Day Five
Fresh from a trip in IvoryCoast , Calatagan, I was invited by the song writer /composer Rodolfo Fernandez to
visit their beloved province of Nueva Vizcaya. When I received this invitation
I was a little hesitant, as I have never heard of any must visit places in the
onion and garlic granary of Luzon . Nevertheless , I am more curious on places
less visited and I was breathing deeply, crossing my
fingers to discover something new and interesting in the not so known place when it comes
to tourism.
Before dawn, we assembled at the bus terminal of Victory Liner in Kamias, Cubao, Quezon City and took a reservation ticket for 4:30 am departure bound for Tuguegarao. At noon we alighted at Bone South, Purok 6, Municipality of Aritao in Nueva Vizcaya.
Through the Valley of Onions, Garlic and Bread?
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Pagbuburas or Harvest at the field. |
We slowly strolled the path towards the foot of Mt. Ynordenan where we planned to set camp for the night.
Walking along the narrow unpaved
road, we saw the vast field planted with onions in the valley of Aritao that reaches as far as our eyes can see. It was also timely that we visited the place
on its harvest season and most of the farmers were all busy picking up the
onions from the fields. Locally they call this activity as
" "Pagbuburas" .
The valley is divided by a long shallow river, requiring us to cross through a long hanging bridge . I was a little jumpy crossing the
bridge as the wooden planks were really old and the whole stretch of the
bridge wildly bounces as one walks over the bridge.
I almost puke!
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The hanging bridge to cross going to Ynordenan |
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L-R: Lovemindanao, Cheska, Marvin and Rodolfo |
After we finished setting up our
tent, the next best part of the day was preparing our lunch . Since Marvin was more knowledgeable and passionate in cooking, we just assisted him
preparing all the ingredients for our late lunch. After our sumptuous lunch was served, we were literally knocked down, sleeping due to sleepless night of
waiting at the bus terminal the night before.
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Bagnet cooked artistically by Marvin |
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Cook me,EAT me! |
Beside the tribal hut is a pool
where we decided to test the water to cool down a little.
Time flies so fast as we never realized that it was already near dusk and time again for our favorite activity of the day , EAT!
Marvin who came recently from Ilocos brought a kilo of Iloco favorite dish known as Bagnet, a huge chunk of pork that was deep fried . I am not good in cooking , so I just ate whatever they prepared on the table.
Time flies so fast as we never realized that it was already near dusk and time again for our favorite activity of the day , EAT!
Marvin who came recently from Ilocos brought a kilo of Iloco favorite dish known as Bagnet, a huge chunk of pork that was deep fried . I am not good in cooking , so I just ate whatever they prepared on the table.
Though we were only four in this
jaunt, socialization with a little companionship of brandy never slipped the
night that kept us warm. After few
hours, the alcohol kicked and naturally put us to snoring and dreaming in wonderland.
Day Six
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A huge white cross erected at the hill side of Ynordenan |
Along the way we were astonished to see a giant cross erected at the middle of nowhere with a hut standing nearby that served as resting area for hikers. Inside the hut you will find a replica of the Ark of Covenant.
This gave us the idea that the owner of the place is somewhat religious. Then it made sense to me after I realized that the word Ynordenan came from the word "ordained" referring to seminarian who were accepted to priesthood as vocation.
Straight to the Land of Golden Skyline
Standing at the foot of the mountain, we decided to trek away from the trail and made our own path through the rocky and bushy cheek of the hill. It was not so difficult climbing as we were supported by boulders littered on the face of the mountain.
While taking a rest on the ground, we were surprised when a wild brown beautiful bird
flew out from the bushes near to us. Looking from where it came from , we saw two
eggs the bird was nesting for hatching. We did not touch it to preserve and protect the
natural dwellers of Mt. Ynordenan.
After 30 minutes of climb, we reached the
hilly peak of the mountain. The view from the top was spectacular with a "Naked
Mountain" facing on the opposite side of the valley.
From where we were standing we can see the whole stretch of onion plantation of Aritao that even reached the other side of the mountains surrounding us. The scenery brings me back to my imagination of the "Land Before Time" landscape where dinosaurs dwell abundantly in the rich valleys of the earth. The mountains were seem like perfectly placed and with the soft beam of the morning sun hitting the top horizons , made everything glowing and golden.
From where we were standing we can see the whole stretch of onion plantation of Aritao that even reached the other side of the mountains surrounding us. The scenery brings me back to my imagination of the "Land Before Time" landscape where dinosaurs dwell abundantly in the rich valleys of the earth. The mountains were seem like perfectly placed and with the soft beam of the morning sun hitting the top horizons , made everything glowing and golden.
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Picturesque view at the top of Mt. Ynordenan |
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Cheers! |
Good thing Marvin's shoes seemed to have wings, walking faster than anyone of the team and reached the campsite way ahead of us . We were surprised he was able to prepare our lunch before we arrived at the foot of the mountain. We rested for a few minutes after our lunch , clean up and packed our things ready for our next destination.
Before noon, we crossed again the valley , passing through the long hanging bridge towards the highway of Purok 6 of Bone South where a stall of pinoy favorite summer treat Halo Halo awaited us. After getting refreshed with a sweet treat and a soda, we were on the road again to visit Cachero's Farm.
Contacts:
Aura's Resort Mt. Ynordenan
Bone South, 3704 Aritao Nueva Vizcaya
CP: +63917.599.6638
or contact
Aura's Resort Mt. Ynordenan
Bone South, 3704 Aritao Nueva Vizcaya
CP: +63917.599.6638
or contact
Rodolfo Fernandez
CP: +63922.697.4910
CP: +63922.697.4910
Cool! I've never heard of this place before. It's now going to my must-go-to places...
ReplyDeleteI remember crossing my first hanging bridge (somewhere in Benguet), my knees were shaking and I thought I could cry because it was bouncing wildly while I was crossing it, and a rapid river was right below me...
the place is very much recommendable for adventurers who wish to experience something new with a little convenience provided . Easy trek and good for starters :D
ReplyDeleteI have the same impression as well upon hearing the name of the place. Then we realized that it was taken from the word ordained .. tag to seminarians accepted to priesthood, maybe one of the family members of the local got ordained still need to confirm that :D
ReplyDeleteSALUTE!!!!! (y)
ReplyDeletenever heard this mountain before..inuhaw moko sa last pic Dennis.
ReplyDeleteFirst time to hear of this mountain also from a local of Aritao ... it looks like series of hills and mountains guarding the valley... first time as well to visit the place but it was worth telling and about the soda ... but nga hindi CHARSI lol :D
ReplyDeleteNice entry for viscaya.. Unsolicited advice tho, have your entries proofread, i dont want to be a grammar nazi but it kinda gives me a head ache to read it, just my two cents,
ReplyDeletethanks for the grammar concern . You are free not to read my post if it makes you sick (very concern to your health). you should have left also a link to your work so i can also criticize how good you are ... that is if you have one .. thanks again .
ReplyDeletethe bagnet looks delish!
ReplyDelete"OHMYGOD!" When I saw that bagnet, I wanted to taste it!
ReplyDeletehahaha ...UU nga :P
ReplyDeleteNo matter how you cook the bagnet , it always end up sumptuous ... yum !
ReplyDeleteNice Post.. :)
ReplyDeleteNice blog. I enjoyed reading this...it gives me an opportunity to virtually travel to unexplored places...good job. Don't worry LM, your english is just perfect...You are an excellent communicator. Nice.
ReplyDelete