As soon as I sat down on the round bars, I knew this would not be a comfortable place to sit. Yet, it was the only place. I lunged to the left and a minute later was thrown to the right. I decided I needed some way to stabilize myself, so I hooked one foot underneath one of the bars. Actually, the bars were the luggage rack on top of the Jeepney.

 
 I love the Jeepneys that seem to be a symbol of the Philippines, with their outrageous art designs and crowded seating arrangement . It is the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines! 

They were originally made from American military jeeps that were left in the Philippines after World War II. The jeeps were stripped down by the Filipinos and metal roofs were added. Then, they were decorated in outlandish colors! Chrome ornaments were added to the sides and hoods.

The length of these Jeepneys has increased over the years and the thing has evolved somewhat. Now, they have two long benches facing each other in the bed. Some say "jeep" and "knee" were combined to make Jeepney because the passengers sitting in the back sit facing each other, with knees touching!

I have wanted to ride one of these ever since I have been in the Philippines. But, how do you know where they are going? I think the locals have a way to tell, but I don't. Also, they are always crammed packed with local people in the beds, hanging off the back and riding on the top! Where would I sit (or stand) if I did hop on one?

But, I have found a Jeepney to ride here in Sagada!

My time in Sagada was way too short . It's my type of place, rural, historic and friendly! But, I need to get back to Banaue today. The owner of the hotel told me to go down the hill, just before daylight, where a few Jeepneys would be parked and find the one headed for Banaue.

It was dark when I waited where the Jeepneys were parked. There were a few men milling around close by, but no one that looked like they intended to drive a Jeepney down the mountain.

So , while I was waiting, I bought a few things from the women that were already set up selling things to eat along the way. I didn't know what most of it was, but it looked like it would serve as snacks on the long trip. Mainly, they were selling hot coffee, which I bought, of course!

Shortly after daylight I saw a man near a Jeepney. I went across the street and asked if it was going to Banue. After a time or two back and forth he figured out where I wanted to go and said "Yes, yes" .

 I got inside and soon two girls from Canada also got onboard. There were just the 3 of us inside the back of the Jeepney. It waited for a while, I guess to see if others would come.

It seemed this was all that was going to show up to ride, so we took off down the mountain! (This was great, as usually these Jeepneys are overflowing with locals), but I guess it was too early for most people to travel.

The roads down the mountain are all switchbacks, of course. The Jeepney rolled along and the 3 of us foreigners got acquainted, while taking photos out the sides of the Jeepney.

After a while of riding inside the Jeepney, I stuck my head through the window separating us from the driver and asked if I could ride on top. I see people riding on top all the time, I should be able to ride on top.

He said yes, and stopped the Jeepney .

I got out and was ready to climb the ladder to the top (where the luggage is tied). That is where I have seen people ride. Just before I started up the ladder, though, the 2 Canadian girls decided they also wanted to ride on top.

Being the gentleman that I am, I stepped back from the ladder and let them go first. BIG MISTAKE! They went to the front of the Jeepney and sat on the cab part. This put them facing frontwards and on a smooth surface. I ended up sitting on the bars that the luggage was tied to, and facing backwards.

I got photos of the ride down. It was great, but a little unnerving at times. The switchbacks threw me from side to side. I had to hold on with one hand and hook my foot under one of the bars to stabilize myself (and keep from rolling off and down the steep cliffs).

I took some photos and a video or two but was doing it with my one free hand, holding the camera and trying to hit the button with one finger on the same hand, while bouncing around!

I opened the different treats I had bought, some cake-like things and others, well, I don't know what they were, some sweet and some salty . I offered some to the Canadian girls sitting in my spot, and we had fun chatting as we tried holding on.
 
It was a great ride that took a few hours to make. We changed Jeepneys in a small town called "Bontoc". I wish I had spent a few days here, but I just passed through it. Howerver, the transfer between the Jeepneys lasted about an hour (they always wait to see more people will come to ride) , so I walked around town.

This town has tricycles that are tricked out with different colors and themes. I saw one with a jungle theme and one with a fairy tale theme. I had a lot of fun walking around taking photos. 
I will post the photos in the next entry, though.
  
After about an hour, back to the top of the Jeepney we climbed (the 2 Canadians and myself) for the longest part of the journey to Banaue.

Two other people, a man and a woman, climbed inside the Jeepney, where we started out riding.

Then, about halfway down on this several hour ride, the Jeepney stopped in the middle of the road . Apparently, the man had asked to get on top with us.

He and I sat on the luggage rack bars and I learned he was from France. His woman friend did not want to ride on top, so stayed inside, alone.

I offered him some of the treats and placed the bags in-between the bars so they would not slide off and we talked and snacked the rest of the way down. 

 I said, "I'm not sure what all these things are, but these snacks are not bad." He said, "They are even better sharing with others like you are." I agreed.

He gave me his contact information in France, so if I visit there I can contact him and he said stay with him as he shows me around southern France.

The road passes through some small villages until it reaches the highest point on the road, Mount Polis. Then it starts the downward ride, which is even more exciting!

The scenery kept us all alert, it was so awesome, viewed from the rooftop.

THE NEXT ENTRY WILL BE PHOTOS OF THE TRICKED OUT TRIKES IN BONTOC.