ONE YEAR! One year? Yes, this blog celebrates its 1st birthday today. ONE YEAR. ONE BLOG ENTRY! Whew! Such an accomplishment! Hahaha..
To celebrate itChing Soles' birthday, let's HHWW (hold hands while walking) down memory lane. Ready?
Two weeks after this blog was "launched" (still remember the launching party? hehehe..), itChing Soles traced its footsteps back to the Land of Gentle People, Dumaguete City. This time, ALONE!
Ooopppsss... How can I forget you, Divi - my travel pillow (oh, how I've missed you!) and HoChi - my ever reliable day backpack (I know you are now happier with Kaye. She loves you a lot that she tossed her school bag for you.)?
That first solo trip was as memorable as it was equally embarrassing having 'Kuya Sam' moment in between. The 'Kuya Sam' episode will surely have its moment here. So, stay tuned. :)
Unless very much fascinated with the place (like Sagada), it is not me to go back to a place I've once visited. But this year, I've got the chance to see again (my 3rd) the once 'eight wonders of the world'.
The Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoint, I would say was not that impressive when we visited in Septembet 2012.
A bit far from this one (because I'm in the picture..hehe), taken during my first visit way back 2008.
And too far from this one, taken in May 2011. Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoint in its, i would say 'seductive' shape. But this still, cannot beat this one.
The Batad Amppitheatre Rice Terraces! If the Viewpoint seduces its admirers, this one gives you the chance to 'make love' with her. Its beauty is literally breath-taking! It is beyond description. And walking on its very steep rice paddies makes the trip, a 2-hour trek from the saddle, UNFORGETTABLE! You know, that trek (especially the return trip after spending the night in the village) that makes your every step a super EFFORT (in bold, with underscore). I was near to crying my heart out, but thanks to my fifty-ish friend who stood up to the challenge. So, crying was not an option despite the constant reminder of a previous year's knee injury plus all the soreness of the previous day trek. It was indeed an experience I would never get tired of sharing 'til i get old and gray.
But what makes this return-trip to Banaue memorable was the visit to Kiangan, Ifugao where the famous World War II Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita was captured. In his 'honor' (or better said, in his memory), Kiangan, the oldest and historical place in Ifugao put up this shrine.
"Oh, it's a long long while
From May to December
But the days grow short
When you reach September."
This "September" song lyrics by Willie Nelson is sooo not true. The month of September was such a loonnnggg month with the travel plan set for said month became very elusive. And finally, when travel itinerary was set and bags were packed, this happened...
Trip CANCELLED!!!!
Typhoon Ofel was the culprit! Ofel may have ruined our itinerary but not our travel spirit! The next available trip is ----- YEAR ONE, Part Two! See you on board!
