Playground of the Gods: Bomod-ok Falls

Another popular destination in Sagada that local and foreign visitors flock is the Bomod-ok Falls. But unlike other tourist spot, you will have to endure a long trek before you can get a glimpse of the Big Falls' magnificence.

The Banga-an trail may be the easiest for its paved trail, but let it be known that the steep ascent on your way back is not your usual walk in the park. Be sure you have enough strength for the hike back.

Do not be disheartened by the 40-50 minute hike. Afterall, you will not only be awarded with a view of the majestic falls at the end of the trail, but also breathtaking views of the Aguid Rice Terraces along the way.

Half-way in the trail is a village called Fidelisan where you need to pay a minimal fee of Php 10 per person for the maintainance of the paved trail. This is also the last village that has provisions like bottled water for sale.

The people of Mt. Province are friendly. Do not be shy and say hello when you meet them along the way.

When swimming in the pool below the falls be careful as the water is very cold and the sudden drop might catch you by surprise. Do not stray far from the edge and look before you step.

It is not uncommon to rain in the afternoon. Do not miss the mist over the terraces. It is an enchanting scene.

Getting there:

There are no direct bus trips to Sagada. There are three routes that visitors can choose from: the Banaue route (9 hours from Manila to Banaue, 2.45 hours from Banaue to Sagada), the Baguio route (6-8 hours from Manila to Baguio, 6-7 hours from Baguio to Sagada), and the Bontoc route (12 hours from Manila to Bontoc, 45 minutes to Sagada).

Florida Bus Line has regular trips from Manila direct to Banaue. It leaves Sampaloc, Manila (Lacson St. cor. S. H. Loyola St.) at 9 p.m. From Baguio, KMS Bus Lines and Ohayami Trans leave for Banaue at least twice daily. Visitors can get transportation from Banaue to Bontoc then onward to Sagada via public transportation or hire a private vehicle from Banaue direct to Sagada.

Rates:
Tour Guide – Php 600/group of 10 pax or less
Visitor fee at Fidelisan - Php 10/pax

Must Haves ...
Guide (you can find them at the Sagada Visitor Center)
Comfortable and light clothing
Durable shoes/slippers (it's a long walk)
Cap/Sarong
Sunglasses
Sunblock
Plastic bag/Ziploc (for your valuables, in case it rains)
Bottled Water

Nice to Have ...
Change of clothes (you may want to change [no dressing rooms] or just let your clothes air dry on your back)
Walking stick (for those not good with balance)

Hiking at Shenandoah National Park

The Shenandoah National Park is sprawled over eight Virginia counties. A large chunk of its 105 mile stretch also covers the Appalachian Trail.  Hence, there are over 500 miles (800 km) of trails within the park. One of the easier trails is the Whiteoak Canyon Trail in Albemarle County. It is 2.65 miles (4.26 km) of alternating flat and steep hike over smooth and rocky terrain.

 

 

 

There are six waterfalls along the trail.  The first waterfall is a welcome sight to hikers after the first mile. This is the first of the three Lower Whiteoak Falls and is the tallest of the six standing tall at 86 feet.

 

 

 

Just a few minutes from the first waterfall is the second Lower Whiteoak Fall. It is much smaller in comparison but creates a mini slide for the hikers.

 

 

Along the way, the scenery does not fail to disappoint. Wooden bridge, smooth and rough boulders, small ponds, interesting cliffs, and the Blue Ridge Mountain are just some of the views that you can see along the trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We only completed approximately 2 miles before we called it a day. We didn't know that it was barely a mile more to the sixth falls. Had we known, it might have encouraged us to go on with the hike some more. Or not. Some enjoyed the hike more than the others. For a pack that consisted of one who is afraid of heights and another who was not into hiking, it was a great hike and a refreshing experience nonetheless. Another one for the books.

 

 

 

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenandoah_National_Park
http://backpacking-trips.suite101.com/article.cfm/day-hiking-at-whiteoak-canyon-shenandoah-national-park-va-usa

 

Commune with Nature in Hidden Valley

   

One and a half hour away from Manila, Hidden Valley Springs offer lush forest, century old trees, giant ferns, cold and hot springs, a hidden waterfalls, and fresh air. Tucked between Mount Makiling and Mount Banahaw, it is located in the town of Alaminos in the province of Laguna.  

Here, visitors can enjoy nature without getting it rough. The owners have developed the place without compromising nature. Their main attraction are the hot and cold springs and the hidden waterfall, from which the name of the resort was derived from. Swimming is not allowed in the waterfall bed, but there are  several swimming pools scattered in the area that visitors can choose from. The warm swimming pools are geothermally heated by volcanic rocks from Mount Banahaw, while the cold pools are contiuously filled by water from the mountains of Mount Makiling.  

 

[caption id="attachment_968" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Hot Spring Pool"][/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Lovers Pool"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_973" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="Century Old Trees"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_972" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="en route to the hidden waterfalls"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_974" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="almost there"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_975" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="giant ferns"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_976" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="Hidden Waterfalls"][/caption]

 

A day tour will set you back by Php 1800, but this includes entrance fee, use of all facilities, welcome drinks, buffet lunch, afternoon buffet snacks, and use of the locker rooms. Click here for the overnight rates. Food consists mainly of native Filipino cuisine. The place is a favorite among foreigners, most especially Koreans. Walk-in visitors are most welcome, but it is best to make reservations if you are planning to stay overnight.  

   

HOW TO GET THERE (taken from the resort website):  

Just an hour and a half drive from Manila towards South Superhighway, take Exit 52 (Batangas & Lucena) and head toward Batangas. Take left lane when you reach Y intersection (landmark: Junction Inn Mansion). When you reach the next Y intersection (landwark: Isuzu), take left lane heading to Alaminos. Upon reaching Alaminos, look out for the Caltex Station on the left side of the road. Approximately 100 meters from the Station, take the left lane at the following Y intersection. From this point follow the signs heading to Hidden Valley Springs.  

   

for more photos, click here.   

   

Hidden Valley Springs
Sales office:
Ground Floor Cattleya Gardens
C. Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati
landline:
840-4112; 818-4034
fax:
812-1609  

   

 

Dancing with the Rapids in Pagsanjan

 

Pagsanjan Falls is a great day trip from Manila. It can be reached by taking a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Jam Liner Terminal is located at Taft-Buendia, Pasay).  The trip is around 3 hours and may take 4 hours going back depending on the traffic. 

 

[caption id="attachment_1470" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="approaching the snack bar"][/caption]

 

Get off at the terminal in Sta. Cruz.  Across the road from the terminal, you can catch a Pagsanjan bound jeep.  If you have no arrangements with a boatman yet, you can inquire at the town hall or with the jeepney driver themselves for a recommendation.  Chances are, they have a brother or a relative who is a boatman.

The waterfall is reached by fiberglass replicas of native canoes, paddled and pulled up over the rapids in a narrow canyon by local paddlers.

 

[caption id="attachment_1471" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="fiber glass bancas"][/caption]

 

The first part of the trip is over flat water. When the first rapids are reached the boatmen take over using their bare feet and arms to haul the boats up through the rapids.

Half way is a snack bar.  You may opt to have lunch or just snacks in this unique setting in the middle of the jungle.

 

[caption id="attachment_1472" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="view from the snack bar"][/caption]

 

It will cost you another P90 to go under the waterfalls.  Don’t pass this up. It is much better than a massage at your favorite spa in the city. After one try, you might want to ask for more. No doubt.

 

[caption id="attachment_1473" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Pagsanjan Falls"][/caption]

 

 

for more photos, click here. 

 

Rates (2004)

Bus fare: P125 (one way)

Boat rental: P700 (inclusive of boatman’s take home pay & registration fee, etc)

Boat to falls: P90