Guest User
December 9, 2024
Rita’s Mount View Inn, overlooking the ancient rice terraces of Batad (a UNESCO World Heritage Site,) features one of the most stunning views in the world. Framed by giant bamboo and banana palms, the panorama from the dining patio is breathtaking, and alone is worth the trek to this remote mountain village. The innkeeper, Germaine (Rita’s daughter) is delightful, always laughing and smiling and quick to help in so many ways, from cooking up delicious pancakes for breakfast and chicken Adobo for dinner to arranging for the best local guides and trike transportation. With the help of Romeo, her father, who seems sent from central casting to play the part of the mountain sage, they keep the inn immaculately cleaned and welcoming. This is a very special place. It is also one of the closest accommodations to the Batad parking drop off area. You will be hiking some 25 minutes to get to Rita’s yet you will be very happy that you did not book further down the valley where you have to navigate the rough hewn staircases that are the hallmark of Batad. Just bring what you will need for a few days stay. Backpacks, not luggage. And steel yourself for one of the most adventurous hiking experience of your life. Note that the hike into the village is like a portal back in time. Everything in the valley has to carried in over this challenging terrain on the heads, shoulders and backs of the villagers. Everything. Every bottle, every building block, all foodstuff…everything. There are no extravagances. The accommodations throughout Batad are very modest with spartan rooms and common showers and manual toilets. Yet there appears to be a fierce pride in cleanliness, especially at Rita’s, and you are hard pressed to find a scrap of litter anywhere