The rice terraces in Banaue have long been touted as the eighth wonder of the world (though there's a pretty long list of candidates).

People have been growing rice here for 2,000 years straight (maybe a bit less by some estimates). That said, lately more and more locals would rather work with tourists than do farming. That's why some of the terraces are falling into disrepair and need restoration work.

There's definitely a steady flow of tourists, but nothing like crowds. I kept running into French people. Locals say actual Filipinos don't come here much because the guides treat them worse than foreign visitors.

The surrounding villages, though, are still pretty poor. You see a few nice houses here and there, some still under construction, but not many.

PS. I also got to ride on top of a jeepney. Fresh air, felt great. They don't tear around like maniacs here (the roads don't allow it), so it was pretty comfortable.