So, you are thinking of heading to the Philippines for some sun, fun, and great times. But, a trip to the Philippines would not be complete without a bumpy bus ride up to Batad Philippines. If you have never heard of the "eighth wonder of the world" that awaits you there, you won't realize that the bus ride will be well worth what you find on the other end.
Batad Philippines is a small village, some 150 miles north of Manila. Those 150 miles, though, can be exhausting travel, so be prepared for it to take up to 8 hours in some cases. Once you reach the village of Banaue - where you will probably want to spend the night - you will then take a short trip to Batad where you will be struck by the magnificence of the rice terraces.
The rice terraces of Batad Philippines are both incredibly beautiful to see, but are also an engineering marvel by anyone's standards. Although they were created centuries ago by Ilfugao tribespeople, they are still standing and working monuments of their hard work and ingenuity.
These rice terraces are literally carved out of the mountain, creating small gardens that look like steps climbing the mountain. They turned what was otherwise completely agriculturally inappropriate land into gardens that produced enough food for their people. These gardens today, although mostly in existence of the purpose of tourists, still are used by local people to produce fruits, vegetables, and rice.
A trip to Banaue and Batad is not the most luxurious one, but it is something you should see while you are in the Philippines. It will make a great break from the hustle and the bustle of Manila or Cebu City, and you will be able to get a better picture of what old world Filipino culture was all about.
