Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley

WHEN      :  26 April 2012
                   9:15 p.m.
WHERE    :  Victory Liner, Kamias
                   EDSA, Quezon City
WHAT      :  Ride a bus from Manila to Tuguegarao

So, it was evening already, and I was still rushing to get all my stuff organized and eventually packed into as little baggage that can handle it so I won't be uncomfortable during the commute.  Alternate this with doggedly asking for updates from my friends on whether they are already set to go and whether some are already on their way owing to the distance.  Since I lived only in Quezon City, I figured that I can leave at about 8:30 p.m. and still have enough time before the scheduled time of departure (of the bus).  And of course, I told everybody else that it will be leaving at 9:00 p.m. hehehe :)

Thankfully, everybody arrived on time, and we did not encounter any hitches on our road trip.

Clockwise: (1) Bus to Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley, (2) Tommy and Ness, (3) Route Map

(4) Me, (5) Aira, Gillian

Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same for the other passengers.  Apparently they encountered problems with the booking of their tickets, with them saying one schedule and the one at the booking counter booking them to an earlier bus schedule.  Suffice to say that tempers flared prior to departure that caused delays and two women even opted to sit by the front of the bus (on the floor!) and endure the expected 12-hour bus ride to Tuguegarao City.  Now I'm wishing I got a picture of them, hehe :)

Of course, somebody completely jumped straight to "summer mode" and forgot to wear appropriate clothing for the bus, or to bring a blanket.  Hence, that's my malong being used by someone there ;p

We expected to arrive early in Tuguegarao, by about 6am.  However, we arrived at 7am.  Still early, actually - we traveled only for about 10 hours total.  We immediately had breakfast at Jollibee, Tuguegarao and left our bigger bags under the care of our friend Edu who was supposed to come with us but however had work to do.

Next item on our itinerary, Callao Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan.  We rented a tricycle (tri-c, they call it) for 800 pesos or about PhP160.00 each to take us to the caves, wait for us as we toured, and to take us back to Tuguegarao.  Not sure if this was a rip-off but it was convenient for us not to worry about our ride back from the cave.  The travel time was about 30 minutes over sometimes rough roads , uphill rides that almost felt like the tricycle couldn't handle and downhill rides that sometimes looked scary even to the tricycle driver.

There were two ways of reaching the cave: one was by being dropped off on a nearer site to ride a banca the rest of the way along the Pinacanauan River or by being dropped off directly in front of the entrance.  We chose the latter of course, upon advice by our friend Gracielle that we shouldn't go boating at all hehe.

Upon registering a minimal fee, we climbed the 180+ (cemented) steps to the cave's entrance.  In between climbing and catching our breath, we were treated to the requisite "leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures..." by our designated tour guide Andoy.  And then, lightbulb moment by Ness: "ikaw yung Andoy sa Maala-ala Mo Kaya??" to which the kid surprisingly said: "Opo, ako po si Santino dun, tatay ko si Zoren Legaspi..." hehehe.  Funny, the balikbayan was the first one to recognize him.  Iba talaga ang naka TFC!

Ate Ness and Andoy.  Ang prize ng nakakilala sa "sikat" hehehe

Enjoying the cave and Andoy's antics. Sino nga yung gustong ikasal dito?? Hehe

After the cave, it was just right about time for lunch so we requested manong tri-c to drop us off where we can eat great-tasting batil patong.  He took us to Cherry's Panciteria in Tuguegarao where we had our fill of batil patong, softdrinks, and the soup (yes, soup in the hot sweltering weather).  

Batil Patong at Cherry's Panciteria.  We asked for only 3 orders (or 4?) but we still weren't able to finish the hefty serving.

Soup that came with our pansit.  No, don't ask us what it's made of.  But it sure was yummy!!

                             

Afterwards we rested for a while and then went on our way to the van terminal to Sta. Ana, Cagayan (in front of Chowking).  Sta. Ana, the northern tip of the Philippines.  Hot sweltering weather in Tuguegarao.  And we were greeted by this van:

  Sorry! I really didn't know that there weren't any aircon vans to Sta. Ana!! :) 

Troopers! 3 hours ba? Ready na? Tubig lang katapat nyan!!

A note: We mostly based our plans on previous blogs about travels to these areas.  However none mentioned the lack of airconditioning.  However (again), believe me when I say that although we were dismayed by that fact, it didn't stop us and we were soooo glad.  The travel is three hours from Tuguegarao to Sta. Ana, with various stopovers to pick up the passengers.  The last trip leaves about 4:30 p.m although other accounts say it's 5:30, a friend almost wasn't able to catch the last trip when he arrived a little past 4pm.  You won't feel the heat that much when the van is on the move because the windows are open.  Libreng natural aircon (libreng blow drier din!).  We left at 3:30pm, arrived at 7:30pm directly to the doorsteps of Country Inn by the Sea.  I'll write about that in a different blogpost :)