The roads in Ifugao are not straight ones, as one may expect of mountain roads. They are typically zigzag, intended to lessen the gradient of the slope, intended to make it easier for vehicles to go through. Mountain roads are also adventures in themselves, offering scenic views along soaring elevations that typical city drivers would find daunting the first time. Not us in Renegade Junctures. We are used to it.

According to Google Maps when we checked it after our lunch in 7th Heaven’s Cafe, it would still take roughly around 30 minutes before we get to Saddle Point Access Road which is the main road going to Batad, our main destination. It should be straightforward, but there is a catch: the coverage of the online map platform cuts exactly at the corner where one is expected to turn to Saddle Point. It would hence be 30 minutes of guided travel and another 30 minutes of gut feel, confidence and determination.

So we went. Just before halfway to Saddle Point, we had to stop when I noticed a deck just beside the road. Turned out we were in Guihob View Point that offers a picturesque view of the rice terraces below.

After the very quick stop at the view point, we went on, enjoying the scenery as we go through the curves, slopes and turns of the mountain road.

The majestic mountains along the road.

A quarter of an hour more and we already found the signage where we would have to turn to get to Batad, the Saddle Point Access Road. That would also be the start of our journey where we would not be guided by online maps as we traverse through narrower roads, steeper slopes and sharper curves.

Half of an hour more and we finally got to the point where we would park our car. From there, a guide sent by our accommodation was waiting for us to accompany us to the mountain inn. It would take roughly around 20 minutes of hike from the parking before we finally reach our main destination.

Travelling through the mountains of Ifugao is not just a journey in space, across breathtaking views, cool breeze and exciting heights. Come to think of it: all the rice terraces and the zigzag roads minus the concrete have already been carved by the Ifugao way ahead of modern tools and equipment. Travelling through Ifugao is also hence a traverse through time, at the ripple where antiquity is not just a part of history but of the present, continually playing a role in charting the destiny of a people and their beliefs, traditions and culture.

A destiny carved in antiquity is a destiny of immortality.

It was a pleasant relief when after 17 hours on the road, we reached the place that would serve as our home for two nights. Finally, an abode where to rest, relax and recharge. Our accommodation, however, would turn out to offer more than just a place to reenergize our tired bodies. As we would eventually realize, we would experience Ifugao right in its heart.