STA. ANA, CAGAYAN
Our 2012's Holy week was compensated with Cagayan's alluring Sta. Ana.
A lot of thanks to the people who helped us through out the trip.
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| Sta. Ana, Cagayan |
Going there during Holy Week season was really a challenge. Florida going to Sta. Ana was already fully booked three days before holidays probably because it has only two Sta. Ana trips daily and many people took this chance to travel far destinations because of the five days vacation. Nevertheless, our drive to escape the heat of Manila fired us up to take our chances in Victory Liner. From Sampaloc Manila, we our lucky to get the front seat of bus going to Tuguegarao because of "Kuya Manu", one of Victory Liner's employee whom we only met at the Sampaloc station that day. In his kindness, he asked the officer in charge to prioritize us in the next bus. Our hopes not high considering the number of chance passengers also waiting for the same bus. But the officer in charge was true to his words, he really reserved seats for us. Yipee! Others who are not lucky enough, had no choice but to sit in the aisle and doorway.
After 12 hours of travel, we arrived at Tuguegarao on Friday at 3am. Excited to go to Sta. Ana, we went to Florida terminal and checked the available bus which can bring us to Sta. Ana. Sadly, we just missed the Sta. Ana bus. But there came "Kuya Cundoktor" who advised us to take Florida going to Buguey instead. He said from Buguey, we can ride jeepney or Van. That sounds great! Off to Buguey, we passed through Aparri. When I saw Aparri signage, funny that I coudn't help myself to sing Eat Bulaga theme song. We arrived Buguey at 5:30am. At our surprise, there was no transportation to Sta. Ana that early because its Holy Friday. We waited for several hours until we saw Florida bus bound to Gonzaga, luckily we saw "Kuya Cundoktor" again and he asked the conductor of Gonzaga to give us for free ride. From Gonzaga we waited for jeepney or van to take us to Sta. Ana. There are available tricycle but because it's still far, they're charging us way off to our budget. No choice but to wait, wait, and wait. We were already tired and almost loosing hope when a jeepney stopped. Finally, Sta. Ana bound!
The large-scale rice fields everywhere welcomed us in Sta. Ana. It's harvesting time so a lot of rice were laid to the roads for sun-drying. After 17 hours of travel, we arrived the Center of Sta. Ana at 8am. Starving and exhausted, we refueled ourselves in the eatery of "Ate Josie". She helped us a lot in accommodation and transportation to Anguib beach. She's also a Scholar ng Bayan, thanks to my University lanyard we met a friend like her. She even allowed us to freshen up in her house meters aways from her eatery. We reached Anguib beach, for free because of her. We saved P1,400 because of that.
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| Anguib Beach, Cagayan |
BEACHES
Sta. Ana has fascinating beaches. Most pristine beach is Anguib with its white fine sands and few pine trees in the area. Its clear blue water competes with Blue Lagoon of Ilocos Norte for the title of "Boracay of the North". It has an entrance fee of P80 per person, cottage for P500. They don't allow bringing in food so you'll be forced to buy in their store that offers snacks, drinks, and meals. No electricity there so no overnight staying is allowed.
We also visited other beaches but because its too hot that day, many decided to enjoy those beaches which don't have entrance fees. All the cottages were occupied and the beach shore was already crowded.
CAPE ENGANO
The next day, Saturday we visited Cape Engano and Falls in Palui Island. As expected, the scenery in Cape Engano is stunning. Its beauty - the overlooking beach shore, the greenery cliffs, the structure of the lighthouse together with the force of the wind, compelled us that Cagayan was really worth seeing.
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| Capre Engano |
After Cape Engano, we visited the falls of Palaui. Hike was less that 45mins to the falls. Its a cascading two-tiered water falls. Since its summer the water was not overflowing but enough to have a small basin for us to take a plunge.
SNORKLING
Last stop was the Snorkling area in the protected area in front of Palaui. Amazing colorful and healthy coral reefs are there to surprise you. When still in the boat, our guide showed us a laminated photos of the marine life that we can see there. At first, it seemed that its too beautiful to be true but we were incorrect. The corals were lovelier than Palawan's corals much bigger and healthier. The strict implementation of the protected area really paid off. No fishing is allowed in the area thus preserving the corals untouched. In addition, the officers are adding aquatic flora and fauna like giant clamps to add to its inventory of marine life there. The guides are trained where to safely stand without touching the corals.
ACCOMMODATION
Since its long vacation, almost all the resorts in the area are already fully booked. Thanks to "Ate Josie", she referred to us one of his relative's apartment. We're not particular much with the accommodation as long as there is bed, bathroom, and fan, we are good. We just spent a night there since we decided to get on the bus for Manila trip on Saturday 3pm to avoid the bulk of tourist heading back to Manila.
COSTING
Bus: Manila-Sta Ana (florida) one way per passenger P 750
Environmental Entrance per person 100
PASAMOBA Boat from San Vicente Port:
Tour (Cape, Palui, Crocodile island, and Anguib) 3,500
Cape Engano and Crocodile island 1,800
Palaui, Punta Verde 750
Guide fees
to Cape Engano lighthouse 250
to Palaui water falls 250
to Snorkeling 250
Rent Snorkeling gears 200
Tricycle min fare per trip 10
ACCOMMODATION
Resort's Contact numbers and cheapest rooms:
Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (0926) 199-6413 Grand Villa (4pax) P6,200
Eastern Hawaii (0918) 916-0645 VIP 2 (2 pax) 2,000
Jotay Resort (0906) 478-1270 Standard Double (2pax) 1,000
Jerolinda White Beach (0935)119-5897 Ordinary room (2pax) 800
Balai Cagayano (0906) 586-5887 Deluxe (2pax) 1,000
Lordwins Beach Resort (0919) 701-0036 Room (8pax) 2,000
Costales Lodging (0915) 549-7879 AC Room w/Kitchen 600
Bayanihan Hall (Palaui) (0905) 283-2559 room per head 250
Ate Josie's Apartment (0905) 296-2431 3 rooms w/kitchen 500
Other contact persons:
Kuya Val, President of Snorkeling guide (0926) 934-8727
Kuya Amiboy, boatman operator (0905) 918-0151
TIPS:
No ATM in Sta. Ana, so bring sufficient cash when going there.
Eat Halo Halo in Ate Josie eatery, the best!
Bring underwater camera for snorkeling, do not leave Sta. Ana without seeing the coral reefs.
Best transportation is Florida bus Sampaloc to Sta. Ana, choose the bus with CR.
Buy Carabao's Milk candy and carabao's chicharon.
Talk to CEZA representative
