well folks another fantastic weekend. on friday evening around 10 pm we (being my housemates and i as well as our co-worker dan adan) boarded a bus for the 8 hour journey to the 8th wonder of the world the banaue rice terraces. and they were a wonder.
due to some mechanical difficulties we arrive in banaue about 10 hours later. we didn't smell too great but we arrived!! at the bus station we joined forces with 5 french students and off we went in our rented jeepney for the weekend. of course given our expertise in jeepney riding we opted for the roof top seats. so up, up , up we went to the top of the jeepney and up, up and up the jeepney creeped into the mountains.
it was about an hour trek up to mountains to the saddle of the batad terraces. the saddle is the farthest point motorized vehicles. from that point on the only mode of transportation is by foot. we left our jeepney chariot at the top of the mountain and descended down to the town of batad, an approximate hour hike all down hill. we were sweaty, really smelly but happy to arrive.
we all settled into a primitive yet more than adequate "hotel" with a great view then ben, our tour guide for the day, led us through the terraces, over and around another mountain to tappiyah falls. so being the ignorant tourist you look at these terraces and you think, "oh they look like steps. perhaps the height of your knee or something." well folks that is not how they roll.... these puppies are probably 7 feet tall and to "simply" walking through them takes balance and some strong leg muscles. ben waltzed through our hike with his flip-flops without breaking a bead of sweat. meanwhile the fat americans and thin frenchies were gasping for breath, sweating like it was our job and taking breaks whenever possible. it was pitiful.
but the end result of that hike was well worth it... tappiyah falls. a 100 ft or more falls with a cool swimming pond. since none of the catholic crew brought their swim suits it was underwear swimming for us. all except for losing my drawers a few times (underwater, of course) it was a delightful swim.
the hike to the falls marked the ending of our downhill hikes for the remainder of the trip. it was an uphill journey for the remainder of the weekend. so we hiked up to our hotel from the falls (okay legs getting a bit sore), then the hike up to the saddle to catch our jeepney sunday morning (alright feeling the burn). needless to say i am quite thankful for the sizable thighs inherited from the stoltzfus family and my former life playing softball.
all in all it was well worth the soreness that persists even this morning as i write this blog. such beauty and just another reminder of our great creator!!
and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, dad!! i count my blessings on a daily basis for the person you have been and continue to be to me. thanks for life, acceptance and love.
blessings.
as always my story does not do the trip justice but there are pictures!
2 comments:
I'm embarassed to say, but you've already seen more of the Philippines that _I_ have! The photos and stories are awesome. Keep it up!
I thought this story was going to end in a make out party. your title is misleading.
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