Touring the Mountain Highlands of Luzon in the Philippines

[Mitchelle]

The tour started of with an early morning breakfast and on to our jeepney ride, which would take us to the rice terraces and one of the surrounding villages. Jeepneys are popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally left over US military jeeps from World War II that were stripped down to accommodate more seating and of decorated with a very vibrant spectrum of colors and several different chrome decorations. One cannot go through the streets of Manila without witnessing these colored vehicles which are the most popular means of transport within the city. Given its history, it is only fitting that the jeepney would be the best ways to get around through the off road terrains of the Cordillera Mountains where the rice terraces were built some several centuries ago.

Our first stop was the village of Banga-An. This village is located in one of the valleys nested in beetween the terraces. The only way to access the village is through a twenty minute hike through a descending trail. As we reach the quaint village, the natives welcomed us with the warmest of smiles and we instantly feel welcomed into their world. They tour us through their homes and show us how they prepare their meals. It is really interesting how genuinely happy they are living the simplest of lifestyles. They are clothed in the native woven fabric made locally by the village women. Their homes are simple huts of wood and dried leaves intricately woven together to form their walls and floors.

After our village interaction, we took another trek. This time it was an upwards trek towards a viewing spot quite high up that gave us a breathtaking view of the terraces. The beautiful cascading slopes of water and terrain that were carved into the mountains some 2,000 years ago. They were built as in irrigation system for the water to spread out and nourish the abundant crops of rice and other root vegetables which is the main source of livelihood for the locals. Its really amazing to think of how the simplest of means (these were most likely done by hand with very minimal tools) can create one of the most intricate and interesting sights I have ever laid my eyes on. It is trully a something to be seen.

After a lot of pictures and taking in the breathtaking views, we head back to our jeepney for the more "commercialized" part of our tour, a stop by the local souvenir shop before heading back to the hotel. The Banaue Trade Center sells a lot of local arts and handicrafts made by the local Ifugao. The increased tourism in the area has given the locals alternate means of livelihood and also helps raise money to maintain and preserve the local environment.

The second day of our tour began with a three-hour drive to the neighboring town of Sagada, also located in the Cordillera Mountains. Upon reaching Sagada, we are shown the unusual sight of coffins hanging from the sides of the mountains. This is an ancient burial practice in which the deceased's coffins are hung from ledges, cliffs, caves, or natural rock projections.

We then go on to the town of Bontoc, where the Bontoc Museum houses a lot of interesting artifacts and pictures of the local tribes and how they have evolved throughout the years. After the museum was a special treat, as the locals performed a song and dance number interpreting their local practices and traditions. After the presentations we were treated to a festive dinner before we headed back to the hotel.

This was definitely one of the most interesting and informative trips I have ever been on. As a traveler, I was really given a peek into a parallel universe and witness how people live their day to day lives in a way I could never imagine. The people were very warm and friendly and the rice terraces were so breathtakingly beautiful. They do not disappoint, and they are really something worth seeing. Its a bit of a longish trip from Manila - an eight-hour bus ride - but it is well worth it.