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| Mysterious voice:You are the chosen one! Me: Nice! |
You can take a 12-hour bus ride or a less than 3-hours plane ride to Tuguegarao. We took a plane. At the airport I got to meet one of the talented comedians in the Philippines, Pokwang! She was very nice and patient to have her photo taken with us. Kilig! She was also game to try the Cebu Pacific game hosted by the flight attendants.
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| I should've done the hover hand to make this photo look more awkward |
Knowns as one of the literally hottest spots in the Philippines, it was the 3rd week of August and it felt like summer. Good thing I was smart enough to wear sunblock, slippers, mini shorts and... a black shirt. Oh well. To adventure!
I was lucky to have one of my dear friends and her family to be our host so I don't really know how much the transpo costs.
For our late lunch, we went to Jovan's Panciteria. We got the most expensive Batil Patong which had chorizos, because that's how the iPhone users think, expensive = better.
My friend's dad later said we should've gotten the classic one instead for the authentic taste. Ah well.
Batil Patong is served with soup, ground carabao beef, egg, crunchy crushed chicharon, sauce, and noodles. For the sauce, you put chopped onions with soy sauce and vinegar, and pour it on your noodles. It was delicious and good for 2 pax!
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| Nomnom time! |
There are a lot of churches that you can visit. One of my favorite stops was the Poor Saint Claire Monastery, which has one of the most beautiful chapels in Cagayan. There are hanging flowers in the arches, green grass and lots of trees. It felt solemn.
Some of us Catholics believe that if you are visiting a church for the first time, your petition will most likely be answered.
When you go to the upper left side, among the arches with white hanging flowers, you can write a prayer request, and let the nuns pray for you.
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| Poor St. Claire Monastery |
Next was the Cavalry Hills which has a life-size display of the stations of the cross. It tells of Jesus' crucifixion story. It's located behind the St. James Church. Near the entrance you can see the ruins of a brick staircase leading to the Cagayan River, which was once used in the loading of goods during the Galleon Trade.
I was told that devotees camp in these hills during the Holy Week. It also has a lot of frogs which sound like a motor and a cow combined.
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| Cavalry Hills |
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| The carrying of the cross. Facing the church, you're supposed to enter from the right side. We entered from the left so the stations were in reverse |
Come night time, we were back in the city streets, where we passed by a mini fiesta game. You're supposed to bet on a square tile, throw the ball in the funnel and if it lands on the square tile you predicted, you win!
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| My friend is one lucky duck! |
One of the most popular places to visit in Penablanca is the Callao Cave. After paying for a ticket, you're required to get a tour guide. You can pay him/her any amount. This is mandated because some jerks did graffiti inside the cave and killed some of the live stones. Shame shame!
We got Bella a tour guide who tells jokes with a flat tone of voice but is still funny. She told me since it was my first time to go to their land, I should kiss the land.
The first part of the cave will exercise your leg muscles. It's a hundred plus flight of stairs. We were greeted by a cool wind from the cave. Natural air-conditioning, said our tour guide. I said that I want a man-made cave near my room to lessen the electricity bills. *Ba dum tsss*
"There are bats that fly high, but when they're tired they fly lowly, kasi low bat na." "When one cave's pillar merges with another, it's a double pillar, but I'm sorry, we don't have caterpillars."
It took us about an hour to explore the cave because everything was so photogenic.
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| The famous chapel! You can actually rent this if you want to get married. |
So far, this is one of the most beautiful caves I've been in. My favorite parts are the holes in the ceiling, with pouring sunlight and sprinkled greens.
Our tour guide mentioned some stone formations that resemble an angel's wing, a lion in Singapore, and pandan ice cream. It was amusing to hear her talk, and occasionally ask about where Edward is.
They say that the Callao Cave is home to the earliest people who lived in the Philippines. Go history!
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| You are... the Dragonborn! |
After exploring the cave, you can get a boat ride in the Cagayan River for P500. Part of the fun is being drizzled by waterfalls and seeing eagles soar. I felt that it was a bit expensive since the river wasn't really that long.
The view was breathtaking! If you can, visit the cave near the afternoon, since around the late part of the evening, you can see the bats exiting the caves to hunt for food. We just saw a hole where they're supposed to come out. Not as fun.
After the tiring trip to Callao and the boat ride, we returned to the entrance. You can buy magnets and other souvenirs. My friend and I bought a halo-halo, which cost less than P50. Although the ingredients of the actual halo-halo are so-so, the topping was really good. Instead of the usual leche flan, they put smokey-flavored caramel. My friend's hunch is that it was cooked with firewood.
DAY 3
Another must-try food when in the area is the Pancit Cabagan. My friend's dad wanted us to try out the legit one so he drove to... Cabagan! It was about 25 minutes away from the city, which is pretty far since there's no traffic
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| Oh boy oh boy! |
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| Pansit Cabagan! I wish I had better metabolism, I get full easily huhubells |
Our Lady of Piat was also one of our last stops.
You can go to the 2nd floor of this church (the stairs are on the upper right side), and touch the back of Our Lady of Piat's clothes and ask for her intercession to help you pray. I can't explain the scent but it's pleasantly fragrant. Although not obvious in the photo, unlike other figures of Mary who have white skin, her skin is tan.
For pasalubong, it was recommended that I get my family Alcala Milk Candy, similar to pastillas but less sweet. some Chicha-rabao (carabao chicharon,) and chili con carne from my friend's shop.
This trip was memorable, not just because it's really hot in August, but it was a great place for us to unwind. Maybe next time I can try going to Palaui Island in Sta. Ana Cagayan (which I heard you can explore if you leave early morning and come back at night.)
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