Northern Tour - next stop Sagada

After Baguio we continued north, and up-up-up on great but winding mountain roads. Views were stunning and the highest pass above 3000 meters. Six hours and 200 km later we reached the small and very laid-back mountain town of Sagada where we checked in to our simple but cute cottage at the best place in town, Saint Joseph's Resthouse.

 The little town of Sagada, surrounded by mountains, forests and clean air.

 First day, heading for a trek through the famous Echo Valley.

 A little bit steep and slippery, but kids did great, just walked and walked.

And we did spot some of the famous hanging coffins, but didn't really get what the hype is all about. Apparently it costs a fortune in sacrificed animals and other stuff to be buried like that.

We also crossed the local cemetery, Hana genuinely interested in who was buried where, and how come the place didn't run out of people with so many dead.

In Sagada we also spent New Years, with bonfires and loads of mash-mallows for the kids and champagne and drinks for the adults.

Next day we had decided to go for another walk, crossing the rice fields to some waterfalls, but then Hana secretly ate about a liter of a bit old Baguio strawberries before breakfast and got sick and refused to walk. Luckily a picnic up the viewpoint wasn't too bad either. Certainly nothing wrong with the view.

Sagada sure was beautiful, but maybe we are just a bit spoiled, have seen too many mountain villages with amazing views here and and there and came with too high expectations. These places also tend to remind both Keisuke and me a tiny bit too much of work - small remote village with rickety school, stray dogs and loads of children with running noses. Hopefully our stay in the Philippines will be long and one day we return for some more serious hiking! Prepared for the cold and with no overripe strawberries.