Disconnected to Reconnect

Time was suspended in between the sky's clouds and the land's mountains, in a small town called Lubuagan.

Before I embark on another journey to the mountains this weekend--the Cordillera Mountains for the Panagbenga: Baguio Flower Festival--I wanted to share my experiences with last week's trip through the north of Luzon to the Kalinga Mountains. It was truly an amazing experience.

An excerpt that I wrote in an email to a close friend of mine read, "Seriously one of the highlights of my life was riding atop on a jeepney through the Kalinga mountains, rivers, forests, and waterfalls on an unpaved road for three hours to a small village hidden in the mountains. It was surreal. And having moments like that when I do feel mother nature, mother goddess, god, the spirit, the divine, and all that is love, I feel so "high", so close to myself and to the soul of the world. Its moments like those that I truly feel the present moment and everything before and after is a part of that moment...everything matters and nothing else does at the same time... its when I do feel the most alive."

I know pretty deep, but shoot, being so close to mother nature, one can't help but feel spiritual. Here is a pic of me on top of the Jeepney.


Here's another of the landscape that I witnessed for three hours!



The trip was only supposed to be two-days for the 13th Annual Ullalim Festival in Tabuk,but it turned out to be a week's adventure through Northern Luzon. The Ullalim Festival is 4-day celebration marking Kalinga's 13th Foundation Day, in which Kalinga and Apayo became seperate provinces. It's a celebration that brings the different indigenous tribes of the region together.







Following the festival and the trip to Lubuagan, the gang-- who just until recently were strangers to eachother-- went our seperate ways. Paulette to Japan, Paul to Manila and Kulot to Baguio, while Aisha and I proceeded north.



At Pagudpud, Illocos Norte. Saud Beach also known as the "Boracay of the North"



We also stopped and passed through Laoag to meet with my Tito Oscar. He took us to Paoag. The North definately has a different feel to it--very peaceful, clean, and the people so warm. Since everyone in the North speaks Illocano, I definately was reminded of both my Grandma and Mom. The Illocano dishes and the language... the North is rich in culture and natural beauty.

In Paoay


In Vigan, Illocos Sur

Baluarte's mini zoo. Cute ain't he....


Vigan is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Philippines. Hence the really old, yet beautiful architecture.




I had to take a photo of this church looking McDonald's....crazy...


Overall, it was a great adventure. I must admit that I was not so interested in traveling North before-- I don't know why. But so glad that I did. Definately a beautiful surprise. Just another reason as to why I am so in love with the Philippines... A disconnection from the rest of the world for a reconnection with myself=)