My Sagada Mountain Province story was like this, I booked for Sagada tour but I was scammed on Facebook, already paid a downpayment but they canceled the tour on the day of my arrival in Manila due to tropical storm that will hit Manila 5 days thereof, I was like “what the heck, next week pa mag land ang storm unya kainit sa panahon jud run”, what am I gonna do in Manila for 4 days and 3 nights. I called other travel agencies and they will still pursue with the tour, but unfortunately, they were all full and cannot accommodate me anymore, sad life.
They said they would refund my downpayment but didn’t happen. From C&H Travel and Tours they changed to Vista Viajeros. So be careful, they are a scam.
So what I did, I travelled to Sagada Mountain Province via bus. I took a Victory Liner bus bound to Baguio, from Baguio City bus terminal, hired a taxi cab going to bus terminal bound to Sagada. It took 4-5 hours bus ride to Baguio and 5-6 hours ride going to Sagada. A very tiring bus ride!
I arrived in Sagada Mountain Province on a fine weather. I went to Tourism to register then checked in at Green House. Don’t bother their signage, I know it looks creepy but their room is clean and nice. And it’s affordable, 300 per night.
I bought pasalubong, but only half of it survive going back home. I ate the half hahaha
I was so exhausted with the bus ride, I had a backache already, imagine sitting for a long period of time, so I took a nap. I woke up 3:00 PM, I went back to tourism to give my contact number and asked them to let me know ahead if there are groups who would do Cave Connection or other activities tomorrow so I can join them. They also gave me a map. Since it was still early, I decided to go with Bomod-Ok falls. I asked the tourism, assigned me a guide then off we go.
I went back to town proper around 5:00PM, then I decided to had a do it yourself tour around Sagada town. I saw this Strawberry Cafe, and since I love strawberries, I went in and dine. I remember I hadn’t eaten yet. Inside the cafe is clean and quiet. I guess it’s still early for dinner or people are busy doing activities, or maybe few tourists only due to the upcoming storm. I just bought strawberry jams and ate early dinner.
I felt so full then continue walking ahead, I saw this Lemon Pie House. I remember this is famous in Sagada, so I tried their lemon pie. Maskin busog pa, kaon napud nyehehe
You should try their best selling Lemon Pie, and you’ll know why it is famous in Sagada
Then I went to Hanging Coffins, but you cannot enter the area without a guide. I was about to get a guide but it’s getting late already. I just went ahead and saw Sagada Weaving. They sell weaved bags, wallets, coin purse, hats and many more.
After that, I went back to Green House. Day 1 was over. Next day activity was to catch sunrise at Kiltepan Peak, hike at Bomod-Ok Falls, hike at Lake Danum, visit pottery and lastly will do the Cave Connection.
The night after Cave Connection, it rained until morning – on the day of my departure. Bagyong Karen already landed, and I thought it will land the day after my departure from Sagada. I woke up early to catch the first trip bus. It was very cold and I had a coffee while waiting for the bus. There were few passengers that were also waiting.
That was around 5:00 AM and still raining. At last, a bus bound to Baguio was coming. We left Sagada Mountain Province at 6:00 AM. We saw numerous trees and rocks scattered on the road. The driver and “konduktor” moved the trees and rocks on the side of the road to make it passable.
Until we encountered huge trees and rocks that blocked our way and there’s no way for them to move those big trees and rocks even all male passengers helped. So the bus went back to Sagada town.
Tourism informed us that the road was not passable and they are doing all they can to clear the road. So I checked in back to Green House and waited for an update from Sagada Tourism Office. I was worried that if I can’t go back to Manila the same day, then I’ll miss my flight back to Davao. I don’t want to buy a new plane ticket
Landslide happened, just a minute our bus moved from that area. Scary, yes?
Then I got a text from Sagada Tourism Office that road was already clear and that there was an available bus waiting outside bound for Manila. I immediately checked out, just paid half day, thanked Tourism Office and said bye bye then find a window bus seat. Glad, there’s a bus direct to Manila. It saved my day as I didn’t miss my flight going back home.
Indeed an awesome and memorable Sagada adventure for me. My first tropical storm encounter, saw an actual landslide that would fall right on our bus at any time. It was also my first solo trip. I felt so brave and independent.
