Island Hopping in Gigantes Group of Islands

I'm so lucky to have a friend whose province is in Iloilo. A province surrounded by islands which have very beautiful beaches. Most popular group of islands is the Gigantes islands which is now a favorite tourist destination in the province. Very fortunate indeed that my friend lives in Estancia, Iloilo which is a municipality near Gigantes Island.

We decided to do our island trip on a day after we arrived in Iloilo. We were worried the night before that our island trip will not push through because of the large and strong waves the previous days. The coastguards suspend all trip even fishing boats going to Gigantes and other parts of the sea because of the unstable situation. The sun was up and the wind wasn't blowing as hard as the previous days. We went to the market where the port is located and rented a boat which is worth P5,000.00 to take us around Gigantes Islands. It took us almost two hours to reach or first destination which is Tanke Island. 

We have to manage our ways to the rocky cliffs and waves to set foot in the island and marvel at the tranquility inside.

We were not able to stay that long because there is no proper place to dock the boat and there are tourists arriving. We have to manage our way out as there are already another boat beside ours.

It was just a short stay in Tanke Island but I indeed love tranquility inside this rocky island.

We went to Antonia Island which is just near Tanke Island. This is where we also stayed for our lunch. Upon setting foot on the island, we went immediately to the stores to order our lunch.

The amazing thing about Antonia Island is that its like swimming in your own aquarium. Fish of different colors are swimming in the shallow waters. And I mean just a foot-deep of water. No need for a snorkeling gears. Just goggles and you can enjoy swimming with the fishes and marvel at the colorful corals.

We had our lunch in Antonia Island. We had sinigang na isda, fried fish and their local clams. After the heavy lunch we took some more photos of the place.

Our last stop in Gigantes island is the most Instagram island. We have to maneuver our way on the rocky steps to get on top of the island. It is not that high but the steps are steep and there are times that you have to squeeze yourself in between the rocks. 

We want to stay longer in Gigantes but the weather is not cooperating. Our boatmen advised us that we should leave because the waves is starting to get larger. Dark clouds are also very visible so with a heavy heart we opted to leave Gigantes.

A Day in Palaui

Located in the northern part of Cagayan is Palaui Island. The place become popular after the reality show Survivor came to this island. However, until this point there are still few blogs about the place. It will took fourteen (14) hours by land and boat to reach this island. Me and my friends chose to travel by air via Tuguegarao however it will still be three (3) hours to reach Sta. Ana, Cagayan where the San Vicente port if located. San Vicente port is where you can rent boats going to Palaui. They have standard rates based on the island or part of Palaui that you want to visit.

We took a different route going to Palaui. Instead of going to Sta. Ana, we stayed overnight in Nangaramoan beach. We rent a boat going to Palaui from Mar-Pe Inn. It will take 30 to 45 minutes going to Palaui from Nangaramoan. Riding a boat in this partis abit scary if you aare not a swimmer like me because of the big waves that will rocking your bat. Lucky for us, our boatmen knows very well how to ride the waves and how to pass between it.

Our boatmen lead us to Ate Elsa Laddaran's house where we will stay for one night. Ate Elsa is famous because she is the only person who has a homestay in the island. If you have tents, you may pitch it in Punta Verde beach which is also near the house of Ate Elsa. There are no carinderias or any place to eat in Palaui hwever you may ask Ate Elsa to cook food for you. 

Ate Elsa told us that while waiting for our lunch we can go to the falls which is just a short walk from their place. Going to the waterfalls you have to pass a bridge, a rice field and high canopy of trees.

However, since it hasn't rain in Palaui, there is only a small portion of the waterfall that has water. The water coming from it was cold and there are a lot of butterflies in the area. 

After the trek to the falls we went back to the house of Ate Elsa for our lunch then we prepared our things for our trip to Cape Engaño and Crocodile Island. 

Cape Engaño is located on the other side of Palaui Island. There are two options reaching Cape Engaño, first is by trekking which will take three hours and the other is by boat. Of course, we decided to take a boat ride which is much faster but the sea the boat ride is not smooth sailing. Since this part is much open to the ocean, expect much unpredictable waves. The lighthouse and the view deck being constructed is visible while on our way to Cape Engaño.

Upon arrival in Cape Engaño, our boatmen assist us in the registration area where they will assign a tour guide to accompany tourists who want to go up the lighthouse. We have not yet gotten far from the registration area when we saw the rolling hills of Palaui. 

Going to the lighthouse was a bit tough because of the extreme heat. I had sweat rolling through my eyes twice. There are stairs on the trail so its not that hard. Your tiredness would also go away once you look at the beautiful scenery.

The Cape Engaño Lighthouse was built during the Spanish Colonial period which served as gateway for incoming ships. 

We took a short rest upon reaching the lighthouse. I was able to climb the tower and saw the different sides of the island.

I went at the back of the lighthouse to explore more of the island. While at the back of the lighthouse, a local arrived carrying a pail of water and told me that the view downhill is more beautiful. I followed him go down and saw him with two companions building a view deck for tourists. And yeah, he is right when he said that the view is beautiful. I think beautiful is an understatement. 

One of the famous scenery in Palaui Island is the Dos Hermanas Islands. We passed by these two islands in our boat ride going to Cape Engano.

We went down the lighthouse after taking a lot of pictures. Really! You can't seem to get enough of the place. Too bad that it's do hot that we can't wait to swim on our next destination.

We rode our boat again and venture to the sea amidst the waves. Our next destination is Crocodile Island. The island was called such because if you have a vertical view of the island, it looks like a crocodile. Too bad we were in a different direction hence I don't have a shot to show how it looks like. 

There are no trees on island. Only rocks and sand. Since the island is just small and there are no caretakers there are a lot of litters in the place. We only went for a short swim because the waves are literally crashing on us in different directions.

We went back to Punta Verde and decided to have a swim there. The water was not cold nor hot and even if you are quite far from the beach it is only knee deep.

That is how our day in Palaui goes. There are a lot about Palaui and one day stay is not enough!

It's Always Summer in Cagayan

Rain is something common in Metro Manila on the month of August but not in Tuguegarao. Amidst the gloomy weather in Manila because of a typhoon in the Northern part of the country, me and my friends decided to push through with our vacation in Tuguegarao. We just have two goals in our travel that is to visit Palaui and Callao Cave.

Contrary with the gray and old weather in Manila, the sun was up and it was extremely hot in Tuguegarao when our plane made its landing at noon. Tricycles and Vans are all over outside the airport offering a tour at the place or a service going to Sta. Ana where the port going to Palaui is located.

We walked outside the airport and looked for a van going to Sta. Ana. But since it is 12PM we decided to have our lunch first. At a restaurant, we learned that we can ride a tricycle going to the terminal. The tricycle going to the terminal costs only P10.00 per person.

At the terminal there are van going to Sta. Ana however the van that is leaving does not have an aircon so we waited for an hour for the van with an aircon. It will take three hours of travel to reach Sta. Ana from Tuguegarao. It was already dark when we reached Sta. Ana terminal. We called the owner of Marpe Inn where we will be staying for the night. Mang Pepe, the owner was kind enough to pick us up at the terminal with his car which was a good thing because the road going to Nangaramoan was dark and has steep turns.

Nangaramoan has white sand and rock formations. Just near Nangaramoan is Anguib Beach. We were not able to swim in Nangaramoan because we decided to head to Palaui early in the morning.

Anguib Cove

Nangaramoan Beach

While waiting for our boat, kind people of SSS Tuguegarao who are also having their vacation at that time in Nangaramoan gave us Pancit Batil Patong.

The boat ride going to Palaui is about 45mins. The only place to stay in Palaui is at Elsa's homestay. There is nothing much to expect from it. There are no electricity in the island. They battery generators which were charged using Solar Panel.

After settling our bags, we talked to Ate Elsa and our boatmen for our tour in the island. We were able to visit a waterfall, Cape Engaño and Crocodile Island. I will share a separate post about Palaui.

The next day we went back to Tuguegarao. In Tuguegarao we attended a mass in their Cathedral and went to Buntun Bridge where you can also see the Cagayan River.

Buntun Bridge

On our last day in Tuguegarao we went to Penablanca to see Callao Cave where mass was held in the past. I will share a different post with more details for the trip to Callao Cave. After exploring Callao Cave we went to Lighthouse Cooperatives where we bought our pasalubong.

This is just a glimpse of the places to see in Cagayan. 

Going Around Binondo

It was a long time plan to do a photowalk in Binondo but since I was not familiar to the place it has not pushed through. Luckily, the photography club in our office set-up a photowalk in Binondo. The photowalk is different because the objective is taking pictures with the use of cellphone camera although you still have an option to bring your DLSR. I’ve decided to also bring my DLSR to have a highly quality of pictures aside from the ones I’ll get from my cellphone. I’m also planning to enter a streetphotography contest so it is really ideal to have my DLSR with me.

Our meeting place was at the Binondo Church. While waiting for our other companions we started to take some pictures around the church. The church itself is a perfect focus for pictures however it is a challenge to take a picture of the whole church without any vehicles passing through. So most of my photos of the church has jeepneys, trucks and tricycle on it.

There are a lot of children outside the church. Some of them are just sitting and talking with their fellow kids while others ask for alms from the passerby.

Our next destination in Binondo is the El Hogar Filipino Building. We were able to capture different street scenes on our route to El Hogar. 

El Hogar Building is an abandoned building however the place is still busy with the jeepney and boat terminal in front of it. It has also become a home for some of our fellow Filipinos. Makeshift house are lined in front of the buildings. Children are also everywhere not minding the danger in living in the streets.

Amidst thepoverty, it still very inspiring on how these people are still able to smile and would be just happy if you take even one picture of them.

After El Hogar Building, we are back at the welcome arch of Binondo. We crossed the streets of Binondo while taking pictures of things that caught our interest. We were able to reach the famous Ongpin Street.

A kalesa was waiting for passenger when we were in Ongpin Street so we were able to get some picture of it. These old form of transportation is still very famous for tourists going around Manila.

Binondo wouldn't be complete without the charms that is believed to bring good luck, protection and prosperity to one's household.

Our photowalk ended in a fountain outside Binondo. It was a bit hard to get a nice shot at that time because it was already the blue hour.