Upside Down Café & Homestay (Mankayan Benguet)

I have not personally been to this place and it was the husband's first time when he took these photos as well. We haven't heard nor read about it so it's kind of a discovery, thanks to a detour that they had to take last week when they went for a drive in the neighboring province. I was to join them but had a change of mind in the last minute.

They call it the Upside Down Café and Homestay. Some refer to it as the Inverted House. From my quick research, an article claimed that it is the first of its kind here in Benguet and it probably is. Although other people think the place belongs to its neighbor, Mountain Province. Well, if such is the case then it wouldn't be the first because in January, we saw another inverted house somewhere in Población Sagada. We just didn't have the chance to stop over and check because it was already late at night when we passed by.

Anyway, enough of that chismis, lol! This Café is located in Cada, Balili Mankayan, which technically is part of Benguet. And this snapshot on the map is not updated but that's where it is. From that spot, one can have a view of the surrounding farm terraces which I'm imagining to be quite picturesque especially when everything looks green and thriving with crops.

Screenshot via Pinmapple.

Coming from Bauko, the farmboy and his company decided to stopover for coffee. He said he wanted to check the place so they went in and had cups glasses of Macchiato, Chocolate Milk for the adorable little girl and Black Americano for her grandpa.

Unfortunately, it was really foggy when they were there mid-afternoon (3:30 pm) so they could not view the vicinity. Even the very structure was surrounded by fog, hence the not-so-clear photos.

Let's go take a closer look!

But then, oops! The whole building wouldn't fit, lol! The husband was just probably not in the mood to get better shots. At least we now have an idea of how the façade looks. And we spot the entrance!

Half of the second floor is the café & diner. The other half being the rooms. The husband is unsure what's on the ground floor though. Might be more rooms for homestay.

Come, let's go further and take a peek on the inside. I'm a virtual tourist too, remember?😊 We see some greens which is good! Although those on one pot looks dying. Hope not!

"Life is beautiful," I love that!

We see a few people caught up inside their own cell-world, which although a common sight almost everywhere, it still makes me laugh. Must admit I'm also guilty of that, attending to my phone while waiting for food but mostly to take photos.😊 Now, where were we? lol!

The glass walls all around the café makes it possible for customers to have a view of the outside. One can even go to the balcony if so inclined. That time though, fog covered much of the sights. Looking out, there's almost no visibility.

The best time perhaps to be there would be early in the morning, just before sunrise or maybe between 6-9 am. I imagine the fog to be hovering lower around that time of day, sea of clouds? Hmmm, I wonder.

Here are a few more glimpse of the inside. The husband said there were other people so he didn't take a full coverage of the dining. At least that leaves some room for the imagination.

Pretty nice to see such an interesting architecture in the middle of the farms, don't you think?

One thing I've noticed though was the absence of plants, flowers or at least some bonsai greens around the place nor in the balconies. I don't know when the café started operating but according to the farmboy, it is very new so they might also add some landscaping outside in the coming days or months.

There isn't much information about this Café & Homestay but I believe it's going to become one of the favorite stopovers for travelers or motorists traversing the area whilst the other route, Baguio - Bontoc Highway along the Mt. Data Cliff is still unstable and undergoing repairs.

Here's to share a video I found of the area.

_KTravel

Perhaps one day soon when time permits, we will get to visit the place and enjoy a night at the homestay. That's just my silent wish anyway and we shall see. Until then, life goes on!

Well, it's the new week up here in the mountains. Monday is looking so great, the sun is out shining and us feeling healthy and good. So what else could one ask for? I'm grateful...

Cheers to a fantabulous and happy new week!