From Quirino to Isabela to Cagayan

Now that I have done this trip, I can say that I have already circled Luzon. Years ago, I went to Pagudpud, through Vigan and Ilocos, with the bus going via the national highway on the West. So, this recent trip completes my map.

I noticed during this trip that Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan are not yet as exposed to tourists as places like, say, Vigan. People we asked barely know about the destinations we were talking about. It was a challenge getting some information from the locals. It was also very difficult to find places to eat (one that is local, clean and tourist-friendly). You have the carinderia and the famous Metro Manila fast food chains, but just that.
On a positive note, not once did the people there attempt to rip us off. All in all, it was an interesting trip!
Check out my travel notes below.

Manila to Maddela Falls

I love that Quirino is still very green. The trees that it still has make the place even cooler than I expected it to be. When I got there around 7am, it was chillier than in Manila and I

had to have my jacket on. I think I felt the need to take it off only around lunch time. From Cordon, where I got off (straight from Pasay terminal), it would take another hour by van to the local market in Maddela. There, you can hire a tricycle to take you to the falls (15 mins. away). To get to the falls, you need to trek for 10 to 15 mins (or longer if you take a lot of pictures along the way). Though here is no need to hire a guide, since there's only one trail to follow, our motorcycle driver was kind enough to go with us still. It was a good trek, and anyone can do it. It's not steep and there is a canopy of
trees to block the sun's heat.

Once you get to the falls, you would not be disappointed. They cascade gently and beautifully into its basin that's built to look like a natural pool. It's no pagsanjan, for sure, but just as beautiful. I would have loved to go swimming, but I thought that it was too cold to plunge into the water at that time. The park was clean, well-maintained, and, in spite of that, it did not look artificial at all.

We would have wanted to check Aglipay retreat place and caves, since we heard these are also beautiful places, but we did not have much time. If you happen to go there, and you have time to spare, do not miss it!

Travel Notes:

1. Manila to Cordon
Terminal Location: Victory liner (Pasay) bound for Tuguegarao/Santiago/Ilagan/Roxas, get off at Cordon junction in Isabela
Fare: Php 396
Travel Time: 7 hours

2. Cordon to Maddela
Terminal location: Cordon Junction
Fare: Php 70
Travel Time: 1 hour

Tips:
- Tricycle to the park costs php 100 (one way)
- Trek takes 10-15 mins
- Entrance fee: Php 30
- There is no need for a guide since there is only one trail to follow and it's not a difficult trek. If you don't feel comfortable, you may ask the tricycle driver you go with you, just give  a tip.

Santiago, Isabela

Balay na Santiago

Next stop was Santiago. We wanted to see the museum, Balay na Santiago. I thought it would be nice to add a little culture to the trip. Unfortunately, we were told when we got there that the place had already been turned into a function hall when the previous Mayor lost in the last elections. He took back all the artifacts and left the house empty. Sad. But the structure was still there and the caretaker was kind enough to give us a bit of history of the house as she showed us the place. I just don't know how long it will be there.
Noting that there was nothing else we could do in Santiago, except go to Magat Dam, which we did not have enough time for, we decided to head for Ilagan. It was a shame that I had to skip Magat really. I have never seen a dam up close and I heard that Magat is beautiful. But, that's the downside with trips like this. Besides the budget, time is non-negotiable.

Travel Notes:

1. Maddela to Santiago
Terminal location: Maddela public market (ask around where the vans to Santiago are)
Fare: Php 90
Travel time: 2 hours
Tricycle to Balay na Santiago: Php 35

Ilagan City

City Plaza

We got to Ilagan around 6pm. From the van terminal, we took the jeep (to Sentro; fare Php 10) that would pass by Marj's Hotel. I only noticed two hotels in Ilagan while I was going around the city. We stayed at Marj's as this was what I found on the net previously. For the price (800/room/night), you could not complain. However, I thought they should have at least removed the dust, and have more electrictiy outlet, so we would not have to fight for the only one in the room. Also, I know that they already have a note at the
front desk saying that checkout is at 12nn, it would be nice to mention this to guests upon check in, as not everyone might take notice of it. Also, telling guests about the checkout policy might also give them the opportunity to ask about what happens if they extend an hour or two. In any case, it's a cheap place and it does not pretend to be one of the best. So...
Ilagan is a small city. There was practically nothing to do. We tried roaming around and even asked the hotelier if there is a place we could hang out in or any attractions, and she only pointed us to hotel's third floor, where a band plays at night. Duh!

We went to the park (plaza) and the church and took pictures. We also could not find a place to have a nice dinner. If you happen to be there and found one, please let me know.
On our second day in the city, we went to Ilagan Sanctuary. Located 30 minutes away from the city proper, in Barangay Sta. Victoria, this is a mountain park that the mayor of the city developed for nature enthusiasts. With an entrance fee of just 30 pesos per person, you can go on light treks to the caves and falls, check out the mini zoo, go on horseback riding, try out the zip line, and swim at the pools. A guide will meet you once you get to the sanctuary, but these are volunteer guides. No required amount for fee, but you are of course, expected to give something to them (50 pesos above). The guides will tell you some things about the caves and show you the interesting formations. You cannot go to the caves without these guides, since besides standing as, well, guides, they also make sure that you do not vandalize the caves. Guests have been known to cut pieces of the

Sta. Victoria Cave

stalactites/stalagmites for souvenir.
Of course we did not miss the falls. Since we were the earliest to get there, we had the place to ourselves.
The entire trek from the cave, to the zoo, to the falls took about 3 hours, but mainly because we had a lot of stops for pictures, and we stayed a bit longer at the falls.
We skipped the zipline thinking we could still make it to Tuguegarao that day.

Unfortunately, we forgot that checkout time was at noon and extending even just for an hour would mean a full one-night payment at the hotel. So, we decided to stay another night and just leave for Tuguegarao early the next day.

Travel Notes:

Santiago to Ilagan
- Take a tricycle that would take you to where the buses going to Ilagan pass by. DO NOT take the vans, as they take a very long time waiting for passengers or worse, they will not bring you to Ilagan. They will just decide to drop you off in one of the towns if they do not have many passengers going to Ilagan, so you will be left there waiting for the next van of bus.
Fare: Php 90
Travel time: 2 to 3 hours
Hotel (Marj's): Php 800/room/night (Check out at 12 nn and they are pretty strict with this)
Ilagan to Sta Victoria (Ilang Sanctuary)
Fare (Jeep from Ilagan): Php 30
Tricycl from Junction to the Sanctuary: Php 100 (one way)
Entrance Fee: Php 30
Guide fee: not fixed



Tuguegarao-Palaui

We left the hotel at 3am to be sure that we would already be waiting for the bus going to Tuguegarao by the time the first bus arrives. Based on our calcuation and on Victory's trip schedules to Tuguegarao, the earliest should be 4am. We were right. In fact, there were other earlier buses, some Victory's deluxe trip and Dalin buses, one of which we decided to get on. 
We only stayed in Tuguegarao for breakfast. We then took a tricycle to the Sta. Ana van terminal. We left at 7:30am and 3 hours and a half later, we arrived in San Ana, where we took a tricycle to San Vicente port.

Getting to Palaui is not difficult. It just takes a long time if you consider the travel hours from Manila, which is a staggering 14 hours. Not if you take the plane, though (to Tuguegarao, then van to San Vicente, Sta. Ana). Once you get to San Vicente port, just look for the tourist information center (it's open even on Sundays). People there will arrange the boat ride to Palaui for you, whether you would like just the straight back and forth ride or if you would like to include the side trips to the different islands (crocodile island, snake island and Anguib beach). Depending on the islands you would like to visit, the boat fee varies, but standard back and forth fare is 1000. 



Palaui island, being a sanctuary, under the protection of the marines and other DENR umbrella angencies, is not as open as other places to tourists, hence, the arrangements at the tourist center before you go to the island. I was told that other adventurers do it their way, hiring a boat that's not registered with the tourism center. This can work and could be cheaper, too, but this could also be dangerous, especially, if something untoward happens to you during the trip, considering that the waves could get really big. The accredited boats, on the other hand,  are monitored, and the coast guards are also informed about their trips.

Camping is also no longer allowed anywhere in the island except at Punta Verde's camp site. You can either bring your own food or have your meals at the campsite at 250/meal (bfast costs 100/person). What we did was bought some food at the market in San Vicente then ask the someone at the campsite to cook them for us for just 100 pesos (we only had to do this for dinner).

We got to Palaui Island at 12:30 after the 15-min boat ride (which could very well be 10 if not for the big, scary waves). We logged in, and then found a guide, who brought us to the camp site, where we left our bags. We then trekked to the light house, Cape Engano, which took us 2 hours, though we probably spent 30 minutes on taking pictures on the way. For those who are not accustomed to trekking, this could go up to 3 to 4 hours depending on how much time you spend taking breaks or pictures. It was low tide, so we were able to pass by the shoreline before going up to the mountain.

The view at Cape Engano is breath-taking, very much like Batanes, with rolling hills, blue sky and the sight of the waves crashing to shore from a distance.

I think much has changed since a year ago, before Survivor shot their most recent season there. I know that it was ok to arrange your own trips to the island and find camping sites before. You could also trek to the light house at any time of the day, but this was no longer allowed when we got there. Last trek to Cape Engano is at 12 noon (1pm if you negotiate). Tourist activities are now arranged by CEZA (Cagayan economic zone authority), and the fees are standardized.

We left the island the next day, early, at 8am, to be sure to avoid the strong waves.

Travel Notes:

Tuguegarao to Palaui
Van Terminal: take a tricycle to the van terminal to Sta. Ana (Tricycle fare: Php 10)
- Vans already wait as early as 5am, but they wait for it to be full, and the waiting could take time.
Fare (Van): 180
Travel time: 3 to 4 hours
- There are no stops, except for when passengers get off or when the van picks up passengers on the way, so you might want to take your bathroom break before it leaves the terminal.
Tricycle to San Vicente Port (from Sta Ana): Php 40
Boat to Palaui: 1000
- Waves could get really strong, so try to leave Sta. Ana as early as you can.
Tent: 300
- You can bring your own tent.
Camping fee: 250/head
Corkage: 100/meal

Guide: 300
- Anguib beach is the best spot to go swimming, but this is somewhere in San Vicente.
- Snake island is called such because of the sea snakes that are found there. They do not attack, but if you step on them, their bite is lethal.
- Crocodile island is called such because of the shape of the island from afar. There are no crocodiles there.



Here are some other details for Palaui adventure: