Mission accomplished and more memories at Batad, Banaue, Ifugao

Our mission to distribute school supplies and relief goods to the students and the community was done. Our wandering soles also had their good share of exercises in the morning. Now, it's the moment of truth. Time to go.

Everyone was quick in getting ready for after our hike to Tappiya Falls. As we started to line up along the dikes of the rice terraces for our climb back to the school and farther up to the Saddle, we took as much opportunity as we can to take more memories with us.

Below one of the dikes which we passed by were these bundles of rice panicles being dried under the sun. This is how we used to do it during my childhood days in Zambales. My parents said drying the panicles in the sun will make them more brittle and husking will be easier when we pound them in big mortar and pestle.

Yes, we husk rice manually back then like how it is done on this video. The difference with what we had was that we had a big, and I mean big, mortar. I remember its height was right below my mother's waist while it was to my chest that I had to step on a pedestal so I can match my mother as we pound alternatively. Pay more attention starting from 4:03 of the video to see what I mean. I was competitive with the altenative pounding that my mother would even ask me to slow down. She can't keep up that our pestles would hit the mortar simultaneously. That will blow the rice grains out and will be so hard to scoop back. That was the kid as I was...

Farther down there are more terraces that are mostly not captured on the post card photos. I wonder if any tourist have considered going down there to find out until when the terraces stop. At the foot of the mountains, I guess.

Just few meters up when we started ascending, this lovely hen was leading her chicks right beside our path. It does not show any hesitation being near humans walking very nearby. People here are one with nature. I guess that's pretty obvious.

The ascend was more challenging this time. Iy was not as hard as the others were feeling it, it was not as easy as I thought I would take it either. My companions would ask for a break because they can no longer move. I knew that I can move on for few meters more ahead of them but I take their breaks as opportunity to do the same. Those breaks were also opportunities to take more shots of the lovely nature that I can not get enough of.

Aside from the lovely panoramic view, beautiful creatures were also surrounding us as we pass by. This little dragon did not escape my eyes and my phone's lens. It was behaving well that I was even able to take few shots before it flew away.

At about half way through to the school, this panicle came into view when I got on to a level. It reminded me of Anne's question yesterday as to how do I know that the rice grains are good and not infested. I stepped out of the way to the dike to clear the path and waited for Anne to catch up. Then I asked her to join me on the dike and showed her the rice plants in that particular level.

I told Anne to recall the panicle that I showed her yesterday. The grains were thin and many were black which means pests have sucked the content. The panicles were also standing upright which means it is very light. Those are the opposites of how these panicles are. The grains are full and all golden. The panicles are also bowing down which means it is heavy because the grains are full. That is how one should know good and bad rice plants. That will also tell if there will be good harvest when the right season comes.

And while we were on that level, another shot of the terraces on the other side of the mountain is only proper.

Were already nearing the school but all of us seem exhausted so we stopped. The pathway is narrow and we were blocking it so we got into a household's open front yard and found seats on our own with the rocks around. I called out to no one in particular but to the house to announce ourselves. A young boy of around peeked through the window and I waved. My companions smiled at him.

While we were resting, Jen noticed this fire place to her left. It was to my right. It reminded me of my childhood days again. I got my senses into this kind of cooking system by fire. We, actually my elder brothers, gather firewoods as our fuel. It was hard to control the heat when I first learned to cook rice but it got easier in time.

We took time enjoying our break in stranger's front yard. Based on time stamps of my photos, there sixteen minutes of interval from the last photo to this next one which was taken from a store's view deck right above the school. I tried to capture different angles of the mountains this time.

For this shot, I intentionally aimed at the horizon between thr mountains and the blue sky. I just realized capturing different shades of color, and not just green shades, would make a good diversion.

It was in this particular store where we had our longest break because we had to wait for majority of our fellow volunteers who were still climbing and catching up with us. We took the opportunity of waiting to have our morning snacks. In spite of the heat from our ascend, I had a very good cup of freshly brewed native coffee from that place. Yes, coffee at almost noon time. That was because I've been hearing from those who've been here before that their coffee is great. I can not stop my curiosity when I myself was already there and smelling the aroma.

Our break took all the more longer when those who climbed late also had their snacks and we waited for them to finish.
Then finally, we started the hike again.

Just like yesterday when we passed by the UNESCO marker, we stopped by for more photo shoots. If they have rice on the terraces of where we just came from, they have vegetables in here. This one is on the mountain on the other side, at around 3 o'clock when facing the UNESCO marker.

When we continued our hike, these bundles of fruits came to view again. I noticed these yesterday when we were going down but only the local kids were nearby. We have our own packs of relief goods on us so we kept going and did not chat much along the way. I did not have the chance to talk about it with my fellow volunteers. Now, Anne is with me so I pointed the pack to her. I said I wish I can take them home and she frowned.

"Aren't those poisonous?" Anne asked.

Now I was the one who frowned at the question. "Why poisonous? No. Those are edible."

"What are those in the first place?" She asked again. Oh yes, I did not tell her.

"Those are rattan fruits. Sourly sweet but sour most of the time."

My elder brothers used to bring home of these when they go hunting in Zambales. I miss those old days. And I really wished I can do something with these bundles but I know there is nothing that can be done.

The rattan sticks crawled and tangled above a ravine and bore fruit in there. I am sure the locals would have gotten the fruits only if it is not too dangerous.

This fruit is considered wild since it is not planted or cultivated on purpose. It can be seen in Baguio City market but on very rare occassions so I was bitter that these ones will just be wasted. I will swallow this time and think of the good old days. Keep the memories and keep wishing. Who knows. Some day, one day...

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