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.

Palaui Island Trip Day 2: Island Hopping Tour

My sister and I woke up early the next day to attend the INC Sunday morning worship service. After the service, we texted our boatman and hired a trike to San Vicente Port, where we will meet them. At the port, Manong Peralta was already waiting for us and we were introduced to our guide and boatmen for the Palaui Island Tour.

The first stop for our Palaui Island Tour was at Engano Cove.

The rocky part of the alluring Cape Engano Cove!

It was the starting point for the short hike to Cape Engano Lighthouse. Upon arriving at the cove, we were directed to a booth where we were required to hire a guide worth Php300.00. One guide is only good for 4 tourists. Much as I want not to hire a guide since the lighthouse is already visible from where we were standing. We decided against it because on a second thought, the guide fee will help the locals especially those whose only source of income is the budding tourism of the island.

The Batanes-esque feel of Palaui Island! 

Palaui Island Trip Day 1: Tra-Abel En Route - The Unplanned Trip

Palaui here I come!

Having been to many places around the Philippines and some to its neighboring countries, it was only in 2013 that I became aware of the beautiful and exotic Island of Palaui at Cagayan Valley (Region 2). Coming from the province of Quirino which shares the same region with Cagayan, Palaui is just a stone throw away. So when the opportunity came to travel to Palaui, I immediately boarded a bus to Tuguegarao City. Coming along with me to experience the beauty of this little island is my sister, who did not bother filing a leave from work. LOL.

The trip from Echague (located in Isabela Province where my grandparents live) to Tuguegarao City took around 3-4 hours. We arrived at the city around noon, where we withdrew cash to cover our expenses for the whole trip as there are no or limited ATMs at Santa Ana/Palaui.

After getting lunch and some rest, we hired a trike to get to the terminal where Santa Ana bound Van can be found. The first trip from Tuguegarao City to Santa leaves at 5:00 AM and the last trip leaves at 4:00 PM. The fare is around Php 200.00 and the travel time is around 3 to 4 hours.

We arrived at Santa Ana Poblacion around 5:00 PM. Santa Ana is a small town in Cagayan where both fishing and farming is the main source of income. The recent feature of Palaui Island in the two (2) seasons of Survivor (a television show) added tourism as another source of income for its people. So we were quite happy to help the community with our trip there. 

Tra-Abel Guide to Palaui Island, Cagayan

Cape Engano Lighthouse!

Palaui Island is located on the most northeastern tip of the Philippines in the province of Cagayan, where the last kilometer marker (642 km) up north of Luzon can be found. It is a small exotic island with a rich flora and fauna, home to the historic Cape Engano Lighthouse and surrounded by stunning and beautiful beaches and islets such as Anguib, Nangaramoan, Punta Verde, Crocodile Island and Dos Hermanas.

How to Get There

By Land

You can catch any bus from Manila bound to Cagayan (Tuguegarao City). There are a number of them both regular and air-conditioned. Here’s a list of the buses going to Cagayan Valley:

1. Victory Liner (From Pasay, Sampaloc and Cubao/Kamias Terminals)

2. GV Florida (From Sampaloc and Cubao Terminals)

3.  Five Star (From Cubao and Pasay Terminals)

4. Other buses with route Manila to Cagayan Valley: Auto Bus, Ballesteros Bus, Dagupan Bus (Most of the buses bound to Cagayan Valley can be found around Sampaloc and Cubao area)

From Tuguegarao City take a Van to Santa Ana Market/Poblacion. Approximate travel time is 2.5 to 4 hours. In Santa Ana Poblacion, you can opt to stay overnight in one of the budget hotels around the area or you can go directly to San Vicente Port by taking a tricycle. From the port area, you can hire a boat (see rates below) to Punta Verde or Anguib Beach where you can spend the night. This will actually depend on the time of your arrival at Santa Ana. For the tips on where to stay at Santa Ana, Punta Verde and Anguib please refer to the accommodations section of this post.

The uninhabited shorelines of Punta Verder in Palaui Island

Tra-Abel in the Year 2014

The year 2014 has ended, it’s that time of the year when companies’ trial balances are prepared to be closed and financial statements begin to take its form (optimistically speaking). Well for this blog, it’s time to reminisce and review the places I’ve been to for the past 12 months ended December 31, 2014.

I began blogging about my travels mid-2013, it jump started at El Nido, Palawan in July 2013, the place I’ve been dreaming of ever since I was a kid, and continued on with my work-cum-travel to the CARAGA Region in Mindanao. And the passion to travel still keeps burning. For the year 2014, I've set my goal to travel to 14 different places, both within and outside the Philippines. Fortunately, I made it to most of the places I've listed and some would have to wait this year 2015. So without further ado here are the Top 10 places Tra-Abel has set foot on in the year 2014.

In January 2014, I had to work and stay in the office (Lepanto, Benguet) without much time for travelling. It was all work and no play. I had to endure a month without travel to compensate for my planned 11 days backpacking trip which will be on February. Nevertheless, I was still busy with travel blogging and travel planning. So you see I’m kinda obsessed with traveling. Haha.

Comes the second month of the year, February. I have been excitedly anticipating for this month to come. Big travel plans for my first solo backpacking trip to Thailand and Cambodia. And here’s how it went:

Thailand (#starttheyearwithaBANG-kok)

 

This country holds a special place in my heart since it was where I first experienced solo traveling outside the Philippines. The plane ticket was purchased way ahead of time and the itinerary was planned months before the flight. It was for an 11 days solo backpacking trip to Thailand and Cambodia. I visited the usual tourist sites, stayed in Khao San Road, the backpacking mecca, tried different new food and met a lot of interesting people along the way. Being new to traveling alone in a foreign land, I was able to experience different kind of emotions. One moment I was happy and excited, while some moments I was afraid for my dear life and anxious for the uncertainties this travel entails. Still I was able to enjoy every moment, appreciate every experience and savor every day of this trip.