George Guest House Sagada

... passed through tribal villages nestled like hanging gardens. I witnessed peaks so steep only brush and grass clings to the earth. Trees cannot support their own weight. The land falls as soon as it finds any excuse. I first thought everything was clear cut. Untruly so, for the local headhunting tribes proudly repelled all colonial groups for centuries. They denied the government logging concerns and repressed the movement for hydroelectric plants and ...

... jeep with two benches along the sides. There is one service per day, but only if there are enough passengers. I wasn't lucky so again walked up the to the main road and waited for a bus, supposed to be passing in a few hours. Fortunately, a private minivan with other tourists passed first. We stopped by in Bontoc to visit its museum focused on culture of local tribes. Especially the section focused on headhunting was exciting ...

... you how much they enjoy dog. A new invasion is due to hit Sagada as paved roads from Banaue and Bontoc are being laid ...

... It was a rigorous hike through some amazing scenery. We had to walk through the terraces first. Next we had to walk up some steep steps and then down a whole bunch steps. Once I was soaked in sweat again, I took my shirt off. I ended up getting a slight sunburn for my troubles. Once again we were beat by the time we reached the waterfall...and we still had the climb back to the hotel and then to the saddle to look forward to. At the waterfall we met a group ...

... across then slipped and fell slightly.. half way I thought she was stuck bt no she made it across and smiled with excitement and on we went. It was great! A 2 hour adventure and we saw amazing rock formations and blue underground pools and came out full of adrenaline and smiling. On the way back to the hostel we walked to the Hanging coffins, yep that's right, years ago these people hang their dead ...

... nuit. Pas grand chose a dire ce today. Je vais visiter une grotte avec Hans mon guide, 18 ans, bien taciturne, il faudrait que j'achete un sonotone pour le comprendre. On ne m'avait pas dit que ce serait si sportif. La grotte n'est pas eclairee, Hans a une lampe a gaz, et on descend, ca glisse. Descente au son des chauve-souris. Plus loin on retire nos chausures, les pieds nus accrochent mieux. Puis ...

... de riz que les femmes vont diviser, puis repiquer un a un, apres que les hommes auront nettoye et prepare des paddys (terrasses). Les yeux en prennent un coup, c'est sur, mais c'est aussi le respect envers ces hommes et ces femmes, penches a longueur de journee (et toujours souriants), pour que nos assiettes soient remplies, qui inspirent un respect profond et reel. Lieu magique, serein pour notre vision de gens de passage, lieu de respect de la vie... Je ...

... terraces. It is inaccessible by any vehicle, hence the hour long hike... but very much worth it. We were lucky enough to be picked up at the drop off by Francis, who is the brother of Ramon - the creator of Ramon's home stay. Francis and his family (Ramon was absent) provided us with EVERYTHING we needed for the next 24 hours. Francis guided us along the ancient ...

Salut tout le monde Nous allons bien. Nous sommes partie ce matin tres tot pour Segada. Nous avons du marcher pour rejoindre notre autobus puisqu'il y avait une parade ce matin a Baguio. Nous avons rate le festival des fleurs mais nous sommes arrive a temps pour le festival (fiesta) de Segada. Il faut croire qu'il y a toujours un festival quelques parts ici, comme chez nous ...

The last two days have been long indeed! We got up yesterday and headed straight to one of the shopping malls in Manila to look for a travel agent to organise some transport out of the city. We got a text from Jeanne (Irish girl we met in Hong Kong) who was now in Manila also and met up with her. After a bit of talking we realised we all had the same notions of getting out of the city and seeing some of the Philippines so we pooled our resources. A brainstorming session later and ...