When we first knew we were coming to the Philippines, and we looked up information about the Philippines, we would see these amazing photos of the Banaue Rice Terraces. It was definitely in the back of our minds to eventually get there to experience them. We tried in April- we had a night bus booked, lodging booked, but then Lennie’s brother passed away suddenly and we found ourselves going to Utah during the Easter holiday. That was good, and we figured we had maybe lost our opportunity. However… when we learned that we had THREE holiday days this past week, we knew this was our chance. The area office would be closed most of the week, the schools would be closed and we basically wouldn’t get much work done anyway, so we made our plans. We originally thought we would have two couples going with us, but one couple, the Meyers, decided they really couldn’t be gone that long or drive that far, so they just went with us to Baguio. Baguio is another place we have been hearing so much about and really wanted to go there as well. It is up in the mountains also, so much cooler, and where we stayed, which is a former R&R retreat for the military, was such a magical place. You are surrounded by pines that wouldn’t grow in the hotter tropical areas of the Philippines, as well as other plants and flowers which can survive a cooler climate. We went on a short “Forest Bathing” trail that was so lovely- and we didn’t really break a sweat! We treated ourselves to a fabulous buffet at the fancier hotel next door, and took advantage of the Christmas light show there. With all of the Christmas decor and lights up it really added to the magic of the place. Great food, great company and great spot! We hope to return!

After our too short stay for one night in Baguio, we headed off with the Mechams (who are serving here to help implement the human rights curriculum that was put out in conjunction with the United Nations) to Banaue. We took the mountainous road because Elder Mecham really wanted to see the “hanging coffins” in Segada. I’m glad we took this route: not because of the coffins, per se, but because it was so amazingly beautiful! We were mostly at the tops of the mountains, looking out at verdant valleys and terraces of vegetables everywhere! Truly a delight. And such cool air! We did get to see a few coffins in Segada, but we were short on time, no place to park, too touristy- all reasons why we just saw two sites with coffins. The first site was a cave so the coffins were just piled up on the ground. We saw a few hanging coffins. The ancient people believed that if they hung the coffins on the side of the cliff, they would have an easier and quicker time getting to heaven. They were also small, because they place the body in the fetal position when they bury them.

Since we did stop here, that meant we arrived in Banaue after dark and had a fun adventure driving through some fog as well. We made it okay, and we were all glad we took that route. Elder Huff was pretty tired after that stressful driving, though. He drove the entire 8 or so hours on that windy road. Our hotel in Banaue was simple (such a change from the night before) but it was clean and they had decent food. They also hooked us up with our guide, Jun-Jun, who rode with us the next day and expertly guided us the entire day. So it worked out just fine. We had a great day of hiking in the Batad rice terraces. 5 miles of up and down stairs and nerve-wracking treks across tops of walls that had big drop-offs on one side and mud baths on the other side. Incredible, though! The weather was mostly perfect for hiking until near the end, when it really poured. That added to the ambience and made for some interesting views of the terraces as the clouds moved in and out.

When we got to a lookout spot, we met a man who was from Utah! He said he was visiting his mission companion and wife and they were meeting him by the waterfall later. He had bagged a couple of mountain peaks with a guide while they took a slower trek to the waterfall. Well, when we got to the spot right above the waterfall, I heard a call, “Sister Huff! You made it!!” It was Ruth Del Mundo, the church financial director! She is the one who sits on our committees and approves or doesn’t approve our projects! What??? She is the one who encouraged us to go the the rice terraces. She came here with her family earlier in the summer. We had no idea she would be coming back and the same week as us. Then to run into her at that exact moment! It was so great! And the waterfall was quite amazing as well! I did bring my swimsuit, but it really wasn’t hot and getting in up to our knees was more than enough.

We trekked back with Ruth, her husband guide along with our party of people. On the way back, Elder Mecham lost his balance and landed right in the nasty muddy terrace. His shorts will never be the same! After that, we stopped at a little place to eat in the terraces, while watching the clouds roll in and out. Mystical! The trip home the next day was good as well. The road was much easier to drive, but not quite as breathtakingly beautiful. I think it was nearly a 9 hour drive. I drove the windy first part so I wouldn’t get carsick, then Lennie drove the rest of the trip. The Mechams were great travel companions. He likes to talk and he is so interesting! It made the time go by quickly. They were mission leaders in Micronesia- Guam and lots of small island countries. He has also been involved in politics and had some great observations. So that was our four day trip ! We were so grateful to have had the chance to go. It gave us (especially Elder Huff) the break he so needed. He was starting to feel burned out. He has been working on some complicated projects that have run into legal and other issues, so this came at the right time. The creator certainly didn’t skimp when it comes to the Philippines!