It has been my aim to go to all of the provinces in Luzon earlier than I make my option to Visayas. As you recognize, Luzon has 38 provinces divided into seven areas and I nonetheless have 13 extra provinces to go to to finish this aim. I’m actually grateful that i used to be capable of test three of those provinces final 12 months; one from the Cordillera Administrative Area (CAR) and two from the Cagayan Valley (Area II).
Tagged as ApaCaBela tour, I used to be fortunate to hitch Aura Journey‘s tri-province tour within the north. It was a 3-Days-2Nights tour in Apayao, Cagayan, and Isabela which took us in among the standard locations within the respective provinces. It was really a memorable tour and I used to be capable of make new associates and was capable of go to some exceptional but difficult locations.
With out additional ado, permit me to share the abstract of this ApaCaBela tour. I’m going to share a separate entry for every location quickly to offer you extra particulars about them.
Cagayan Capitol
From our pickup level in Quezon Avenue, it took roughly 10 hours to succeed in the province of Cagayan. Our first vacation spot, the Cagayan Provincial Capitol! In contrast to all of the excursions I’ve been with, I can say that this one by no means missed a mark. I imply, actually, we went to virtually all provincial markers on this tour! After some picture op in entrance of the Cagayan Capitol, we had our first stop-over in Tuguegarao Metropolis for our breakfast. Right here, i used to be capable of strive their well-known Pancit Batil Patong.
Pancit Batil Patong of Tuguegarao
It’s a mouthful pancit dish topped with overwhelming quantity of meats and different components like eggs, lumpiang shanghai, giling (floor beef), liver, karahay (their model of bagnet or lechon kawali), and chibul (chicharong bulaklak). We notably went to Babangs Tambayan Paciteria, simply few steps away from Cagayan Musuem.
Cagayan Museum
Entrance to Lussok Cave
After our heavy breakfast, we headed subsequent to our first actual vacation spot – the Lussok Crystal Cave and Underground River in Luna, Apayao Province. Lussok Cave (lussok means to come back in) could be explored both by means of the underground river by boat or by exploring the cave by foot. Guess what? I did each. We entered the cave by means of the underground river and our humorous information toured us across the darkish and eerie cave of Lussok. (Additionally test: Calinawan Cave of Rizal)
Contained in the Lussok Cave
Now, right here’s the humorous half. They gave us two choices to exit the cave. It’s both to return by means of the identical boat OR to climb our means as much as the cave’s exit level. The adventurer in me determined to take the tough path with out realizing that I’m not carrying the appropriate footwear. I used to be carrying rubber footwear once we get there however determined to borrow a pair of outdated slipper from somebody earlier than heading to the cave. Slipper slippery certainly! Anyway, regardless of all the injuries and bruises I obtained after, we managed to succeed in the exit level safely.
A grotto-like rock formation contained in the cave
Lussok Cave Exit level
Apayao Ecotourism and Sports activities Advanced
We concluded our first day by visiting the Apayao Ecotourism and Sports activities Advanced.
San Vicente Fish Port
Fortunately, our second day is equally enjoyable but much less difficult than Lussok. We headed subsequent to the well-known Palaui Island of Sta. Ana Cagayan! From San Vicente Fish Port, it took virtually 45 minute boat trip to succeed in the Palaui Island (Engaño Cove to be particular).
A zoomed shot of Palaui Island signal as seen from our boat
Our aim was to do a minor trek to succeed in the Cape Engaño Lighthouse which is located atop the summit. Thankfully, there are STAIRS already to assist us attain the summit (since my wounded physique just isn’t but totally recovered from that difficult Lussok journey).
Cape Engaño Cove
The cove as seen from the hill
Cape Engaño Lighthouse
Cape Engaño Lighthouse was established in 1892 throughout the time when Philippines continues to be conquered by the Spaniards. This made the lighthouse one of many remaining Spanish “parola” or lighthouse architectures within the nation. The island of Palaui itself is equally mesmerizing. It offers you a panoramic view that overlooks the Babuyan Island and the Dos Hermanos islet. The cove additionally jogs my memory of the Calaguas Island in Camarines.
In fact, we didn’t miss this opportunity to take picture to certainly one of Palaui’s most picturesque spots.
Aparri Arch
PAGASA Climate Station in Aparri
We concluded our second day by visiting the Aparri Arch and the Aparri city marker in entrance of the PAGASA Climate Surveillance Station. There are solely 32 climate stations of PAGASA nationwide and a pair of of them are positioned in Cagayan alone (one in Tuguegarao and one in Aparri).
Tiered falls going to Bluewater
Should you suppose our third day is much less adventurous, effectively, it’s equally memorable and enjoyable! We headed subsequent to Baggao to personally witness its famed Blue Water falls and caves. We took the Forest Trek to succeed in the Blue Waterfalls. It’s tiered waterfall which required minor trekking. Caving right here, nevertheless, is a distinct story and positively not beginner-friendly which is why additionally they require you to be accompanied by a tour information. We didn’t proceed with the caving however we managed to succeed in the mom falls.
Couple’s Cave or Galahad Underground Cave
Contained in the Couple’s Cave
We even got here throughout the so-called Couple’s Cave (some referred it to as Galahad Underground cave). Fortunately, we’re all required to put on life vest. In any other case, i’ll not capable of expertise going by means of inside this underwater cave.
Baggao Bluewater Falls and Cave
After our superb journey to Baggao’s Bluewater falls, we headed subsequent to Isabela province to go to the historic Ilagan Japanese Tunnel. We even get to put on Japanese costume to finish our expertise. Sadly, we can not take images inside however it was a quick but fascinating guided tour and we realized a lot from it. It does jogs my memory of the Dungeon Tower in Intramuros although.
Japanese-inspired panorama outdoors the tunnel
Tunnel’s exit
We additionally obtained an opportunity to witness the world’s largest “butaka” or armed chair. This monumental chair could be discovered close to the Ilagan’s Capitol.
World’s largest Butaka or armed chair
Not too removed from it’s a very fascinating construction located on the coronary heart of Queen Isabela park. It’s a bronze-copper statue of Queen Isabela II surrounded by different statues that performed large a part of Isabela’s wealthy historical past.
Queen Isabela II statue
We had been imagined to have a a aspect journey in Nueva Viscaya however sadly we didn’t have sufficient time. Usually, it was a exceptional expertise and I’m actually excited to share extra detailed details about every location quickly!
For the imply time, if you’re to have the identical tour, be happy to go to Aura Journey Fb web page and test all of the excursions they provide.
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