Cultural wealth
A trip to the Philippines usually begins with an exploration of the central and northern parts of the large island of Luzon. For the first time you will hear the sounds of the national language, Tagalog. As landscapes glide by, you travel imperceptibly from one language area to another, from one population to another. Keep your eyes and ears open to notice the differences, or simply enjoy the variegated variety you are about to encounter.
Landscape full of traditions
An undisputed scenic and cultural highlight is the Cordillera region, a mountainous region. The road creeps up the elevation to Banaue, Batad and Bontoc. Through roads have been reduced to narrow roads with hairpin turns that wind through a jagged landscape with only hillsides. Stunning panoramas are dominated by endless rice terraces, horizontal hatching in a green landscape. About 2,000 years ago, the Ifugao people settled in this region and began building rice terraces. It was the only way to grow rice along the sometimes steep slopes; the technique is still used today.
The drive continues to Sagada, where the famous"Hanging coffins" can be seen. Expression of a disappearing tradition of the Igorot people. Their important dead were attached to the rock wall in a fetal position in a hand-carved coffin. Close to heaven, protected by the unreachable as long as the nails and ropes remain intact.