Blastoise The Explorer: 2014

Friday, October 3, 2014

Apayao Province Trip

Walang Aayaw sa...APAYAO!

LOCATION:

Apayao is a landlocked province in the region of Cordillera. Its new capital is Luna. Prior to 1995, Kalinga and Apayao comprised a single province named Kalinga-Apayao, which was partitioned to better service the needs of individual ethnic groups.

map of Apayao

HOW TO GET THERE?
Air...
Fly to Tuguegarao, Cagayan and travel to Junction Luna, Abulug, Cagayan, ride a jeepney to Luna or Pudtol, Apayao
Land...
From Manila, ride a Victory Liner bus going to Tuguegarao, Cagayan and travel to Junction Luna, Abulug, Cagayan, ride a jeepney to Luna or Pudtol, Apayao.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS:

Lussok Cave

Masi Picnic Area

(near Lussok Cave)

Old Pudtol Church Ruins

The New Pudtol Church

Pudtol Town Hall

Apayao Government Center

(Capitol Building, Museum, Park, Picnic Grove)

Other Tourist Attractions

Allabang Cave and Nalvo Cave

Mt. Macalino

Mt. Solo
the highest peak of the region

Bayugao Falls

Cadaratan Falls

Heritage Village of Flora

Agamata/Agora Wildlife Sanctuary
(where you can find the Philippine Eagle and
smallest frog in the Philippines)

(I didn't have a chance to explore some of the tourist attractions due to lack of time, I spend 1 day only in Apayao)

OTHER INFO'S

Products...

Yapayao Swords

(sample of Apayao sword from arscives.com. You can buy or see the real ones at the Heritage Village.

This sword was used by the Itnegs for daily living)

Me at the landmark of Apayao, the Sword

Handicrafts

You can buy handicrafts at the Government Center Museum

WHERE TO STAY?

Village Guest House

(Poblacion, Luna, Apayao)

Contact No.: 09162144185 (look for Ms Mirhca Bermudes), 09154137550 (look for Ms. Mila Baria)

E-mail Ad: villaguesthouse@yahoo.com

Rates: 250/night

Pensione Lavigna and Restaurant

(San Isidro Sur, Luna, Apayao)

Contact No.: 09302147027 (look for Bernardine Agonoy)

Rates: 250/night

Useful Tips/Must Do:

Try rafting in Apayao River (contact Red Dot Destinations & Events in their e-mail reddot@go-rednow.com)
No establishment accepts credit cards and cheque, bring cash.

Trivias:

The ethnic group living in the province is called, Isneg.
The major languages are Isnag and Ilocano.

For more information, go to http://apayao.gov.ph/ The tourism officer is Ms. Rebecca Tamaken.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Kalinga Province Trip

It's More Fun in...KALINGA!

The Land of Ethnic Tattoos

LOCATION:

Kalinga is a landlocked province in the region of Cordillera Administrative Region. Its capital is Tabuk. Kalinga and Apayao are the result of the 1995 partitioning of Kalinga-Apayao

location map of Kalinga

HOW TO GET THERE?
Air...
Fly to Tuguegarao, Cagayan and travel south by land to Tabuk City, Kalinga
Land...
From Manila, ride a Victory Liner bus (Kamias Terminal) going to Tabuk City. The trip takes 11 hours.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS:

Chico River & Chico River Hanging Bridge

(You can do water rafting here, other information regarding water sports in Chico River just click this website http://www.chicoriverquest.com/)

Chico Dam

Aguinaldo Hills

St. William's Cathedral

Canao Bridge

St. Joseph Parish Church (Old Town of Tulgao Church)

Old Town of Tulgao

me at the Old Town of Tulgao

Kalinga Capitol Building

Tabuk City Hall

(the pic's resolution is kinda low due to a fog at that time)

Other Picturesque Sceneries

OTHER INFO'S

Products...

Bugnay Wine

This healthy wine is made from the extracts of Bugnay fruit. This can be bought in Tabuk Market.

Kalinga Blend Coffee

This coffee is made from the civet cat coffee bean. The Forbes Magazine

has tagged the civet cat coffee as the most expensive coffee in the world.

Handicrafts

Food...

Rice cakes can be seen throughout the province. Pancit Batil Patong is also famous for travelers.

Kalinga Tattoos...

In the village of Buscalan, many ancient tattoo artists can be seen there. The most famous Kalinga tattoo artist is Fang-od. She uses ancient way of aking tattoos to her clients.