Bouncing sounds, Flying crypts

In which we descended into the depths of echo valley.

Yours truly

Sagada: A mountain hamlet

Remember those days in the 90s when RPG games in Playstation1 or 2 were hip? The protagonist will wake up somewhere in a remote town, either in the mountains, fields, or forest? Somehow this trip reminds me of an adventure taken by those coming-of-age heroes that follow a storyline of exploration, battles and self-realization. (Seriously.... If it's possible to project yourself inside an RPG game, i've done it long before iPod was invented.)

The quaint town of Sagada: View from the Echo Valley Peak  

I have no idea where Sagada is until the time we actually set foot on the place. All I know is that it is located somewhere in the rugged mountains up north, much farther away from Baguio.

Habal-Habal: Two-wheeled Taxis in the Metro

Modes of commuting in the metro has evolved into a diverse set of ways that even vehicles which aren't meant for it are used. (Naks gumaganun.). Now that I am part of the working class, finding the most efficient way to get from point A to point B is quite a challenge... (pero mas nakaka-challenge gumising nang maaga.) Anyway, apart from Buses, trains, taxis and jeepneys, I recently found out a contingency plan if ever I am in the verge of being late for work. Usually I take the Fort Bus just a few steps away from the Ayala MRT station. During peak hours, around 8:15-8:45am, the queue lines spill to EDSA at a ridiculously fast pace, rendering my efforts of being early useless.

So, if ever you're up for an adventure and you don't mind bathing yourself first thing in the morning with the impurities of EDSA, an alternative way to get to your workplace especially around Bonifacio Global City is to take the Motorcycle for Hire (I call it Skylab or Habal-Habal, but the term usually refers to the one used in the mountains with two or more passengers.)

Reaching the limits of the Philippine Road System

After long hours of butt-numbing topload experience and the constant stench of what we call "amoy-ulap", the sun finally peeked through the fog and behold, the mountain unfolds with its green stairways. Alas, we are just a few kilometers away from the highest point of the country's highway system.

Toploading en route to Sagada

Long after we finished lunch, the team rented a van since there are no more Baguio-Sagada buses that can accommodate us. And because we wanted to still experience Toploading, the group decided to take turns in  challenging the laws of physics while taking in the good views on top of the vehicle.

One thing I learned doing here is to hold my camera tight while opposing inertia.

Sneak Peek: Sagada Mini-Adventure series

My first time to reach the rugged landscape of Mt. Province proved to be a worthwhile getaway last All Soul's Day weekend. Most of the plans were jeopardized due to the recent rage of the typhoon so we crossed out the Batad trip and decided to maximize our stay in Sagada.

Unfortunately, my supposed-to-be 5-day itinerary was cut short to 3 days because no trips to Baguio will push through on the 1st of November.

Nevertheless, anything spontaneous is fun, and I can say I really enjoyed my stay there. I was too lazy to start this entry that's why it got a little bit delayed. Probably after a few days the series will be complete. :D