Travel with Friends: Siitan River Quirino Province

So have you heard? There’s this paradise in the North between Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya called Quirino. The peaceful land is also between the border of Aurora where the famous Baler is.

There’s one river that their tourism department have been implementing; the Siitan River in one of its first class municipality, the Municipality of Nagtipunan.

If you’re into seeking peace with nature then I recommend this place! It’s secluded, very poor phone signal, not a lot of tourist go here [yet], and the water is assuringly fresh!

Make sure you have a private ride when you’re going here. It’s a tough way in. There’s no public transport!

There you go! But you can still ask to just pay the environmental fee and the river cruise if you opt to exclude water tubing and the likes.

So here’s the gang! Excited for the river cruise, eh?

When you get there, there’s this nipa hut where the guides are waiting to accommodate you. If I remember it right, the river cruise costs 600Php per boat that fits 4-5 pax (?) and 30Php for the environmental fee.

You can also bring your own foods and mats for a picnic beside the river. Just like what we did!

Typically Ilocano food; bangus sa kamias, pinakbet, tortang talong, and fried fish!

Another shot after eating. Sorry Ate Rits (Photographer)

There are small fish here. Siitan is an Ilocano term derived from siit which means tinik ng isda.

There are also great rock formations beside the river. One of the famous rock in the province is the Bimmapor Rock Formation.

Do you see it? The rock forms like a ship. Whereas, Bimmapor is an Ilocano term for a ship that has docked.

The river is amazingly surrounded with great rocks. The site is also being developed for rock climbing which is believed to outrun the tallest rock climbing formation in Thailand.

The water is not cold, rather, warm and is refreshing!

Yep. You are required to wear a life vest while within the vicinity because the current of the water is moody.

We did not try the rock climbing and the water rafting but we tried the Kayak! It’s fun. You want peace? Try this and go on the other side of the river. Talk to the rocks. Ha ha!

That feeling model pose again. I’m so sorry. The wooden boats are called balasyan.

The boat is obviously shallow and I myself doubted it’s capability to cruise us along the speeding current of the river but I trusted kuya who’s paddling our way down the driver and yes I’m still alive!

Traveling and discovering new things is so good with good companies! Now, my friends, take two pairs of clothes and catch the next bus going to Quirino!

If you want to go and you’re lucky that I’m home, I might be able to do you a favor. Leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do! Hope to see you there!

Ciao,

Capricious Fate

Travel with Friends: Cabarroguis

Welcome to my province and welcome to my hometown; Cabarroguis, Quirino Province.

From Diffun, the first municipality of Quirino when you enter from Isabela, you’ll pass by the market of Cabarroguis.

How to get here:

1. If you are coming from Manila, there are only two buses that goes straight to the province; it’s the Florida bus that leaves at 9:20 PM in Sampaloc and the Nelbusco that is parked near the PNR Espana.
2. From Manila, you can also ride any bus liner that pass by Cordon Isabela. Tell the driver to drop you at the junction of Cordon and Quirino Province, from there, there are vans which will bring you to Quirino.

This road goes straight to our house.

It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

Our first stop is our house. But wait.

A little trivia. I was actually crowned as the Miss Cabarroguis 2014. 🙂

This was during the Ginnamulan 2014, an annual festival celebrated by the 17 barangays of the Municipality headed by Hon. Mayor Agustin.

Finally at our house and that’s the first thing we did. Ha ha. So now you have an idea for my other post. Nikky looks great, right?

While Nikky, Pritchelle, Christopher and I are having our rest inside the house, these two are actually having a photoshoot outside.

That’s Leah and Richelle. I chose only one photo to upload because there’s too many of these.

They look…uhm…happy?

I look being in this province. The place is calm and soothing, very different from the busy city of Manila. Fresh air indeed. Fresh harvest vegetables for lunch. No traffic. Quiet.

Oh, bring me back home.

Ciao,

Capricious Fate

Travel with Friends: Cauayan City

 

Half-planned, half-random travel with the wanderlusts!

Meet the team. Front left is Leah and on the right is Richelle. Behind from left to right is me, Nikky, Pritchelle, and Christopher. 

Leah and Nikky came all the way from Manila, so they’re basically our guests. I’m from Quirino province, the neighboring province of Cauayan City Isabela whereas Richelle, Pritchelle, and Christopher are from Cauayan.

FUN FACTS. Cauayan City is told to be named after the Ilocano word for bamboo which is Kawayan. It’s the 3rd district of the vast planes of Isabela.  

From Manila, you may ride any Victory liner, Florida bus, Dalin, or any bus that pass by Cauayan City. You may ask the driver or conductor if they’ll pass by the city because some have alternate routes too. There’s also the Cauayan City Airport, whereas, Cebu Pacific handles the flights.

Richelle is really a good host. She printed shirts that says Isabela to welcome us to her hometown.

First stop, the Our Lady of Pillars Church.

 

Did I mention that Pritchelle and Christopher are couples? ❤

We offered a short prayer then proceeded to the Ilagan Sanctuary. For the said place, I have another blog post for it.

Coming back from the Ilagan Sanctuary, we dropped by a barbecue vendor on the street. 

Don’t underestimate the photo. The barbecue tastes much better than by looking at it and it’s only for a very cheap price! Those on my hands are part of my orders so that means, the others are still on the grills.

The place is Richelle’s. 

If you’re familiar with Richelle Sticker Sign in Cauayan City, well, this is the room on the top floor. And Richelle’s family owns the printing house. So, if you need tarpaulins, print ads, stickers and the likes, never think twice to go to this printing house. The owners are very accommodating.

On the last picture, you see us carrying our bags. That’s because on the second day, they decided to come to my province too. And that’s going to be another post. So I hope you’ll come and visit Cauayan some time.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment.

Ciao,

Capricious Fate