It was January when Paul and I visited a family in Lagawe, Ifugao. We decided to have a side trip to Banaue since it’s just an hour jeepney ride from where we stayed.
The experience was so exhilarating and I want to invite Team Injury to a Banaue/Sagada adventure. I included Sagada in the invite because I heard a lot of great comments about the place.
It was until April, 2011 when I sent an invite to my friends. They were excited and want to pull the days so that May 13 comes faster since I scheduled the trip May 13-15, 2011.
The Ride
Seeking a reliable and affordable ride for the trip is a very challenging job. I was cramming when I remembered a friend who has a van for rent. I asked her but she told me it will be expensive if we hire her van since it will be coming from Pampanga. She advised me to get a van in Quezon City area to avoid additional cost of sending the van to the meeting place. I was disappointed of course because I thought the ride will be easy to prepare.
I searched the internet for a cheap ride but it always gives me high quotation.
And then I remembered another friend who has a van for rent. I contacted her and to my surprise she gave me a low price. It was 18,000.00 Php for the van including the driver, toll fees and gasoline. So I decided to book it. On our next transaction, the price went up to 20,000 Php. She told me her brother miscalculated. I haggled for quite some time and our van was booked at 19,000 Php. My guest list went from 12 to 24 so I had to hire 2 vans. Lucky for us because the van driver has a friend who is also expert in long driving.
Ride check!
The Accommodation
I was googling and googling and asking some friends about their Sagada stay in search for a place where Team Injury can spend two nights while in the beautiful place of coffins, caves and water falls. I read a lot of blogs, feedbacks and comments from the internet before finally deciding to book one.
I texted a number that’s highly recommended by bloggers. She was Tita Mary - a retired teacher who is now the manager-owner of Residential Lodge. She’s very accommodating and replied to my texts. I initially booked rooms for 14 people. When the team grew, I booked for additional 12 for a total of 26 people. She agreed without any down payment required.
I was worried that she may not deliver. I have no idea or a picture of the lodge so I was a bit concerned. During my lunch break three weeks before the scheduled trip, I called Tita Mary to confirm. I took the opportunity to ask questions that bothered me like will there be a shower heater, are we allowed to cook our food, where is the lodge located, how can we get there and so on. She patiently answered my queries and I was assured that we will have a nice place.
Accomodation check!
The Tour
I am not a fan of tour packages and I will never be a fan of it. I want to do things on my own the cheapest possible cost I can get.
When it comes to our Banaue/Sagada tours, I relied on my instincts. I did not book for any tour package. I opted to contact some people when we get there and arrange the tour on the spot.
Tour not so check!
The Challenges
Few days before our departure, Tita Mary texted me asking if we will pursue with the trip since the weather condition was not fine. There was the threat of a typhoon and she was worried whether we can make it or not. I asked her if there’s a land slide in Sagada. She told me there was none. It was then when I decided to pursue with the trip. Even our drivers asked if we will push the plan. I told them we will. A friend of mine asked me about plan B if plan A did not materialize. I frankly told him I don’t have a plan B because I am positive and sure that our plan is fine and okay. I think my long prayers were answered when Wednesday came and the sun shined. Thinking about “rainbow after the rain” huh?!
Set backs cleared!
