Banaue to Batad

Friday 20 March 2015



After touching down in Manila we gave ourselves one night to recover from jet-lag, before taking a 10hour overnight bus ride (for our sins) that took us to Banaue. We arrived at 7am the next morning tired and freezing cold - bumpy bus rides are no more conducive to sleeping than trying to fall asleep standing up, and the air con on buses in the Philippines is so strong that no amount of layers keeps the cold air from creeping in. Luckily our driver was there on arrival to greet us and take us in a tricycle to Sanafe Lodge, where we slept for a few hours before setting out to explore the rice terraces in Banaue. After a ride on the roof of a jeepney (by far one of the best ways to travel in my opinion), racing around the tiny mountain roads, hanging on for dear life, we reached the rice terraces of Hungduan, which provide a lovely afternoon trekking around the terraces with a break to bathe in a hot spring, followed by a refreshing (read freezing) river in between.


Batad was another experience altogether. After the 45minute trek down to the Hillside Inn, where we stopped to refuel with a tea, we then began the walk to Tappiya falls, which involved a steep climb down, a walk along the rice terraces walls, another steep climb, followed by a tough downhill trek that played havoc on my knees. Finally we were rewarded with the waterfall - a 70m drop that thundered into a large pool below. The water was ice cold, so all I could do was dip my toes in while the others jumped right in. But it was a good break before hiking the steep steps back up the terraces and down again. This is not a trek for the faint hearted, we finished sweating and panting, but happy to have fulfilled the exercise quota for the week!  


12 comments :

  1. This is just incredible and your photos are so amazing!

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    1. Thank you so much! Really glad you like them :) x

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  2. Great photos! It looks like a very picturesque place. I'd love to visit the Philippines some day.

    http://memoriesofthepacific.blogspot.com.es/

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    1. Thanks Cristina! It was beyond beautiful - I can't wait to go back :)

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  3. How incredible! What a beautiful place!
    Kari
    www.sweetteasweetie.com

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    1. Yes it really is! I was so sad to leave! :)

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  4. I hope you enjoyed your stay in our country! I have actually yet to visit the Banaue Rice Terraces and that waterfall looks refreshing! :)

    Paola // Resuscitate

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    1. Yes I did! You're very lucky to live in such a beautiful country - I really recommend the Rice Terraces if you have the chance!

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  5. very picturesque but the transport and trekking to get to these places is clearly for much younger than me! don't think my feet let alone my knees would have managed it, and no way could i do a 10 hour bus ride. well done for being so intrepid and sharing the amazing sites with those of us less so. mooxxx

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    1. It was truly beautiful - the trekking was tough, but worth it! xxx

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  6. This looks and sounds amazing! Seeing those rice terraces has always been high up on my bucket list! Also, I just went to your blog to check out the Paris guide since Esben and I just booked tickets for the 24th-28th of April. Hope to see you there :)

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    1. Thanks Nana and yes add it to your bucket list! And that's fantastic news! Can't wait to see you here - I'll make sure I'm free then. See you soon xx

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