I AM happy and satisfied from my last trip to Sagada. Every year during this same time of the year, I with my family will head out away from the city to this place. Always during the flower festival parades.
This time was just perfect. Not as much visitors as every Juan was here the week before. The Chinese New Year. A three-day long weekend. It was a four-day weekend for Baguio and a chance to get out earlier.
For this year, since we are always there, Joy decided to try and check some new places out. Something we have not yet done or a place we have not been to.
First was a quaint out of the way Heritage Coffee House. Some 5 kms. from the main road, leading to Bom-odok Falls. Getting there was quite a challenge, narrow roads, sinking sections, sharp curves and one lane only. Even parking was a problem.
We go there for adventure and we get it. We check ourselves in. A complimentary brew is immediately offered for us to try. It was good. Even my other daughter just had to try it instead of water or tea.
We soon went with our plans to go visit Banaue right away. We get there but after some delay from the tight and twisting roads and heavy fog. We get to see nothing. We dine instead in the Banaue Hotel. Food was ok as usual. I asked if coffee was complimentary, they say not. We leave.
At 4 in the morning Joy and I decide to head out to Kiltepan Peak and try to witness once more the chaos there every day. My daughters decide to just sleep in. We walk. We need coffee by then. It is mostly 3 in 1 all around. We find some Sagada brew, we are satisfied. It was prepared as when we just ordered it. The lady was somewhat happy some Juan ordered it.
After sunrise we walk back with Joy. As we reached our place we take a shower and wake up the kids for breakfast. We had an adobo that was coffee infused. It too had a complimentary brew with it. I leave before attending a meeting. Yep it's not all just for fun driving all the way, I will work too. Nothing comes free for all this fun.
We had learned that the coffee we just had, had just won a prestigious award for coffee in Paris, the Concourse AVPA. Their SGD coffee won the 3rd International Contest of Coffees roasted in their own countries of origin in Paris for 2017. A coffee tour was offered for us guests. I wanted to join but the meeting was calling.
Upon check out we are immediately asked to go to town for our next place of stay. This time it is the Sagada Heritage Village. Our choice was the big Ifugao hut. It can accommodate 6 to 8 people. There was just the 4 of us.
The roof of the hut actually covers the whole hut itself. It was perfect for us as it was also private and exclusive. For this trip it was for some rest, peace and quiet. Some recharging from all the busy hassles of weeks past.
We request for some massage for us four, at P400 we are happy. After all the driving it is much deserved. After the massage we head back to town with Joy and get dinner. Dine in it is for us this time. Just chilling and enjoying our own hut. Pizza and Crepes it will be for takeout.
Upon reaching our hut, the men are chopping wood and burning a duck. I asked if it was for pinikpikan and they say yes. They also say that I can join them later on after it is cooked. Pinikpikang Pato. By this time I am wanting for my baon of cognac xo to get things started.
Joy particularly was attracted to the 24 hour complimentary Sagada brew for this place. Indeed it was. She soon gets her cup and mine, mine with cognac of course. We enjoy our simple dinner inside our hut. Pizza Hut.
Afterwards I soon join in with the men just outside our hut, where a dap-ay is, we sit around the fire and share stories. Apparently while Joy used Agoda to find this place, it is my name that is registered. It was familiar to them. They have their kwatro kantos. I my cup of cognac. With our drinks, ice is melted. We are now friends.
I spoke of whom I knew in Sagada and they in Baguio. The usual politics is talked about. I am just glad to be seated by the fire with friends I just barely knew but feel like I am very welcome. It is just not this way anymore in Baguio.
I retreat back to my hut, my girls asleep while Joy was fixing her school lessons. We soon close the hatch to our hut and call it a night.
Early the next day we decide with joy to begin it with coffee. It was hot, it was good, it was free. We have three. While doing so we just set around the place. We begin to plan for next.
Today I am asked for where the place would be. I highly recommend it. An experience I haven't tried for so long. A unique experience.
We asked for the girls to wake up, freshen up then we can walk out for brunch before checking out. We find Gaia. Nothing new here. There was nothing too. It seems everyone had asked for something the days and nights before.
Until I found some beer. Sagada Cerveza. There was one made out of upland rice, the other of pine, yes pine, then I had the sunflower honey, yes beer. Soon I had to order their Gaia Sandwich, it was a veggie pattie with vegan mayo and ketchup. It was ok. At least I had a Burger and Beer breakfast. A first again in Sagada.
We walk back home to our huts and start packing. I was saying my goodbyes to the men I spent the evening with in the fire. I promised I would return. I will also endorse of these places that are. Brewing in Sagada.