Sta. Ana’s Anguib Beach—A Must Visit White Sand Haven

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Frolick in the ever white sands of Anguib Beach in Santa Ana, Cagayan

Did you know that Anguib (or Angib) Beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan is not really a public or a “no-one-is-owning” white sand beach but a semi-private venture in the island? Did you also know that Anguib Beach can be reached by land via private vehicle, by passing through fields of rice crops and greens of mountains, as opposed to other tourists who say that it can only be reached by boat when coming from Port of San Vicente also in the town of Santa Ana? Did you also know that there is also an adjacent secret beach called Gotan Beach which is exclusively only for elite visitors and casino gamers? Did you also know that other than Anguib Beach, there are also other coves with white sands, accessible by local tourists and some are still pristine because of their difficulty in accessibility? Did you also know that Santa Ana is also a place for scuba divers, kite flyers and adventure lovers? And did you also know that as opposed to the usual etymology of town’s name, Santa Ana was not named after a saint nor the name “Santa Ana” is religious of any sort?

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Years of Online Blogging, Travex Travels and Beyond!

Travex Travels header since May 2016 - present

Maintaining a blog isn’t really that easy. It takes time to nurture this entity and let it grow with several knowledge honed with the articles the writer fed up on the URL. It takes years of life experiences before you can say, “Wow, this blog has already grown up.” Well, that is just my point of view of somebody who is not even a writer by profession, not even a traveler by default and not even an IT or webmaster specialist by passion. BUT—I love writing, discovering, learning and living. These four words are enough to put up an online journal that crosses borders between travel stories and experiences; life learning and information; and reality and imagination.

Jeff’s Pancit Batil Patong and Nueva Vizcaya’s G&B; Buko Pie are the Best!

Jeff's Pancit Batil Patong as pasalubong

We only spent two days and one night in Aparri, Cagayan. After that Aparri leg of our Cagayan motorcycle diaries, we headed back to Tuguegarao just in time for dinner. It will be the last time I will spend my Cagayan time with my friend and colleague because tomorrow is another day, and that another day will be spent again in the longest ride from Tuguegarao to Villasis (Pangasinan), then Pangasinan to Tarlac. It’s time to go home. But save the best for last truly!

Aparri Beach, The Park, and Sigay (Fishing in Cagayan)

The waves are crashing onto the walls in Aparri Beach, Cagayan

After our motorcycle episode from Tuguegarao, we finally arrived in this far town of Aparri, still in the province of Cagayan. Although it took us hours to reach my friend’s uncles, I did not feel the long back ride trip because of the laid back sceneries and the “doon po sa nayon” feels of the vast and long fields of rice, corn and crops. Although the time passed by in the hours, I felt as if the trip from Tuguegarao to Aparri was just in a matter of seconds.

Castle, Cagayan Churches and Suspension Bridge—A Prelude to Aparri

One of the oldest churches in Cagayan Valley, the Lalloc Nueva Segovia Church

Our plan a day after we toured Callao Caves, and its river, is to visit my friend’s uncle in Aparri—a town at the tip of northern Luzon. It is one of the farthest destinations by bus when coming from Manila. Our motorcycle diary from Tuguegarao, Cagayan’s Capital up to Aparri is an innate experience I felt because we thumped a chain of churches in Cagayan, a “castle” and the oldest suspension bridge in the Philippines.

Braving the Cold Waters, Swimming in Cagayan River

Clean river in Cagayan you can go for swimming

The not so good part in swimming activities in the months of December, January and February in the northern part of the Philippines, is the cold temperature of the natural waters. It is because the northeasterly winds blow and lower down the temperature in the region. Of course, Cagayan river is one of these natural waters. It really gets cold during these months I’d rather swim in a bathtub with the water heater on.

Short (But Worth It) Mororan River Cruise, Callao, Cagayan

Tour one of the cleanest rivers in Cagayan, Philippines.

This part in Cagayan is actually one of the cleanest rivers in the country. It is also one with the most spectacular views of nature. Mororan river tour, as the locals call it, is definitely worth the try when you are in the Callao Ecotourism Zone in Penablanca, Cagayan.

Of Chambers, Light and Darkness: Callao Cave, Cagayan

Inside the not-so-creepy cave Callao in Penablanca, Cagayan

Fossilized remains were discovered inside Callao Cave in 2007 by Armand Mijares. The discovery was of a single 6 centimeter metatarsal which when dated using uranium series ablation was found to be at least about 67,000 years old. If definitely proven to be remains of the Homo sapiens, it would antedate the 47,000 year old remains of Tabon Man to become the earliest human inhabitant remains in the country, and one of the oldes in the Asia Pacific region. Researchers note that the remains was about under four feet high and a possibility that the descendants were the Aetas. Meet the “Callao Man” of Callao Cave, Penablanca, Cagayan.

Tuguegarao Breakfast: Dodie’s Pansit Batil Patung

Taste the complex noodle dish--pansit batil patung in Cagayan

The curiosity of my mind drove me to this far end province in the Philippines. Unlike the other places that I have already visited such as the golden beach in Pangasinan or the quietness of Camotes Island in Cebu where the tourist destinations pushed me through, it was the food—that famous noodle dish, pansit batil patung that made me crave for it and visit Cagayan and its capital city of Tuguegarao.

Short Stop at Tuguegarao Cathedral in Cagayan

Saint Peter Metropolitan Church in Tuguegarao or simply Tuguegarao Cathedral

It was Amihan season when I decided to join my officemate who hailed from the capital city of Cagayan in his journey back home. He told me that he seldom visits his hometown Tuguegarao because well, the distance from Manila to Tuguegarao is hundreds and hundreds of kilometers. Since I do not have much to do in Tarlac for the Christmas season, I joined him in his trip back to Cagayan. It was Callao Cave back then that I really want to visit and of course, the ever famous flavors of pansit batil patung.

To the Northeast! Cagayan Tour Tips

Cagayan is the northeastern most province in the Philippines

The Northeastern part of the Philippines is less traveled by tourists and experience travelers as compared to the more widely known tourist haven of the region of Ilocos (which comprises of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, for the northwestern parts of Luzon). If you will ask me and it will be your first time to travel to the North whether you go for Ilocos or Cagayan (Region I vs Region II), I would say you go for Ilocos. However, Cagayan tour also has blessings for us tourists to discover but well it is not as bounty as what Ilocos has. But it has some things for us to experience.

Baler Tourist Spots, Maps and Guide

Baler tourist attraction map and guide

Baler, Aurora is an emerging tourist town comparable, but less crowded, to Sagada and Baguio City. Tourist destinations in downtown Baler are walkable since some of them are very near each other like Museo de Baler, Rolling Stores, Quezon Ancestral House and Baler Catholic Church. However, some other Baler tourist attractions in the greater Baler area, are farther, like the Millenium Tree and Ditumabo Falls. The farthest tourist spot in Baler area is the Ampere Beach which is already located in the town of Dipaculao, Aurora.

How to Go to Baler, Aurora from Manila, Baguio

Location map on how to go to Baler, Aurora from Baguio or Manila

Reaching Baler, Aurora from Baguio City will take approximately 8 hours while if coming from Manila, will take about 6-8 hours. To reach Baler from other cities, it will probably take you 4-5 hours if coming from Urdaneta, 5 hours from Clark area, and 6 hours from Subic.

Baler-Aurora Suggested Itinerary (Two Days-One Night 2D/1N) and Expenses

Baler-Aurora Itinerary

A two-day, one-night tour in Baler, Aurora may not be enough but it is doable for people who exactly need shorter time but packed with different activities. You can extend your vacation to three days so you can insert fun activities like swimming and exploring Sabang Beach.

Baler Pasalubong and that Sleep from Baler Back to Baguio City

Coco jam and peanut butter, pasalubong in Baler, Aurora

When we reached our rooms in Sabang Beach, Baler, we eagerly packed our things and prepare to leave. I just sneaked a little time to actually revisit the waters of Sabang Beach and watch people learn to surf and those who already surf as their hobby. I said to myself, if ever I get to see Baler sooner, I will have to experience its surfing which Baler is famous for.

Diguisit Beach and Islets in Baler, Aurora

Diguisit Beach and rocks in Baler, Aurora

Diguisit Falls is the last spot where we swam. We did not actually swim the waters of our next destination, which is Diguisit Beach and Islets. It is our decision to just enjoy the view, pick up some fancy rocks, explore the hill-like islets, soak our feet on the warm ocean waters and drench our bodies under the scorching heat of the sun.

Slippery Rockin’-Rollin’ Diguisit Falls in Baler

Diguisit Falls in Baler, Aurora

The trek to Ditumabo Falls has made us to level up our trekking skills (not really). The idea of a falls located just beside the road made us think that it was a no-sweat activity. We were all wrong. That Diguisit Falls just beside the road is a heck to try and will require you to conquer your fear of not slipping through the muddy and rocky ascending paths just to reach the poolside of the waterfalls.

Cemento Beach, Cobra Reef and Lukso-Lukso Islets of Baler, Aurora

Cemento Beach, Coba Reef an Lukso-Lukso Islets in Baler, Aurora

There was this old story about two gods who became angry with one another and so they quarreled on a particular day. One god picked up stones and rocks and remolded it. After molding the rocks, he threw it to his enemy. The other god did the same too. But when they threw their rocks to one another, it was miraculous that they do not even hit them. They were all missed. Thus, the existence of several hills, a thousand in actual, scattered around the island. Nope, that wasn’t the story of Cemento Beach, Cobra Reef nor the Lukso-Lukso Islets.

A Tsunami That the People of Baler Will Never Forget—The Story of Ermita Hill

Statue of the survivors of the Tromba Marina that happened in Baler, Aurora

After that triple combo that morning—Ampere Beach in Dipaculao, MilleniumTree in Maria Aurora and Mother Falls in San Luis—we decided to call it the end of our morning journey. We drove back near town center of Baler and have a stop at Ka-Inying Turo-Turo Eatery for lunch. It was a great, a bit tiresome, activity that we need to refuel our discharged energy for the last parts of our exotic adventure in Aurora.

The Mother of the Falls—Dip in Ditumabo Falls of San Luis, Aurora

Mother Falls, or Ditumabo Falls, in San Luis, Aurora, a town next to Baler.

Another thirty-minute trike road lead us to a more exciting tourist spot in the province. The people call it “Mother Falls” as it is one of the greatest falls if not the greatest, in Aurora Province. During our visit, the road that leads to this falls is bumpy and rocky. There were times that we pushed the trike on some steep slopes of the road. So if you are also heading here, prepare to really enjoy the rocky road trip.