We started our day even before the sunrise. We were already awoke by 04:00 AM, and by 05:00 AM, our boatman and guide, Hamil, was already checking on us. Our boat ride was also coordinated for our by our gracious hosts. By 05:30 AM, we were already walking on our way to San Vicente Port.

The sun has not fully risen yet when we reached the port which was only a very short walk from our accommodation in E.F. Costales Lodge. Since we were conveniently situated at the northeast of mainland Luzon, the beauty of dusk of the previous evening was challenged by a marvelous twilight.

Little by little, light started to engulf the port which will be our gateway to our destination.

Before boarding the boat, we took photo of the road. There seems to be nothing visually remarkable about the road, but one becomes fascinated when one realizes that the very road where we were standing is where all roads in mainland Luzon ends in the north.

For any traveller, being at the edge of of every traversable land is always an achievement.

Around 06:30 AM, we boarded our boat to start our journey to Palaui Island. Hamil captained our boat while being assisted by Uyet.

While Palaui Island is literally just across San Vicente Port and is visible from there, the boat ride would not be a straight forward route. We would be going around to reach the western part of the island and then go north to enter it through Engaño Cove. Our boatman told us that it would take around an hour before we reach the cove. Sounded lengthy, but the relatively lengthy boat ride was well compensated by the picturesque beauty of the seascapes so much so that we did not even realize that time has passed by.

Ran, for his part, proved that he is not only the master of dreams on land. He has conquered the sea!

In the middle of the boat ride, Hamil suddenly turned the motor off. He and Uyet then started drawing up a fishing line which they apparently dropped in the sea while we were travelling. Turns out, they had a catch! It was such a bonus to the adventure to experience seeing fishermen actually catching a fish, and a big one at that! They caught a mahi-mahi, otherwise known as dorado.

Hamil and Uyet then secured the fish in the boat. The experience somehow gave us a glimpse to how this priced catch is actually caught in the wild. It was intense!

We then we continued our sea journey. Some minutes more and we have seen the sign telling us that we were almost in our destination.

After an hour of boat travel, we finally set foot on the shores of Palaui Island. It was such a thrilling experience for us given that it was both our first time to this extreme north part of the Philippines, not to mention that Palaui Island is among the most coveted travel destinations in the country.

As soon as we went down the boat, our boatmen went ahead to the registration area. Ran and I chose to stay behind for a while to take some photos. The beach was so serene and silent, it was as if we got the island only to ourselves.

We then followed our boatmen. Muntik pa nga kaming mawala.

This was the beginning of our adventures in the island paradise of Cagayan, Palaui Island. Despite being down on one’s luck on our first day, the second day which was spent mostly in Palaui was an absolute one-eighty. The real adventure has begun.

Buckle-up, friends! This is your Renegade Junctures team taking down one of Cagayan’s jewels!