Travel

Ifugao: Journey from Banaue to Batad

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After the bus ride from Manila to Banaue, the jeepney we were riding on was heading into the town center of Banaue. We first stop at a lodge with a restaurant. Breakfast was definitely on my mind and stomach, but I had to make sure that we get a jeepney and hopefully we would get others to join us to lessen the cost.

The town center of #Banaue, #Ifugao. #Philippines #RiceTerraces

A photo posted by Lakas ng Trip (@lakasngtrip) on

I approached the guy who was helping us arrange the jeepney to Saddle Point in Batad. He was already talking to another tourist.

He told us that the price for the jeepney rental from Banaue Town Center to Batad Saddle Point was 2,800 Pesos/jeep and we had to split it among the passengers. Lucky for us that the other group was composed of a family of 7 persons. Since we are 3 persons, the payment for the jeepney would be 280 Pesos/person.

The guy continued explaining that it was now different from my previous visit to Batad. The roads are cemented and extended nearer the Batad which cut the hiking time from 1 hour to around 20 minutes.

Itinerary: Batad – Hungduan – Banaue, Ifugao

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I have a feeling that my effort to layout all the expenses on our trip to Batad, Hungduan and Banaue will somehow make you confident on traveling to these places, but I also have a feeling that just laying them out there as a list is still not enough so I am also providing our somewhat real itinerary.

The itinerary below is very close to what we really did in our trip but I’ve modified it so that it would be easier to understand if you are also planning on a trip to these places.

To be specific, I adjusted the time to be closer to the nearest 10 minute of what really happened to us.

Check the itinerary below.

ITINERARY

Cherry Bus: Night bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, Palawan

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What happened before?

Last year (2014), I had a flight departure at 7:20 AM from Puerto Princesa to Manila. My plan was simple, ride the RORO Night Bus from El Nido that leaves at 10PM. Arrive at Puerto Princesa at 3AM and wait for the check-in time at the airport at 5:20 AM. Fly at 7:20 AM. Simple plan but the small details were the ones that made that night miserable.

Cherry Bus: Night bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Inside Cherry Bus

Here’s what really happened. I rode the bus. The bus arrives at Puerto Princesa around 3AM. Tricycle drivers fought for my attention. Rode an overpriced tricycle ride to Chowking. Spent the remaining time drinking coffee because I was alone in a public place and I am afraid that my bags would be stolen. 5AM rode a tricycle to the airport. Check-in for my flight. Went on a coffee drinking spree again at the predeparture area for me not to sleep so I would not miss my boarding announcement. Personally experienced that coffee is a diuretic 30,000 feet above sea level.

I told myself that I would never ride the night bus again, unless I really need to.

[sam id=”18″ codes=”true”]

What happened with Cherry Bus?

Last June 6, I had a flight from Puerto Princesa with the same departure time, 7:20 AM. And since I was really enjoying my time with friends I decided to just catch the night bus of Cherry Bus which leaves at 9PM and do what I did again. The benefit of having quality time with your friends really outweighs the risk of taking in liquids that enhances the movement of body fluids. Right? Right?

My mind was ready and I was hoping my bladder was ready too.

Anti-Social Socialization

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We were waiting for our orders in a restaurant in El Nido when all of a sudden we were staring at her quietly as she taps away on her iPad. Then she noticed us.

“Uhm… Okay… I don’t want to be the anti-social here.” and she puts her iPad inside the bag. We all laughed how she delivered that line then all verbal conversations started from there. And we all lived happily ever after 12:01 AM.

Anti-Social Socialization

Many times I would check my phone and by some unknown sociological force I end up being absorbed in my social-media-life that I forget to live life on where my physical body is.

Scheduling for a Crowdless Travel

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Parties, street dancing, parades, concerts and many more occasions that creates a surge of people to converge on one spot is not really my thing. I prefer crowdless travels. Travelling with two or three people. Conversations while doing long slow walks without hearing the boombox on the background. Sitting by the beach while hearing the waves. I prefer meeting a few people and getting to know them well than meeting a lot and the amount of attention varies from person to person. I look for quality than quantity.

How does a guy in a country who has a festive spirit all year round go?

I frequently do short travels since 2006. It’s been more than 6 years and I’ve observed the dates when there’s really a lot of travellers. Stressing on the local travellers. Here are a few notes I had to achieve a high probability of crowdless travels.

Travel on a non-holiday weekday. If you’re a person that has a flexible schedule then you should try travelling on a weekday. Most people have a 9 hour job on weekdays and they spend their time travelling on weekends. To avoid the other travellers, travel on a non-holiday weekday. The only con of this is that most of your friends can’t travel with you, but if you’re comfortable enough, then travel solo.