PALAUI Island spells fun, adventure, and thrill. Our trip to the elusive Palaui Island was one unforgettable experience. Watch the video and you’ll know why. (“,)
Video Blog: Surviving Palaui’s Raging Waves
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Tag Archives: lakbay norte 2
Lakbay Norte 2: Tuguegarao the second time around
Aboard a plane, I was amused by the green patches from the window pane as I visited Tuguegarao City for the second time around. It only took an hour and twenty minutes unlike the 10-hour bus ride during my first visit.
When the plane landed at the Tuguegarao Airport, we were welcomed by the hospitable Cagayanons. We headed to the Cagayan Museum, where we met some officials of the province. We then partook of the pancit batil patong, one of my favorite noodle dishes. It’s one of Tuguegarao’s best dishes.
To complete the sumptuous meal, we also had the local tsokolate drink.
After eating, we then roamed around the small museum, which gave us a brief glimpse of Cagayan’s history.
One of the interesting pieces that I saw in the museum was the wood carving of San Roque, which came from Lal-lo, Cagayan.
From Tuguegarao, the Lakbay Norte participants hopped on the bus and proceeded to Gonzaga, Cagayan. On the way to Gonzaga, I saw a house being transported on wheels. Before, people used to carry a house on their backs–the Filipinos’ bayanihan. But because of technology and skills, transporting one house to another place became easier.
Even though we were late, it was heartwarming to see some of the residents of Gonzaga who waited for us and welcomed us with smiles on their faces. We were supposed to arrive in the afternoon but due to our delayed flight from Manila, we arrived during dinner time.
A banquet of local seafood dishes like the sweet and sour Matara fish filled our stomachs. 
I would surely return to Matara to see the abundant marine sanctuary that Gonzaga boasts of.
Thank you to the Cagayanons and to the Department of Tourism Region II for their warmth and hospitality!
The Lakbay Norte is a media familiarization tour initiated by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau.
Lakbay Norte 2 Chronicles: Action-packed La Union
Day 2
A day after the laidback stroll amidst the pine trees in Baguio City, the Lakbay Norte group hopped into the cool bus (literally and figuratively) of Victory Liner and continued the journey.
The next destination: La Union.
Last year, I visited San Juan, La Union, where I braved the waves and surfed. This year, I discovered a new adventure budding to grow in the surfing capital of the North.
The bus stopped at Flying V along Marcos Highway. When I alighted from the bus, I saw a coaster with the name Pugo Adventure. We transferred to the coaster which brought us to Pugad (short for Pugo Adventure).
The place was indeed a nest of adventure offering ziplines, ATV, rappelling, wall climbing. I can’t wait to try all of the activities for the day.
After filling up the waiver form, the staff of Pugad put on the harness and the helmet (the necessary gears for safety). I chose Package 1: 3 ziplines, Rappelling, Wall Climbing for 1,000 pesos. Imagine, three ziplines in one destination! How cool is that?
The adventure began by riding a truck on our way up to the first jump-off point.
FLY like Superman
Zipline 1: The longest, highest, and has the most picturesque view among the three ziplines
Length: 400 meters
Height: 250 feet
Duration of the slide: 30 seconds
The staff tried it first. Wow! No helmet. That’s not the SOP, of course. When it was my turn, I just can’t help but screamed. It wasn’t my first time to zip. Yet, I always get the adrenaline rush! I love the feeling of flying with the wind.
Speedy Slide
Zipline 2: The fastest among the three
Length: 250 meters
Height: 160 feet
Duration of the slide: 10 seconds
Unlike the first one, the second zipline was done in a sitting position. It’s not as picturesque as the first one. But it’s fast! The challenge was actually not on the zip itself but on the steel ladder. Descending from the ladder made my knees shake. The steel ladder was high and a bit slippery. So extra caution was needed. Baby steps. One step at a time.
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Beginner’s Zip
Zipline 3: The basic and beginner’s zipline
Length: 250 meters
Height: 60 feet
Duration of the slide: 20 seconds
The excitement dropped. Maybe because the view was a construction site. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the ride.
After zipping, I then tried the all-terrain vehicle ride! ATV was love! It gave me the freedom to drive like a racer! The race track has a total stretch of 2.5 kilometers. The final obstacle was the four-feet hilly slide! Winner!
How to get to PUGAD:
*Buses going to Baguio pass by Marcos Highway. Alight at Flying V. Pugo Adventure’s coaster bus will pick you from there.
Contact: PUGAD
Landline: 072 603-1592
Mobile: 0927 6672619
Lakbay Norte 2 Chronicles: Immersing in arts and culture
Day 1
When everyone’s sleeping in the comforts of their homes or partying at two in the morning, I was on board a bus that would take 30 people to the north of the Philippines.
For the second time around, I’m joining the Lakbay Norte, a media familiarization tour headed by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau, which aims to promote tourism.
After five hours of sleep in the freezing cold bus of Victory Liner, I stretched out my arms and legs. It’s breakfast time at S.O.U.L. (Spice of Urban Life) Cafe in Rosario, La Union.
The hot choco partnered with daing na bangus, rice, and green egg omelet topped with pesto spoiled my taste buds.
The day started right with a good meal.
First stop in the itinerary was Tam-awan Village in Baguio City.It has somehow changed since I first visited the ‘Garden in the Sky’ back in 2008. When Typhoon Pepeng struck the north in 2009, part of the garden village eroded.
But then again, the community of artists in Baguio helped rebuild the area.
The Tam-awan Village gives every visitor a glimpse of the lives in the Mountain Province portrayed through art pieces and cultural shows.
Without having to trek and sweat, you can see real huts used by the natives. The famous hut in Tam-awan is the Dukligan, which is called the Fertility Hut. With the name, you would know why it gained popularity. 
After visiting the Tam-awan Village, we headed to Asin Road in Brgy. Tadiangan, Tuba, a neighbor of Baguio City.
Drizzles began to pour when we arrived at BenCab Museum. The National Artist for Visual Arts Ben Cabrera welcomed us.
BenCab’s museum, which opened in February 2010, features most of his works in the artistic arena. Aside from BenCab’s works, sculptures from his artist friends can also be found in the museum.
Outside the museum is a mini-garden which looks picturesque if only it wasn’t foggy.
We called it a day when we checked in at the Mediterranean-inspired Hotel Elizabeth in Gibraltar St, where we’ll be recharging for tomorrow’s action-packed trip.
