Spelunking in Sumaguing

I had a seminar at Teacher's Camp in Baguio with the OFWs through the initiative of OWWA on June 8 to 10. After the seminar I met up with Marget, Fr. Tito, Lola Bebot, Lenlen and Karla on June 11 to go to Sagada the next day which happened to be Independence Day on June 12. There was only one problem. I had a camera but forgot the charger at home. Marget had a camera but did not have the battery which was left charging in Cebu. We went to SM to try to buy a battery and charger for her camera but there was none available. Marget ended up buying a Canon Rebel Series EOS 1000D. The Canon made it possible to document the whole journey with pictures that captured the scenes and the mood perfectly.

Happy Birthday Lola Bebot

It was a bumpy and dizzy ride to Sagada on the Starex of Arnel, 40 per cent of the roads was still under construction. We made several stops for picture taking along the way for the breathtaking views.

At the highest point of the trip

Another viewpoint

Lunch was at Mt Data Hotel

It was a 3 hour ride and we got to Sagada before sunset. We stayed at St Joseph Inn. It was P1,200 per night for a room with two beds. There were options of P250 per head but they were all fully booked. It was a simple inn with hot water and a nice view. Sad to say we missed Game 3 and 4 since there was no TV not internet in the hotel. We went the Lemon Pie restaurant where Fr Tito and Lola Bebot played a game of sunka while I desperately tried to get a youtube of the game on Marget's I phone since the place had WiFi but there was no luck. The universe was telling me to forget technology and the NBA finals and just focus on the vacation instead. So I resigned to the fact and rested on knowing I could still catch Game 5 on Monday. We had dinner at the Yoghurt house which was packed full of backpackers and other lowlanders.

The next day we woke up early to take pictures of the mountains as the sun peeked and eventually rose.

After breakfast at the St Joseph Coffee Shop we proceeded to the Dept of Tourism to register and get our guides (it was P500 per guide). Our guides were Arsky and Orion.

Our guide Orion with his trusted lamp


the 3 ladies with our guides


The entrance to Lumaing cave

We first went to Lumaing Cave and saw the hanging coffins and debated on whether we were going through Lumaing and exit in Sumaguing or just take the Sumaguing cave.

...

hanging coffins with a skull peeking

We opted for the milder Sumaguing challenge which turns out to be a challenging cave as well. There were some parts that were easy enough but others where it was slippery and wet and dangerous too. There was even a point where we had to climb down a rope. At the end of the cave was a pool of cold water where you could take a dip. And then you have to climb up again to get out.

The King

It was well worth it and we made sure we got the pictures to show the world the adventure of three grandparents and a priest took with two ladies. There have been accidents in the caves which took some lives already so it is not something you should take lightly in case you decide to go. And if you decide to go book it through Destination Specialists and they can give you a head's up on how to best enjoy the spelunking and other activities in Sagada and Banaue.

We survived the Sumaguing Cave in Sagada. After the gruelling challenge we all trooped to MasFerre for a sumptous lunch with our guides and then went straight to Banaue. Had lunch at the Mt Data Hotel and Stayed at the Banaue Hotel and the next day went to visit the rice terraces and get an idea of how Ifugaos lived off the land and get a sense of the culture.

The Spelunkers


101 year old Ifugao and a 65 year old Lola Bebot



Then it was back to Baguio before going home monday after watching Game 5.