Palaui Paradise: Anguib Cove

I mustered all my courage and confidence to join this trip. I’ve been browsing TF’s website for quite some time and I’ve been itching to go somewhere. I was suffering from the I-just-came-from-a-trip-and-I-am-looking forward-to-the-next-one syndrome after my Corregidor trip and I got interested in TF’s Palaui trip. It was far far far and unheard of. I registered as a solo traveller, I prayed and emailed my reg form and paid the fee.

And what a nice surprise, May 3 was declared a holiday! Wohooo!

I would this that this was the trip that gave me “freedom”. It was the first time I travelled solo with a bunch of people I did not know. The hardest part here was waiting in McDo El Pueblo. I didn’t know anyone and I was feeling kinda shy so I stuck with myself while waiting. My Ipod and mobile phone browsing kept me company. Note to self: bring books when travelling. And good grief, the bus was delayed for about two hours so I pretty much drained the battery of my phone.

The plan:
















UBBE Palaui Island
April 30-May 3, 2010
Sta. Ana, Cagayan, Philippines

PACKAGE RATE
Php 5,500 per person (group sharing)
Php 5,800 per person (twin sharing)

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
Roundtrip Aircon Bus Transfers Manila – Sta. Ana, Cagayan – Manila
Land Transfers in Sta. Ana, Cagayan
Boat transfers within Sta. Ana and Palaui Island
1 Night Tent accommodation at Palaui Island
1 Night air-con room accommodation at Sta. Ana
8 Meals: 3 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 2 Dinner
Travel Insurance
Travel Factor ID and Lanyard
Not Included:
Dinner on Day 1 (Stopover)
Dinner on Day 4 (Stopover)

ITINERARY
Day 1, Apr 30 Friday
06:00 PM Registration inside McDO, EL PUEBLO, ADB Ave corner Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas
06:30 PM Boarding of passengers
07:00 PM Exact bus departure Manila-Sta. Ana, Cagayan (we will not wait for late-comers)
Day 2, May 1 Saturday
08:00AM ETA Sta. Ana, Cagayan
Breakfast
10:00AM ETD Sta. Ana – Palaui Is. (1.5hr boat ride)
Lunch
01:30PM ETA Cape Engano, Set Camp, Climb Cape Engano Lighthouse
Free time for beach bumming
06:00PM Dinner and Socials, Overnight at Cape Engano
Day 3, May 2 Sunday
07:00AM Breakfast
08:30AM Break Camp
09:00AM ETD Anguib Cove (Swimming Beach)
12:00PM Lunch
01:00PM ETD Palaui, Falls
04:00PM Check-in Resort
07:00PM Dinner, Socials, Overnight at Resort
Day 4, May 3 Monday
07:00AM Breakfast, Beachbumming
11:30AM Lunch
01:00PM ETD Sta. Ana – Manila
Day 5, May 4 Tuesday
06:00AM ETA Manila


It was a 10-hour bus ride...I think. It was the longest bus ride of my life. After that, anything shorter than 10 hours is a breeze. We arrived in San Vicente port. We were informed that Anguib Cove and Cape Engano had no signal. Everybody texts. After a light breakfast, the group was separated to ride several smaller boats.



















We conquered huge waves. I mean HUGE. It was like riding a roller coaster.



















The boat that conquered 'em all:


















After 30 minutes of a roller-coaster ride-sea-version, we landed in Anguib Cove. Camp was a few minutes of walk futher.
























Nice tents:



















They have these nice neon green life vests. Impressive!



















And for lunch:




















Beach sand dunes:



















Ironically, I didn’t go for a swim in Anguib Cove. With my new-found buddies, we walked around the beach stretch and got baked. I realized that travellers like to swap stories and tips. I learned that an El Nido adventure is affordable – but that’s another blog post.


Camwhoring around the rocks:

























We had limited supply of fresh water – which is not to be used for bathing purposes. A short walk into the woods leads you to a creek – our source of fresh water for bathing. We took turns in washing up and took care to not pollute the creek.

























I had a blast during socials. ‘Twas a pretty big group. Lots of booze, snacks and laughs shared. My tentmates and I turned in early. It was drizzling and the booze was starting to kick in.

The rain poured down the tents and we were pretty lucky coz we relatively stayed dry compared to other tents.

It was a beautiful morning in Anguib Cove. But it was time to say goodbye. Cape Engano, here we come!


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