Buscalan (Feb.2025)

February 2025

Buscalan Trip for my Birthday

It’s been a tradition for me that during my birthdays, I travel or I go to places I haven't been yet.

So, for my birthday this year, I have decided to go to Buscalan.

And this time, my brother, his girlfriend and my best friend also my hubby joined me on this trip.

At 8 pm of Feb 9 on a Friday night, we then rode a van going to Buscalan. It was a joiner’s tour and our total payment was 3,300 per head including homestay and home cooked meals.

We had a stopover for a late dinner at Pampanga at 10 pm then by 7 am of the following day, we were already in Buscalan Village, Kalinga.

We trekked going to Buscalan Village. Though some of our co-joiners decided to use the tram. 

It was like a zip line going to the other side.

It was a 30-minute trek and we enjoyed crossing the hanging bridge. 

Great mountain views filled our eyes.

At 9 am we were already on our homestay to settle down and take a rest before having our breakfast.

After breakfast, I took a nap while my best friend and brother had their traditional tattoos. It looks painful but I’m proud of them. 

Then we had lunch. Three meals were included on our tour package. They were home cooked meals and we loved it!

At 2 pm, we went for another trekking going to the falls. Scenic views once again filled our eyes! We enjoyed this trekking and of course a lot of photo ops happened.

The view on the falls was also great! Some of the tourists even enjoyed swimming there. It was just a mini falls but quiet picturesque.

We got back to our homestay at 4pm.

We also went to Apo Wang Od to see how she makes her signature tattoo. I was amazed to see it personally. There’s a lot of people waiting to be inked by her.

Then dinner at 6pm.

Lights out at 8pm. We slept early mainly due to a full packed schedule for the day. 

It was tiring but definitely worth it for all of us first timers there.

For our Day 2, we woke up at 6 am and then had our breakfast at 7pm.

We checked out at 8 am then we went again to Wang Od because my brother wanted to be inked by her.

 

After he got tattooed, we then trekked again back to the parking area.

The tattoo session of all our co-joiners in the van lasted at 10 am.

Then we’re headed to Bontoc to withdraw some cash.

We stopped by first at the Wang Od landmark for some photo ops.

We also had a quick passed through at Banaue Rice Terraces.

We then went to Mt. Polis, Bauko, Benguet to buy vegetables and pasalubong. 

Then we also had our lunch there.

At 1 am, we’re back in Manila. And yes, I celebrated my birthday at the road.

Our kind driver played a happy birthday song when it strikes to 12 midnight. I deeply appreciated it. Shout out to our happy Kuya driver!

So, Happy birthday, self! Just grateful for the provision and for the safe travels!