It seems foolhardy to go somewhere very cold when I was having a full-blown case of cough and colds. But the opportunity to smell the fresh mountain air and the compulsion to go out of town even for just a few days were simply overwhelming. So despite my feverish state, I found myself on an Autobus trip to Banaue with friends one Friday evening. I've been here before when I was so much younger so it would be nice to see how much has changed.
EARLY START. We left not-so-promptly after the declared departure time of 10pm but arrived earlier than our projected time of 7am so we had a bit of luxury of walking around the poblacion and finding a nice place to have a hot cup of coffee and some breakfast to warm not just our tummies but our hearts. We asked around and found out that the jeep going to Batad isn't due until 3 in the afternoon. Not wanting to waste our morning away, we asked around for alternative transport. Hmmm, there were wide-ranging offers to choose from -- all of them bloated beyond belief. One tricycle driver even had the gall to quote us an unbelievable price of P2,000 (roughly US$45) for the ride going to the junction of Batad and Bangaan. For the return trip, he would charge an additional P1,000. Hmmm, we decided to pass it up since we found the rates atrociously high and we were traveling on a budget.
LUCK SMILES. Serendipity (that and the friendly Ferdie of Greenview Lodge) found us a Korean group of five going on the same route and looking for people to share the cost of hiring a van (P2,500/one way) going all the way to the Saddle of Batad. Not only were we spared from having to hike the distance from the Junction to Saddle (a steep, muddy hike of around 1 to 1 1/2 hours), we also had the van at our disposal so we can make a stop whenever we liked. It was good to be able to pause and admire the view every so often, and more important of all, chat with the locals we meet along the way. While there were indiscriminate people (like those tricycle drivers at the poblacion) who would pounce on tourists, there are a lot more out there who'd offer help along with a warm smile.
14 comments:
kakatuwa talaga yung expression ng bata ^^
Ganda talaga ng expression nung bata. And I like that mother and child profile as well.
It's good that you pointed out those overcharging drivers. Buti na lang nakisilong tayo sa Tourist Office
yan yung batang masama ang tingin sa footlong ko. haha! ang cute talaga nya.
one of the happiest trip itong batad-banaue natin. sa uulitin.
Mga bai, kakatuwa talaga 'tong batang ito. Tama si Erick, the kid was eyeing his breakfast sa hamburger stand sa tapat ng munisipyo :)
the batad trip was one of the most unforgettable trip i had last year. it was very tiring but very much worth it. terrific og-shots here.
Heart-warming, heart-rending, heat-felt. Beautiful through and through.
Thanks for dropping by Sandy. God bless you!
ang galing galing bai. i actually feel honored to have seen it there myself and see how lagalog takes the great shots of people. idol talaga.
Great colorful portraits.
Too bad Banaue is already spoiled by tourists... it it worth to go further where not so many tourist venture...
It is strange that people asking overpriced rates don't understand that they kill the goose with the golden eggs ;-(
Dom, ano ba yun? hehehe
Sidney, I don't understand it either. Overcharging only drives away the tourists. In any case, it was peaceful and there were only a handful of tourists when we went there so it was more enjoyable.
Ang galing! I'm now your fan. Gustung gusto ko yung shot na may karga syang baby. =)
Thanks WitsandNuts :D That shot is one of my favorites, too. Do drop by often for more :)
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