In the northeastern extremity of Luzon, there is an island that is protected for its landscape and seascape, and the perfect location worthy of Survivor Challenge "Blood versus Water". The surrounding waves is even more challenging. The beaches around it - unbelievably raw. The journey to it - so exhilarating and not for the fainted heart.
Palaui Island is no doubt the pride of the north.
Known to only a few thrill-seekers and the locals in the north of Cagayan, the Palaui Island is home to 105 species of rattan and valuable timber producing wood species, 25 imported shrubs, and is the sanctuary for 90 migratory birds. The waters around the island boast of 21 commercial species of fishes with about 50 hectares (120 acres) of undisturbed corals. (Info from Wikipedia)
There is no island in the Philippines that is surprisingly untouched and well preserved as the Palaui Island.
San Vicente Port.
The cozy Port of San Vicente in the Cagayan mainland is the gateway to Palaui Island. We arrived there just after lunch, after hours and hours of driving from Angeles City. The best way however is to board a plane from Clark Airport, bound for Tuguegarao - then rent a van to the port of San Vicente – to reserve your energy for the excitement that awaits you. The boat ride is rough. The seawater will surely splash from both sides of the boat. It was never reassuring. For the scuba divers like us, it is still nerve-wracking.
The waves are big and terrifying at times. The weather is shifting and is unpredictable. Fishermen in Palaui has the balls of steel. It is not easy to catch fish while the waves are high and violent.
Thus, more fishermen turn to tourists as boat men and guides. It is important in their livelihood – so consider giving them a nice tip for their kindness and your up coming great adventure.
The Punta Verde.
The docking area is either in the beaches of Engaño Cove or in the sands of Punta Verde. Punta Verde is the main headquarters for crew filing the Survivor Challenge event.
It seem like a normal beach from afar, but arriving at Punta Verde beach, the fine white sand will steal your attention almost immediately. It's like lying there in the sand was the first thing that I'd want to do after the grueling boat ride. Silently hiding from behind the dense vegetation is the beautiful garden of Punta Verde Resort, and towards the settlement of the locals in the island passing the Lagunzad Trail.
The island was closed during their season of filming. Survivor's “Blood versus Water” was a 20 days castaway filmed in Palaui Island on May~July of 2013. Competing tribes’ Galang (respect) and Tadhana (destiny) – with Tyson Apostol as the Sole Survivor winning the one (1) million dollar cash prize. He spent two years in the Philippines as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (ctto and info from Wikipedia)
The Base Camp.
We have arranged ourselves to stay and pitch our tents in the garden inside Punta Verde. The statues in Punta Verde is quiet impressive. If you don’t know that the Survivor was there, you will be thinking, "why the heck these statues are here". There is a canteen that you can order some meal, juice, or hot coffee. There are rooms there but we opted to camp and experience excitement in the tents.
During the night it was a bit raining. Our tents were able to withstand as we prepare it for that moment. The night was cold and a bit startling inside.
The Bermuda grass under the tents is starting to get wet. The cold bleezing wind is blowing heavily deep into the night. We just made it to retire wishing to wake up still dry in the morning.
The Roughest Boat Ride.
The adventure starts when the wave rides begins..!
The Dalupang Mangroves.
En route to Anguib Beach, we navigated a narrow waterway with the untamed beauty of mangrove forests, called Dalupang Mangroves.
Our jaws wide open for what might surprise us. Birds at times stole the creeping silence. I was anxious for a seawater crocodile to appear from the muddy waters - thankfully there was none.
The Anguib Beach.
The amazing purity of its silky pinkish sand put Anguib Beach on top of my "best beach in the Philippines" list. There is a short sandbar that is shifting with the current. The surroundings is still raw - not even a lifeguard is present. It is left untouched and in pristine condition.
Swimming on the edge of the sandbar is very dangerous, as the current is strong and can pull you out in the open seas. There were some kubo set back inside the luscious vegetation and not in the open sand. I am surprised that the locals knew exactly how to please traveler's eagerness for nature and untouched wilderness.
The Engaño Cove.
In the northernmost part of the island is Pamanahan Valley where Engaño Cove is the gateway leading to Cape Engaño.
The locals again hides their kubo stores inside the green vegetation to make it more appealing with nature. From there, you will hire your guide and start the hike in to the light house.
The amazing beauty in preserving nature in Palaui Island is very obvious. The trail even kept as it is since the beginning. We need to grab some sticks to help us for the hike.
The scenery while hiking is breath-taking with stunning landscapes. The hike was surprisingly forgiving although at times we have to pose for some photos that seem never-ending with joy.
The Cape Engaño Lighthouse.
Situated atop the summit of a hill, 92 meters above sea level, Cape Engaño Lighthouse was named "Engaño" by Spaniard seafarers when they first set foot on the cape, and were so stunned by its natural beauty. It was completed on 1892 by Engineers' Magin Pers y Pers and Guillermo Brockman.
The lighthouse provides an amazing 360-degree view of Babuyan Island and the Dos Hermanas Island (Two Sisters) on the North, Pacific Ocean on the West and Engaño cove on the East. The cool breezing air on top was soothing, even under the heat of the sun.
And all the exhaustion in reaching the top of Cape Engaño was all worth it - it was so stunningly beautiful there!
It's a place that will take you back decades in time with these structures that's so magnificent.
The adventure in Palaui Island is surprisingly spectacular - an epic getaway destination for persistent travelers!
The Crocodile Island.
On our way back to Punta Verde, we pass by Crocodile Island in the southeastern side of Palaui Island.
We were surprisingly greeted by dolphins along the way. We were not expecting to experience such kind of fun and excitement with nature.
We rush towards the Ilocandia upon reaching back Sta. Ana port, to start our Visita Iglesia, "The Seven Churches of North-western Luzon", we were silently rekindling inside the speeding AUV crossing the winding roads of Sta. Ana to Pagudpud.
Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets.
Where else can you get such kind of incredible experience? Perhaps it was unique in its own way. The journey to Palaui Island was never easy, yet it was totally a blast..!
Byahe lang.. cheers!
2016 March 24~25, Palaui Island, Cagayan
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