Batad Rice Terraces, so we meet again

Two weeks ago, while waiting for the Arthur Frommer talk to commence at the Adventure Travel Expo, I mindlessly flipped through the free official magazine while chatting with J. The magazine's contents weren't all that interesting, essentially a bunch of listings and ads that might come in handy in the future. Assuming the magazine doesn't meet its end first inside a recycling bin.

The Adventures in Travel Expo (that's what the event is officially called, though I always say "Adventure Travel Expo", as I suspect most people do) was held at the Meadowlands Convention Center, an easy drive for both us. In previous years it had been held in New York City's Javits Center, but due to the number of exhibitors dwindling, or perhaps a lack of interest in adventure travel among consumers, this year's scaled-down event moved across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Hooray.

As Mr. Frommer came into the room, I put aside the magazine on the vacant chair beside me. As it lay there, my eyes fell on the cover, and I straightened up, as if struck by a bolt of lightning. Excitedly, I turned to J.

Batad Rice Terraces, Banaue, Philippines

"Doesn't this cover pic look familiar to you?!", I demanded.

"I can't remember". J. furrowed her brow trying frantically to do so.

"Remember? I took a similar photo of these rice terraces on my trip to the Philippines,  which was included in the Facebook photo album I created", I reminded her. "You even made a comment on it".

"Oh yes! Now I remember", J. exclaimed, continuing, "What's it called again?!"

The picture in question was of the Batad Rice Terraces, the amphitheater-style terraces that is considered one of the world's most beautiful. Below is the shot I took after we trekked up for over an hour  to view the spectacular terraces. Somehow I never got around to blogging about this experience from a few months ago, but seeing the rice terraces on the magazine cover rekindled fond memories. 

Village of Batad

In contrast to its more famous cousin, the Banaue Rice Terraces, getting to the Batad Rice Terraces is no picnic. You can drive up to the viewpoint overlooking the former, spend fifteen minutes admiring them, and then leave. The stuff of fly-by tourism.  In contrast, to get to Batad, our group hired a private van to navigate the bumpy ride on the narrow dirt road leading up to the peak.

After taking a few minutes to compose ourselves after that jarring ride, we were ready for the next step. The 40-min hike (according to Lonely Planet) along the winding cliff side path to the viewing point, and further onwards to the Batad water falls. With our female local guide in tow (who disconcertingly wore simple flip-flops), we set off.

Now, neither myself nor the other members of my party are what you'd call avid hikers, nor could we be described as being "in shape". Thus, we took every opportunity for a short break, stopping along the way at the small rest stations for any pretext - like a bathroom break at the "comfort rooms". From time to time, we'd meet locals coming from Batad on their way to town, but otherwise we shared the trail only with the various insects and snakes that made their home there.

Finally!

Finally, after an hour and a half (twice the estimated hiking time by LP!), this welcome sign came into view and brought smiles to our tired faces, and soothed our growling stomachs.  Despite the aching joints, we quickened our steps, excited at the impending view of the Batad Rice Terraces. 

And what a spectacular view it was! Even breath-taking, if you're prone to superlatives. Unfortunately, we were too pooped to make the additional 45 minute hike to the Batad water falls. Besides, it was just about lunch time, so what better reward than to kick back, relax, enjoy a meal, grab a beer, and savor the view of the Batad Rice Terraces - anything to delay the inevitable - the tough uphill hike back.