ILOCOS 04: Pagudpud North Tour and Vigan

Because the other part of the tour was not finished yesterday, I have to wake up early so I can get to Vigan early. Though I had the idea of getting wasted on my birthday night, I slept early. I called it a night as early as nine in the evening.

I just took some day shots of the Saud beach before I left. And paid the gruesome Php207 dinner last night. At ang aga ni Kuya Arnel. On the dot. 7am asa resort na.

We first went to see the infamous Bangui windmills. It was surreal seeing them for the first time. It was a windless morning at the time so the windmills aren't working. Did you know that almost 80% of Ilocos electrecity are supplied by the windmills? And if you recall my previous about Agua Paradiso. The place where the river meets the sea. They also use the hydropower generated by water for electricity. Well, isn't that self sufficient? Ang galing!

 

We then head to the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. This is particularly what I'm excited about. Ever since I saw photos of this place, I've been dying to get myself to Ilocos just to see this. And it never failed me. Even the trek to the Rock Formation was amazing. Small mangroves lines the surroundings going to the Rock Formation. And the view from the top was breathtaking. The sea was at its best also. No huge waves. The place was great. I wish I could have a 360 degrees camera so you can see for yourself how good it looks at the top.

Kuya Arnel atop the Kapurpurawan

Picturesque view atop the Rock Formation

Then we traveled for about 15-20 minutes to get to our last destination. Burgos Lighthouse or Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

Unfortunately, the stairs leading to the main viewdeck was recently closed, ordered by the Coast guard. They said that the stairs are already weak. I settled from a lower view. Maybe next time..

 

And that concluded my Pagudpud visit. Kuya Arnel parked his trike at a roadside and we patiently waited for a bus going back either to Laoag or Vigan, whichever comes first. It was a Laoag, meaning, I have to do a cutting a trip. Fare from Pagudpud to Laoag was Php40 which took me almost 2hours. Form Laoag to Vigan was Php100 and took me almost three hours.

Bus Ride to Vigan

My butt is almost numb from the ride. And I am dead hungry. My hair, by now, has become thick as a broom. I can't even run my fingers through it. Shower. I badly needed a shower. My plan was, I would only take some photos of Crisologo St. and drop by Vigan church then head to the bus terminal. But because, I desperately wanted a shower and a nap, I took the cheapest hotel there is in Vigan nearest to Crisologo St. Thanks to the nice people at the Tourist Information. Pretty nice ladies and very well accommodating. They gave me Vigan Hotel, which would only set me to Php395 for a single bed accommodation. Great!

My dark and dusty Php495 accomodation. No single bed accomodation at the time.
I took a shower at their communal bathroom. 

After freshening up, map in hand, I walked within the area and searched for someplace to eat. It's already three in the afternoon and I haven't had lunch. I settled for Cafe Uno. Though the place looked like they serve cakes and coffee, I ordered sinigang. Haha. My food looked awkward compared to others who were consuming iced lattes and pastries.

My post birthday cake. Grandpa's chocolate cake. Php65. yum!

Cafe Uno

I killed time walking along Crisologo St. and observing tourists as well as locals. I went to Vigan Cathedral. Another Ilocano mass on my list.

Around six in the evening, I head back to the hotel, got my things and went to the terminal to finally get myself  back home.

Now that my solo tour has ended, I can't believe that it was almost too easy. No kidding. Nasa pagiisip lang natin na mahirap kasi magisa ka. Pero, all in all, though I had that Batac traffic mishap, it was overall pleasant.


My concern is, now that I learned that travelling alone is never that difficult, I might be tempted to do it more often. Tsk. Tsk.



Now, where to next?...

ILOCOS 03: Laoag Sand Dunes, Pagudpud North Tour

I woke up late on the third day, as I said on my previous post. I missed the sunrise on the dunes. Kuya Romeo, who was my trike for the day told me that before, the sand dunes were all sand and not a single plant was in sight. Ngayon na lang daw sila tinubuan ng mga halaman. And if you notice on the photos, some part of the dunes are being privatized, mainly by Fort Ilocandia. Kuya Romeo said they were being developed for resort purposes. I hope the government would do something about this. They should just keep the dunes an open space.

42586

i've always known..

that my happiness does not lie on anyone but myself.happiness is, and always, a choice. i always say that

that i'm so blessed. i have no right to complain how my job (sucks). or whatever there is to complain about.

that i am the best version of myself. whatever size, color i am now. no matter how bad my skin or thick my glasses are. i am beautiful, just the way i am. i don't need anyone telling me that.

f*ck.

i just turned 25..

ILOCOS 03: Laoag Sand Dunes, Pagudpud North Tour

I had a hard time sleeping last night. Ewan ko parang me something sa room.. kaya bukas lahat ng ilaw at magdamag nakabukas ang tv. Kaya two hours lang tulog ko.

I left Balay da Blas around six in the morning. It took me a while to find a tricycle to bring me to the sand dunes. The sun was already up by then. The agreed price was Php100.

It was quite far from Laoag. When I finally saw the dunes, Kuya Romeo (wow!) parked his trike and pointed me where to go.

Honestly, I wasn't really that impressed. Kasi siyempre when you say sand dunes, you would think it would be like desert, plantless and all. Sabi ni kuya dati wala daw mga halaman, as in buhangin lang daw.

Sa bait ni kuya idinaan niya pa ako sa Fort Ilocandia. Nakakatuwa, me beach pala pagkatapos ng dunes. at ang lawak! Nakakamangha. South China Sea na daw asa harap ko.

It was already late when I left Laoag. I was one hour behind schedule, I think. So the tour started already around nine in the morning. At heto na nga ang famous places ng Pagudpud. South part.

Kabigan Falls

Patapat Viaduct

Bantay Abot Cave

Blue Lagoon

Dos Hermanas Islands

Yan na muna. Nakakapagod mag upload. At magisip ng ikukwento. Pero ansaya. Iba talaga yung feeling..ansarap..

ILOCOS 02: Sarrat, Batac, Paoay and a traffic mishap

Today, I started my day with a tapa breakfast. Complimentary breakfast. Nothing extraordinary.

Balay da Blas complimentary breakfast

I began pestering Ate Nina questions of how to go to Sarrat, Batac and Paoay.

Past nine in the morning, I left. I decided to go see Sarrat first.

Sarrat used to be the capital of Ilocos Sur. Sta Monica Church, where Imee Marcos had her wedding, is found here. Fronting the church is a river where you see locals taking a dip.

Tell the trike driver in Laoag to take you to Sarrat Terminal. Fare is php15. Travel time is roughly 15-20 minutes.

Sarrat Church

inside the church

Ibang direction kasi yung Sarrat if you see a map. So, you have to go back to Laoag to ride another jeep to get to Paoay.

By this time, numerous people have been talking to me in Ilokano, calling me ading. haha. Buti nakakaintindi ako ng konti. I'm a bit uncomfortable when people start to hear me speak in Tagalog, like I was talking in English.

So, back in Laoag. Tell the trike driver to drop you at Paoay Terminal. You'll see the jeep sign Laoag-Batac-Paoay. Fare is Php35. Travel time is around 40-45 minutes. Don't worry if you find yourself alone when you decide to go to Paoay first before Batac. Mauuna talaga kasi yung Batac at halos dun bumababa yung mga tao. Sabi kasi ni Ate Nina unahin ko Paoay. Dapat Batac pala.

So, I finally saw Paoay church.

Then, I had lunch at a nearby burger stand. Buy one Take one. Pati lasa buy one take one. No choice, kelangan magtipid. solotrip eh.

I asked ate if she knows someone who can bring me to Malacanang of the North. The agreed price was Php250. From Paoay, he'll bring me to Malacanang North and back, then to Batac. Medyo mahal daw according to Mam Kite. Pero sabi naman ng locals, magisa lang daw kasi ako. Eh ano naman di ba. Pag madami ba mas mura? I agreed nonetheless. Ayoko na makipagtalo.

Wrong move pala. Sana hindi ako pumayag para hindi siya naging driver. Pagtiyagain niyo pang basahin para malaman niyo bakit.

Approximately 20 minutes, we arrived at Malacanang North. Entrance was Php30. I was lucky to have a private tour. Kuya saw me loitering around the palace alone. Konti pa lang kasi turista kaya nagvolunteer. Sosyal, nakashades kahit asa silong kami. Midway his tour, came in the tourists. Kay iingay.

Panalo ang Malacanang. I was reminded of the Vimanmek Mansion in Bangkok, Thailand. Sabi ni kuya irerenovate daw.

This I found funny. I asked the tour guide what it meant.

He said that it was a gift to Bong Bong Marcos.

People saw him this way. He was fond of riding at the dunes.

And people saw him as prince..

Mrs. Marcos' room. Their bedrooms are separated.

I asked why, the tourist guide didn't know.

Tsismis. hehe

Her ensuite bathroom

Imee and Aimee's room.

I asked if the bedcovers were the original ones, kuya said they were.

I doubt it.

Malacanang of the North facing the Paoay Lake

At. Hindi halatang maka Marcos si Kuya. Abay, nung namamangha ako sa mga kasangkapang nakadisplay, ipinagtanggol ba naman. Kesyo regalo daw lahat. Pati daw sapatos ni Madam. O siya, sige asa baluarte naman nila ako kaya agree na lang ako. Agree din naman ako kay kuya pero hindi sa lahat. Maganda din kaya nung naging presidente si Marcos. Halos lahat ng pinagawa niya noon, gamit pa natin hanggang ngayon. CCP, FAT, San Juanico Bridge to name a few. Sa martial law lang talaga.. (di ba Liza?)

So, we were nearing Batac when suddenly..

Bog!

Ayun, nauntog ako sa windshield ng trike. Intersection, red light, nung nag green light, yung trike sa harap namin biglang huminto. Ayun, dumikit yung trike namin na asa harap. Pati noo ko naiinggit, dumikit naman sa windshield. Maya maya, ramdam ko me sarili ng heartbeat ang malapad kong noo at major major nahilo ako. Haayyy. Siyempre agaw atensyon ako. Sa intersection kaya nangyari yun. At turista ako! Hindi lang halata. Pag nagtagalog na ako. Lahat nakiki ading at sinasabihan akong magpacheck up. Sabi ko okay lang ako, give me a few minutes. Abay makulit. So go, pinagbigyan ko sila.

Pagkatapos ng napakahabang pagantay sa ER, clinear na din ako ng consultant surgery matapos niyang usisain ang buhay at hulaan na paracetamol ang irereseta saken. hehe. joke. Pati yung nurse at consultant na ibang pasyente kausap, naki usi. Pero in fairness naman, asikaso ako ni doc matapos niyang malaman na taga TMC ako. hehe. Pinagalitan niya pa si Kuyang driver.

Hulaan niyo how much ER fee ko?

PHP50.

Yes. Singkwenta pesos. Hindi ko na pinabayad kay kuya. Josko. Nakakahiya. Pero, in fairness naman nag insist si kuyang-me-kasalanan. Nahihiya pa nga, hindi ako kinakausap. Sabi ko ilibre na lang nila yung sunod nilang maging pasahero. Pay it forward ba. cheesy.

The Php 50 I paid. Hindi uso resibo. Ticket money tawag nila.

Me record nako

Niresetang paracetamol

Dahil sa insidenteng yan, hindi ko na natikman ang famous Batac Empanada. Hindi narin ako nakapagsightseeing sa aking lugar. Opo. Last name ko ay Batac.

It was a bit uncomfortable to see my last name in every trike in the city and few of the establishments. Batac Drugstore, Batac Retailers, etc. Parang feeling ko pagmamayari ko lahat. hehe.

Sabi ko pa naman, dito ako magtatagal kasi baka me history nga kami dito. Nagtagal nga ako, sa ER naman. Next time...

Before Kuya dropped me to the terminal, we passed by Marcos museum, where the late president's remains lies. Creepy...

No cameras were allowed. Nearby were a gallery of the Marcos' photos.

young Imelda

Who would have thought this kid would declare the Martial Law?

I can't imagine the late President as a kid

I rode a minibus back to Laoag. Fare is Php20. Travel time is roughly 20-30 minutes.

Back in Laoag, I was still contemplating whether to go see the Sand dunes. But I will be missing the mass if I decided to go. So, I decided to just see it in the morning before heading to Pagudpud. Wrong move again.

The mass was in Ilocano. Haayy...

Tinapos ko nadin. Ganun talaga. Pagod na din ako. Nag jolibee nalang ako for my dinner. Para mura.

I was so overwhelmed by what I saw and experienced today. Blending in with the locals was an experience. Observing their traits which I personally find humbling. Theirs were nothing compare to what I have been seeing at the city. Iba talaga pag probinsya. Sabi nga nila..

ILOCOS 01: Birthday Wekeend

touchdown ilocos around 12 in the afternoon..

finally, when i board the trike.. like Mel Gibson's braveheart.. f-r-e-e-d-o-m!

at last, got the guts to do this..for the nth time of thinking about this..

i was amazed at their airport..all bricks!

and there was this huge desert part before the airport you can see when you're in the plane. too bad i wasn't able to take a photo coz i was seated at the center aisle.

Laoag International Airport

Welcome, indeed!

Php10 trike.Anywhere within the city. So cheap!

St. William Cathedral

My room.
The cabinet gives me the creeps

I was mostly in my room, sleeping...a lot. Around 5 in the afternoon, I went out for a walk and took in all of Laoag. But because it was holiday, most shops were closed. Most locals were talking to me in ilocano. tagalog is not even widely spoken so at times, they have a hard time talking to me in tagalaog. Good thing i understand a bit of ilocano.

So far, people are great. Food is waaay expensive. Even the local carinderia charge higher than the usual. There's not much to see in Laoag Proper. A daytour is enough.

But I opted to be slow..take a while to see the places..

Besides, who's waiting but myself..

Why do I?

why do i travel?

so why do i?

i have this feeling every time I lie on a secluded beach, watching the sky, sit on top of a mountain, witness a sunset, or sunrise.. i don't know, can't put into words what it is, but that feeling is enough reason for me to travel and get lost..

is that enough?

maybe.

i love the uncertainty when i'm on the road. that no matter how well-planned a trip is, something will either go wrong or, better than you've expected. i love how i put my trust on strangers with ease..trust my gut/hunch.. i love how people try to know me, the "me" at that moment without judging my past. clean slates eh. but above all, i love how it opens my mind to all sorts of things. of appreciating little things i usually take for granted back home. of great lessons i learn from random strangers. and of certain situations where i can surprise myself..

i love how it keeps me from falling into patterns..

i love the idea how the sun rises and sets just the same but how different they are in every place..

same, same, but different

i travel to get lost..

to be found..

and realize what the hell i have been looking for..

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain