Bomod-Ok Falls aka Big Falls in Sagada

Following my Sagada Introduction and our Sumaging Cave Adventure
Let me share to you what happened next!

The following day, we were all up early because we were expecting that we will go to Kiltepan Peak. Unfortunately, we were informed that it's not until the following day.  So what we did after finishing our breakfast, we headed downtown to St Mary and walked all the way down to the village proper then back to our house.

At 8am, we then traveled going to Bomod-Ok falls.

From our house it was approximately 20 minutes travel and then we waited for jeepneys to pick us up.   This is us while waiting for our turn to ride the jeepney.

It was then again another 10 minute ride to the starting point of the trek.
When the jeep arrived, we were all excited to hop in, our friends even tried to ride on top of it (hindi ko na tinry, duwag lang)

After alighting the jeepney, we were briefed on what will happen along the trek and checked who among us has a heart problem or asthma.  The tour guide said that the trek is not a joke and its not your normal walk at the park. 
We were advised to get walking sticks to assist us. Of course we obliged.

At first, it looked easy breezy, until I realized we were walking into 100+ steps of stairs already.  It was easy because we were going down but I can already imagine going back.  

Look at that tiny dot (I encircled it), that is our destination.. see how tiny it was from where we were standing.. it means, we have a looooong way to go!

I was informed by our tour guide, ate Jo, that going back and forth to the falls was approximately 6,500 steps, so one way is already 3,250 steps.  Wow! Can we really do that?

Since there were many groups going to the falls, we were instructed to just keep on walking and don't stop and take selfies if we want to.  There will be areas where we can really stop and take selfies and rest.

This was our first stop.
First stop kaya dapat many pictures!

Then the walking continues.

We then arrived at the small village there (I encircled it again), according to Ate Jo, it was the first village in Sagada and there were about 99 household in there. They have primary school there except for grades 5 & 6 because it was already located up town.  Imagine, the students are walking up and down 6,500 steps (back and forth) to go the their schools.  The determination!

Anyways, going back to walking, walking and walking.  You will not actually feel the heat because of the cold breeze, we even walked along the mini rice Terraces there which were fascinating in close up.

Before arriving to the famous falls, we had another photo opp.

Finally, we arrived at the famous falls.  Even if you are at around 500 meters away from the falls, you will still feel its power and be wet because of its powerful current.

Sweets and I also went near the falls to feel its beauty  (no rock climbing for us)
It was sooo brrr cold but it didn't matter because that is what we came for.  

We stayed there for around 20 minutes.

Now this is what I am scared about!! Going back!
I know its going to be hard! Imagine going up the stairs for 3,250 steps! It's not a joke but after all the aching and heat of the sun, we all managed!! 
Thank God no one was badly injured or hurt.

Sharing with you the video that I made. Ahihihi ^_^




After that 6,500 steps, no one from us mentioned if we want to go back to the falls.  If you will ask me if i would want to go back -- my answer is "No".

Not because I didn't love the falls -- but the journey going back and forth is not my cup of tea!  But if you are the "super" adventurous type then go for it -- you will definitely enjoy it!

Tip: Bring an umbrella or cap (mainit kase)
       Wear a light weight long sleeves and leggings
       One way travel (for first timer living a sedentary lifestyle) will take 45 minutes

Xoxo

Sagada: Sumaguing Cave (Big Cave)

Following my introduction blog about Sagada, let me share with you what happened next after we dropped our stuff at home.

We went to Sumaguing Cave. 

It was a one of the tourist spots in Sagada and I must warn you that you have to prepare yourself that there will be a lot of walking and climbing involved.

Here we are getting ready to explore the rest of the cave.
If you can see the people at the left part of the picture, they are our guides preparing to light our way.

Tip: Bring Flashlight that can be tied to your head! haha

It took us more or less 45 minutes to reach the last part of the cave (where tourist can visit) and I can only imagine what else was in there.  We were accompanied by our tour guide, Kuya Theodore, who helped us in every rock and step inside the cave.  You will see a lot of rock formation down there but they were not edgy because of the clear cold water that was flowing in their skin all these years.

The rocks were smooth ones when you look at them but rough enough to hold your feet when you step at them.  Such a wonder how the rocks were formed that way.

This one was particularly called "The Pregnant with Twins".
I had to touch it -- alam nyo na!
We went down and climbed using a trusty and durable rope -- it was not as easy as I imagined. Especially I'm heavy and I had a hard time carrying my entire weight but it was worth the try.

It was edgy going down and the excitement to see what's in there made it more interesting to move forward.  They said that when its raining, it gets flooded in there so we were lucky that it was not raining at that time.  

This one is called "Birthday Cake - Mocha Flavor" may flavor talaga

Because (of course) of its color -- looks yummy!
That white one is cold water flowing over the cake!

Because we were tired walking -- we want to sit and just wait.

This one is the highlight of the cave.
Kuya Theodore called it "King and Queen"

 

This is the last part of the cave!
Kind of edgy at this part already but the water remained to be clear and (so) cold!

I thought it was hard to go deep down the cave, it was harder to go out the cave actually! Though the first part would be a bit breeze because it was all rocks and forms, when you reach the openning of the cave, the stairs will welcome you and you have to climb them all.

I will admit that I was literally catching my breath as I go up but again it was really worth the walk!

Til our next Sagada Adventure!

Xoxo

Dessert: Oreo Cheese Cake

Last two months ago I finally had the time and courage to make this wonderful dessert.  I saw this recipe from FB and tried it at home, one good thing is that it is "No Bake Cake".

It was really easy and you can easily get the ingredients in any grocery stores out there.

Let me share with you how it was done and what was used!

Ingredients:
1 pack Oreo (with 12 packs of three)
1 pack Magnolia Cream cheese
1 pack Nestle All Purpose Cream (Chilled)
1/2 pack Alaska Condensed milk
4 tbsp butter (I prefer Anchor Butter)
Toblerone or Cadbury for mixing

Let's get starting!

For the crust, crush 9pcs of Oreo cookies then mix it with the melted butter, once mixed press it onto your container.

Tip:
° The butter can either be melted in room temperature or heat it.
° Do not press too much! It can harden like rock and you will have a hard time cutting it! (Happened to me ^_^).

Then put it in the freezer for two hours.

For the mixture.

Whip the Chilled All Purpose Cream until it is fluffy and then place into a separate bowl.

Whip the Cream cheese - my technique was the Cream cheese was not placed in the fridge (out from grocery or let it soften for two hours) so that it can be whipped easily.

Once done, pour in the whipped all purpose cream with the cream cheee and whip until thoroughly mixed and creamy.  Then slowly add the condensed milk until you reach your desired sweetness.

To create the other layer for your cake, get a cup of the mixture and place it in a separate bowl.  Add melted toblerone (or your choice of chocolate) to bring out a chocolatey color to the Cream - set aside

Tip:
°do not use Ricoa - it doesn't give the desired sweetness for the Oreo Cheesecake (I love Ricoa for Champorado).
°You can add bits of toblerone for texture

Get your crust and pour the first part of your cream cheese.  Then pour your chocolate mixed cream cheese.

Add toppings of Oreo and toblerone.
You can also grate toblerone on top for design.

Freeze overnight and enjoy!!

Xoxo

Sagada: A Hidden Treasure worth Exploring

It started with a simple conversation over coffee and then in less than a span of two weeks we were off to Sagada.  I know Sagada by name and that it is far north from Baguio, it was also one of the locations in the movie "That Thing Called Tadhana" but I had no clue what is in store for us there!  

For the first time (after all our travels) I had no time to even check what we can visit there.

Based from what I know, you can either go straight to Sagada via Nueva Viscaya or en route Baguio first then to Sagada.   There are a lot of Travel and Tours company nowadays who offers tours and packages to Sagada so you don't have to drive 12 hours long to visit the wondrous place.  In our case, with the help of our friend Arianne, we utilized one.

Our pick up point was at Megamall, it was 9:30pm and then picked up our two other friends in SM North.  Then we went all the way to Shell Station in NLEX to wait for the other van that will also go to Sagada.

You can imagine the 12 hour drive and it was no joke, I slept almost half of the time and we also had to do stop overs for bio break.  It was unfortunate from our end that while we were stretching Nueva Viscaya all the way to Sagada, a trailer truck blocked the 2way road.  It took us around 3 more hours just to pass by that traffic (of course this information came from one of our friends because the entire traffic I was asleep).  We were supposed to arrive Sagada at 6am but we did at around 10 to 11am.

We went straight to have our lunch at Salt and Pepper.

Looked like someone doesn't want to share his mocha shake!

Aminin na kung kanino ito!!! Ganyan kami ka gutom talaga!

After that quick lunch, we were accompanied to our house.  

It was one of Sagada's Homestay and they called it "The Pink House", it has three bedrooms (2 of the rooms can fit 4 people with two double beds and 1 for 2 people). Then it has one bath and a kitchen.  

Okie, first time in our travel history that I wasn't able to take a shot of our house interior.  Can you just imagine the 14 hours travel that we did, it was very exhausting (Sige, next time no more excuses!)

Then right after fixing our things we went off to our first Sagada Adventure.  
Walang Pagod! Gora lahat!!!

What's next?

Xoxo