A house made of stone doesn’t sound like that much of a spectacular place, I have to admit. However, wait until you visit Luna’s Bahay na Bato, which in translation means ‘stone house’.
Built in Luna in La Union in the Philippines this really is a house and grounds, made of stone.
Carved out of the hillside by the Ifugao people, it is absolutely amazing to think how such a spectacular place was made from the most basic tools. I’m at the Rice Terraces of Batad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and I am doing this self guided tour.
Without a guide, we made this trip solo, a hard task to do with no signposts and local people less than willing to help (unless of course you hire them as a guide). However, we made it and so can you as I have created directions for you as a gift in ‘Batad – Self guided’ which can be found at the end of this post.
As I looked up, all I could see were coffins above me. No. I hadn’t been buried alive, this is Echo Valley where some of the hanging coffins of Sagada are. Why are the hanging coffins of Sagada in the Philippines hung on the cliff side?
Out of the corner of my eye my flashlight lit something up, my brain was immediately on high alert. Was that what I thought it was? As my eyes focused on it I quickly realised it was a human skull. I was deep underground in Lumiang Cave and would be staying underground for the next 2.5 hours
As I stood on the edge of the cliff looking down the 20 foot drop in front of me, my guide at my side told me where to stand. I stepped off the cliff top and plunged into the water, adrenaline seeped through my body as I hit the water. This was my experience in Tangadan Falls in the Philippines.
This year, I spent it in the Philippines with a fantastic couple Prescilla and Richard from Natures Healing Home and their family and friends. I wanted to share my Christmas with you, so here it is.
Hi there, I'm Kathy from the North of England. In 2008 I went from package holidays to traveling solo around the world and now I have visited over 55 countries. My passion is exploring the road less traveled and being immersed in different cultures.
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