Saturday, June 9, 2012

Sagada | In Search Of A Beautiful Sunrise


SAGADA | In Search Of  A Beautiful Sunrise
A Cold Morning, A Viewpoint And A Foggy Sunrise




It looks like a gateway to heaven, seeing the fog covers and envelopes the pine trees, marking their silhouette even from a distance. It certainly looked divine, making it one of the reasons why I wanted to visit Sagada again. The rugged terrain, the sweet smell of old pines, marvelous cave system, and a weather that's perfect for communing with nature, these makes Sagada to be just the right place to escape the searing heat of Summer in the Philippines.

It was the 2nd time that I experienced witnessing Sunrise from Kiltepan Viewpoint in Sagada, it wasn't as marvelous as the first time, as there were too much fog in the horizon blocking the sun's rays. It's a grey morning and a challenge to photograph, not only that, this particular spot is getting popular among visitors that there are more guest than I remember before.

I was looking forward to retracing my steps a year ago, taking the same angle of shots. Pine trees scatter in contrast to the heavenly sight beyond. What's new, is that they have a ready bonfire to warm the guest. It's 5 in the morning after all, the morning cold is a signature of Sagada. There's also the coffee vendor which my friends enjoyed immensely, though it was a 3-1 instant coffee, I would've preferred the very own brewed coffee of Sagada.

Let Nature Inspire You
It a beautiful morning, and its the simplest description that I could come up with. Yet, I was besieged by nostalgia and became too wrap up in smelling the fresh air while taking landscape photos amidst the humdrum and excited giggling of people taking turns to shoot their profile photos. I was awed and in silent conundrum, Sagada had once again brought me to the point of paying homage to appreciating nature. There is no substitute to feeling lucky, being there right at that very moment, when the rays of the sun hits the seemingly tangible fog, how white, how serene, and the scattering or rain clouds gave a nice contrast to an otherwise grey cast regular sky anywhere. I know then, I would always come back here.


Of Feeling Lucky
The morning sunrise in Kiltepan is not always glorious as I know it. Weather conditions need to happen first, like experiencing afternoon rains on the day before but should not last until the next day, otherwise the fog which would normally blanket the Kiltepan Rice Terraces, it becomes overwhelming that visibility won't be very good. The perfect months to visit is during dry season. But even with bereft visibility, Sagada's ultimate offering is an adventure meant for all season. After all, Tropical Storms and heavy rains could hamper us, but Spelunking in Sagada's Marvelous caves would still hold its promise. Sunrise viewing in Kiltepan is just an added side trip to a few lucky guest, I should consider myself lucky in Sagada for the second time.




Of Pine Shadows
You may say that this is a Pine Country as Pine trees are in abundance. I always associate it with favorable cold weather. Love it! Live it! In this country where we get too much humid heat in summer its fairly natural to chase pine shadows. Beautiful, otherworldly and towering pine trees. I love to photograph them because they are like a tree of windows, so unlike our native tropical trees with thick canopies.


Of Scenic Mountain Views
Photographing Mountain sides was a challenge, keeping the photos sharp with varied details, more so that this is a grey cast morning. One can't really go wrong when you're in the right place at the right time. These mountain sides complete the tableau I had come to expect of this Kiltepan Viewpoint, Sunrise viewing.


I mentioned that this is the second time I blogged about this place. Looking at the old photos of Kiltepan I took over a year ago is very humbling. I was just starting my blog then, and my post processing and photographing skill is so below the borderline. I'm proud to say that I've improved and I have more room to improve with. Makes me glad. knowing I'm inspired to do better.



I was visually assaulted by Kiltepan's beautiful Sunrise. So this is where I apologize for doing the same to you with these photos. What of other ways to describe to you the experience when I don't find words strong and convincing enough.

For my previous Kiltepan Post.
Check this Link: Sunrise at Kiltepan Peak


Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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35 comments:

  1. Great photos. It felt that I was in Sagada for a moment.

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  2. Wow wow wow.. Insane captures. Sana makabili din ako ng camera ko .. Then car. para madami ako mpunthan.. haha..

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  3. WOOOOOW!! GREAT Captures! Awesome!! I love the vibrant, crisp colors! Love the views as well!

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  4. Ganda ng mga kuha! Woot!!! Makakapunta rin ako diyan sa Sagada. SOON!

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  5. Ang ganda ng mga kuha mo. gusto ko din maka punta ng sa lugar na yan. pero hindi pa ngayon ako pupunta.

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  6. i really want to visit Sagada!!!judging from your photos i think its an amazing place

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  7. Gosh! The photos are just some of the bests I've seen so far. Grabe, can't wait to go to Sagada.

    Hey bro! I love the lay-out of your photos sa post, parang sa Google+. Anung ginamit mo sapagedit sa collage mo of four?

    Napanganga ako sa first photo!

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  8. WOW your photos are really nice!!!!

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  9. i never went to sagada but i have to say that your photos are really beautiful, especially those that emphasize the clouds so much =)

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  10. Your photos already took me to Sagada.

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  11. wow! your photos are all great and really captures Sagada's beauty, congrats!

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  12. excellent photos! i wanted to go here someday!

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  13. You know what? Sagada is one of the places where I want to go at least before I die.

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  14. Syet! I was in awe of the photos! OMG! Indi to photoshopped right? Ang ganda! Note to self: kaladkarin si bf at dslr nya for this.

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  15. I'm envying you right now. I hope I could go to Sagada by next summer.

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  16. wow! great photos. napaka-vibrant ng colors.

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  17. Ganda! I miss Sagada, alam mo nilakad ko dati to from town ng madaling araw hehe, ang dilim!

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  18. WoW! Ang ganda ng pics mo sa Kiltepan! Super favorite place ko to as in!

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  19. geez. ang ganda ng mga pictures! breathtaking! para na rin akong nakapunta ng sagada because of your pics. hehe.

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  20. Sagada is a true hidden gem. Especially the hanging coffins (I've written a post about that). I've never been to it but from your stunning photos, I can see that the place is pristine with intact cultural identity. Thanks for sharing:)

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  21. Lovely photographs... been hoping to go to Sagada. Planning to go there february next year, together with Panagbenga and Hot Air Balloon festival in Clark :-)

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  22. wahhhh .,. ganda ng view . how i wish nag pumilit ako na pumunta dito when I visited Sagada a year ago .. the best talaga ung scenery !

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  23. Spectacular shots of the sunrise in Sagada. I remember watching the same sunrise just a few months ago. Sagada is a beautiful place!

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  24. Nganga as in nganga ako sa mga shots mo bro! I am now planning to pursue my North Luzon Trip

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  25. Sagada is really a photographer's Heaven on Earth. I'm drafting a 7D/6N stay though budget has been challenging for me.

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  26. There is something about the smell of the pine that can make an extra ordinary place very special extraordinary like Sagada. It is indeed a gateway to heaven, thanks to the fogs.

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  27. 2 times searching for Sagada's beautiful sunrise. I guess, for a photographers eye, some elements has to fall into place for a better shot but anyhow, nature is always photogenic.

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  28. The adventures that await for a traveler is immense when visiting Sagada. I may not have been there yet. But I grew to appreciate the beauty of the place through shared stories and photos. I really I hope I could still do all the trekking and even the spelunking when I get the chance -- I'm a little scared to do both activities now since I recently broke a bone by my foot. Nonetheless, I'm keeping my hopes up. :)

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  29. God's majesty is well-expressed in Nature's beauty. Is the weather there lower than Baguio? BTW, nice shots!

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  30. omg! this photos are totally a huge improvement!! i can never get sharp photos like this!! well i dont know use any photo edtiing tools so that explains why for me. though i guess it always depends how you capture it as you've said One can't really go wrong when you're in the right place at the right time.

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  31. Wow nice capture of the beauty of Sagada! That sunrise in Kiltepan with clouds hovering just felt heaven, one of the many reasons I wanted to go back coz I failed to catch this majestic view before.

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  32. Excellent captures! They highlight the captivating wonders of Sagada... the lush greenery, the cottony sky and cool atmosphere, the high peaks and the undeniable beauty it can offer to any traveler, foreign or local.

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  33. omg this blog post really makes me want to go to Sagada! Such a marvelous place!

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