Lakas ng Trip

• Lodgings in Hapao Rice Terraces
• Lodgings in Poblacion of Hungduan, Ifugao

I was planning to stay in the 100 Pesos/person/night lodging in the Poblacion of Hungduan, Ifugao but when I communicated with the Tourism Operations Officer of Hungduan, Wena Sicat, she told me that I could stay in Giovanni’s Place which was located in the middle of Hapao Rice Terraces for 300 Pesos a night per person.

The last time I was in Hungduan, we viewed the Hapao Rice Terraces and personally I love it more compared with the ones I see on the viewpoint of Banaue Rice Terraces! So when I heard that I could stay in a lodge in the middle of it, there was no other choice but to say yes! And for 3 nights I stayed there enjoying the Rice Terraces, the cold river on the side, the culture and the fresh air.

Below are the available accommodations where you can stay in Hungduan, Ifugao.

Lodgings in Hapao Rice Terraces

Hapao Rice Terraces

The lodgings that I have researched in Hapao are all in the middle of the rice terraces so walking down on the rice terraces is a must. If you want to stay here, tell the driver of the jeepney or tricycle to drop you at Balenga Residences.

From there you can ask locals for directions on how you can traverse through the rice terraces and arrive at the logings.

Think waking up in the middle of the rice terraces. Sweet experience!

Giovanni’s Inn

If you’re more of a laid back person, Giovanni’s Inn is for you as they have rooms with private CR and they also have a restaurant which serves generous amounts of food.

Rates

Food

Dinner and Lunch is 150 Pesos/serving – Rice, Meat and Vegetables

Breakfast is 100 Pesos/serving – Hotdogs, Egg and Rice

Contact Information: 0917-554-4008

Notes » Read more…

• Bus direct to Banaue from Manila
• What if all the direct buses to Banaue are already full?
• What if even the buses to Lagawe are already full?
• How to go back to Manila from Banaue

Bus direct to Banaue from Manila

Ohayami Trans Bus leaving from Manila to Banaue

For clarification purposes, Florida Bus Lines and Autobus no longer does the Manila-Banaue Route.

Ohayami Trans offers direct buses from Manila to Banaue, Ifugao.

Travel Time: 8-9 hours

Fare: 450 Pesos per person – one-way

Schedule to Banaue:

Ohayami Trans Schedule Board

Extra Buses are only available on peak-season where there are a lot of passengers.

If you want to know how you can reserve via bank deposit then check their reservation process here.

Bus Station Location: Corner J.Fajardo, A.H. Lacson, Sampaloc » Read more…

What’s a Pogi Pack?

A Pogi Pack is the male counterpart of the Kikay Kit. It is a container especially made for the carrier of the Y chromosome that may contain the basic hygienic gadgets such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and many more.

The items inside are purposely not be used in any other circumstance other than travel. (usually not followed)

Etymology of the Pogi Pack

I first heard it from my friend, Gian, when we were still addicted to mountaineering. He was thinking of what to call the container where we put our hygienic stuff. He wanted it to be a repeating letter acronym just like the KK of the Kikay Kit. That’s when he thought of the term – Pogi Pack – PP.

Why Have a Pogi Pack?

If you are someone who never learn to pack in advance and does it only about an hour or 2 before you leave the house. You quickly scour through your clothes, your gadgets, flashlights, check your facebook, then panic that you still have not packed your toothpaste and soap only to find out that you forgot your toothbrush and deodorant, which is a no-no to borrow from your travel buddies. Then the Pogi Pack is for you.

It would shave off a few minutes of your time so you could put more time to important matters like checking out what you’re crush who’s coming to travel with you really likes.

Actually, the Pogi Pack is for every guy out there who frequently travels.

Where did I get my Pogi Pack? » Read more…

Walked on enchanting rice terraces, relaxed on a hot spring, swam on a river, stayed in a lodging in the middle of the beautiful Hapao Rice Terraces, got splashed on a waterfall, saw high quality weaving being made, attended a local ritual and got exposed to a gayuma are some of the many great things I’ve experienced on my 5 nights-4 days trip to Hungduan, Ifugao.

Dakkitan Rice Terraces in Hungduan, Ifugao

So how much was my expenses on my latest solo trip to Hungduan, Ifugao? See the list of my expenses below.

• Island Hopping Rates
• Duration
• Notes

Since the jeepney from Roxas arrived a little past 1 PM from Roxas, Palawan there’s really nothing that I could do in Port Barton but to walk around, sit on the beach and talk to locals.

One of the locals that I have talked to offered me an island hopping tour. Originally the prices of the island hopping tour for 2 pax is 1,200 Pesos and for 3 or more pax it’s 500 Pesos each. Since, I was alone I agreed so that I would not pay the hefty amount of 1,200 Pesos all by myself. He said that for the 500 Pesos per person to proceed he will look for other people to join me. We exchanged numbers and I went back to my lodging.

Night came, there was no message that the tour will proceed. Next day around 7AM came, there was still no message so I texted him back to confirm of the island hopping tour. I decided if he does not message me at 8AM, I would have to take the offer of another local who offered me 800 Pesos for a boat for island hopping. I got word that on off-peak season, the boats could go that low. 8AM came, I texted the other local and he replied that the boat will be ready at 9AM.

Beach at Port Barton

Went to meet the local at 9AM and turns out he was not the boatman. So he referred me to my boatman and first things first, we needed food to eat.

We looked for fresh fish so that we could cook on the islands. Though the front of the beach of Port Barton has been filled with accommodations Port Barton is still a fishing village so what we did was we went to people who they knew buys fish from the fishermen and sells them again at the market. Unfortunately, their fishes has either been reserved by the resorts or had been delivered to Puerto Princesa or Roxas via their public jeepneys. We saw a woman peddling some fishes and since it was either too big or too small, we decided that we’re having squid for lunch.

Bought some onions, tomatoes, kalamansi, snacks, water and some cooked rice. Just when I thought we were going to start, he suddenly said that he’ll get some utensils from their house so we can use it. I think that’s good service.

Around 9:20AM we road the boat and it was time to visit the islands of Port Barton.

» Read more…