Saturday, June 1, 2013

Amazing Palaui Island!

from www.flickr.com
Tagged as the "Paradise of the Northeast," Palaui Island was recently included in CNN's top beaches in the world and was ranked number 10. But my peronal favorite is still El Nido in Palawan.

Last summer 2013, I went to Palaui Island. Though the trip was a bit cut-off by the location shoot of Survivor (they were occupying Palaui Island), I still decided to go to Palaui. From Legazpi City, I boarded a Cebu Pacific connecting flight from Legazpi to Manila and then Manila to Tuguegarao. The flight from Legazpi to Manila was good for less than 45 minutes. While the flight to Tuguegarao was also less than 45 minutes. But the land travel from Tuguegarao to Sta. Ana, Cagayan was 3 hours!

How to get there

Air and land travel - Manila flight to Tuguegarao (45 minutes) and then land travel to Sta. Ana (3 hours)

Land travel only -  
     Option # 1 - Bus ride from Sampaloc, Manila or Cubao to Tuguegarao (9-10 hours), then van travel to Sta. Ana, Cagayan (3 hours)
      Option # 2 - Florida bus ride from Sampaloc, Manila or Cubao to Sta. Ana, Cagayan (12-13 hours)
       Option # 3 - Partas or Farinas bus ride to Laoag, Ilocos Norte (8-9 hours), then GMW bus to  Lalo, Cagayan (3-4 hours), then van ride to Sta, Ana (1.5 hours)

Note - 
First trip to Tuguegarao from Sta. Ana
Bus - 4 am / Van 3 am
Last trip to Tuguegarao from Sta. Ana
Bus - 3 pm / Van 1:30 pm

From Sta. Ana to Laoag/Vigan (7 hours)
First trip by bus - 1 am
Last trip by bus - 3 am (If you miss the last trip, go to Magapit)

Once you reach Sta. Ana, Cagayan, head to San Vicente Port.

San Vicente Port, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

It was already pas 4 pm when I arrived in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. I had no plan of sleeping in Palaui Island. I just wanted to explore the island. And so I decided to spend the night in Sta. Ana proper. But I still waited and watched the sunset at the port.

RAV Transportation Services
Van for Hire
Derick Villegas
0998-545-0016
0917-504-0770
(043) 778-4657
(043) 703-0435
Facebook: RAV Electronic Services
Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

Transportation / Tour services to any point of Luzon
Brand New Foton Traveller vehicles available
Equipped with GPS, wifi, videoke, RFID, Sky TV
Satisfaction Guaranteed! =)




Accommodations in Sta. Ana 

You can choose from a variety of lodging inns located near the port in the town proper of Sta. Ana. Here are some of the lodging inns.

RCB Lodging Inn - P600.00
Country Hill - P1,500.00
Joma's Lodge - P800.00
Transient - P500.00


The following morning I hired the boat for P1,500 which included going to Punta Verde, Crocodile Island and Snake Island.





 Tourist Spots in Palaui Island
Punta Verde
Baratubot Falls
Cape Engano Lighthouse
Anguib Cove
Palaui Island Campsite
Crocodile Island
Snake Island
Jerolinda Beach
Pugo Moro
Siwangag Cove
Gotan Beach
Puzorobo



Boatman
Kerwin - 0926-994-3586
Edward - 0906-759-6292

Boat Rentals
Long Distance 
Boat Rent good for max of 8 pax
1. Cape Engano Lighthouse  - P1,800 (45 mins)
2. Anguib Cove/Beach -  P1,500 (25 mins)
3. Siwangag Cove - P1,500 (30 mins)
4. Puzurobo - P1,800 (1 hour)

Cape Engano Lighthouse
Short Distance
Crocodile Island - P500 (5 mins)
Punta Verde - P750 (15 mins)
Pugo Moro - P500 (5 mins)

Boat service is only 6 hours
Additional P100 for extended  hour

Additional P300 for overnight stay at Punta Verde

Special trips
Cape Engano, anguib, Crocodile and Punta Verde - P3,500

Ms. Roselyn Fronda 
Ecozone Center
0917-780-9302

Inquiries Re Palaui
0905-358-1455
0921-660-6722

Ms. Corazon Tangcora
Pasamaboa dispatcher
0905-847-8825




The trek to Baratubot Falls is good only for 20-25 minutes

from travelarcher.wordpress.com
Anguib Cove is one of the best spots in Palaui Island.

Camping site
One can have an overnight stay at the Palaui island Camping Site.

They offer various services such as massage for only P300.00.
Paluto of your favorite dishes (one day prior notice is required) 
or pay P250 only for your meals.
Charging of phones, laptop  and other gadgets.
Camping fee is P250/pax.
Camping tent rent is P300.
Snorkeling equipment P250.
Homestay is good only for P300.00


Snake Island


Crocodile Island


It's Really More Fun Island Hopping
 in Palaui Island!

Youtube links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4soZEZ3TrE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuV_sRCC5EY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbPxV93LmPU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7oN6yRw0kQ

My Summer 2013 Best Pics

Island shopping at Crocodile Island, Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
Every year since 2006 I travel around the Philippines. 
But this blog started only November, 2012.

And every year I make it a point to have my compilation of the best pictures that I have taken in my series of travels. Of course it is a must that I need to ask for a second opinion with my friend Mek. We may not agree with some of the best shots but I always consider his opinion as the better one. 

This summer 2013 here are the best pictures we (Mek) have collectively chosen. 
Hope you like it! =)


Anika Beach Resort, Bantayan Island, Cebu



Sunrise at Biri Island, Samar



Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte



Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Burgos, Ilocos Norte



  Camotes Island, Cebu


Cape De Santiago Lighthouse, Calatagan, Batangas





















 Crocodile Island, Palaui, Sta. Ana, Cagayan



Daraga Church, Daraga, Albay



Sunset at Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon



Dakak Beach Resort, Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte



Top/Aerial View of Mt. Mayon, Legazpi 





















The Farm, Lipa City, Batangas


Interior of Taal Basilica, Taal, Batangas




Bell Tower of Sta. Maria de Assunta Church, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur

















Sunset at Boracay



Sunrise at Sunrise Beach Resort, Oslob, Cebu



Sunrise at Candaba Bird Sanctuary, Pampanga



Anawangin Lake, Anawangin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales



Taal Basilica, Taal, Batangas



Potipot Island, Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales

Trekking at Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas

It's More Fun to Travel in the Philippines!

My Best Panoramic Shots this Summer 2013


Ever since I learned how to use the so called panoramic option/mode in my Samsung digital camera, I could not help using the mode to capture the best scenic spots in the Philippines. It started while I was hiking at Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. I used the panoramic shot as my cover photo for my facebook account. And from then on, I continued capturing the majestic views in  the Philippines! 


Sunset at Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte



Sunrise at the Candaba Swamp, Pampanga



Anawangin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales



Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan



Daraga Church, Albay



Pahiyas Festival, Lucban, Quezon



Cagsawa Ruins, Albay



Potipot Island, Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales



Uacon Beach, Candelaria, Zambales



Candaba Swamp, Pampanga


Crocodile Island, Palaui Island, Cagayan

It's Really More Fun in the Philippines!

Summer 2013 Sunset and Sunrise (my pics)

One thing I enjoy about traveling in the Philippines is watching the sunsets and sunrise. And here are my pictures of the best sunset and sunrise taken this summer.




Boracay sunset


Biri Island sunrise


Mt. Mayon sunset


Malapascua Island sunset


Oslob sunrise


Palaui Island sunset


Potipot Island sunset


Subic Beach sunset


Ticao Island sunrise


Ticao Island sunset