Surviving Sagada Part 1

Our leave policy changed last year and that resulted to limiting the carry over annual (vacation) leaves (AL) to only 10 days for Asia-based staff. It's supposed to force us to have work-life balance. But I simply don't get it as it would just require us to use 30days of AL this year then be back to use 20 ALs (assuming we still want to have 10 ALs carry over) as what we have been doing in the past. *roll eyes*

So with 10 additional ALs to spend last fiscal year, it was hard to think of how to spend those wisely (by wisely I mean relaxing, budget friendly and memorable). So Keith, Rodel and I thought of extending our trip to the Cordilleras after our Pulag adventure. Initially, our plan was to spend a night in Baguio to rest then Sagada the next day or two, then Banaue before going back to Manila.

I didn't really know much about Sagada. It was just that it is a must see town in the Cordilleras, aside from Banaue which is known of its rice terraces. All that I could remember was my geology professor speaking about limestones in Sagada which proved that the Cordilleras was under the sea.

Mt. Pulag - First Attempt

Up to now, I don't know what went to the minds of my friends at work why they decided to become outdoors people. After camping in Nagsasa, next thing I know we were already planning for our trip to Mt. Pulag. We initially intended to have a preclimb activity but our work schedules were so tight. With our fingers crossed, we booked our Mt. Pulag adventure.

We decided to take a trip package, as we did in Nagsasa, so we wouldn't worry about food and camping stuff. Well, most of us are first time mountain climbers so we need some help in Mt. Pulag. Note, it is the highest peak in Luzon so this is something major. So we got in touch with Nino's friend Alain to arrange our trip.

Preparation meant shopping for some gears. We needed some trekking pants, trekking shoes, big bag, sleeping bag, fleece jackets and other stuff to survive the cold weather in Pulag. I thought 3K budget each was all that we needed. It covers the package only: transportation, fees, food. Nobody mentioned it would cost more since we didn't have trekking stuff! Tina and Annie went with Keith and me to Divisoria to shop for some stuff and they said, "mas ok pang magbeach, 'di kelangan ng damit at madaming gamit!" Well, they were totally right!

So it was me, Keith, Lee, Bobby, Nino, Logan, Rodel, and Chris to Pulag. Tina wasn't able to come as she can't take a leave on her new job and Glenn hasn't been cleared yet but his doctor to go trekking. Bobby invited his cousins and their friends and that's another 10 people... Sorry didn't get all their names, too shy but we all got along.

The plan was to take the Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail. It is called the executive trail since it's the easiest. Another trail, called Akiki trail, would take climbers 3 days to reach the mountain's summit.

Baguio Revisited Part 2

We were really tired in our first day. We originally planned to get up early to pick some strawberries in La Trinidad then visit BenCab Museum and dine at Cafe Sabel. But we woke up a little bit late and you know how much time girls take to prepare. So BenCab and Cafe Sabel were scratched off the list.

Weather was good when we arrived in the strawberry farm. It wasn't strawberry season so no picking this time. Shopped for pasalubong instead! 

Went back to Baguio and had late lunch at Forest House. It seemed like forever whil waiting for the food to be served. 

Baguio Revisited

What to blog about??? It's the re-birth of my "online journal" so I'll just start this off by telling how I celebrated my birthday last year. And here it goes...

I wanted to have some time away from everything. I felt that I need to go somewhere but my budget was tight and there wasn't any airline seat sale. Baguio was the destination that went to mind easily. I figured, I could just ride the bus one night, sleep on my way there and start my adventure when I wake up in the morning. No plans. 

I checked out some hotels online and found some discounted rates. I opened up the idea of going to Baguio to friend at work, Xan, who will be celebrating her birthday a day after mine. She said she could take some time off for herself as well and we invited two more girl friends at work as we had an idea months ago to have a weekend getaway to Baguio as well (that didn't happen due to some marital technicalities which I will not discuss further). 

So the idea of having no plans was scratched out. Hotel was booked ahead. We got the priciest accommodation at a low rate. We all wanted to eat somewhere local delicacies are served or somewhere which is only known in Baguio. Xan got this all figured out and poof! She sent our itinerary.