Picturesque Banaue Rice Terraces (March 13, 2010)

It was already dark when I, together with Ate Joy, Emerson and Emelie, fresh from our sunbathed Taal Volcano experience, arrived at Trinoma mall. Shortly, Ate Juliet Dalupan, my travel buddy for the third time, emerged from the thick crowd. Happy exchange of pleasantries ensued, and we headed straight away inside the mall to freshen up and satiate our cravings for food.

Two taxis ferried us to the terminal and arrived Scot-free. Thanks to Ate Juliet for booking in advance; otherwise, we might have missed the trip, an untimely spoiler for our group travel, and it was by far the biggest.

The following made this memorable trip:

1. Juliet Dalupan -Bulacan

2. Vilma Gonzalvo-Bulacan

3. Joy Resma-Davao

4. Emelie Resma-Davao

5. Emerson Resma-Davao

6. Engr. and Mrs. Mina-Davao

7. Melody Mina-Davao

Our bus driver maneuvered and pulled away from the terminal and made its exit from the busy city, and executed its final ascent to our prized destination: Banaue Rice Terraces!

Nature sight-seeing started as early as the break of dawn. It was drizzling and the cloud of fog greeted us as we approached Banaue. The mountainsides and everything that my eyes could descry were all picturesque and rustic. I was already celebrating the moment.

We rented a van to take us to nearby and remote terraces. As it was still early, a mandatory stop-over for breakfast was all we chorused to say.

Trip to the terraces commenced. As expected, the road was winding, bumpy, steep, but our excitement has wiped out all these minor worries. It turned out to be pure fun and fun again.

At the sight of the first and last, ancient and new terraced-rice paddies, the Banaue Rice Terraces often seen on calendars, photographs and post cards, were no longer a myth but a reality, no doubt!