Batad Bonding

Batad, Ifugao Province

Nov 29 - 30, 2014

For the first time in 2012, I set foot on the UNESCO World Heritage Ifugao Rice Terraces in Batad. I was with a group of hikers then. It was an experience of a lifetime for me to be able to explore first hand this magnificent monument that was built by the Ifugaos thousands of years ago.

Two years later, I'm back to see the place again and marvel at its grandeur, this time, with a group of friends to share with them the beautiful heritage of the North that is worth exploring many times over. We were five in the group - Jeannie, Dion, John, Me-ann and myself.

TRAVEL TO BANAUE

On board Ohayami Bus bound for Batad, we left Manila at exactly 2000H on Friday. We went to the bus station straight from the office. Everyone was excited as I was. I felt the same excitement as when I first explored the site. This could be the feeling of seeing a World Heritage site. Because of its immense beauty, the feeling of excitement to see it again doesn't wane down.

Travel time from Manila to Banaue is approximately 10H including traffics and stop overs along the way. We had few stop overs along the way to refuel and for refreshments.

At 0818H, we reached Banaue bus terminal and from there, we met our guide. Everyone enjoyed the place. While waiting for the jeep that will take us to the jump-off point in Batad, we had a sumptuous breakfast and then moved around the area to see souvenir shops.

TRAVEL TO BATAD

At 0945H, we boarded the jeep and to enjoy the trip and see more sceneries along the way, we decided to do a "Top Load" - that is to ride atop the jeep. 

 

We had fun and enjoyed the view of the winding road and the mountains as we traveled to Batad from Banaue. There were road constructions along the way at that time. The wind was cold and there was clearing giving us a better view of the mountain terrains.

It was a 2H ride atop the jeep full of fun. We were at the jump-off point at 1045H.

 

I noted that there was a road widening taking place at that time. The road widening, when completed, will allow vehicles to reach the closest part of Rice Terraces. 

That part will also be the new jump-off point. From there, it would only take few minutes walk towards the center of Batad where the local huts and the rest of the local folks leave.

We alighted at the end of the road widening work and from there we walked towards the village where the huts and locals are located. 

At 1303H, we reached the hut, had a lunch and then prepared for our trek to the waterfalls called Tappiyah.

TREK TO TAPPIYAH FALLS

At 1417H we started trekking to the Tappiyah Falls passing through the Rice Terraces amphitheater. 

Along way, the we had a chance to pass by a weaving place and witnessed how a colorful native cloth was made.

 

The weaving process is very much similar to the process of making Inabel cloth in the Ilocos region.

We resumed trekking from the weaving house and walked along the winding edge of the rice terraces then took the stairs going down the waterfalls. There were comments from the team that the original trail should have been maintained.

 

At 1506H, we reached the Tappiyah Falls. There were not much visitors at that time. 

The water was clear and cool. We stayed there for at least an hour to enjoy the cool and refreshing water and the view.

 

 

We left the waterfalls at 1630H and headed back to the hut. 

We reached the village at 1859H, had a dinner and then socials with fellow hikers at night on a bonfire. 

 

We had nice talks with the owner of the hut and one particular discussion that I enjoyed was the preservation of the Rice Terraces and the rich culture of the Ifugaos.

Lights out at 2230H.

I personally enjoyed staying overnight at a native hut. One thing I noted was the ventilation inside the hut as there are no windows. The hut is made of hard woods and it was cold inside.

TREK TO THE RICE TERRACES

On the following day, we had our breakfast at 0715H and prepared for our trek to the Rice Terraces.

We started at 0832H. We trekked towards a peak opposite the amphitheater as according to our guide, that portion of the rice Terraces provides the best panoramic view of the entire Rice Terraces Amphitheater.

It was a nice and relaxed trekking. We proceeded to the peak first and then went down the Rice Terraces as we retreated back to the village. 

 

 

 

 

 

Along the way, we enjoyed taking photos of blooming Sun Flowers and small insects on the grass.

At exactly 1000H, we were at the peak of the Rice Terraces overlooking the huts of Batad down below us at the center of the amphitheater. It was indeed an excellent place to enjoy a nice panoramic view of the Rice Terraces.

We started our retreat at 1100H and we were back to the village at  1138H, tidy up and then prepared to leave the place back to Manila. 

At 1200H, we checked-out, had our lunch and left the place back to the parking area of the jeep that will take us back to Banaue.

We boarded the jeep at 1300H. At that time, it started to rain and because of the road widening activities, we were delayed on the road and reached Banaue at 

1800H.

We left Banaue back to Manila at 1900H and we were back home 0400H on Monday - 01 December 2014.

-o0o-