Lessons on the Road | Batad

The thing that makes me want to travel more is for the new things, lessons, and experience. The people I'll encounter, the stories that the locals will share, and the trip itself make my every paglalakwatsa fulfilling.

Starting 2011, I thought of compiling all the memorable things that made me pause, think, smile, and appreciate life more.

○ Lessons learned in Batad, Banaue ○

Stephanie, a French tourist
○ ○ ○
After an exhausting trek, I asked her if she's used to doing this in France...
"Not at all. I wouldn't have done it if I were back home. But there's nothing I wouldn't do now that Im finally here in the Philippines."
○ ○ ○
I can totally relate. I remember I got sick while traveling in Siem Reap but I just can't stop specially if I've traveled more than 4,500 miles to get there.

Dandy, tour guide in Batad
○ ○ ○
on a conversation with the topic of different nationalities...

"jokes: I don't come out to see the world. The world comes here and see me."
○ ○ ○
I love your job! ♥
○ ○ ○
for Batad's tour guides and rates of vehicles,
please contact Dandy Umhao at 0910.346.5310

Nadine, sister of Stephanie
○ ○ ○
after our "isolated experience" in Batad...
"I only start getting scared when I saw you got scared too."
○ ○ ○
oh well, I would have been scared too if I saw that scene in your country
(full story on my next post)

sir Toto, my companion in Batad
○ ○ ○
upon hearing that the French girls got scared...
"I have a friend in the military but it's still difficult for him to hit his target in 40m range. Specially now that it's dark. But since the man (shooter) is drunk, he might get lucky. =)"
○ ○ ○
I smiled the widest when I heard this. An ice breaker to all of us.

○ More interesting things I learned in Batad ○

Do-It-Yourself cigarette, French girls said tobacco is very expensive in France
kala ko nung una droga itong nasa papel! ^_^

90 and 100 year old women of Banaue
○ ○ ○
This is the first time I saw a person as old as she is. She cannot see anymore. And most of them can't stand straight too because they've been doing heavy work in the terraces all their lives.


She has never wore a slipper too, ever. That made her toes look like these.



wooden scooter in Batad
○ ○ ○
They use this ride to transport heavy things. The photo above is not the ordinary scooter they use everyday, but this one's made for the racing event which takes place in Imbaya, their festival.



Bulul, rice god in Banaue
○ ○ ○
Every house has its Bulul sculpture. This is placed on top of their rice containers. Locals believe Bulul will give abundant supply of rice, and it also serves as guard too (the sitting position of the sculpture explains why)

I thought I'll only be impressed with the breath taking view of the rice terraces, but I was wrong. This Batad trip became more memorable for me because of its people, the rich culture and their tradition.

my complete Batad trip. please see:
Dont Tell my Mother What Happened in Batad