Banaue, family

Banaue (population: almost 20,500) is one place where time’s stood still. Their way of life appears to be different altogether. It is all about souvenir shops, art galleries, cafes with a view of the majestic terraces and mountains. Playstations are unheard of. Kids derive their enjoyment from riding makeshift wooden “scooters.”

I am posting here “10 Things to See in Banaue” to guide the traveler and also as a reminder to self. Been only to four spots, haha. Data culled from a Philippine Tourism Authority map.
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Me in Viewpoint

Yay! I was only in Banaue for a record 32 hours, which does not explain the ludicrously long 16-hour trip overland, both ways. But I did enjoy it in the shortest time possible. It made me appreciate once more one facet of our country’s cultural heritage and the greatness of our ancestors.

After being in the beaches the past few months, I was glad to be up in the mountains enjoying all the greenery and the cool air , which turned chilly sometimes. We stayed in the Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel , a government-run hotel dating back to the Marcos era which is considered the best in the area.Even though the “dark” central lighting needs changing, our group enjoyed the priceless view of the mounains from the glass-encased resto. But I thought the best thing about the hotel was the hot shower.One really needs it as the climate in Banaue proved to be colder than Baguio.
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Leo Oracion may have climbed Mt. Everest but am off to trek the great Banaue Rice Terraces this weekend, also known hereabouts as our Eighth Wonder of the World.
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Trappist monastery scenes

It seems I forgot to mention that Guimaras mangoes are the best, sweetest-tasting on the planet!! But somehow, I wasn’t able to have a photo of them in bundles. Didn’t even bring ‘em home for fear that it would destroy my “travel light” philosophy.Anyhoo, another destination in Guimaras is the Trappist Monastery. It’s a sprawling, idyllic compound ably run by the Trappist monks. They have a nice church here and a store oozing with pasalubongs.I bought some rosaries which the priest was only too willing to bless.
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