You know the first time I heard of the word "spelunking" is when my friends suggested that we must go to Sagada and try spelunking.. and I was like, what the hell is spelunking?  Apparently, they saw a video of Ramon Bautista, the internet action star about Sagada and spelunking, which is another word for caving.  Would you like to see the video?  Follow this link.. and that's exactly what we did.

The morning after, it felt like we couldn't move a muscle.. but it was all worth it; the experience, it was really awesome.  And also we're lucky for our tour guide; Ben, who took this awesome shot

Sumaguing Cave Sagada

and the rest of our photos inside the cave, and also who took good care of my camera and us of course.. but I suggest you bring a waterproof camera because you'd probably get wet for there are parts where you will use both your hands in climbing up and down, and crawling.. I did a lot of crawling.  Also, you can swim inside.. there are pools.

So here in the Sumaguing Cave is where the Sagada buwis-buhay adventure started, on this steep, slippery, dark entrance.. choose your slipper wisely.

Sumaguing Cave Sagada

And do you know why it's slippery?  Because bat poops, and they're everywhere.  Try to look up and say aaah.

Sumaguing Cave Sagada

Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

Sumaguing Cave Sagada

After this, we were asked to take off our slippers and leave them because the rocks we'll be stepping on is feet-friendly.. well it's rough, but it's actually got a very nice texture.  I'm not really good at explaining, you touch it yourself.  Go ahead.

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

And like any other caves, Sumaguing Cave is also known for some of its rock formations.. do I still have to describe what this is?

rock formations at Sumaguing Cave Sagada

And the following is like the rice terraces of Sumaguing Cave.

rock formations at Sumaguing Cave Sagada

fossils in Sumaguing Cave Sagada

I don't know what these two look like, but they do look pretty awesome. so yeah.



And the pool.  I think some part of it is deep.

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave Sagada

And it's time to go.  And yes, this is the only way of getting out of the place.

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

But before that..

spelunking at Sumaguing Cave Sagada

There have been news though about missing persons/tourists inside this cave, because there are really dangerous spots.  But this activity is very rewarding, just be extra careful.. and always follow your tour guide if you still wish to the see the sunshine.

Actually, there was a storm before we went to Sagada, which caused the heavy rain while we were in Baguio.  Some parts of the road were still being fixed, and there were landslides, and the fucking bridge they improvised was.. well it was passable because we were able to.  But I was sitting next to the window and I could see how small the distance was between the tires of our bus to how high we could fall from.  I was actually thinking to myself, am I still going to live?

And we're super lucky because our bus driver was really good, and he's quite a responsible driver.  The roads in Mt. Province going to Sagada were very dangerous, honestly.  I had some shots where we were on the top of the mountain and like touching the clouds.



Some people who saw these photos actually thought I was hiking when I took it, but I took them while on a moving bus.

Sagada by the way is 7 - 8 hours bus ride from Baguio.. and that long trip didn't make me sleep.  I was actually glad I didn't, because these could not have been taken.

Benguet Rice Terraces

Mt. Province, Philippines

And these are the rest of the shots in Sagada..



Sagada Church

The bus going back to Baguio leaves at 6am so we just ate our breakfast while waiting for the bus, and those two? in front of the church? were eating noodles.



Travel Tuesday