On the way back from Echo Valley, we couldn't decide if we should have breakfast at Masferre or stick to our itinerary and eat at Salt and Pepper. After asking Kuya Gareth's (Kuya G from here on out just because it's easier to type) opinion, we opted for Salt and Pepper since it was near the SaGGAs office and we could settle our dues while waiting for our food.
Erin and I shared our food once again and this time, we had Mushroom and Cheese Omelet with an additional side order of Toast and Honey. Plus, Hot Chocolate for me (not Mountain this time). Our other friends ordered Tapsilog and Longsilog. While waiting for our food, we played with the restaurant's puppy, Lucky. He's so friendly, he reminded me of Kero-chan. He kept on licking my hands and made me rub his belly. Too cute! But I had to stop petting him before my Hygienix runs out.
Kuya G dropped by with Kuya Kirky and told us that they have something for us. We were all excited and joked that it was sweet of them to give us Kuya Kirky. HAHA The real surprise? Certificates for everyone! We joked about receiving certificates during our spelunking adventure but I never thought they'd take it seriously. All the activities we accomplished we're checked and it was even signed by all our tour guides. Aww how sweet! We had a little graduation/awarding ceremony and that kind of made it official. We survived Sagada!
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| First row: At Salt and Pepper where our awarding ceremony was held. Chos! Second row: The proud graduates and Lucky, the fluffy and friendly dog. Third row: Mayee and her new found love, Kuya Kevin. Vanie and Mabel with their certificates. |
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Stuck in Sagada forever?
After our quick breakfast at Salt and Pepper, we hurriedly went back to Bagalima to take a bath and pack our things all before 10 AM because the first bus leaves for Baguio at 10:30 AM. We managed to do all that but not without some difficulties (i.e. missing underwear, too stuffed bags, etc.) .
The van was already waiting for us and Kuya G was there too to send us off. Erin and Jeng settled our dues (making sure we tip them for their excellent service) with Kuya G. We thanked him and said our goodbyes then we're off to the bus station!
Arrived before 10:30 AM but unfortunately, the bus already left! And that's not all. The next bus leaves at 12:30 PM and it's already fully-booked! How about that!!! The next bus after that happens to be the last bus and it leaves at 1:30 PM. 16 people have already booked the trip and Erin still asked us whether we'll take that bus or not. The control freak in me couldn't help but get a little mad. Of course, we'll take the 1:30 PM bus! It's the last freaking bus to Baguio and I don't plan on extending my stay at Sagada all because VLs are really important to me and I don't have any extra clothes. HAHA Another option was to take a jeep to Bontoc and hire a van to Baguio from there but we all agreed to just wait for the last bus. What to do in just 3 hours? First thing we did was text Kuya G, of course. Clingy!!! He suggested we check out the Ganduyan Museum while waiting for the bus. Since I remembered that place as we passed by it on our way back to Log Cabin the other night, I volunteered to take us there. We left our luggage beside the dispatcher's ticket booth hoping nobody would take interest in them or mistake them as theirs.
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Ganduyan Museum
It's a small place whose exteriors might not catch your attention as it blends well with the town but the word museum will definitely get you intrigued in a place like Sagada. However, this is not your typical museum. It doesn't have a counter where you can buy tickets and grab some pamphlets. Instead, it had a narrow hallway that led up to a stairway. Since there were some shoes at the bottom of the stairs, we weren't sure what to do. It looked like a residential home so we asked Faye to check the place out. When she came back and gave us the go signal, we all removed our shoes and made our way up the stairs. As usual, we couldn't keep our voices down but when we reached the top, we instantly hushed. The place does look like a home - a traditional one filled with tons of native memorabilia. We were in awe.
The place is owned by Ma'am Christina - a cancer survivor and a proud descendant of one of the Igorot's greatest head-hunters. Fierce! Since there was already a group doing the tour, we joined in and sat on the floor. The place felt so homey - it's like being at your grandparents' house. Ang sarap lang mag-siesta. I wouldn't go into the details of what can be seen at the museum but know that we couldn't contain our interest and excitement all throughout the tour as we learned more about the Igorot culture so a couple of ooh's and aah's could be heard throughout the room. In the middle of the tour, Kuya G appeared out of nowhere to check on us which was really sweet of him. He suggested that once the tour is over, we ask Ma'am Christina to sign our certificates which she did. She even offered us a photo op with her which is generous since picture-taking is not allowed in the premises. Entrance fee costs Php 25 but donations are highly encouraged.
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| With Ma'am Christina. It's like visiting your grandparents' home, only 100x cooler. |
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Sagada Weaving
When we left the museum, Kuya G was waiting for us outside with a new tour guide, Kuya Kevin (without an 'L'). Technically, our tour is officially over but it was nice of them to accompany us. We joked that since we still have time to kill, maybe we can set up a bonfire so we can check all the activities in our certs. Of course, that was impossible so they suggested we go to Sagada Weaving instead. So as to make things easier, we left our "carry-on luggage" with Kuya Kevin who entrusted them to a store owner. Kebs na lang, they all seem like honest people naman e.
On our way to Sagada Weaving, we saw a Volkswagen pass us by (which is kind of weird) but instead of being amazed at the fact that there's a beetle in the mountains, the inner child in us took over and everyone was throwing up peace signs. Except for Kuya G and Kuya Kevin who were walking in front of us. I joked that we should take the chance to give them pendongs or batoks since it's already our last day and basically, because they weren't holding up peace signs. Arvin, who was right behind them, didn't do so because he was a nice guy... unlike me. HAHA When the VW passed by again, we held up peace signs and Kuya G started laughing at us, calling us weird and joked that he doesn't know us. The meanie in me decided to get back at him and joked about his overly dramatic parting text message. Define clingy! He might've gotten a little embarrassed and gave us a break. It turns out, the famous Pendong, Peace isn't a thing in Sagada so in Kuya G's defense, we did look a little weird back there. :))
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| Fun fact: Diamonds and triangles are an Igorot thing. So if you see someone sporting anything with diamonds or triangles in them, most probably, they're an Igorot. Or they just like diamonds and triangles. :p |
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Off to Baguio. Finally.
After the additional tour, we took our "carry-on luggage" and exchanged goodbyes (again) with Kuya G and Kuya Kevin. Of course, we didn't let Kuya Kevin go without a love team photo op with Mayee. Syempre, game din si kuya! Since it was almost 12 NN, we decided to just hang around the bus terminal until 1:30 PM. Better be there early than get left behind again. Mabel, Erin, Mayee, Vanie and I, however, decided to check out the carinderias nearby. Even carinderias serve yummy food and still at affordable prices!
At 1 PM, we decided to go to the ticket booth. The dispatcher told us that the bus is going straight to Besao and not Sagada so we have to wait for a little while. We decided to pass time and hang around at the mini park in front of the church. The bus arrived a little after 2 PM but that's okay.
We boarded the bus and in no time, we're off to Baguio! I tried to take in the scenery as it will take a while before I see this again but the sleepyhead in me just couldn't help but fall asleep. I was jolted awake by Arvin telling me to pull my window down because it's raining outside. Define sleepyhead! Di ko man lang napansin, nababasa na pala ako! It was raining pretty hard and it's kind of scary. This happens to us every year! But this time, the rains were so strong, we couldn't see anything outside but fog! The driver decided to slow down which is okay but you can't help but worry at times like these. Sure, it's scary but that didn't stop me from going back to sleep. After a quick prayer, I felt better and went back to sleep. The only times I was awake were during merienda breaks and stop overs.
After 6 grueling hours, we're back at Dangwa terminal. I was a bit cranky since my sunburn's hurting like hell and I was carrying a backpack! We hurriedly hailed a cab and told the driver to take us to 50's Diner. I was shocked when he asked us which 50's Diner we want to go to since there are 2 branches! Nakakaloka! I wasn't prepared for this. I had no idea which branch we're going to so we just told him to take us to whichever is nearest to Victory Liner terminal. Luckily, he took us to the right place.
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50's Diner (Baguio)
It's been 2 years (or 3?) since I had my first taste of 50's Diner. Ever since then, I've been craving for their burgers for the longest time! This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Baguio. Since I'm famished from the long trip, I decided to order Cordon Bleu for a change. I also ordered a glass of Mickey Mouse which is like a coke float, only better. My only regret was not ordering a 50's Famous Burger to-go! :(
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| Clockwise: 50's Famous Burger, Gangsta Gansta, Cordon Bleu, Shrimps, Mickey Mouse. Yum! |
The next 6 hours were uneventful as I spent most of it sleeping as usual. The only highlights were Kuya G's clingy texts that woke us up from time to time. The bus arrived at Cubao around 3 AM which is earlier than expected. Dad picked me up and before 4 AM, I was lying down on my own bed again, unable to sleep. I still can't believe I've conquered Sagada. The past 3 days have been nothing but amazing. I thank God for the safe travel and my friends (and new friends) for the wonderful experience. This is definitely a trip I will never forget. Sagada, I'm coming back for you!
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| I survived Sagada! And I have this certificate to prove it. |
Travel date: 7 May 2012 [Day 3]
Photo credits: Eric, Faye and Vanie
Want to visit Sagada? Head over to the SaGGAs website to better familiarize yourself with what's in store for you. You can also choose a trusty tour guide in advance from their catalog as long as they're available during your trip.
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