Travel Throwback: The Climb to Callao Cave

One of the most memorable experiences in our vacation in Cagayan Valley was the trek to Callao Cave. This is one of the most popular tourist spots in the town of Penablanca. I can tell that I need to treasure this moment because it is the first time that I visit a cave and seeing limestone formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. 

Penablanca is a town located in the eastern boundary, a long stretch of the Pacific Ocean. The town got its name from a Spanish friar because of its white rocks. The first settlers of this town were a group of hunters from Tuguegarao. They adopted the kaingin method of farming and they occupied the part of the town which is now called as the poblacion. Penablanca was considered by the Spaniards as a hunter's paradise because of the abundance of wildlife such as wild pigs, deer and wild birds of various kinds are found there. In addition, it is rich in verdant forests, vast agricultural lands and the abundant marine life in lakes and rivers.

Penablanca is nestled in the foothills of Sierra Madre mountain range and it is the home of caves particularly the Callao Cave. It is a seven chamber show cave and one of the three hundred caves that dot the area. It was visited by Governor-General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. in 1932 and it is one of the earliest national parks in the country which was established in 1935. 

Callao Caves is one of the ecotourism zones in the province of Cagayan.

Today, Callao Cave is an ecotourism spot in the town of Penablanca and one of the popular tourist spots in Cagayan Province which visited by several local and foreign tourists. It is located in Barangay Magdalo and it features more than 300 caves in the area.

The Pinacanauan River, river system flowing along the Penablanca Protected Area,

There are 184 concrete steps before you reached the Callao Cave.

Parents should teach the young people to explore local places to appreciate our country.

Before you reach the cave, you need to take the one hundred eighty-four concrete steps. While climbing, you can also see the Pinacanauan River, the river system flowing along the area where you can do river rafting, boating and kayaking. The Callao Cave system is composed of seven chambers each with natural crevices above where the light illuminates the dark areas of the cave. There were nine chambers before but an earthquake in the 1980's cutoff the last two chambers.

The first chamber of a show cave  is the largest room with a width of about 50 m (160 ft) and a height of 36 m (1188 ft).

The chapel inside the Callao Cave.

The rock formation where you can see magnificent images are formed inside the cave and it can be used as an altar. 

Stream of light from the rooftop opening of the cave.

The cathedral-like room was turned into a chapel by the local people. The rock formation served as an altar lit by a stream of light came from the rooftop opening. Several, magnificent images are formed because of the stalactites, stalagmites and speleothems are also added as attractions inside the cave.

Sketches on the limestone walls outside the caves.

While roaming around the area, I also read that this cave was the home of the pre-historic Callao Man which is considered as a remains of the Homo sapiens. I also noticed some sketches in the walls outside the cave where I hope that the residents should avoid vandalism in the place.

Therefore, Callao Cave is one of the best places to visit in Cagayan. I've also had a chance to see the indigenous people of Penablanca (Gaddangs or Ibanags, but somewhat related to the Aetas) where they sold tourist T-shirts, refrigerator magnets and brooms. After that, we are going to Tuguegarao City for a sort of city tour and explore more the beauty of Cagayan Valley.

Watch out for the third part of my Cagayan Valley series - Tuguegarao and Piat.

Date of Travel: December 28, 2014
#TravelThrowbackSeries

Lateral Trek in the Malinta Tunnel

Have you feel the total darkness and the deafening silence in a particular place? 

I can consider it as one of the unique experiences that I ever had in a tour, to feel the total darkness. It was such an exciting but thrilling moment while walking in a tunnel in the middle of the darkness. I don't know where is the next location and the feeling that the road gets smaller and narrower when I pass the tunnel, but when the guide turned on the flash light, the pathway is still wide. In addition, I experienced the deafening sound of silence where nobody is speaking and the echo of quietness is the only thing that I heard inside the tunnel. That is my most memorable experience in the lateral walk in Malinta Tunnel.

The entrance of Malinta Tunnel.

The lateral walk at the Malinta Tunnel is one of the interesting activities in the Corregidor Island day tour. The place comes from Tagalog word "ma linta" meaning "many leeches." Malinta Tunnel was built by United States Army Corps of Engineers which was used as bomb-proof storage and personal bunker and later become a 1,000-bed hospital. During the Battle of Corregidor, the tunnel became the seat of administration of the Philippine Commonwealth. Today, Malinta Tunnel is the venue of an audio-visual presentation directed by Lamberto V. Avellana about the events that occurred during World War II.

A typewriter and a book used by General Douglas MacArthur.

Map of Southeast Asia during the Second World War.

During the lateral walk, we discovered a lot of things about the history of our country during the Second World War. It is still evident through the artifacts or objects found inside the lateral as well with the stories that covered the tunnel. Therefore, visiting the Malinta Tunnel is one of the interesting activities in the island in order to explore the history and appreciate the valor of Filipino and American heroes during the war.

Date of Travel: March 13, 2010

Not Just An Ordinary Picnic in the Highland Park: Picnic Grove, Tagaytay City

When I was young, Tagaytay City is one of the favorite places that my family and I always visit. We enjoyed the cool climate, the delicious products such as tropical fruits and native delicacies and the panoramic view of the smallest active volcano in the world, Taal Volcano surrounded by the turquoise waters of Taal Lake and the towering verdant, lush mountains dotted with small houses in the lakeshore towns of Batangas. That is why, there are many investors who establish their business in this highland city as well with the local and foreign tourists who spend their weekend getaway and vacation. In other words, Tagaytay City got its moniker as "The Summer Capital of Southern Luzon" and "Little Baguio of Cavite".

Welcome marker of Picnic Grove

Map of Picnic Grove

Children are playing and flying kites in the verdant slopes of Picnic Grove.

One of the interesting places in Tagaytay City is Picnic Grove. There are many things that you can accomplish in this place. First, you can spend your family bonding moments in this place by staying at cozy cottages in the rolling hills which is the trademark of the highland park. You can make your picnic in this park through renting a cottage. You can play in this park by flying kites and at the same time, you can buy souvenirs such as t-shirts and clothes.

Cozy cottages with concrete benches is the trademark of Picnic Grove.

You can spend time with your family and friends in this cottage plus the panoramic view of Taal Volcano.

Aside from having a picnic and flying kites, you can tour the whole park park via ecotrail.  First, you are going to have a stroll in the park and you will pass the hanging bridge and visit the clubhouse through ecotrail where you are going to pass the stairs and enjoy the ambiance of lush trees. You can have an adventure trail also through horseback riding where you are going to have a tour in the hills and see the Taal Volcano. You can do horseback riding from Picnic Grove in order to have a trek to Taal Lake and crossing the lake to hike the Taal Volcano.

Hanging bridge, part of the ecotrail in Picnic Grove

You can experience adventure trail through horseback riding in the rolling hills of Tagaytay City.

Zipline at Picnic Grove

You can experience the thrill to see the stunning highlands through riding a cable car with your family and friends. If you want more challenge to overcome your fear of heights, you can try the zipline plus you will experience to see the bird's eye view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake as well with the verdant rolling mountains of Batangas.

Fish Spa plus Free Foot Spa

Another interesting and new activity in the place is the Fish Spa. You will soak your feet in a pool of water with doctor fish.  These fish will remove dead skin in your feet by sucking and biting and after that, you can have your free foot massage via cleaning and washing the feet.

The view of Taal Volcano surrounded by Taal Lake and the verdant mountains of Batangas.

Overlooking the town of Talisay, Batangas from Tagaytay City.

I hope that there are few areas in Picnic Grove should improve such as putting a welcome arc in the entrance of the park. Therefore, this park is an ideal venue for weekend getaway for your family and friends because you can accomplish many activities and enjoy the panoramic view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake from the highland city. Visiting Tagaytay City is such a wonderful experience as well with the fact that it is a refreshing moment away from the hustles of city living.

Fees:

• Entrance Fee                      -   P50.00
• Cottage Rental                   -   P100.00 - P200.00
• Cable Car                          -   P200.00 / person
• Zipline                               -    P400.00
• Fish Spa                            -   P199.00

How to Get There:
You can ride a bus from Manila to Tagaytay City. From Tagaytay Rotonda, you can ride a jeepney which takes you to Brgy. Sungay East where Picnic Grove was located.

Watch out for my personal entries about the activities that I accomplished in Picnic Grove. Thanks.

Date of Travel: November 30, 2011 and April 4, 2013