A Walk in Batad

Nine years ago I went to Sagada. On the way to Sagada, you will pass by Banaue. The famous province or rice terraces. My recent travel to Banaue is quite different compared to my other travels. I went to Banaue with my friend who is experiencing some troubles in his life. My friend said that he feels that Batad, which is a town in Banaue, is his happy place and he would like to go there. However, he does not want to go alone because he feels that time that he cannot process whatever he is feeling. He was able to convince me to tag along with him.

We left Manila on a Thursday night. We booked a ticket at Ohayami Trans a week before the scheduled date. Ohayami Trans is located in Sampaloc, Manila. We arrived in Banaue at around 8:00AM. Upon, getting down the bus, there are a lot of locals offering ride going to Sagada or Batad. You should be a bit cautious about this because some of them charged extremely high. We opted to ride a tricycle that will bring us at the end of the road where the trek going down the village of Batad begins.

We stayed at Ramon's Homestay in Batad. The Ramon Homestay in Batad offers a traditional Ifugao hut where tourists or guests can stay. Our overnight stay in the house costs P 1,800.00. I think they charge higher during peak season but since its lean season it was offered to us in a discounted rate. The hut where we stayed has three beds. There is no electricity in the hut. There is no light or electric fan. One of the staff gave us a flashlight which served as our light during the night. There is a separate toilet and bathroom that guests can use. Aside from the traditional hut, Ramon's Homestay also has rooms with toilet which is at P900.00 per night. Ramon Homestay gives you a perfect view of the rice terraces.

The first thing we did when we reached Ramon's Homestay is to eat breakfast. While waiting for our breakfast to be served, we talked to a tour guide for our itinerary. The guide told us that we can go to the viewpoint at 11:00AM and then to Tappiya waterfalls. There are different view decks in Batad where you can see the whole rice terraces. There are two view point which are located at the highest part of the rice terraces. We chose the viewpoint which is much nearer Ramon Homestay and which has the same path going to Tappiya waterfalls.

Going to the viewpoint and Tappiya waterfalls is a test of stamina and endurance. The trek is not easy. you have to go up and down the rice terraces.

However, even though how tiring the trek can be you will be rewarded by jaw-dropping view.

Our trip to Batad was really short but it was definitely worth it.

Photowalk in Baler

It's been a year, one year and one week to be exact since my first visit in Baler. And I'm back to this town! Admittedly, I can't help it. When I left Baler last year, all I was thinking is when will I go back. The sun, the sea and sound of waves are calling me back to this town. I can't decribe how I feel when I'm in this town. What is weird is that I don't surf so there's really no reason for me to visit this place. I'm also not a good swimmer so the beach isn't also a big factor. But there is something in Baler that me make always go back.

My trip this year was different from last year because now its all about work. I was tasked to organize an out-of-town photowalk for our photography club in the office. So the logical thing for me to do is think of a place that I have been to where there can be a lot of elements for photography. Baler is the first place that comes out of my mind.

Baler is a perfect place for photowalk. There's a lot of things to see and do in Baler. Just staying in Sabang beach for a few minutes will keep you busy in capturing moments of everything around you.

Since I've been to Baler, I also know what is the best time to do the photowalk. Well, most of the surfers get into the sea early in the morning or late in the afternoon which is also the best time for photography because it is the golden hour.

We left Manila at around 3AM and reached Baler at 11:30AM. It was a long drive but worth it because we were able to see some of the beautiful sights on the way to Baler.

We were already hungry when we reached Baler so we decided to have lunch first before we settle in our room. We had our lunch at Surfer's Grill which my officemates became interested to when they learn that part of the grilling will be done in the old Volkswagen car. Aside from the ambiance of the place, the food is Instagram worthy.

After having our lunch, we first took a short nap. We woke up at 4PM just in time to take some photos in the beach. We walked along the boardwalk and took some photo. At around 5PM we rented a tricycle to bring us to Diguisit beach to do some photography in the rock formations.

Taking photos of the rock formations is a bit challenging because first there is no flat area where you can put your tripod, second there's wind and waves that makes your tripod shaky. It was already dark when we left Diguisit rock formation and headed back to out Inn.

We rested for a few minutes in our room before checking out the best place to go for our dinner. Near El Teodoro's Inn, the place where we are staying, is a restaurant where beautiful lights are hanging in their tree. Honestly, we agreed to have our dinner at the restaurants because we were very much attracted to the lights in the trees. The name of the restaurant is Khubli. 

I can compare Khubli to the restaurants we usually have in Manila. The difference that Khubli have with the restaurants in Manila is that though it looks posh, you will still feel the ambiance of Baler. Also, the food pricing is decent enough unlike other resorts or restaurants that is pricey just because they have a view of the sea. A must try in Khubli is their paella and pizza. They also have a wide variety of beer and other booze which is not also that expensive.

The next day, we woke up just in time for the sunrise. Yep, it's an early photowalk for us. We walked at the stretch of the Sabang boardwalk for like two hours getting busy with our camera and just engulfing a beautiful morning in Baler.

Our tummy started to ramble an during our photowalk we saw the buffet breakfast offered by Bayler View. Their buffet breakfast costs only Php 200.00 per head and you can avail it even if you are not a guest in their hotel.

My companions decided to take some swim in the beach before packing up to go back to Manila. I can say that our trip to Baler is an incredible photowalk experience.

Photowalks in the Philippines

2017 was a very challenging year for me. It even hinders me to do more photowalks. My photowalks even at the latter part of the year. Nonetheless, I was still able to take some snap during my travel though they are not photowalks.

My first travel last year was in Baler. Clearly, my travel for Baler was not for photowalk but I was able to take some nice photo on my weekend stay. Photos of Baler will not be complete if it does not have anything about surfing. 

After a day's work

 However, there is more to taking photos of surfers in Baler. The baywalk in Sabang beach is perfect spot to take photos. 

Baler is also a perfect place for food photography. There are a lot of restaurants and hidden nook in Baler wherein the food and place should become part of your Instagram feeds.

Chicken Adobo at Kusina Luntian

My first official photowalk was in BGC. Since BGC is very colorful at night, the photowalk was done at night.

Aside from the beautiful lights in BGC, the business district is still full of people even at the wee hours of the night. There also seems to be a lot of things happening in the place.

My second photowalk was in the art capital of the Philippines, Angono. Angono is the home of Carlos "Botong" Francisco and Lucio San Pedro. Angono also is a home of many museums. I visited two museums, a lake and a church on my photowalk.

Nemiranda

 

At Blanco Museum

The Lake

In preparation for the Fiesta

The last photowalk I did was in Intramuros which happened on the early part of December. The photowalk is on street and night photography. I think there is no introduction needed for Intramuros as it is one of the most common place for photowalks. Intramuros is a perfect place for photowalk especially if you are just learning photography and you are inclined to do street photography.

 

Hoping that I will have more chance to do photowalks this 2018.