Some of the destinations in Kapangan, Benguet include the mighty Amburayan River and along the way are the wonderful rice terraces.
Note that the following were originally published here Where blood killed the fish in the river and Rice Terraces of Kapangan
According to an Ilocano story of old, there was an extraordinary man named Lam-ang who went in search for those who murdered his father and killed them all singlehandedly. Soaked from dirt and blood from all the killings he had done, he then bathed in a river. The dirt and blood that was washed off from him killed all the fish and animals that it came contact with.
That river is the Amburayan River.
You can read more about the epic Biag ni Lam-ang here.
A couple of days after New Year last year (just before pandemic), with nothing planned to go or visit that day, my family and I decided to go for a picnic at Amburayan River. Whoever was available that time, joined us and off we go to Amburayan River and Rice Terraces of Kapangan.
This is my first time to travel here in part of Benguet. My siblings and my mom have been going to Kapangan and/or Kibungan occasionally. Some of my siblings would hike to schools there and give donations that they have collected from kindhearted sponsors. These schools are hard to reach so they have limited supplies.
For me and some of my companions though, that was the first time that we are seeing this part of our province.
We started out as early as we can be. When your family decides to go somewhere, there will always be delay so it takes patience.
From our town to the river is about an hour and a half drive. Most of us are still not that rested from the New Year celebration so we dozed off or took naps along the way. The scenic route is beautiful but sleep is much needed.
We stopped at the view deck which is close to where the river is. Amburayan River and rice terraces of Kapangan look promising already.
After taking as much photos as we like, we then headed to the river.
There were already lots of vehicles parked along the road for the parking area was already full that time. Or so we thought. So we parked along the road as well.
We didn't know what to expect for it was our first time there. We saw an unpaved road that diverts from the main road leading to the river so we followed that and there we found the registration booth.
We registered and paid the necessary fee and then we were told that there were still available parking at the back so that's where we parked.
Each of us took what we can carry and then went in search for a spot along the bank of the river. We stayed where the shade was and did not cross the river. There are no huts here. Just find a spot and you're good to go.
There were lots of people lining the riverbanks and many are in the water swimming and having fun. I feel jealous already I want to go swim right away. The water is inviting. There are different depths but one thing for sure is the rush of the current.
We did not want to go far and good thing we were able to find a good spot.
We positioned ourselves across this rock.
I'm not sure if you can see it but I can see the outline of two faces, a woman and a man, or both man/woman with long hair.
The water here is about chest deep so many dared to dive and jump off from this rock or swam to this rock. This rock is whiter in real life that it almost glows. It is a contrast to its surrounding.
The kids tested the water right away and tried to search for fish or crabs or whatever interesting thing they can find. Unfortunately, they were disappointed.
Below is a reminder to clean as you go and keep the river clean. However, there are still those who leave their trash behind. Be a better person always. Do not throw your garbage anywhere wherever you go.
These guys enjoyed swinging from these vines. Different groups would go and do that too and then leave. I guess they were testing their strength as to who can pull the vine but no one succeeded for the vine was still there until we left. Nature is powerful.
My desire to swim was cut short for when I tried crossing the river, I felt the chill.
The Amburayan River's source is the mountains of the Cordilleras. January is still a cold month here in the mountains so the water traveling from the mountains to the creeks and other tributaries before joining the river is cold and refreshing but I can't stand it for a long time.
This almost 100 km body of water travels to three provinces namely Benguet, La Union and Ilocos Sur before rushing out to South China Sea.
I just enjoyed observing the people, enjoying the sound of splashing water, sounds of laughter, smoke from somebody's cooking, the rushing river, the coolness of the air just a relaxing day it was.
Nothing lasts forever though.
My reverie was broken by a cry from one of my nephews. I knew instantly it was a cry of pain and horror and help. His cry of "Mommy!" just grips you with concern. It cuts through the air. Apparently, a sharp object, probably a stone edge sticking out cut through between his toes cutting one of his toes. He is not that used to blood yet and it freaks him out to see blood. Seeing that amount of blood coming out from his wound is too much for him. I quickly ran to him and carried him to his mom and she tended to it. Good thing we brought along a first aid kit.
It was about time to go home anyway for we still have to travel more than an hour and we want to go home while there is still light. So we decided to pack our stuff and leave so we can tend to our nephew's wound better.
At the registration booth, we asked the staff if they can tend to my nephew's wound. They directed us to the health clinic further up the road. Since we don't know the area, one of the staff was kind enough to come with us to show us where the clinic is.
There are restrooms where you can change near the booth. When everyone has changed and ready to leave, we got into our care along with one of the staff and headed to the clinic where they patched up my nephew, good as new and he was his normal self again.
We passed by these rice terraces on our way home. I didn't notice this when we were on our way to the river for I was napping in the car. We didn't let this chance pass us by so we stopped by the road and took photos. We had to walk some few feet from the road where there is a clearing so we can have a better view of the terraces.
There were still patches where the rice were not harvested but almost all were done with their harvest.
Despite the accident that one of us had while we were at the river, seeing this view made us forget that for a bit.
This is just one of the attractions here in Kapangan. Other things to see include Amburayan River, peaks such as Mt. Kalukasog and Bubongna, burial caves and other caves, falls like Pey-og and Badi and so much more.
We have been planning on going back to the river but I was not able to go when some of the family went there the second time around. I hope I can visit the other places Kapangan can offer.
If ever you are in the province, consider visiting Amburayan River and rice terraces of Kapangan.