Down from the Cordillera

This lovely woman shared her birthday brownies with me and had me join her for breakfast.  Filipino hospitality is for real!
I took a day for a nice hike before leaving Sagada.  The fern trees are a favorite.
A bit sketchy getting by this on the trail...
While having a fairly heavy presence in the mountains, the police are friendly and helpful. These two helped me avoid a nasty 4-wheel drive road.  
Rice terraces are found all over. Bryan caught up after an excellent tour of UNESCO sites.
After more ups and downs, including another steep 1000m climb, we hit the flats along the west coast.
Lots of corn (pig feed) and tobacco growing.
Judging by the prevalence of churches and signs praising Jesus it's a religious country with very active Protestant sector.
On the way to Vigan we made it to the sea...
Via some interesting non-highway routing
Vigan has a nice, if touristy, UNESCO-listed historic district.
Best food yet, mediocre craft beer and a pretty good fountain/light/music show.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

and we're off!

Image
Car, bus, plane, train, bike and ferry transportation today - that covers most of the options.  I met Mo in the Seattle airport and Al at the ferry to Bainbridge Is.  With all the travel and logistics it was a short ride of 24 miles this afternoon. Mo slicing mushrooms for dinner Big trees, blackberries everywhere and so green - we're not in Colorado?
Read more

On to Oregon

Image
The next leg saw us mostly along the WA coast with our first rain, lots of mudflats, oysters (mmmm), and crossing the Columbia River into OR at Astoria.  Today we took a day off and relaxed. Lots of cranberries growing  Oyster shell piles all over  My trusty steed The Astoria waterfront and the bridge we crossed yesterday. Clean clothes! And of course some tasty microbrews.
Read more

Travel, reentry and reflections

Image
  Getting home went smoothly, but it sure took a while!  I definitely enjoyed a bacon cheeseburger, salad and double IPA at my brother's (thanks Derek and Matthew!) in Oakland for my first meal back in the US.  We had a basement flood right before I left the Philippines, so it's been less relaxing to be home than usual.  Things are under control and we're on track to get repairs started soon.  Extra thanks to Noel for dealing with everything plus an emergency while I was away.   Highlights:  Friendly and helpful Filipinos!  I really enjoyed seeing all that goes into growing rice, which is the primary food for so many people worldwide.  Tropical birds, beaches, snorkeling, fruit, weather, etc. in January and February.  Touring Takeaways:  I prefer camping some/most of the time as it gives some independence (not tied to finding lodging) and much more time in nature.  Time to buy easier gears for climbing!  Not sure I'll tour in the tropics again as the humidity and warmth
Read more