Banaue

After yesterday’s drama with my back, today there has been a change of plan: instead of exploring by Jeepney as we did yesterday, we are going to be using the vehicle we came here in from Manila, which we dubbed ‘The Royal Carriage’ as it has throne-like seats and is incredibly comfortable. This is one of the many reasons why we only take private tours these days: the ability to make changes without affecting anyone else.

We head further up into the hills this morning with another guide, a local woman called Paulo.

A young lad takes a bath alongside the road

Recycling

Old Mountain Dew Bottles never die, they just get upcycled into roadside art, signs, and even a rubbish bin in Banaue.

Just outside the small village of Hunduan, we stop to register at the tourist office.

Drone

We stop on the side of the road to fly the drone for a different view of the countryside

In the second place we stop, Paulo invites some local girls in national dress to join us for photographs.

Hungduan

David, Rey, and Paulo go off to try and find a toilet, and somehow end up in the Mayor's Office where a welcome dance for officials from the Ministry of Agriculture is taking place. They are told quite categorically that it is not laid on for tourists.

Family Tomb

I spot some large animals at the side of the road, and ask Paulo what they are. While Richie (our driver) turns the car around to go back for me to take photos, Paulo explains that they are tombs: the largest one belongs to the father of the family, and each one of them contains bones of various family members.

Dad’s Place

We stop for lunch at a restaurant called Dad’s Place, with views over the rice terraces below.

Bageo Beans

Chicken Tinola Soup - chayote and spinach with boney chicken

Chicken Curry

Chips

Pink Sauce - Banana Ketchup mixed with Mayonnaise

Sisig - a popular Filipino dish made from minced pork (including jowl, ears, and belly), and chicken liver, which is usually seasoned with calamansi (small lime), onions, and chili peppers - this is my favourite dish this lunchtime

Milk fish - the national fish of the Philippines

Christmas is a huge celebration in the Philippines, and preparations usually start in September. We see lots of decorations going up while we eat.

Each year a race takes place down the winding roads of this area, with participants riding home made scooters such as these.

Just as we are leaving, a couple of old ladies in traditional outfits turn up, and later a man joins them. Now too old to toil the fields, they pose for tourists for money instead.

This young lady is 89 years old

Her friend is 90

The chap is, apparently, 91 years young.

On the way back to the hotel, we stop for more dronography.

I love the way they have created a small pattern in one of the fields

The mist is coming in now, with a bit of rain in the air, so we head back to the hotel.

Hair Colouring

I take the opportunity this afternoon to brighten up my barnet* a little with some colouring. (*barnet is Cockney Rhyming Slang for “hair”, rhyming with Barnet Fair)

Thank you to Undiscovered Destinations for arranging this incredible Grand Tour of South East Asia