The
Hanging Coffins of Sagada
Sagada, a 150 km (6 hour
drive!) from Baguio (1 hour flight north of Manila), is a tranquil mountain-top
town (pop. 3,000 - altitude: 1,500m) where life seems to stand
still, and the smiles are pasted on the
faces of happy local Sagadans (language: Kankanay and English)
Don't miss the Log Cabin Restaurant. It offers the most hearty meals in
a romantic setting.
(Tip: book your dinner 2 hours in advance!)
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"Sugong
Hanging Coffins"
See them?
Was a great achievement
to get so close!
About 100 coffins.
Some are 500 years old
Swimming at the bottom of "Sumaging Cave" in crystal
clear water |
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Closer view of the
"Sugong Hanging Coffins"
...from right underneath
the "Echo Valley"
hanging coffins
Coffins carved
out of
tree trunks
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"Echo Valley"
Hanging Coffins
"Lumiang Burial
Cave"
Notice the stacked
coffins on the right side of
the cave.
Coffin with an orange...?
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Rice
Terraces of Banaue, Batad and Bangaan
A very scary and dangerous
4-hour (50km) drive from Sagada, lies Banaue, and the smaller surrounding
villages of Batad and Bangaan (1 hour by tricycle taxi from Banaue). Batad
is another 2.5 hour tough walk from Bangaan). These rice terraces are
truly stunning, and is referred to as (another) 8th Wonder of the World.
The terraces at Batad is more than 2000 years old and is worth the strenuous
walk over the mountains.
(Tip: Take enough water, food, and a spare tire for your tricycle taxi)
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View of Banaue
town
from the Banaue View Inn
Village of Bangaan
2
Rice Terraces of
Batad 2
Village of Banaue
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Rice Terraces of Banaue
Typical Ifugao hut
Rice Terraces
of Batad 3
Veggie Terraces
of Bontoc 1
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Village of Bangaan 1
Rice Terraces of
Batad 1
Rice Terraces
of Batad 4
Veggie Terraces
of Bontoc 2
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The
People of Banaue and Batad
The Ifugao people are the
largest cultural group in the Cordillera region of Luzon, Northern Philippines.
Ifugao, meaning "people of the earth", number around 130,000
and are the original rice terrace carvers. As creators of this 'eight
wonder of the world' the Ifugao are also handy woodcarvers.
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The Jeepney
People on the move
Ifugao Couple
Ifugao man of Banaue
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Ifugao man in traditional clothing
Ifugao Triplet
The working donkeys
...and Pointzettias
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Ifugao lady of Banaue
Another Ifugao lady
"Every pig will carry its own cross"
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The
City Market of Baguio
Baguio, a 1 hour flight north
of Manila, has probably the best city wet market I have come across. Second
in line would be the market of Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island, to the
west of the Philippine Island toward Borneo Island
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Dried fish
Rice varieties
More fish
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Meat market
Sausages
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Fresh strawberries and (too) sweet strawberry jam
Fish market
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