Monday, December 21, 2015

Untouched beauty of Palaui Island: Picturesque Cape Engaño

Back to back beauty of Palaui Island
Palaui Island is a protected landscape and seascape that lies off north-eastern tip of Sta. Ana, Cagayan in northern part of the Philippines. The island was put on spotlight on the year 2013 when one of the franchises of US Survivor Reality TV Show was filmed here.
Visiting Cape Engaño lighthouse is what we really look forward on this Palaui Trip. From Crocodile Island where we had lunch it took us 30 minutes to reach the Siwangag cove where we started our trekking. The boat ride was another adventure. We encountered big waves but not as big as the waves we battled while we were on the way to Anguib Beach which we made a sudden u-turn.

 Once we set our foot in Siwangag cove we didn't waste time to find the registration area. At the registration area we submitted the note from Punta Verde registration that we already paid the guide fee there. Guide fee is Php 300 from Punta Verde to Cape Engaño or from Siwangag cove to Cape Engaño plus additional Php 50 for Baratubut falls guide fee.

 1 to 4 persons   = 1 tour guide
5 to 8 persons   = 2 tour guides
8 to 12 persons = 3 tour guides

 We were 5 in our group, 4 adults and a 12-year old girl also considered as an adult but they let us paid for 1 guide only.

Welcome to Cape Engaño
After few minutes of trekking, we were welcomed by grasslands that by far looks like perfectly landscaped by professional. It was also interesting to see carabaos (water buffalo) roaming and eating around.

We kept on pausing as we go up to the hill to admire the perfect scenery of grasslands, hills and seas. For a long moment I thought I was in paradise. My friend who had been in Batanes said that the view is Batanes-like.
Cape Engaño lighhouse - was built from September 21, 1888 to December 31, 1892
Cape Engaño from afar
Without a doubt, going to Cape Engaño lighthouse is the highlight and most picturesque in Palaui Island.
Siwangag cove viewed from the lighthouse
At the back of the lighthouse is a panoramic view of the Pacific Oceans. The waves are tirelessly breaking on the rocky shore beneath the cliffs.

Another fantastic view to be hold is the rocky-islands called Dos Hermanas (Two sisters)
Dos Hermanas Islands
We were still lucky that even it was cloudy when we started trekking, the sky has cleared up when we got there and we got the chance to enjoy the view so much. We went down the hill when we noticed that the sky has started to be gloomy again. We reached the jump-off just in time before it started to rain.

And before we left, we bought alive forest crabs from the locals for our dinner back in the resort. 

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