📸 Jamiz Travelblog: Tattooed by the Oldest Tattoo Artist in the Philippines! [part 1]

This a two-part blog. I will be posting the second part around next week so stay tuned.

Not that Mainstream

I know there are lots of blogs out there with more details and went as planned. But this one, is different. It's more like an "unplanned trip" where everything is unexpected. Yep this one is one of those travel journals where we got tattooed by Apo Whang-Od, the last Mambabatok of Buscalan.

It started as a solo trip until some friends wanted to tag along. I told them not to tell everyone so that the whole Baranggay will not tag along... which means more liabilities, hard to find transportation to accommodate all 10000 passengers and I want this to be a chill trip. Only 3 of us booked a flight to Manila (from Cebu) on the 27th of December 2014.

Manila

We arrived in Manila on time and thinking we have more time to lose. But when we got to the Victory Liner station in Camias, all the busses going to and from Tabuk were fully booked for the month of December. D’oh we forgot that it was passenger season. We don't just give up and have to think for another plan to get there. I was thinking that If we get to Baguio City, we are safe. Then had an idea if we go to Pangasinan, we can get a ride to Baguio City. Lucky, Sheena texted a friend (Andrew) in La Union and told us to get a Partas bus to Bauang La Union and from there, there are lots of trips going to Baguio City. And yeah we got ripped off by a taxi driver going to the terminal (no change for a 100 peso bill ehh?).

Bus Ride, a Van, and More Bus Rides

We arrived at Partas Terminal at around 1 in the afternoon and waited for the tickets until 7 in the evening. We finished almost 3 movies and a boring talk show. Got on the bus at around 8:00 PM and left for Bauang, La Union. I forgot how much was the fare but I think it was around P470.00+ for the air-conditioned bus.

A Church in La Union at 1 in the morning

After several stops and bathroom breaks, we finally reached Bauang, La Union at 1am. Since there were no buses in the area, Sheena’s friend took us to the bus terminal in San Fernando and rode a freelance taxicab going to Baguio City. The fare was P80.00 and in around 90 minutes, we were in the cold Baguio City and… its 3:00 o'clock in the morning.

A quick stop at Atok, Benguet

A Scenic view

The bus to Bontoc leaves at 4:00 AM for I think 200+ pesos (I forgot.. I was half asleep). But first, a quick breakfast. We had a quick stop at Atok, Benguet and enjoyed the “views” while the bus driver had his fill. Then, slept until we arrived in Bontoc which was 6 hours bus ride from Baguio City. We stayed at Bontoc to rest, we decided we leave for Tinglayan the next day. Now to explore!

Chico River.. No time for a swim...

A view of Bontoc from Samoki Valley Inn

Fun things we did in Bontoc:

• Stayed at a cool hostel called Samoki Valley Inn (no air-condition but cool) for P300.00 / head.
• Bontoc Museum - Gate was closed even though the door inside says open. So, no museum
• Bontoc Hot Spring - Nope we didn't go there.
• Junny’s Sagada Lunch - They ran out of etag. They offered dog-tag... Nope, I am not eating Blackie, Brownie or Christopher. -
• So next restaurant please. The Pines Kitchenette was quite good actually.
• Got a cool beanie for 85 pesos.
• Did not wade in the Chico River. Ain’t got time for that.
• Sleep the whole afternoon and drink beer in the evening.
• Just walk around until bored.
• Explore the multi-purpose building and why it is called multi-purpose. What was the real purpose of the multi-purpose building? I don't know… You tell me!

A portrait of an Igorot Woman

Bontoc Museum... Open, but closed..like your ex's heart

Beware Cows and Pigs! He's coming for you!!!!

END OF PART 1

You May want to check out PART II of our unexpected adventure.

^{Medium: iPhone5s | Location: Central Luzon, Philippines | ca. 2016}

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