Banaue Rice Terraces cont'd - WE SURVIVED BATAD!!!

The terraces in Batad were nothing short of spectacular. The photos don't even come close to doing them justice. Almost a whole mountainside cared out and transformed into beautiful, evenly formed terraces. As I took in the view, walking along a ridge I chatted with some local boys, one of whom was learning to play guitar and adding to the moment through music and song (not the boy in the picture).

As we begun our perilous journey through the terraces and onto the waterfall the sight was even more amazing close up. The sun sparkled on the water the shoots sprung from and the fresh green of the grains gently waved in the breeze creatig an occasional gold tinge.

Balancing on spaced rock steps I was in awe at the children who played on these ridges perfectly comfortable where we had to exercise caution. One boy off in the distance decided to play a little game - yelling out 'hello' and then disappearing behind the fields.

Walking through . . . I wish I had words to describe. It was like being in another world, another time. I felt transported. My only wish that I could experience all of this for a time as one who belonged rather than a tourist. I think my favourite moment was walking on a ridge in the midst of the terraces, while a gentle breeze provided relief from the stifling heat and gazing at a cluster of thatched huts in the distance. So peaceful, so tranquil.

After which, haha, the real work began - the journey onward and upward - why oh why did I put so much in my bag? And why oh why had I only had aobut 3 hours sleep in the past 48 hours. But luckily, this is where my camp training of being able to put aside exhaustion came in handy!

Steps, steps, extreme heat, massive amounts of sweat, and more steps , glimpses of water a river, and then . . . the waterfall.

Gorgeous - mist, greenery surrounding beauty. The fall at Fundy's three vaults was really just as impressive and other ones I saw in Korea - for much less work - but, the effort made this one have a different and special level of enjoyability. The water looked so inviting adn the mist descended upon us, haha - very idyllica nd so words like tthat are necessary.

At first I just rolled up my pants and waded in but after seeing our travelling sompanion dive uder I was just too tempted. Modesty would have to go out the window. So, me who hasn't even worn a bikini since I was about 9 years old stripped down to my underclothes in front of two strange men and went for a dip! The water was just cool enough to be refreshing and it felt fabulous to be swimming in fresh water at the pool of a waterfall. Scared of the water knocking out my contacts - I didn't get too close to the chute. But yeah - Whoo!!!

First a foot massage from the current then a full body refreshing. Very much needed for the ealk back that awaited us, even more steps and hills up, up, up. Walking back through the terraces, seeing the beauty and then trekking up through what could certainly be called jungle (despite the fairly clear footpath), I felt alive. It was hard, but we conquered. They had shirts that said 'I survived Batad Rice Terraces'. Serene wanted to get one half way through but jokingly said she hadn't earned it yet and wasn't sure if she would!

When at last we made it back to the jeepney we all piled in and laid down for awhile. AFter we were told we could ride atop - however, we were all too wasted. Laying there, I couldn't forgive myself for wasting this opportunity and ventured up. It was just as beautiful as before and within moments my fatigue was forgotten. I chatted with John, took in the lives of the people and was awed by a huge expanse of mud wall terraces I hadn't noticed on the trip up.

We decided we didn't have time to see the Banaue terraces from the viewpoint (or money) but the restaurant we quickly ate at probably had a view that was equally impresswive, if in a different way. Not only terraces, but mixed with a bustling town on the mountainside.

A mad dash later, and back on the overnight bus to Manila.