Tra-Abel Guide to Ilocos Region

Ilocos is located on the most northwestern part of the Philippines. Plenty of tourists visit this region to learn and reminisce the rich history the place offers, home to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site - Vigan City, which boasts of Spanish-era mansions, the kalesa and cobblestone Crisologo Street. 

In addition to these historical treats, you can also find a century old lighthouse at Burgos and a century old baroque church at Paoay. 

Also, if one ventures beyond, Ilocos is home to stunning white sand beaches, enchanting caves and waterfalls, and exceptional rock formations. If these are not enough reasons for you to pack your bags and head to Ilocos now, then maybe the following reasons can make you. Ilocos is also where you can find the scenic Bangui windmills, the first in Southeast Asia, or surf the perfect waves of Pagudpud and partake into the adrenaline inducing adventures offered at Paoay sand dunes.

Palaui Island Trip Day 3: Exploring the Island

On our last day at Palaui, my sister and I decided to just explore the island and trek to some of its hidden gems. We arranged from Nature Village for an island guide who will accompany us around the island. Ate Maricar was assigned to us. We told her that we want the see the nearest waterfalls and to trek to some of the islands nearby beaches.

Waking up with this beautiful view!

She then led the way along the shore until we reached a structure (a shed of some sort) that according to her was the place where the TV Survivor tribal council meetings were held. The hut was still in great shape, but is now plagued with hermit crabs. So that makes it Survivor, Palaui Island: Hermit Crab Edition. We took some pictures and played with the hermit crabs for a while (hermit crab racing) before we continued on with our trek.

Survivor Palaui Island!

We left the shore and went deeper into the island where we met the Aeta Community. Since we were there during the weekdays, we were given an opportunity to observe one of the Aeta children classes. There was only one classroom and about 20 students so it was not clear to us if they have grade levels. The teacher who was in front of the class was also an Aeta and she was teaching the kids about Mathematics. I guess counting was important to them since that would come in handy during trade and doing business with other communities.