Thursday 29 May 2014

Sagada Cave Connections

Three weeks have already past since we went to Sagada yet my memories of Sagada is still vivid in me. It was our second day in Sagada and we are about to embark on the most challenging adventure one can ever do when in Sagada - the Cave Connections.

We were a very big group, I believe we were more than 50 and so we were accompanied by more than 10 guides for our spelunking. We started by trekking to the entrance of Lumiang Cave. On its entrance, we can see several wooden coffins of the natives there. Our guide started telling us of how old the coffins were and also gave us instructions on what to do when inside the cave. But the most important rule when inside the cave was "Always trust your guide".

As we started spelunking inside the cave, our flexibility was tested as we try to fit in every hole in the cave. It was a never ending maze inside. There was a lot of balancing, climbing, butt trekking throughout the process.

After an hour of trekking, we only managed to reach half way through the cave connection. We had a few minutes breather in a flat surface inside a cave where we can hear bats everywhere and not to mention the stink from their poops. hehehehe When the rest of the group caught up with is, we then started to trek going to Sumaguing Cave. I never thought that I had so much strength and courage in me to do all the climbing, walking and maneuvering while inside the cave.

And after two agonizing long hours, we finally reached Sumaguing Cave. Here you can find many rock formations, unfortunately our guide was not able to point out to us all of them. This is the disadvantage on going to a tour with lots of people, you won't have the guide exclusively to yourself. Below picture is the King's Curtain rock formation.

We had a fun time relaxing in the cold water that flows through the formations. After taking several pictures, it was time to trek out of the cave. It was definitely one heck of an adventure that I never imagined I could make it through. After this adventure, I can proudly say that I have definitely conquered and survived Sagada!

Important Tips: 
  • Bring a light snack (chocolates or energy bar) if you're planning to go the cave at around 9 or 10AM, because you'll definitely get hungry when you get in the end of the cave.
  • Wear comfortable, loose/flexible clothes. Use rash guard, quick dry or cotton shirts. Wear leggings for ladies who don't want to get scratched by the rocks.
  • Use rubber slippers, water shoes or slippers with grips.
  • ALWAYS trust your guide! They will be there for you all throughout the journey. (",)

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Sunday 25 May 2014

Resto Review: Sagada Brew

We just had our dinner at Salt & Pepper Restaurant but felt unsatisfied with our meal so we went to Sagada Brew Cafe for something sweet.

I ordered their Peppermint Chocolate (Php 100) while my husband opted for their Black Coffee Shake (Php 100).

The Peppermint Chocolate was so yummy and I love the idea that they added marshmallows which added to the drink's creaminess. A piece of peppermint leaf was added to give just the right kick of mint to it.

As for the Black Coffee Shake - there was nothing special to it. It was just black coffee with blended ice.

Sagada Brew also serves desserts. If you want to try out what they locally bake choose their cakes since the brownies and bars that are sold here came from a supermarket chain as admitted by one of their staff.

Out of all their cakes displayed that night, one caught our attention due to its surprising name or ingredients - the Peanut Butter Blueberry Butterscotch Cake (Php 150). As we tasted this cake, we can't seem to grasp the total essence of it. It really did had all the ingredients except for the butterscotch. But the peanut butter was the most powerful taste out of them all. It was not the sweet pleasant cake we were hoping for. After the experience, we finally dubbed this as the "Confused Cake" - once you try it, you'll definitely be confused. hehehehe

The Sagada Brew also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their menu items may be pricier but the serving is big and the ambiance is nice - felt like chilling in Starbucks.

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Resto Review: Salt & Pepper Restaurant

On our first day in Sagada, we decided to have our dinner at Salt & Pepper Restaurant. The restaurant was really hard to find because it was located on the 2nd floor of a souvenir shop along the main road. Plus their sign was really small and unnoticeable. Tip when you're Sagada, look up because some of the restaurants are located on the 2nd floor. heheheh

Anyways, I suggested this place because I read good things about them through other blogs. Most of the blogs, recommend ordering Dinakiw (Php 160) but I opted on ordering their Sinarabasab (Php 170) which was pork viand cooked in vinegar since I just love sour food. My husband ordered the Salt & Pepper Diner Plate (Php 250) which had both pork and chicken in a plate.

The Sinarabasab was really sour - at first it was appetizing but after several bites it was just too much sourness. It was served together with pickled red cabbage which was sour too and did not compliment the pork at all.

As for the Diner Plate, it had a serving of Sinarabasab and a roasted chicken. The chicken's skin was tasty but the meat didn't have any flavor to it.

Obviously, it was not that pleasant of an experience for us but we have tasted their Stir-fried Vegetables and it was really good. Their vegetables are really fresh, crispy and flavorful. This dish is definitely one reason to come back to their restaurant.

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Trek to the Scenic Pongas Falls of Sagada

On our first day in Sagada, we were scheduled to go to the famous Bomod-ok Falls but unfortunately there was an ongoing tribal ritual happening on that day that lead us to go to the less visited Pongas Falls. The local tour guide said that Pongas Falls  is their back-up in cases like ours but assured us that it is as beautiful as the Bomod-ok Falls.

It was raining hard when we reached the site so we had to wait for some time for the rain to subside. Just as the rain became a drizzle, we then started our trek. We walked through the rice terraces. I was always fascinated on how they go about these terraces and now I finally see that there were actually path ways in them that were not visible from afar.

On the way to the falls, you will be walking through slim cemented pathways along the terraces, passing through a rusty bridge, and trekking through some steep muddy edges.

After 30 minutes of walking, I felt exhausted. But after looking at my surroundings, I instantly feel revitalized and at awe at how beautiful and green nature around me was.

After an hour, we can now hear the sound of water flowing. It was a relieve to know that we were almost there.

After several more hikes and turns, we finally arrive at our destination - behold the Pongas Falls.

The water flowing from the falls was refreshingly ice-cold. The falls was so high and had 3 to 4 levels of it - I'm not quite sure. We only managed to climb up to the 2nd level. Sadly, you can't have a swim here since there's no basin. We rested awhile then went back to town when we're all ready to go.

If you're planning to go to a falls in Sagada, make sure to reserve one full day for it because you will definitely need your rest after the long walk.

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Saturday 10 May 2014

Resto Review: Strawberry Cafe, Sagada

While in Sagada, I can't help notice that there are lots of cafe and restaurants serving yoghurts. My husband's  not fond of yoghurts because he doesn't like it being a sour dessert. But one can't help but be curious about it so I just had to try at least once.

We ordered a serving of Strawberry Yoghurt (Php 70) at the Strawberry Cafe. The yoghurt itself was plain and was not that sour as expected from a yoghurt. Combining the fresh strawberry and the sweet strawberry jam on it neutralizes the yoghurt's sourness. I love it and I just wished their serving was bigger.

The Strawberry Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their pancakes are priced at Php 100 and their meals start at Php 120.

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