I had very little knowledge of Sagada prior to this trip; all I knew was that it was going to be really cold and that there were these caves I had to go to.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do the “cave connection” as we didn’t have enough time. We were able to go on a four-hour trek Saturday afternoon, though!

My friend, Charls, on doing things da internets!!!

Meals in Sagada go for 100+ pesos. We were looking for cheap food (when I don’t pack food to work, my lunch usually costs 60-75 pesos) so we went to check the Saturday market. Unfortunately, we were off to a late start so we missed out on the arrozcaldo, strawberries, and the natural male enhancement things (wait, what?).

Saturday market.

Doggy named Ruffy or Raffy. He is a darling.

Striking a “day off” pose at Echo Valley.

I am an explosion of floral patterns (my jacket, my shorts, and my backpack), I know. Don’t dis the shorts! I have had them for seven years, dating back to a time when I was still too shy to wear bikinis at the beach. I have long ditched the bra top because they were not padded and did nothing for my little ones.

Still at Echo Valley.

We then made our way to see the hanging coffins.

An animal skull mounted on a tree near the hanging coffins. Odd.

I forgot where we went next but we got a little lost; for a second, Sly (the guy leading our little group) had me believing we were going to have to make our own trail.

I wish my hair color would stay this way forevs.

We eventually made our way to the underground river except I had no idea that that was where we were at that time. I had been holding in my pee since the hanging coffins and I will not be ashamed to admit that I peed inside the cave/river!!! Not so fun fact: someone took a crap on the trail. It was really disgusting and it’s a good thing none of us stepped on it.

Where I peed. You needed to know that.

Requisite artsy Flickr-esque shot in the underground river.

We ended our hike at the underground river and headed back up to the main road. While some of my friends went back to the town, a handful of us opted to go on to see the small falls. It must be noted that my brunch consisted of a cheap burger; the kind that would make Angel’s Burger look like a gourmet burger, ya know? Amazingly enough, it gave me enough sustenance for the entire afternoon.

At the bibi falls.

Nan.

Nan convincing me to stop being a sissy and to jump in.

IT WAS FREEZING!!! And ew at me in a body of water, fully-clothed.

The view on the hike to and from small falls.

This post already has too many photos so I’ll save the rest for part 3. I miss Sagada, I wish I could afford to go every month.