Hurrah Vizcaya.!!!

This is a very late entry... 6 months in the making.
Last December 2014, we decided to spend our Christmas and New Year holidays in the Cordillera (for the second time since 2013) but this time passing through the eastern side of the country- the Cagayan route.

SW palnned and inquired about Palaui in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. However, I was advised by the tourism officer in Sta. Ana Cagayan that they cannot guarantee boat rides to and from the island of Palaui during season due to the Amihan winds. It's December and the northern winds tend to get strong that time of the year.

Mount Palali in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya was the second option then Ifugao province and crossing the Cordillera mountains going to Sagada (for the second time).

Book , book and book.I bumped into this inn called 24/7 Inn located in the town proper of Solano.The link is my review, by the way. The reviews in the TripAdvisor were good plus it was affordable. Solano was the jump off to Mt. Palali and we contacted the guide after some serious research in the net.
Off we go.
Leaving Manila at 530am on a Saturday (December 20) for  Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, bringing our bikes with us for some serious pedalling.  We were hopeful that the Amihan wont bring too much precipitation in the Northeastern side of PH. We arrived in Solano at 130PM. We enjoyed the scenic 8-hour drive passing by the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.

Our bikes behind the truck. HS carefully calculated how to secure them firmly to the customized bike carrier.

 

Scenic ride in Nueva Vizcaya

 

Clouds at Mt. Palali peak

The facade of 24/7 Inn

 As expected, it was drizzling in Aritao and was cloudy in Solano when we arrived. We checked in at 24/7 Inn which is conveniently located about 50 meters from the national highway. The inn was clean and rooms were cozy. What i loved most was the hot shower!

The view from our own private terrace

After settling in, we relaxed from that very long trip.HS called our Mt. Palali guide to confirm and he advised that he will be in the hotel before 7am the following day  unless it rains. Well, our luck it did. He called at 630am and advised us not to proceed as the trail becomes slippery when it rains overnight. We can only give a deep sigh to our disappointment...travelling 8 hours just to get a cancellation. Change of plans but first we need to go back to bed and ponder on our next plan. After an hour of sleep, we explored the inn's premises. Of course, we also cancelled our additional night of stay. The original plan was an overnight stay in Palali then return to 24/7 Inn after our descent. 

Vizcayan farmers on a rush to harvest palay. This is just outside the fence in the pool area.

Pool side. HS and HP flashing their backs :)

 

Terrace from the pool. Our room is on the third floor (terrace third from right)

bed just enough for 2 plus a pull out

We packed at 10 am and left the inn at 11am on our way further north....to IFUGAO! Good thing the place we reserved for 2 nights in Banaue had another available room for our extra 2 nights.

Next post IFUGAO road trip