’s urine), it’s sticky. I was excited yet my heart pumped fast, mixed feelings, maybe because you don’t know what the things around you.

First Stop, they call it the Pig Pens.

About 20 minutes of the way through the cave we were advised to remove our Shoes and go barefoot. I was like huh? The stones were rough and some spiky that might rip out our skin. I was wrong; the rock formations are no longer slippery even if the water passes through it.

Whoa..I am inside the Woman Organ. Yikes. Peace.

Photo Ops! Red vs. Blue.

Ate Mel told us that the challenges are getting harder but just enjoy the ride. This is one of the reasons why we visit Sagada and she said we are paying her to punish us. She took us more photos as we enjoyed different formations of golden Stalactites and Stalagmites and very clear-cold water. And there was like a huge pool where you can also swim. But I don’t think nobody wants it unless doing the cave connection that you really have to plunge your dead body.

This is Sagada's Best, Numero Uno!

I thought that was the end of Spelunking, but there are more. More formations down and we told her that we will just stay there, to where we were. Ate Mel insisted not to, our Sumaging will never be complete without reaching the deepest pool. So from those words, we were determined to finish the adventure from start to end in any ways.

She showed us what to do, where to step your left and right foot, and where to hold. Everything should be in uniform. It’s simply 1, 2, 3. When she reached down I came next, I can see my body and my mouth venting smoke. Nahhh because of the challenge I was panting, running out of breath but did not feel the cold inside. So that’s why the heat from your body will have to come out.

At the King's Curtain. Whoa it's really like golden curtain.

This is Ate Mel, our excellent guide. English all the way down.

Guess whoat what..looks like Chocolate. Hmm no looks like Caramel Chocalate.

After we reached the King’s Curtain, again, I thought that was the end of the line.

But wait, there's more.

And we received another words of wisdom again from Ate Mel. She’s is really good I must say. She said there are more beautiful formations to check. And she said we are paying lots of money for her and travels more than a day from Manila and will not complete the mission? Darn she really challenged me so it’s a go go.

This time instead of stepping the right and left foot here and there, we stepped his legs just to get down. Whoa..I know I’m big and heavy and fat and and and and okay  she managed to carry us down. Excellent! You can contact her at 0908-186-6852.

Crocodiles Head..well I can't see it. Can you

Sumaging Cave Rice Terraces.

Viola! Truly is, there are more beautiful rock formations at the bottom. I asked Ate Mel if we can drink the ice-cold water and she stopped us from doing so. She said we can but we are not the first batch who reached down so it’s kinda unsafe already.

Me! Silhouette at the Shark's Teeth. 

Approved! The Shark's will gonna bite you. Hehe.

And this part really amazed me from the entire challenge of Spelunking. Actually this is the end of the challenge and she brought us to the wall. She pointed us of some fossils. And I was like fossils of seawater creatures. And she said yes, I know what you were thinking.

We are in the highlands and yet how come these sea creatures able to reach this up..therefore Noah’s time is true.

Fossils!

Ice-Cold-Clear Water!

Let's go Swim. 

When we reached the chamber of the Sumaging Cave, I felt so very proud. I conquered the challenge not just for myself but the chance to see how beautiful the world is. We enjoyed and savored every beauty of the cave, around you is very unusual, very unique, and a treasure.

Rappelling. Stamina mina mina eeee.

After couple of minutes, we decided to go back to the top. We needed to use the rope to get on the other side all the way up. And Ate Mel offered us the chance to crawl on a tiny hole.

So like Sean O’Connell said from the movie, A Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Sometimes I don’t. If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it. So there are other views inside that wasn't captured by my camera. I chose not to because I want it to stay in my memories. I am very satisfied, fulfilled and simply gave the meaning of living the life to the fullest. 

7 Buntot Palos; Kick Start 2014 with First Day Hike of the New Year.

Courtesy of Pala-Lagaw. Group Shot before leaving the beautiful Hidden Falls.

Not every hike gives a perfect summit view, hiking not necessarily means a zenith of the uplands. Sometimes it’ll just be an ordinary ramble to interconnect with nature, to seek for an innermost peace. That’s why I’m thinking of doing a solo hike to breathe easily coming from topsy-turvy metropolis.

Reinante Mina of Adventures of Manong Unyol invited me to join day hike for Buntot Palos. When I googled about it, it gives me a stunning photo of a falls. Without hesitation, I pinged Mina telling him that I’ll be joining the event. And glad that he still gives me a spot even though it’s already full as the event is only open for limited number of participants.

Registration at Balian Barangay Hall, Pangil Laguna.

Buntot Palos would be a kick start hike to start the New Year, not just for in the hobby and in photography perspetive but for those whose resolution is to stay fit and healthy. Every hike is a physical test so it will surely give a wide frequency of physical exercise. And I’m glad that I started coming to gym again before the event so I think I’m ready emotionally and set physically.

Hired Jeep from Mandaluyong to Pangil.

Arrived around 7AM and went straight to Balian Barangay Hall. Unfortunately it was still close, maybe because 'twas Sunday. Minutes later, our contact; one of the Tanods came and facilitate the event.  And before heading to the jump off point – we had breakfast at Jess Gotohan in Balian.

I’ve been tasted several Goto Batangas in Manila and in Batangas so the taste is kind of usual. But the fried rice surprised me a lot. Fried Rice pa lang, ulalam na.

Jess Gotohan, Goto Batangas, perfect for Almusal.

We were divided into three different groups, one guide per group. Guides are Barangay Police and this is because of continuous robbery incidents. So I suggest when you go up here, make sure to register at the Barangay so they can provide you trained guides handed with emergency walkie-talkies.

I was on the lead group and Mommy Happy is with us. This cheerful mom helped us condensed the stiffness of the hike. And obviously from her name itself the trail turned out full of will and glee. Her real name is Ligaya Cultura but Isabel has this great sense of humor and committed to change last name. It should be Ligaya Calungcutan. Haha..darn, make sense. Good job Isa, plus point ka dito. I recommend her as your guide, full of happiness, very cool woman, and has full of enthusiasm. 

Anyway wondering how she is related to super kiddo Ivan Cultura of Batang Lakwatsero.

Mommy Ligaya, aka Happy, aka Joy. We called her Mommy HappyJoy.

And the hike commenced. First part is difficult ascent in a concrete road; just started a tremendous welcome of the year. The fluid started to burst flowing into the pores of my body, I was expecting for this part but not as early as the jump off. My lungs were already running out of breath and I heard myself gasping. Urgh! I thought I am ready.

Rest with Photo Ops.

Second part is a combination of small and big boulders, though the trail is wide because farm animals and locals are also using the same trail and you constantly encountered them. And also it has tiny streams of water that makes it muddy. However make sure to be very extra careful because one slip-up will result to out of balance and dump out if not your knees, the big booties. Grrr.

The latter part is pretty easy. It’s just like walking along EDSA minus the concrete road. Water is not a problem also. There are plenty of water sources along the trail. What I brought is just a bottle of Gato. The strong winds also helped to ease the climb. So I must say the perfect hashtag for your instagram status is #EasyTrek #HassleFree.

Before heading down to the falls.

Yours truly, taking photos while waiting for the other groups to arrive.

As we getting closer to Buntot Palos, I already heard the thundering power of waters falling into huge-like boulders. It gave a tremendous sound as it goes over and lands into the bottom. We stayed at the campsite for a moment while waiting for the others to arrive which is not that far before heading down. And I was like pretty excited and eager to see the beauty of Eel’s tail.

Trees along the trail.

Powerful Tree Root crawling into the stones.

And as we trek down to the falls; my ears coped up with the unusual sounds of nature, still I can’t hide the excitement. My eyes were flying into the twigs and branches of the trees just to sneak a little view of the falls. That’s how thrilled I am. Heading down is a little challenging because of the mud-covered trail.

A sneak-peak of the majestic falls.

The Amazing Hidden Falls seen  from the trail.

At last after two-hours of easy trek, we finally arrived the majestic hidden falls. I am closer to the thunderous sound of falling waters and it’s relatively cold out there. I picked up some stones and do this a simple piece of art. And before I put down my backpack I must have evidence jumping in front of the falls.

My Piece of Art. Haha..kahit saan meron nito, naisip ko lang.

Whatta Face..wapak!

After which a little rest, I decided to dip my weak body into super ice-cold water of the falls. I just love water and love extreme adventure. So no doubt, I reached up to the nearest lay of the falls with Isabel and had a “plakda” dive. Don’t care about my big belly. I chose not to post it here. Hehe

And finally after more than a year of blogging, I met other respective travel bloggers in the world wide web. Reinante Mina of Adventures of Manong Unyol, Yours Truly as THEKIDWANDERER, Francis Nuñez Balgos of PALA - LAGAW, Mike Laagan of The Traveling Panda and Billy Palatino of Galaero Travel Escapes.

The Travel Bloggers, courtesy of Manong Unyol.

New Friends. :)

And I’m pleased to have this group of strangers and become my new beloved friends. It appears that we share the same passion and will be write the same story in life. Thank you for another experience brothers and sisters. Let’s move the mountain and win the Cup. J

360 degrees view of the Buntot Palos.