Trip to the Big Falls
In the town proper of Sagada, one can ride a public jeepney bound to Aguid, then drop off at Bangaan, which serves as the starting point for the trek towards Bomod-ok Falls. Gareth told us, though, that jeepney trips are very limited (there is a schedule, and that the jeepney should be filled with passengers first before it will take off).
On the other hand, through SAGGAS, you can rent their vehicle for 550 pesos. Drop off point is in Bangaan Village. Our Sagada tour was actually held in 2010, and a blogger-friend told me that when they went to Sagada early this year, in order to enter Bangaan Village, one has to hire their own guide in order to enter their village. So for future travelers, let your SAGGAS guide rest for a day and just rent their vehicle instead to avoid multiple guides.
Going back to 2010, we payed a minimum amount for conservation/environmental fee in the small village we passed by. The amount will help fix the path going to falls, and have it cemented. With Gareth still as our tour guide, our trek finally started.
In going to the falls, the path is all downhill. The only enemy there is the intense heat of the sun so it is advisable that you apply sunblock before the trek.
It took us more than an hour to reach Bomod-ok Falls, which is commonly referred to also as Sagada's Big Falls. But don't worry about it, surely you would enjoy passing through Aguid Rice Terraces, and walking along rice paddies. I enjoyed walking in such a magnificent place because even when I was younger, I never imagined myself seeing actual rice terraces. And right there, I was walking in one!
Bomod-ok Falls look great actually, especially the rock formation where water was supposed to flow.I love how the moss or small plants grow there. But Gareth told us that there is weak downpour of water because of El Niño. We went on a summer season, but when ber-months come, the falls looks even more magnificent: heavy downpour of water heading towards the rocks below.
It was only Karla and Norman who took a dip in the cold water coming from Bomod-ok Falls. I wasn't prepared. I didn't have extra clothes, which is supposedly okay because the jersey will dry off easily, but I doubted my jogging pants. Also, I was wearing shoes (my socks are 100% cotton; I should have used the ones made with polyester). And lastly, I was rich in adipose back then, very unsightly for me to have topless pictures. LOL!
Lesson learned. Next time, I will come prepared.
So here's a list of Bomod-ok Essentials:
So here's a list of Bomod-ok Essentials:
1. Sunblock. Never run out of it for the entire Sagada trip. It may be very cold out there, but the sun is still shining. At most times, it shines harshly.
2. Bottled water. As you all know, all the activities in Sagada requires walking. You can easily get dehydrated, so either bring bottled water, energy drink, or those sports drinks filled with electrolytes.
3. Extra clothes. Preferably, use those that dries easily.
4. Camera. That's already a given. But then again, you'd be surprised at how knowledgeable the guides are to the settings of the camera. And more than that, they know the spots where the view is beyond satisfactory (and I felt their glee every time they know they captured great shots of you in the fantastic spots in their province).
As expected, going back is mostly uphill. It was tiring that we have to stop at certain points to catch our breaths.
After lunch at the Sagada town proper, the afternoon activity is trekking towards Mount Ampacao.
Mount Ampacao is actually Sagada's highest point. Mountaineers consider it an easy trek, but for us, just as usual, it was a tiring trek. But what's nice about our trek is that the mountain gave us a beautiful overview of Sagada. Pine trees also adorned the surrounding area.
Houses in Sagada are typically made of galvanized iron sheets on the outside --- to protect the house from strong rains --- but it is actually made of pine wood inside. And take notice of the Dap-ay, where locals hold their rituals.
Their church is also covered with galvanized iron sheets a.k.a. yero.
I was surprised to see blue cabbages.
There are actually two important landmarks in the mountain: the ranch, and the summit. We did not reach the summit, of course. But when you're already in the ranch, a good 20 to 30 minutes would enable you to reach the summit.You would know you're already there because of the presence of the cell site of Smart.
You can still light a piece of pine wood even if it's wet. It's mostly used in bonfires
for those who camp in the ranch.
And on our way back, we had a side trip at Lake Danum (no pictures, it was already dark), and we were able to go inside the Sagada Pottery.
This is where clay pots are being cooked.
These are the finished products.
And before we capped off the night, we rewarded ourselves with a big dinner at Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant.
Here is the list of entries on our 3-Day Sagada Tour:
