As a travel writer armed with a camera and intent to document a place as real as possible, there are a few places that stand out and remain within my memory as crystal clear, as if it happened only yesterday. I could still hear the touts bugging me with “Hello boat?” - their way of offering their overpriced boat services along the Ganges River fronting the historic Ghats. For all the annoyance of the tourist trade in Varanasi, the place itself, a visual spectacle, which overflows with spirituality, will make anybody with a camera busy shooting at many fascinating subjects.

A few friends have told me: “India will challenge all your senses, especially Varanasi.” The sights, sounds and smell coupled with the passing winter wind, all combined to provide me with a very memorable experience. Witnessing various religious activities along the Ghats, which fronted rows of beautiful temples that are architectural wonders, some abandoned, some still commissioned, gave me a thrilling front seat to a wonderful view as our boat set sails over the sacred Ganges River.

Varanasi, or otherwise known as Benares, is a city in the Northern part of India located primarily in the banks of the sacred Ganges (Ganga) river in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is considered to be the holiest among the so-called “SaptaPuri” (the seven sacred pilgrimage cities in India) in both the Hinduism and Jainism religions.

Varanasi is also credited with playing a crucial role in the development of Buddhism. Located 13 kilometers northeast is the sacred Buddhist site called Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha first taught the “Dharma.” Today, Varanasi is known as the “spiritual capital of India.”

Activities along the Ghats showcase religious rituals highlighted by the daily cremation at the Manikarnika Ghat (“the burning Ghat”) and other holy rites. Most Hindus believe that meeting death at Varanasi brings instant salvation; therefore, you will see Hindus from other parts of India afflicted with an untreatable illness coming to Varanasi to spend their dying days there.

I tried hard not to focus on shooting just with my camera so I don’t miss seeing all the hustle and bustle with my own eyes. Still, my camera was able to capture many fascinating images. As the sun over Ganga rose and the colors of the temples and the Ghats turned from red to gold, with smoke emanating from the burning Ghat, where the cremations are held every day, I was awestruck. What a sight to behold, both in a mystifying and interesting way!

I find Varanasi as a hit-or-miss place. It isn’t for everyone. This place will make you discover what kind of traveler you are. For those who explore places to discover a new culture and to witness an entirely contrasting world inhabited by people still adhering to ancient religious traditions, Varanasi is the kind of place never to be missed.

As a traveler and a photographer, a place like Varanasi shook my core in myriad ways: From people-watching to drooling at the sights, particularly its architecture, to learning amazing facts about a new religion, culture, and history, the photographs I took barely scratched the surface of my overall experience. I hope you will be enticed to pack your backpack, grab your camera, and discover Varanasi. Be warned (or be seduced): It isn’t like any place you’ve ever been to.

Years ago I remember dropping my jaw in wonder when I saw the rice terraces of Banaue for the first time. A seemingly endless expanse of rice paddies formed like stairways lay out before me. Since then, I've seen similar ones like in Sapa in Northern Vietnam and smaller farm terraces in other provinces. Each opportunity, I find myself achieving a feeling of calm while engrossing the entire visual banquet it brings. Last February, a wonderful opportunity presented itself when I was invited to be a part of the launch of PHILTOA's (Philippine Tour Operator's Association) new travel program called Cordillera Heritage Caravan. In a span of five days, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Banaue, Kiangan, Mayoyao and Bangaan clusters of rice terraces.

PHILTOA's Cordillera’s Heritage Caravan

This program is part of the Philippines Department of Tourism Visit Philippines 2015 campaign and participated by tour companies belonging in the PHILTOA organization. PHILTOA President Cesar Cruz shares.

"The Cordillera Heritage Caravan will accommodate both foreign and local markets where they can choose to bring their own vehicles or avail of the caravan vehicle. The caravan is designed to provide flexibility in choices of activities and accommodations. The trip promises that each traveller will be able to choose according to comfort as they will be given options like a campsite, star-rated properties, lodge houses, and even hostels."

A tiny settlement, just a few hundred feet below the main highway, was nestled within the breathtaking Bangaan scenery. The expansive view of the rice terraces immediately announced its presence as we approached in a mountain jeep seated from a top-load position.

From the roadway, you can make out the grouped roofs of residences in the valley, which stand for its diminutive position in comparison to the surrounding mountains. Coming from the congested major metropolis, I quickly appreciated the kind of environment that the little town offered, as the immense open space suddenly became apparent.

For the descent to the settlement, our party split into smaller groups. I was on my own at the trailhead, pausing only to take in my surroundings in awe of the natural beauty. At a fork in the road, I went left and eventually came to a little school where I overheard some children playing hop-a-garter-rope.

I reached the village after thirty minutes and watched as the others played with the children. After that, a local guide took us on a tour of some of the last remaining traditional Ifugao houses, pointing out important features and explaining their significance. The Oliang component, which is a wooden disc fastened to the four pillars that keep rodents outside the house, really stood out to me. The use of cogon for the roof is similarly remarkable for its significance; this humble material can insulate the entire house from intense heat and rain, and it also absorbs any odors that may be released by indoor cooking.

The house itself can be easily dismantled and transferred to another place - making the concept of Bayanihan real in this part of the country. The most memorable part of our journey around the village was getting a closer look at and understanding more about the traditional Ifugao house. As an example of brilliant ethnic architecture, the Ifugao home employs an ancient technique of house construction that serves more purposes than its simple appearance would indicate.

With the daylight slowly drifting away from the sky's horizon and the wind starting to howl stronger, I feel the cold engulfing my body. But new information about the humble lifestyle in these small communities dotting the expansive Bangaan rice terraces flooded my thoughts. In the same way that the Ifugaos' forefathers labored the land by hand, the ipugo built practical traditional dwellings and created breathtaking rice terraces. After this short hike, I realized that people and environment can get along just fine without technology.