What is the most important expense in your travel budget allocation? I'm curious to know your take on this.

As for me, I'm the type of traveler who'd rather sleep on a narrow bed (as long as there's a clean bathroom) just to spend more on eating. Tasting local cuisine, as well as observing and living with the locals, is still the best kind of cultural immersion for me.

About two years ago, I took on a 12-hour bus ride by myself to celebrate my birthday in the mountains.

A spontaneous trip to Sagada, Mountain Province.

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_{Check out the previous parts of my Sagada travel series below}

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The first day was thrilling. No concrete plans: no hotel and no travel package. But in the end, I went with a nice group of tourists to spend my birthday with (tho they didn't have any idea coz they never asked why I was alone lol).

The second day was exciting -- I went up to two hills and went down inside misty caves.

But the third post about my Sagada series will be about all the food I stuffed in my body for the whole duration of my long weekend vacation.

Let's start the food trip down memory lane 🤤

1. Banaue Drop Off Point

I don't remember the name of the place, but this was where I ate my breakfast after a 9-hour bus ride from Cubao, Metro Manila to Banaue, Ifugao. As I've told in Part 1 of this series, I wanted to ride a jeepney topload from Banaue to Sagada for an adventure ride. But for safety reasons, I found a van that would take us straight to Sagada. Before departing, I ate a satisfying tocilog meal.

There wasn't really anything special with the food (aside from the good old oily silog in the morning). But the ambiance was what I needed after that long bus ride departing from the bustling city of Manila. The temperature was 16 degrees Celsius -- that's already a big deal for us tropical Filipinos! And when I look out the window, I see vast greens -- mountains and rice terraces. Not yet the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, just an ordinary one. But it could elicit a deep sigh of calmness and satisfaction out of you.

2. Yoghurt House

This was the restaurant I was most looking forward to because of what it's named for. The yogurt in Sagada is a must-try they said. It's unlike the commercial ones. The reviews about the taste were varied. Some loved it saying they'll always come back to Sagada for this. While others felt it tasted too sour. I want to be the judge of that.

The restaurant was small, although there were two floors. I found a table on the second floor. Although they have meal menus, I just ordered what I came here for -- the yogurt. I ordered the "banana, granola, and strawberry preserves" yogurt bowl. Okay, also with a side of some finger foods just because.

The yogurt had a tangy taste for me. In fact, I think my stomach reacted instantly even though I'm not lactose intolerant. But it wasn't so bad. The sourness can be complemented immediately by the sweet strawberry preserves and banana.

But hey, that's just my palate. Maybe you'll love it. Has anyone tried the yogurt from Sagada's Yogurt House here and loved it? Nevertheless, you should definitely try yourself.

I spent a few hours finishing my bowl -- I'm always a finisher even if I don't quite like the food or I'm too full already coz I don't want to waste food. I had a cozy time there while writing in my journal and people watching other tourists.

3. Strawberry Cafe

People come here for the strawberry yogurt. But because of my not-so-flattering experience at Yogurt House, I was afraid of eating again. Which I really regret! I should have tried at least, maybe it would have changed my mind!

Anyway, I ate my dinner here with chop suey and chicken adobo. I know -- not that special. Good old lutong bahay (home-cooked meals). But there's really a fresh taste with their chop suey. Whenever I'm in elevated provinces, I always order vegetable dishes because the farm-to-table food is just so refreshing!

4. Salt N Pepper

I think this was my favorite place, not really because of the food but because of the ambiance. When I went inside their restaurant, it felt like a cabin-in-the-woods aura. It was very cold and windy outside! I had to walk fast to get out of the cold immediately. So, entering this warm cozy ambiance was a pleasant welcome.

I ate my dinner here on my 2nd day. I ordered sizzling sisig -- not really a unique Sagada dish. But I think that was what I felt like eating that day. Haha! But what I enjoyed the most is the lovely environment which was just right for alone time reflection. Oh, don't we introverts love that? I spent a few hours writing in my journal here.

Before leaving, I tried their lava cake which was oh-so-delicious!!! The warm fudge trickling outside when I sliced it was just pure foodgasm.

5. Sagada Brew

Sagada Brew is another cabin-in-the-woods themed restaurant. Unlike Salt N Pepper, this one is just a one-story establishment. They have tables outside perfect for people watching the locals and tourists alike. I would have chosen one of the tables outside but it was just too cold. I ate my lunch here before we went spelunking in caves. So yes, even if it was around noon, it was still too cold for me. Haha!

So I chose the next best thing -- a cozy table near the window. I ordered not just a Sagada dish, but a must-try dish in the Cordillera region -- Pinikpikan.

I have a confession to make.

When I did my "research", just for the sake of knowing things on the surface level to still have some spontaneity, I saw pinikpikan in one of the tourists' recommendations. And so when I saw it on the menu, I ordered one immediately.

Not knowing why it was called pinikpikan.

To be honest, I only learned this now as I was curious why indeed it was called that way. Pinikpikan comes from the word "pikpik" which means to slap repeatedly. When I was young, I remember fondly how my grandma would "pikpik" me to sleep. By that, I meant she lightly taps the side of my thigh while humming. According to her, that was a fail-proof way of getting me to sleep.

But pikpik doesn't sound so good for the chicken here. Pinikpikan is like tinola. They just differ in the way the chicken is cooked. Tinola is a Filipino chicken soup with sayote (green papaya) and I especially like mine with lots of ginger. Indeed, it tasted heavenly especially in a cold climate like Sagada. It was perfect! The chicken was notably tender. Here's why.

The recipe calls for beating the chicken alive until it's badly bruised. If it could talk, maybe they'd beg to just finish them off. But not until the last minute. The technique is not as messy because there's less bleeding. But it's brutal. I'd imagine it would be livid to all vegans out there. But it's a tradition in the Cordillera province. As I said, Sagada has eerie traditions (see hanging coffins in Part 1).

6. Sagada Lemon Pie House

The last food trip is to Sagada Lemon Pie House. Don't leave Sagada without buying pasalubong from this restaurant!

The interior still had that woodsy theme. The low wooden tables reminded me of other Asian traditions such as the Japanese and Koreans. When I come back to Sagada next time, I definitely have to eat here.

I didn't eat inside the restaurant because I already had a scheduled bus that would leave in a few hours. I just took the last-minute time to take out the famous lemon pie for my father at home when he arrives. I ordered one box because there're only just two of us at home.

I tasted a few slices on the bus. I loved it, I should have ordered two or maybe even three boxes! I have to tell myself not to consume everything in the box during the 12-hour bus ride back to the city. Good thing I have a book to read to keep me busy :) I always loved long-distance travel, especially long rides. Alone time plus travel? Imma stay here. But reality will eventually come knocking back.

Then I'm on my way back to the mundane life.

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And that ends my first Solo Birthday Travel series in Sagada!

I would definitely do it again. In fact, my birthday travel to Japan last year was meant to be solo travel also. But when I let my parents and friends know about my crazy plan of seeing the British rock band, Queen's concert in Osaka, they couldn't pass up the chance of visiting Japan. It's easily anyone's dream country.

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_{Check out my other birthday travel series in 2020 in Osaka and Kyoto, Japan!}

_{Part 1: Travel Paranoia / 25 on 25th / Part 2: Hello, Deer / Happy Muggle / Part 3: I Saw Her Majesty / Part 4: Amazing Race: Lost Passport Edition}

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I wonder if there was no pandemic in 2021, where would my next birthday travel be.

Two years ago, I woke up in Sagada.

Last year, I woke up in Kyoto.

This year, I woke up at home.

Hahaha! But hey, life's still good. I thank God because, despite the turmoil that this pandemic has been giving us, I'm still surviving. I'm incredibly lucky and filled with gratitude to still have my family and friends around. And that's what matters most.

🥂 END 🥂

 

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_{In the cyberspace, Kaycee Ports is a freelance writer who does blog writing, SEO copywriting, and web content for bloggers, entrepreneurs, website designers, and authors. In the mundane world, Kaycee Ports is a licensed chemical engineer practicing her degree in the field of environmental science. She is based in Manila, Philippines as an industrial hygienist. But the strong Bisaya accent still shows at times. In an alternate universe, she believes she's a Beyoncé.}

_{Feel free to follow her if your interests are on personal development, travel and literary arts!}