It all started with a deadline. Early 2013 we found out that Survivor will be shooting in Palaui Island that year. That meant one thing: it will be closed to the public. For us, it meant we had to go there before they do. So we did.

If one wishes to go to Palaui, you can take a bus or plane to Tuguegarao then a van to Sta. Ana where you can take the boat to Palaui. On the other hand, we took a Florida Bus from Manila going to Gonzaga then had someone pick us up to reach Sta. Ana. It was 16 hours of moving from a state of being awake and asleep before we set foot on the white sands of Palaui. We left 7:00pm on a Thursday and woke up in Gonzaga at around 9:00am. Contrary to early warnings, the deluxe sleeper bus was not freezing cold. But trust me when I say we just got lucky. Do bring a jacket or blanket or both if you're planning to take the bus.


We stopped by for a plate of Batil Patong which left us confused on how to properly eat it.


Upon reaching Sta. Ana, we went straight to the tourism office to register. We will be staying for three days and two nights. It was only afterwards that we realized it was not enough. But you can do a day tour just to satisfy your craving. For us, we were left wanting more.

Boat ride (rates below) would take around 20-30 minutes. For the eager, it will appear longer. It will appear shorter when going back to Sta. Ana.

We were to settle in the barangay hall where you can rent and pitch your tent. It runs on solar energy so charge your gadgets just to be sure. Or bring a powerbank (it can save you).

It took a couple of minutes from where the boat docked to the hall. We walked on soft, wind sand with the ocean at our left and trees at our right. There were also some grave stones at some point. Wouldn't it be lovely to be buried at the shore? Your name forever facing the sea.

We crossed a small, narrow bridge with a dry river below. That won't be our last time crossing a wooden bridge.


We were introduced to the women of Palaui whose stories deserve another time. They welcomed us with homemade ginger tea. A drink I have been trying to copy for the past months.We ate fish, pork and vegetables for a late lunch. Afterwards, we grabbed the tent and tried to pitch it. We kind of succeeded but our guide mainly did the work. Making a mental note to learn how to pitch a tent (and maybe even buy one).

And so we finally laid down our bags and settled. That was it - we were really in Palaui Island. And at first encounter it was already beautiful.

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This is a trip four years in the making. Maybe a bit more subconsciously. It started with those absurd plans after seeing a seat sale of an airline that promised less then 15,000php for airfare. We were then just a year out of college. We were earning less than what we imagined when we graduated so even the seat sale was out of the picture. I bet that version of me will utter disbelief when I tell her today I went to Batanes for a total of Php6,000.00 including airfare. But I did. So here's the breakdown: