Ultimate Ilocandia Adventure Part 2: Ilocos Norte

We enjoyed Vigan City, but as much as we wanted to stay, we have to go on our journey. We need to reach our ultimate destination: Pagudpud. So we didn’t waste any time, we headed to Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte.

Getting There

From Vigan, we rode a Partas bus to Laoag City. It cost  Php 90/person (3 USD). The trip lasted for about 2 1/2 hours. Since it was already about 3PM, we decided not to have sightseeing in Laoag City anymore. Once in Laoag City, we headed directly to the bus terminal to the town of Pagudpud.

Our journey to Pagudpud was enjoyable! We were never bored because of the nice sceneries that we passed by. Btw, bus fare is Php 70/person (2 USD), and the trip lasted about 3 hours. The bus was not air-conditioned, but AC is not necessary because as you go further, the temperature is getting a little cold because of the mountain breeze.

PAGUDPUD

 

We were ecstatic when we finally saw the arc, “Welcome to Pagudpud”! This town is located in the northern most edge of the Luzon Island, and it’s the last town of Ilocos Norte in the north. It is bless with great sceneries of mountains, rice fields, and best of all white sand beaches! Its beaches remain pristine because commercialization haven’t exploited it yet. There are no big hotels or resorts in this place. I hope it will remain that way, so that it will not suffer the same fate as Boracay.

Finally!

Welcome to Pagudpud!

Getting Around

The bus stopped at the town proper, where we rode a tricycle going to Saud Beach. Tricycles are the best way to move around a small place, like Pagudpud. They are like the “tuk-tuks” of Thailand. Btw, tricycle fare to Saud Beach is 50 Php (1.25 USD). Saud beach is one of the popular public beaches of the town.

Accommodation

The tricycle driver, Ronald was very nice and friendly. He told us that he know some inexpensive place where we can stay. He brought us in Saud beach, where small resorts operate. Several attendants approached us offering rooms in their resorts. Since it was the off-peak season, there were fewer tourists, so the prices were at their lowest. We bargained, and finally choose the cheapest: Jun and Carol’s Beach Cottages, located at the rocky end of the beach. Our room in the third floor (attic) cost Php 800/night (20 USD), that means Php 400/person (10 USD)! It was a great deal because the room was nice and comfy, with 2 beds, private bathroom, air-condition, and a great view of the Saud beach! It was already dark when we arrived, so we just rested and planned to see the place the next day.

Our room is the one on left-side.. 

The view from the balcony… nice!

Town Tour

As I said, the best way (and cheapest way) to see the town is by the tricycle. So we rented Ronald’s tricycle for the tour of the town. It cost us Php 600 (15 USD), the whole day! The itinerary was as follows:

Blue Lagoon

True to its name, the water was sooo blue, like a blue diamond glittering under the sun! The beach is so pristine, like an untouched island, with powdery white sand drizzled with soft corals. There are no established resorts around the beach; there are just small huts which you can rent during the day at 200 Php (5 USD). We did not swim though, because at the time of our visit, the waves were quite high.

The blue lagoon from the road.. 

Going down the lagoon.. 

All I can is WOW!

Bantay-Abot Cave

It’s not really a cave, but a huge rock shaped by the action of waves. It was so huge that I was like a dwarf in the photo! I encircled myself so that you will see me he he he..

The cave from afar..

Don’t be fooled, it’s quite huge than you imagined!

Patapat Viaduct

This bridge connects Ilocos Norte to Cagayan Valley. The magnificent view of the South China makes it a must-see spot. According to the locals, it was actually built with the help of Koreans (komawa!). There are few vehicles passing by, so we decided to stop and savor the breath-taking view. I even had a picture in the middle of the bridge, in a hitch-hiker pose ha ha ha!  

The bridge with a view..

Where’s everybody?

Paraiso ni San Anton

Translated as “St. Anthony’s Paradise”, it is located after the viaduct, it has a small waterfall with a grotto. A grotto has a statue of the Virgin Mary at the top, but to reach it you have to go up several steps. The small water fall is a popular stop-over for the thirsty travelers. The water was as cold as ice.

All the way to the top is the Grotto..

It’s true, the water is sooo cold..

Kaibigan Falls

To reach the waterfall, we trekked for about 30-45 minutes into the lush tropical forest. The path was quite easy, even kids will enjoy the trek. The effort was all worthed because the waterfall is magnificent! Btw, entrance fee is Php 20/person, and the guide is Php 100 (less than 3 USD).

We trekked through this forest to see the falls!

The magnificent Kaibigan Falls..

After the sightseeing, we spent the whole afternoon strolling and taking photo at Saud Beach. We swam until the sunset; we just enjoyed the soft feel of the powdery white sand under our toes and the warm, salty water of the sea in our skin. We lay down in the soft sand, with the stars and full moon staring at us, while spilling our deepest emotions, fantasies and frustrations in life ha ha ha! It was like a therapy for our tired bodies, polluted minds, toxic souls and weary hearts? he he he

 

Photo op first!

Some boats at Saud beach..

With the leaning coconut tree..

The next day, we resumed our sightseeing, but now in the nearby towns of Bangui and Burgos. The tricycle cost this time, Php 700 (18 USD), because these two towns are outside Pagudpud.

Cape Bojeador Light House

Located at the town of Burgos is the oldest light house in the country, built around the 18^th century by the Spanish. The tricycle drove uphill, because the light house is located at the top of the hill. Before going inside, we stopped and looked at the nice view of the sea. We are the first visitor of the day, the early birds! Before going up the light house, we had a peek of their small museum. There’s no fee, but atleast give a small amount as donation for the maintenance of the museum. Then we enter the lighthouse and climbed the spiral staircase all the way to top. At the top you will see the “light” of the light house and of course the view. The view from the top was simply exhilarating! It presents a 360-degree view of the town, sea and mountains.

Magnificent!

Can you find me here?

The spiral staircase to the top..

The “light” of the light house..

I’m breathless.. 

Bangui Windmills

Located at the town of Bangui, the 14 windmills utilize wind power to generate electricity to the nearby towns. It’s an eco-friendly source of renewable energy. They are the first in our country, so seeing them was quite an experience. Up close, the windmills are so huge and white as paper! For a moment, I felt I was not in the country!

 The windmills from the tricycle..

So massive!

I’m just so happy to be here!

I was also able to have some snapshots of nice places that we passed by during this tour.

A small hut near the rocky beach..

A hut skeleton?!

The heart of the ocean..

In the afternoon, back in Saud beach, we waited for the amazing sunset! We again spent the night swimming in the beach. Then morning came, so we have to leave this paradise huhuhu… 

 

The sunset was amazing!

In a diving position..

This is life!

LAOAG CITY

From Pagudpud, we rode a bus going to the province’s capital city. We managed to see the nice spots in the city and nearby town of Paoay.

Taken from inside the jeepney..

Fort Ilocandia

It’s a must to see this five-star hotel. Everybody is welcome to take photos at the facade, and even inside the hotel lobby. It has complete amenities, with a golf course and beach resort. No fee required if you will just take photos. But I heard that a night in this resort cost a lot!

Welcome to Fort Ilocandia

Outside the hotel’s entrance..

The hallway..

Walking around the hotel..

Plaza

We took photos in the plaza, in the famous land mark of the removal of tobacco monopoly. Planting tobacco is the main source of living for most farmers in Ilocos. So the removal of the monopoly was a great relief. There’s also this old baroque church in the middle of buildings. It is not being used anymore, but it is being preserve by the local government.

The tobacco monoply monument..

At the plaza..

Behind me is an old baroque church…

Ilocos Norte Museum

While we were looking for an ATM machine, we accidentally stumbled upon this museum and decided to have a peek inside. The museum was neat and well-kept. It has a lot of interesting artifacts inside, even a whole Spanish colonial house. Its aim is to preserve the province’s old traditions. Entrance fee is Php 20/person.

We found this treasure!

At the museum’s facade..

Let’s explore!

There’s a house inside!

The art aficionado (?)

Malacañang Ti Amianan

We rode a jeepney from Laoag City to Paoay to see this mansion. Malacañang is the official residence of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, located in Manila. This is called the Malacañang of the North, because it was built by the former President Ferdinand Marcos and served as the first family’s residence whenever they are in Ilocos Norte. Now, it is a museum being maintained by the local government.  Inside, you will see the grandeur of the mansion, and how the Marcoses live in luxury during their time. It has a perfect view of the Paoay Lake. The entrance fee is Php 20/person. We rented a tricycle for Php 300 (6 USD), which took us to this place and sites below.

View from the driveway..

The receiving area in the first floor.

The grand living room at the second floor.

Emo moment in the balcony he he he..

Suba Sand Dunes

This is where FPJ shoot the desert scene in his Panday film. It’s like you’re somewhere in the Middle East or the desert part of Australia. No entrance fee.

Desert safari..

Where are the camels?

Paoay Lake

The trike driver took us to the viewing deck of this lake. According to legend, the lake was before a rich town. When the people in the town got rich, they became arrogant and disrespectful. Their god got angry, and sent torrential rain, which submerged the town under the water, until a lake was formed. Today, Paoay Lake is declared by the Philippine government as a natural park,

Another emo moment?

Paoay Church

Our last destination, the Paoay church is one of the oldest baroque churches in the Philippines. It was surreal; it was like I’m just looking at a painting! Until now, the church is still being used by the people. A guy by the name of Walter approached us and told us info about the church. He even offered to take our photos. Then we noticed this souvenir shop across the street. It was selling native weaved bags. Of course we bought for ourselves and friends as souvenirs!

The church was declared as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1993.

Of course, I should be included in the photo he he!

We were not able to visit the Marcos Museum in the nearby town of Batac because it was already 4:30PM (public offices close at 5PM). From Paoay we rode another jeepney which took us to the highway where we waited for a bus going home. We’re so tired that we slept throughout the trip. We reached Dau at 2:30AM.

Over-all, this trip was a blast! Would you believe that I was able to survive in this trip with only 6,000 Php as my budget!? That’s about 150 USD! That included everything, from transportation, food, accommodation, entrance and tour fees! It’s just a matter of planning and sticking to your budget. It’s also good to have a travel-buddy so that you could share in paying transportation fares and resort/hotel fees. So, our next adventure: this time, we will be going down south

The picturesque Saud Beach!

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Song of the Day:

LIFE IS WONDERFUL by Jason Mraz from his album “Mr. A – Z (2005). I first heard this song played on the kdrama “Foxy Lady“. This song speaks about the different ironies of life, which one can easily relate to.

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DISCLAIMER: Prices may go up, establishments may go bankrupt. It is recommended that you also check or research about the fares, fees and prices for your own convenience. The author of this blog is not connected with any of the hotels, resorts or establishments mentioned.

Exchange rate during the time of travel: 1 USD = 41 Php