I haven’t shared this truly amazing experience I had in one of my GE class last semester. The week had not been that great because of the foreseen bad weather yet to arrive the metro. The storm struck the country the day the whole class left from Manila and got on board for Banaue.
Considered as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras surely please the eye of its spectators. According to our GE class professor, there are five sites: the Batad Rice Terraces, Bangaan Rice Terraces (both in Banaue), Mayoyao Rice Terraces (in Mayoyao), Hungduan Rice Terraces (in Hungduan) and Nagacadan Rice Terraces (inKiangan), are all in the Ifugao Province. The one we visited was garnered so far to be the most beautiful site among others, The Batad Rice Terraces.
The trip to Batad was no easy way. We’ve travelled for long hours on steep hillside roads with the sudden pour of rain to add thrill to our journey.
Well this one’s not quite steep or narrow, but the soil turned to mud leaving us nowhere to hold on to if you slip all the way down. (Friction disappears)
The first had been totally a test of our hiking skills. The path was too narrow and too steep. Plus it started to rain really hard, thus leaving the coarse soil into squishy mud tracks. Our life happen to rest in the hands of good rubber shoes and fate (well some were able to bring walking sticks with them= Clever guys).
FINALLY! Our pit stop! Strenuous exercise indeed. 😛
I felt helpless after a long hike. My knees were shaking that time and all I could think of is sleep + shower + fooooooood. Our lunch had been a bit late but nonetheless the first day was dedicated to fully absorb the beauty of the place and a dash of bonding time with the people we will be together with for the weekend.
What I enjoyed the most out of this trip was the whole time we were in the village. The village was situated further down the mountain on the other side from where we were staying. We danced to the tune of their instruments, ate lunch which was so fresh and lovely, plus the wonderful experience of harvesting rice from the beautiful rice field staircase of Batad.
With the kids of Batad. Must wear a smile, always, no matter how tired you may be
Say cheese 😀
Magnificent view from behind, pardon us for blocking the view, but our faces all clad with smiles are quite a wonderful view too 🙂
SWEET SWEET VICTORY of having the chance to sit right behind the terraces of Batad!
Look at those intricately structured staircase of golden crops.
Enjoying the sunny day in the village. Meanwhile in Manila, the storm’s pretty ruining the daylight
Photo bummer ALERT! They could be just lurking from behind
And yet again another attack of Rice Field Photo Bummers hihi
Dance to the rhythm and the beat of the shiny gongs!
Just a normal day at the field 😀
This is one great shot of the rice I’ve harvested, too few compared to others though 🙂
View from up the rice terraces, still a beautiful picture of some sites within the area.
WE ARE GOLDEN
-Harvested rice
The fog in the place happen to appear and disappear quite often. It adds mystery to the view.
WE SURVIVED THE EIGHT WONDER OF THE WORLD!
SEA 30 First Semester AY 2012-2013 Classes of Sir Raymond Macapagal
Batad Rice Terraces August 8-10, 2012
Hope you get to be encouraged by the beauty of the place! It surely is a breathtaking moment up there. 😀
Photo credits to Kuya Isaac Sion, Sir Raymond Macapagal and Bea Kalaw
Bittersweet Sensations with Cherries on Top 