Travel: Sagada -- Adventure Day 1

• Day 1: Half-day

• Lumiang Cave

Following James/Awingan on our way to Lumiang Burial Cave.

Around 2:00pm, the van arrived. Sir Jake was there and he was the one driving the van, and he introduced to us that the one who will be our tour guide. His name was Sir James/Awingan.

After the introduction, we headed first to the Burial Cave. We first took a hike. As what Sir James said, it will be just a warm-up for us. We walked up and down and passed a lot of trees and rocks. Upon arriving at the said cave, he discussed a bit of history about the place and how the people, their ancestors were buried in a manner like that of a fetus. Since we were born in this world with that position, it will also be a good way to bury us in the same position (please feel free to correct me with this); probably in connection with reincarnation or something more important with the Igorot beliefs. He also mentioned about the coffins with lizard markings, which means that the person buried in that certain coffin was lucky or probably lived a lucky life.

The coffins.

Even though we were given permission to go down and to take photos with the coffins, I hesitated. It is not because I was afraid I might fall down, but I was just being too careful because I just don't want to disrespect the dead ancestors.

So after the Burial Cave, we went up where we entered. We walked again having breathless moments. I felt my body was starting to adjust with the weather. I felt I was breathing thin air or something. I tried to breathe in deeply until I can feel I was okay. Sweat poured down my face and my hair was so soaked.

• Sumaging Cave

We got into the van and drove our way to the famous Sumaging Cave, which is also known as the Big Cave.

We went down and found the first group of people getting an introduction about the cave. We listened, and we watched as Sir James prepared his kerosene lamp. He said that he has a backpack which we can ask him to place our important stuff if we have any, especially once we get soaked with water inside the cave.

Tita Grace did not went down with us. So it was just me, Chi, and our tour guide Sir James who went inside the cave.

It was my first time to be inside a cave. I was having thoughts if there were snakes inside but I did not ask. All I can think of was the bats.

A big smooth rock inside the cave.

I learned a lot from Sir James that time on how to safely get down from the rocks. He said that if you feel you cannot go down with your feet and legs, you can just sit and stretch your legs as you go down, which was really helpful since I am clumsy with heights. All I did was follow the steps he stepped on and things were easy. There were parts that were slippery because of limestone. When he asked us to remove our shoes for us to have a better grip of the cave grounds, it became easier to walk inside the cave.

No shoes.

I was starting to sweat again and this time a lot of the people noticed that there was smoke coming out from my body. I guess it was body heat adjusting to the very cold weather.

We climbed again. Up and down the walls of the cave. He taught us a lot of stuff inside the cave. Some stuff that are cool enough to know or imagine. He made us imagine about the different figures from the rock formation. He also showed us the “natural paintings” found inside the cave walls. He had some jokes to share which made us laugh and made our trip inside the dark cave a lot of fun.

The Queen.

The cake that Awingan told us to look at.

Hot Spring anyone?

The turtle.

We did not get to reach Level 3 of the cave because it seemed it will be hard for us to get down. So even though Sir James assured us it will be safe, it was our fear that somewhat stopped us. But thanks to him for making us feel safe all the time.

So there, before we went out, we just had another set of lectures from our young and intelligent tour guide. He told us where the exit of the Crystal Cave is if ever in the near future, Chi and I would decide to do cave connections.

• 5:00pm ETD from Sumaging Cave. We waited for the van, and got back at GGH. We took our shower and changed.

• 7:00pm ETA at Masferre for dinner. 
• Dinner: P200
• 8:00pm ETA at Youghurt House for dessert. I ordered the Yogurt with Strawberries and Bananas.
• Dessert: Yogurt: P75 - P90
• 10:00pm ETA at GGH for bedtime.

Day 2: Read On...

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A list of people to thank for on my first trip to Sagada:

Chi | Photos

James/Awingan | Tour Guide and Photographer

Sir Jake and Manong Renz | Van

SaGGAs | Tour/Itinerary

Victory Liner | Bus

GL/Lizardo | Bus

George Guest House | Breakfast, Lunch & Lodging

Salt & Pepper Diner | Lunch

Masferre Inn and Restaurant | Dinner

Pinikpikan House | Dinner

Yoghurt House | Dessert

Rock Inn and Cafe | Breakfast & Orange Picking

COOP | Lemon & Orange Pies