Banaue Rice Terraces

I see it on tv and I really want to see it because I really wanna travel the Philippines ;)

but much too touristy for my taste. Blame the anthropologist in me but I had a hard time feeling comfortable with a place that’s come to revolve around obnoxious foreigners who will pay anything to hear somebody play “native” music dressed up in a ceremony outfit. The terraces are unbelievably gorgeous but I would go elsewhere in the Philippines to see them; somewhere that hasn’t been changed so much by tourists.

One of the most breathtaking sites in the PI. First, it’s much cooler, so you won’t be too hot – a good place to slowly get acclimated to the temperatures. If you plan on going to visit the terraces, go early and you will probably have time to make several stops along the way, otherwise, it’s just a bumpy car ride up and back.

Finally… like a ghost I can now move on to the light.. hehe… I had been waiting for a long time to visit this place. I visited it alone, so I guess it’s more meaningful for me. =)

I didn’t stay for a long time though. I just bought some souvenirs and then went straight to Sagada for the night.

I just want to see it. gaze at it for thirty minutes then go home.. maybe for alittle extra i would like to have some coffee while taking alook at it…

Is that so hard?

I have just gone to Banaue 3days ago.The trip was pretty tiring but the place is worth the visit. The ambience is very conducive for relaxation and reflection. Indeed, a perfect place to unwind.

and to that i say AMEN!

Went to Banaue to kick off the Department Of Tourism project that I was shooting for. Alright… Lemme emphasise the situation… I was contracted as a freelance videographer and photographer to do a DOT project. The job would take us to all of the major eco-tourism spots in the Philippines from Luzon, Visayas allll the way down to Mindanao. Needless to say I was very excited to get the travel started.

Took the 8 hour bus ride to Banaue without much discomfort (we had travelled by night and i splet like a babe). When we got there though, shit started hitting the fan. Coordination and cooperation from the Local Government Unit was poor. The Mayor was nowhere to be found when we were scheduled for our courtesy call with him. The local tourism officer was a blockhead. And he hooked us up in a lousy and over-priced resort in Batac, where we were to shoot the terraces and a nearby falls. And on our last day, we were made to hike 3 kilometers through like… 4 mountains from Batac to Bangaa (which was totally unnecessary and out of agenda) so that the porter and guides could make a quick buck out of our need for them, since we were carrying equipment with us along with our own belongings.
Food was over-priced too! On the way to the falls, one would get tired, quite naturally, cuz the climb down was steep and long (so you could only imagine how hard it was to trek back up). There were stops along the way that sold un-cold softdrinks for a whopping 30 pesos (8 oz. bottle)!!!

So, what could possibly make it worth visiting??? Well.. of course them rice terraces are spectacular and the falls in Batac is tall and powerful. The nights are cold and every piece of scenery in evry direction seems picturesque and fantabulous! Of course, if you’ve got the money to burn for such an experience, then yeah… do go! :)

i think this is the largest rice terraces found in asia. hire a local to guide you for your trek among the rice paddies. check out the centuries old houses of the ifugaos.

hope i can go there soon…