Lakbay Norte Uno: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

March 15, 2012

After months of wishing, hoping and waiting, circumstances finally allowed me to join my friends and embarked on a 10 - day long and majestic journey towards the Northern part of Luzon. 

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I had to miss our supposedly DAY 1 itinerary to Zambales due to certain conflicts in my work schedule. So I arrived in Manila the next day for my DAY 1 trip towards Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

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It was very challenging in my part because I traveled alone towards the capital and I have to meet up with my friends at the GV Florida Bus Liner Terminal situated in Cubao, Quezon City, which was 30 minutes away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I was not really acquainted with the city so I was so fortunate enough though that my cousin fetched me and accompanied me in navigating towards the bus terminal. He honestly confessed though that he was not much oriented as well as to how to get there however, I was glad I was armed with my ever reliable Metro Manila map. So after contemplating about my chances for making it on time in the terminal, we opted for the cab instead of the MRT/LRT because we figured we could not make it there by 8 pm, which was the scheduled time of the bus to leave for Pagudpud as I arrived in the airport around almost 6 pm already. Nevertheless, I made it on time in the terminal and I could not be more happier to see my friends patiently waiting there for me. 

Then it was time to go to.. .

After a ridiculously 10 hour long bus ride, we arrived safely in the quiet town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte around 6 am the next day with the bright morning sun beaming radiantly in the clear blue skies . We were not really certain where to stop and start our expedition around the area but I was glad we did enough research and we figured we go straight to the Saud beach. 

We notified the bus driver to halt us to the spot where tricycle drivers gathered around waiting patiently for potential passengers. We then hired 2 trikes and went ahead. We discovered that the tricycle ride had standard rates depending on the number of kilometers covered by the ride. They even have package tour rates that included the Northern and Southern areas of the town. We were quite impressed as to how organized and standardized their tours were. You did not have to worry about bargaining because the costs of their tours were reasonable enough.

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We commenced our Northern tour and arrived to our first stop. ..

The Kabigon Falls

 It took a 30 minute trek to get to the cold falls. Along the verdant trail, we passed by mini-rice fields, lush forestry and domestic animals - cows and carabaos. It was a really good feeling to be surrounded by the wonders of nature and to be away from the bustling city life even if it was just temporary. It was liberating and stress relieving. 

 

The Patapat Viaduct

is a viaduct in the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Elevated 31 meters over sea level, is 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through the Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. - Wikipedia.org

Agua Grande

It is a coastal park with large rocks piled on top of each other where fresh water from the river flows gently towards the sea. 

Paraiso ni Anton

It is where the natural spring flows through a green tube and people were allowed to quench their thirst and taste the water's natural sweetness and coolness. 

The place was named after a man responsible for the construction of the road along the area.

Neat huh?

Timmangtang Rock

is a ginormous bell shaped rock nestled along the coastal line of Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Its name is derived from the word that imitates the sound of the bell in the local dialect. 

not far away from the Timmangtang Rock is the picturesque . ..

Bantay Abot Cave

It is actually a sea mountain with a naturally sculpted hole. The hole was believed to be eroded by waves until it was destroyed by an earth shake in the 1980's. Embedded around the cave is white sand, seashells and rocks which vary in shapes and sizes.

 It is an ideal place for relaxation and meditation and a perfect spot for taking scenic photographs as well.

Dos Hermanos Islands

In the spectacular view of the Blue Lagoon Beach, Pagudpud, stood perfectly still two identical mountains. Legend says a long time ago there were two brothers who were so close with each other vowed to stay together until death. Until one time when they were out fishing, they were caught by a strong typhoon that apparently killed them. They were transformed in death as two similar cone shaped mountains that poised proudly in the deep blue sea. 

Blue Lagoon

Is an elusive bay found at Maira-ira Point which is a crescent shaped structure by the Nacatnagan Cliff in the east and the Dos Hermanos in the north. The paradise is famous for it's crystal clear deep blue waters and long stretch of sugary white sand shoreline . 

And the most awaited part has yet to be revealed!
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This is where I braved and tried for the first time in my life to SURF!

Oh yeahhhhhhhhhhh!!!

The waves may not be as huge as the ones in Siargao, Surigao but these baby waves are very ideal for novices like me and my friends. 

After a few attempts, I finally got to stand up, balanced and glided my way smoothly with the waves and it was definitely one of the most breathtaking experiences in my life! 

It was wayyyyy gnarly!

No exaggerations. 

Just pure bliss. ;D

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After all the awesomeness that occurred the whole day, our exhausted bodies finally waved the white flag and notified us to officially call it a day.

We headed back to the Municipal Saud Beach Park that never looked like a public beach in the first place. If it were situated in the shores of Cebu, it could have been developed as a private beach resort.

Moving on, we took a dip in the clear waters and set up our tent before the sun bade farewell.

FYI: This is my first ever camping experience as well! 

Certainly, I would have a number of my share of 'FIRSTS' here in my posts.

There's more to come, so just keep posted. . .;D

Relied on canned goods for our primary source of nourishment.

Hanged our soaked items up to dry.

  And got ready for some quality shut eye. ;)

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The personnel in charge in the resort personally advised us to report to them immediately if anyone would come bother us during the night since we were the only ones camping out in the beach. 

They definitely scored plus points there.

Fortunately, no one and nothing annoyed us the entire night and we all had a good night's sleep. . . zzzZZzZ

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DAMAGES:

-trike to Saud Municipal Beach Park : P100 each(4pax)
- breakfast paluto : P31 each(4pax)
- saud entrance : P20
- saud camping : P100/4 = P25
-Northern trike tour attractions: P600/4 = P200 each
-Agua grande - (P10 each)
-Lunch at Mekenni Palutuan (seafoods galoore!!) - P649/4 = P162 each
-Pagudpud surfing at Blue lagoon; trainers c/o Kapuluan Beach Resort
-P200 / surfing board rental
-P100 per hour
Dinner and camping @ Saud 
-dinner paluto P25/person

* props to Jeanette for taking down notes of all our expenses. ..