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The weekend in Sagada was one of the best trips I’ve had in a long time. Nothing compares, not even my celebrated mini vacations in Costa Rica.

Sagada is a very beautiful town, words do no justice. The mountains, the daisies and poinsettia, the lovely pine trees, the terraces, the caves, the bats, the walks, the quiet, the chilly air, the quaintness, the lovely food — everything is magnificent, and beautiful, and glorious. No wonder so many artists go to this place. It is poetic.

Life is as simple as it can get with the bonus of having all the beauty around you. As simple as showering with freezing cold water day and night. As simple as having lights out by 9PM. As simple as eating at the carinderia, riding jeepneys, or even walking. As simple as getting yourself hands down dirty and it doesn’t matter.

I don’t even know where to start. There is just so much to tell. But I’m not planning to tell it all here. Maybe just the highlights.

Yah, me, ever afraid of heights, was one of those who conquered Sagada and its heights. The trip to Echo Valley was a chore. I hate passing through narrow trails, with a cliff at my side. This fear of slipping and falling is sometimes  irritating to my friends at best, crippling to me at worst. Next conquest - Big Falls. It is both physically challenging and psychologically challenging for me. Again, because of the heights. I hate not being able to hold on to anything for support, while walking steep trails, where a fall has no end in sight. But the beauty of the falls was all worth it. The dip, even more so. Lovely. So very lovely.

Sumaguing Cave proved to be the best adventure in that trip. Again with the heights, this time, with the added complication of slippery rocks and deep, deep waters. I hung on to the bat-poo-pood rocks like there was no tomorrow. I braved the hanging ropes, and the rock climbing.

Best of all, I was in good company and we had access to good food. Yoghurt house wasn’t at all overrated. Yummy yoghurt and good pasta. We discovered that Bilig Cafe had great pancakes. Don’t know about Masferre’s.

There are so many many memories in that trip. Some even that might never be written down, but are the best memories of all.