"A Remarkable Journey to Batad" Top 5 Page for this destination Batad by Nhess

It's indeed a long travel from Manila going to Banaue, Ifugao, a home of the world-famous rice terraces. Imagine sitting in a bus for at least 8 to 9 hours? But for me and my friend Eds who are both adventure-seekers, it really doesn’t matter anyway. We took the Victory Liner bus in Kamuning, Quezon City bound for Banaue, a single trip that leaves at 10:45 p.m. daily. Ten minutes before 7:00 a.m. on the following day, we arrived at the mountainous place of Banaue. But we learned that there was a landslide a week before so our bus that was supposed to have a last stop at the Banaue Hotel cannot pass through the narrow road. The only option was to take a shuttle or a tricycle to bring us to the town proper or anywhere in Banaue. We opted for a tricycle instead and dropped by at the information center near the marketplace. After a lot of questions and answers with the man at the information on how to reach Batad, a village where the most magnificent rice terraces lay, we decided to take a tricycle going to Batad junction and set off for a bumpy ride. After Batad junction we took a passenger jeepney up to Batad Saddle Point where we began our journey going down to the small village. Since there’s no other mode of transportation to get there, a trek is a must for someone who wants to see the legendary rice terraces.

A View of the Rice Terraces from the Hillside Inn

Along the way, we were greeted by wild trees, wild flowers, clamorous crickets and fresh air which filled our lungs with enough oxygen. After a few meters of walk, we passed by a group of five men struggling to pull down a big dark gray native pig. I found out that the pig will be slaughtered for the celebration of someone who died in their community, a tradition they practice since hundreds of years ago. Exhausted and thirsty, I rested for awhile, but I heard someone shouting at me, “The pig is right behind you!” Without hesitation, I dragged myself running down to the slippery trail as I hear the thundering footsteps of the pig getting closer and closer towards me. I kept on running to catch up for my friend who already went ahead of me until we reached a small hut selling cold drinks for thirsty travelers. Thank God, the men were able to tie up the pig to pull it down slowly.

After 45 minutes of trekking along the curvy, narrow and rugged pathway, a marvelous amphitheater-shaped rice terraces filled my sight. I just found myself mesmerized by the great scenery around me. Can this be God’s creation preserved by native Ifugao’s? But before I forget everything, I pulled out my digital camera inside my backpack and took a lot of pictures. My female friend and I stayed at the Hillside Inn where we would have a great panoramic view of the small community situated in the middle of the green rice terraces below. Our room in the second floor has a single bed which is good for two persons and a small window overlooking the beautiful landscape. Aside from the two pillows and blankets, there were no other things we could see inside the room. Its simplicity reflects the simple life of the owner and the people surrounding the vicinity. After inhaling the clean air to relieve our exhausted body, hunger finally came in. We realized it was already half past of eleven in the morning and we desperately need to take our lunch. Fortunately, the inn has a restaurant at the ground floor where we could order foods from their menu.

Cool Water of Tappia Falls

After lunch Eds and I slept for at least one hour so we would have energy to hike down to the well-known Tappia Falls, a must-see 32 feet waterfall hidden at the foot of the mountain. Another 45 minutes trek going downhill was more dangerous and rugged compared to our previous hike from the saddle. Joey and his girlfriend Neg, a couple we met at the inn where we were staying, walked carefully ahead of me and my friend together with our two tour guides. The six of us encountered many unstable pathways caused by landslides and walking carelessly at the side of the paddy fields would certainly lead someone off-balance and fall at the nearby cliffs. After the bumpy uphill and downhill terrain, finally we reached the vibrant waterfall as if serenading us with the gushing sound of its flowing crystal-clear water. I would have jumped over the inviting stream if I didn’t soon realize how freezing the water was’ otherwise I would have experienced hypothermia going back to our lodging house. Hence, nobody among us ever dared to swim on the icy cold water so we just satisfied ourselves by soaking our feet on the wet ground and taking our photos with the big falls as a backdrop.

• Pros:Great view that will linger in anyone's mind
• Cons:Long hours of rugged trek before getting to the place
• In a nutshell:A Spectacular Sight Hidden in the mountains of the North