Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Travel Mapping
My goal: to make all the white spots blue! (Go Ateneo! hehe)
My Lakbayan grade is B!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.
My Lakbayan grade is B!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
This trip almost didn't happen.
Our plan was to leave 7PM, Friday via Victory Liner. Unfortunately, buses were full and next available trip was at 10:30. Given we only have the weekend, and that travel time to Cagayan will be at least 12 hours long, we knew that the 1030 trip is not worth it to take.
For a moment there, we were lost. We were travellers without a destination. Gica and I were in the center of Cubao, all geared up but with no place to go.
We considered going to La Union, or Vigan, or Baler. Anywhere with a beach!
Good thing Kathryn and Jeff were able to secure 9PM tickets from Baliwag Bus. We were at the very back of the bus but at least we're on our way.
After 12 hours of gruelling, bouncy bus ride, we arrived Tuguegarao. We had a quick breakfast in a carinderia near the terminal, and then rode a van to Sta Ana, the farthest town in Cagayan.
Another 3 hours of travel, we finally arrive the town of Sta. Ana. We checked in at Country Inn by the Sea, a newly constructed inn. We got a Family Room with 5 beds for P2500. The place is clean, quaint, and its staff, very friendly.
We freshened up, ordered sandwiches, and we rented a boat going to Palaui Island. Boat rental cost P2500.
45 minutes of boatride, we arrived at the beautiful Palaui Island.
It's topography reminds me so much of Batanes.
The next morning, we toured the town of Sta Ana, complementary of Tita Audrey--the owner of Country Inn.
Our plan was to leave 7PM, Friday via Victory Liner. Unfortunately, buses were full and next available trip was at 10:30. Given we only have the weekend, and that travel time to Cagayan will be at least 12 hours long, we knew that the 1030 trip is not worth it to take.
For a moment there, we were lost. We were travellers without a destination. Gica and I were in the center of Cubao, all geared up but with no place to go.
We considered going to La Union, or Vigan, or Baler. Anywhere with a beach!
Good thing Kathryn and Jeff were able to secure 9PM tickets from Baliwag Bus. We were at the very back of the bus but at least we're on our way.
After 12 hours of gruelling, bouncy bus ride, we arrived Tuguegarao. We had a quick breakfast in a carinderia near the terminal, and then rode a van to Sta Ana, the farthest town in Cagayan.
Another 3 hours of travel, we finally arrive the town of Sta. Ana. We checked in at Country Inn by the Sea, a newly constructed inn. We got a Family Room with 5 beds for P2500. The place is clean, quaint, and its staff, very friendly.
 |
| Country Inn by the Sea, Sta Ana, Cagayan |
We freshened up, ordered sandwiches, and we rented a boat going to Palaui Island. Boat rental cost P2500.
45 minutes of boatride, we arrived at the beautiful Palaui Island.
It's topography reminds me so much of Batanes.
 |
| Palaui Island |
 |
| Cape Engano |
  |
| Tres Marias- Dos Hermanas |
Our guide Maya led us to see the hidden waterfalls. Walking along the trail is like walking in the Forbidden Forest in Lord of the Rings. You can feel how enchanted the place is.
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| Hidden Waterfalls |
We headed back just in time for the sunset.
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| Sunset view by our balcony |
The next morning, we toured the town of Sta Ana, complementary of Tita Audrey--the owner of Country Inn.
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| San Vicente Port |
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| Tour boats waiting |
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| Last Kilometer Marking in North Luzon |
By 9AM, 18 hours after we set foot on the tip of Cagayan, we leave the place with memories, both beautiful and enchanting.
I may have taken a lot of trips in my life, but this one, I'm sure I will never forget.
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