Sagada

Nature shots of picturesque Sagada.

Our usual morning view of the clouds rolling in

 

People in Sagada speak good English, a good FYI for tourists

 

The famous hanging coffins

These hidden coffins are for pregnant women and babies

At the church yard

 

You can reach Sagada through three alternative routes with almost the same travel time and fare: 

• via Manila - Baguio City - Sagada route

• via Manila - Banaue - Sagada route

• via Manila - Bontoc - Sagada route

Check out our post of Sagada's famous Sumaging Cave.

Sokcho Part Two

Day two in Sokcho.
Destination: Seoraksan National Park.

This was probably the highlight of my last trip to Korea. I enjoyed seeing the natural beauty of the Park, learning about its history and immersing in the culture of the South Koreans.

Little kachi, South Korea’s national bird. It is a symbol of good luck for South Koreans.

The Bojero (pavilion in the foreground) and the Sinheungsa (Buddhist temple). This temple is believed to be the oldest Zen temple in the world.

The Bojero and the Sinheungsa.

The Bronze Buddha. The Great Unification Buddha, a 48-foot, 108 ton gilt-bronze Buddha statue, called “Tongil Daebul”, sits atop a 15-foot high pedestal, of the same material, making the total height 62-foot.

People put their prayers in stone slabs, while others pile their stones for good health and prosperity.

We rode a cable to car to get a better view of the Park from the top. From the viewing deck, you only have to take few more climbs up the snowy slopes to finally reach the peak. 

The view was indescribably magnificent and inspiring.

Sokcho Part One

Let me take you to South Korea. But not to Seoul nor Busan (will post about them some other time), but to Sokcho.

It is more than a day's drive from main Seoul to Sokcho, specifically to see the majestic Mt Sorak. Seoraksan is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range in the Gangwon province in eastern South Korea. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

We started off for Sokcho (from Seoul) by mid-afternoon and reached our hotel for the night, Seorak Pine Resort, past 8pm. We checked in and then immediately proceeded to the Taepo Fish Market for some seafood to feed our hungry tum-tums.

Sokcho is definitely one of the best places to sample all the spoils of the sea - including king crabs, manta rays, squirts (first time to see and taste one!) and anything else you can fish out of the ocean. Every seafood was on display in tanks of constantly filtered seawater with everything alive. Talk about fresh.

 

Our main course of the night - King Crabs.

Squirts. First time to see and eventually taste them.

I found the crabs very delicious and filling. On the other hand, I found the raw fish and squirt combo too, hmmm, raw for my taste (Blech!). The presentation is superb though.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel for some ice cream and coffee while watching Korean pop stars invade the world. Slept a little bit over two hours and then was on our way to Soreaksan National Park early the next day.

Eden Nature Park and Resort

Nature tour around the Park.

Other activities in the Park:

• Skycycle 

• Zipline / Skyrider

• Horseback riding

• Fishing

• Swimming 

Tel Nos: (+6382) 2990313; 2991020

Email: info@edennaturepark.com.ph

Website: www.edennaturepark.com.ph

Hof Gorei Beach Resort

"Hof" is German for Farm. "Gorei" is short for Gregorio. This lovely beach resort in Samal Island is owned and run by a German and his Filipina wife. We booked a night's stay in the resort, not expecting much, considering that the place was not as pricey at around 2,500Php a night compared to the other hotels in the island. But boy, were we wrong!

We had our own personal butler, to start with. I have never had my own personal butler, not even from any other 5-star hotel! Hannah welcomed us, toured us around the resort, served us our breakfast, lunch and dinner. She was amazingly punctual and attentive. All we had to do was ring the bell. 

The resort also had two resident hornbills. One of them was our regular friendly visitor - making sure to invite himself every time we had our meals. 

Our little round hut was just lovely. The room was airconditioned, we had our own fridge and television. We also had our private dining area and wash areas. Absolutely no complaints there. 

The meals were delicious and the presentations were just amazing. I especially loved their Chef's Salad and Pollo al ajillo.

Chef's Salad

Fried Ice Cream

Grilled Burger

 

The resort has free boat transfers to and from the Sta Ana Wharf, Davao City.  
Websites: www.hofgorei-resortdavao.com and https://facebook.com/horgoreisamal
Contact Information: info@hofgorei-resortdavao.com and hofgoreiresortdavao@yahoo.com
+63 9228646814; +63 9177113868; +63 9209667564

Sumaging Cave

They say that you've never been to Sagada if you've never been to their Sumaging Cave. 

We paid 285Php for a 3-hour caving adventure (we skipped the 4-hour cave connection tour which would cover the Sumaging cave and through the Lumiang cave ) with a local guide, slipping on slimy rocks smelling of bat poop, squeezing through narrow gaps and wading through waist, sometimes chest-deep, chilly dark waters.

Dangerous but Exhilarating!

Breathtaking view on our way to the cave, which is a 40-minute hike from the town proper.

That's Southern Sagada. The Philippine's Little Montana.

Sumaging Cave is known for its unusual limestone formations.

The hidden turtle.

The chocolate cake.

The rice terraces.

The Sumaguing Cave is also known as The Porn Cave. This is the Queen.

This is the King.

You can reach Sagada through three alternative routes with almost the same travel time and fare: 

• via Manila - Baguio City - Sagada route

• via Manila - Banaue - Sagada route

• via Manila - Bontoc - Sagada route