On the sidelines of the 275th Anniversary of Cauayan City, the delegation from Rustavi City—the first Georgian local government delegation to the Philippines and Asia—led by Rustavi Council Deputy Chairman Gocha Shavadze and Honorary Georgian Consul Thelmo Cunanan Jr., and joined by Teona Galogra, Head of Rustavi Economics Department; Rustavi Councilors Merab Sulaberidze and Davit Skhirtladze; and Georgian Consulate Public Relations Director Melissa Dizon, were shown around the best of Northern Luzon tourism, courtesy of host sister-city Cauayan, which provided local transportation, guides, and police security.
Region II, which encompasses the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino, is famous for its eco-tourism sites.
The group was brought to the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces, which are a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines and are considered by many to be the 8th Natural Wonder of the World. The terraces were carved in the mountains of Ifugao over 2,000 years ago and were most likely done by hand. They were first constructed as a practical solution to the problem of growing rice on land that falls away in front of you at vertigo-inducing angles.
They were also taken to Callao Cave, which is the most famous cave in the Philippines and the best know tourist attraction of Cagayan province. It is located in the town of Penablanca, which is a thirty minute drive from the capital Tuguegarao. Callao Cave is famous for its massive main chamber and gigantic limestone and rock formations. Prehistoric fossils have also been found inside. Afterwards, the delegation took a boat ride on the beautiful Mororan River, famous for its crystal clear waters, pristine environment, and millions of fruit bats that come out to feed in the evening. The group was also able to try wakeboarding and ziplines in Cauayan and at the Ilagan City Animal Sanctuary and Nature Reserve.
