Spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

Spelunking at Sagada (Sumaguing Cave)

Thrills of the Cave Connection

       Spelunking, like seriously, who doesn't want to try it. Just its root word "spelunk" intrigues me. I have never experienced it, well at least  until now, and the best part of it is my first will be on Sagada! Go big or go home! Caving is the main reason we traveled all the way from Manila to Sagada for 12 hours, nowhere else in the Philippines compares. I planned our trip to Sagada with caving in mind. In fact, I spend my free time hunting for the right gear for spelunking, like aqua shoes, polyester dri-fits and the likes, you name it. I ended up, spending one-thirds of my budget. It's all worth it though, I get to experience the thrills without the hustle of the obstacles resulted by wearing an improper attire (like what my brother endured).

With our Tour Guide (Awkward) and my OFTC (Outfit for the Cave)

       The tour package we acquired on cave exploration is a one-way trip entering the Lumiang Cave and leaving thru the Sumaguing Cave, thus the name "Cave Connection." The tour is well planned geographically, not that they can manipulate the cave or whatnot but the wow factor increases as you go further inside the cave. The experience is SURREAL, truly a dream come true. The hefty price tag was all worth it, decoding rock formations and discovering a lot of the cave's biodiversity was awesome.

King's Curtain with my Bro

The Peeking Turtle

       So what's the best part of the experience? It is located at the heart of the cave, the waterpark! Natural pools, honed by the flow of waters rushing through the limestone. I immediately feel the urge to bathe. I splurge into the water, it is ice-cold. Although extremely clear, we were advised not to consume any of it, but then again you only live once. I drank it, just for the sake of curiosity, well it taste like nothing just like other water. The tap water not as pleasurable as this water though.

Nature's Infinity Pool, Awesome right?

Dive into the Cave's Glory

       Overall my first caving experience will be difficult to mimic, expectation will be high for my next spelunking adventure. Two thumbs up for the these natural wonder. Even only for the cave connection, Sadaga will be worth revisiting in the near future.

Sumaguing Cave's Facade (Kawaii!)

Off to Bolinao, Pangasinan

Patar Beach

Thumb's up for the corals! (fyi, that not moss)

     It's summer! How lame could it be to pass a summer season without heading off to the nearest beach and escape from the scorching breeze? This summer, I've been fortunate enough to be on a lot of places together with my two siblings (all expense paid, HAHA!). Since we're dealing with local beaches, I have been to two of them and is by far the best and the worst for me.

My Brother and My Nephew's Striking Sunset Pose

     Patar Beach, is by far the best beach in my travel log. The powdery white sands, the corals, the fishes, the sunrise and the crystal clear water. What more could you ask for? Don't get me wrong, I've been to Boracay, the only thing that it stands out is the night life not actually the beach. 

My Sister's Family on Bolinao's Lighthouse

     Here in Patar Beach you have all the things you need on a beach, swim with the fishes, search shells on the corals, hunt sea cucumbers and many more. Never will you be bored in this beach. There's plenty of things to do. Oh a quick trivia, their school is located on the seaside! I know right, it's effin' cool! I wonder how their student's concentrate with the sea luring them by it's beauty.

     The lighthouse! This is my first time to see a light house and luckily, my first lighthouse is said to be the second tallest in the Philippines. It's grand and beautiful. I was sad to learn though that the building next to it was wiped out by a typhoon. It would have been classic with it's spanish-inspired architectural heritage. It was then abandoned and no one's taking care of it now. Nonetheless, I'm still lucky to see the ruins. I hope that the government will take care even the last of it.

Grotto inside the Cindy's Cave

     Unexpectedly, we have encountered a cave on our way to Patar Beach. We grabbed the opportunity to explore the cave. It was advertised to have a pool inside of it. It does have a pool, and the amazing part of it is that it's not stagnant but rather flowing water (but it does not compare to the one's in Sagada). That not the only thing that surprised me, I was shocked that you can own a cave! Yup, it was owned by someone and I am so pissed knowing natural wonders should be a government property for the sake of tourist to admire. It was horrible due to the fact that those "owners" remodeled the cave's natural physique. Well that's that, a minority will never be heard.

     Getting there though is quite a challenge, for you will have to endure 8 hours of travel time. That is already by a private vehicle. Don't mind engaging to go there, it's all worth it. 

Food and Cuddling Moments

     Before I end this, what's the worst beach? It's in Infanta, Quezon. Since it's a negative judgement, I'll  just leave a gist in form of a word: Plankton.

Claimer: I own all the photos.