Luzon Loop – Sagada onward

The second leg of the Luzon loop by motorbike starts in Sagada. I broke up the loop into 2 pages so that it doesn’t load too slowly for those with slow connections – including myself.

Many travelers come to Sagada to explore the caves and see the hanging coffins. I chose to just chill out for a few days because I am burned out on caving and it had been raining every day for the past week.

I did take this picture of some coffins visible from the road but was not interested in taking pictures inside the caves this trip.

This break was a good chance to wash some clothes and enjoy the hospitality of the Sagada Home Stay. The home stay has a beautiful view of town,  has beds for 200 pesos,  kitchen privileges,  wi-fi and is the best value that I have run across in Sagada or anywhere else in the Philippines.  Karen – 09197028380 , 0919498218

Sagada colors

Bontoc at the Churya-A hotel. The food here is good and the rooms are not a bad value.

Drying rice alongside the road in Bontoc.

The trip through Bontoc and over the mountains to Banaue is usually a piece of cake but there had been a landslide that took most of the day the clear.

 

Waiting at a sari sari store while the road crew works on clearing the road.

Steep terrain makes these landslides common during heavy rain. Road closures are not unusual but these men make short work of getting the way open again.

It was a wet ride to Banaue.

The following morning was warm and sunny!

Banaue Ifugao at the terrace viewpoint.

Landslide on the way to Hapao.

There is no room for error because it’s a long way to the bottom should you slip – the reward was not worth the risk for me in his case.

These guys took their motorbike across but the slide was very steep and unstable so I turned back.

These Ifugao people are very sure footed.

Muddy road to Hapao.

I drove up to the saddle and walked down to Batad today. This is one of the most photogenic rice fields in the area.

Ifugao man

Hanging bridges are used extensively through out the mountain provinces.

Backtracking to Sagada to get to the Halsema Highway.

Sagada

The highest point on the Halsema highway – 7400 feet.

Heavy rain began just as I arrived in Baguio. It was an unpleasant ride but I continued on to La Union since I was already wet. I did have rain gear on, but the rain always seems to find a way inside.

Baguio City on a clear day – picture from an earlier trip.

The road to Bauan in La Union is a long steady downgrade and was uneventful except for a large tree that was uprooted and blocking all the traffic. There was just enough room to slide the bike under it so I was able to continue onwards.

The most miserable part of the entire trip lay ahead – getting through Manila!

Recommendation -  Sagada Home Stay

This home stay is worth noting if you plan to stay in Sagada. It really a good value and the kitchen is immaculate!

Karen – 09197028380 , 0919498218

Another thought that was reinforced in my mind after this trip  is the absolute madness of taking a small bike through Manila. Is it worth the pain?

Sagada onward