A glimpse of Belwang

February 14 – Oh, its valentine’s day! My friend Melanie and I decided to spend the day by traveling. Fortunately, a friend invited us to visit their place Belwang! We were thrilled since it’s a place new to us. Belwang is one of the 8 barangays of the municipality of Sadanga in Mountain Province. It sits on the high mountain surrounded by wondrous rice terraces. 

We took the 6:00 am first trip of Rising Sun Trans at Slaughter compound, Baguio going to Bontoc. At 12 noon, we were already at Bontoc. The first trip of jeepney going to Poblacion, Sadanga leaves at 2:00 p.m. so we leisurely had our lunch.  The jeepney however left at quarter to 3p.m. after being fully loaded with passengers inside and on top.  At 4 p.m., we were already at Poblacion, Sadanga. Mel and I were taken aback when we saw the road ended at Poblacion. We did not expect that! We were actually clueless of where we're going lol! The two of us usually do our homework before travelling like inquiring everything about the place we're going, how to get there, things we need, etc. etc.. However this time we just packed our bags with the bahala na si superman attitude. :) And that superman happened to be BradPittMesiong - the one who invited us in Belwang! When BradPittMesiong pointed where Belwang lies, we braced ourselves and prepared for sakamobile! lol! There goes our valentine’s day adventure! We trekked up on our way to Belwang!  

That's Belwang on top of the mountain. Up up we go!

Hiking up to Belwang proved to be an excellent off the beaten path travel site! It took us 2 hours to trek the ridges and terraces of the rice fields, stopping every now and then to admire the magnificent views.  I bet the locals can hike from Poblacion to Belwang for only an hour.  At 6 p.m. we were already at our destination. Our host informed us that on the outskirts of Belwang, one can explore the Fwa-as falls and Angoten cave.

A gloomy day greeted us the next day but that did not stop us from visiting the Fwa-as Falls! We hiked 45 minutes on our way to the falls following the concrete irrigation canals. Soon enough we can hear the heart thumping sound of the falling water.   

BratPittMesiong - who resembles Brad Pitt when he's 500 meters away! ;)

BratPittMesiong

  
We concluded the day with the smooth goodness of Fayas or Basi (a traditionally brewed sugarcane wine). We drunk to our heart's content hihi!  

On our third day - time to go back home. 

Sa aming mga butihing hosts, little Banayan, lola Banayan and Kelvin the Mr. Bean, dakkel ay iyaman!

We still have unsettled thing with Belwang...the Angoten cave (a cave believed to be connected to Sagada caves).....so we'll say "see you again Belwang!"