If there is something notable in Ilocos aside from amazing beaches and panoramic mountains, it is the wide concrete roads. Ferdinand Marcos makes sure Ilocandia got that. So a viaduct in Ilocos would not be surprising. However, what makes the Patapat Viaduct amazing is, they not only construct it wide, they also make it poetic.
The Patapat Viaduct, located at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte is a scenic elevated highway snaking around the coast at the foot of the North Cordillera Mountain Range. It was constructed to connect the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. Its piers rest on spread footings founded on outcropping bedrock.
This majestic 1.2 km winding viaduct has a cousin in France and is also known as the French Riviera of the Northern Philippines. The viaduct totally changes the landscape adding a touch of human power of creation against the verdant mountains.
The bridge is elevated 31 meters above sea level, and connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag to the Cagayan Valley. The bridge is also the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. The viaduct was constructed by Hanil Development Co. Ltd. under the overall management of DPWH-PMO-PJHK and was completed and opened to traffic in October 1986.
There are only few vehicles passing on the viaduct and it was practically deserted so we have safe time taking pictures on the wide road. The view of the sea is amazing and you will not regret getting stuck in traffic here because you’ll have the chance to check out the view and maybe reflect on something.
The viaduct trailed the side of the panoramic mountains against the passing falls. This is just a quick tricycle tour so we just stopped there took pictures and leave for our next destination - Kalbario Patapat Natural Park
KALBARIO PATAPAT NATURAL PARK
The park is situated within the Barangays of Pansian, Pasaleng and Balaoi, in the Municipality of Pagudpud and Sitio Maligligay, Barangay Adams, Municipality of Adams, Ilocos Norte just across the Patapat Viaduct. Located in the area just along the highway is a small grotto of Virgin Mary set against the trees and lush green bushes.
I noticed in the Philippines, if you want a certain location to be a tourist attraction just put a miraculously looking grotto there and you can be sure of devotees stopping by and buying religious articles and healing water - that is what they did here in Kalbario Patapat Natural Park.
This Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park is a protected area established under Proclamation Number 1275 on April 20, 2007 covering 5, 737 hectares.
Beside the grotto are some natural springs from the mountain which is really cool and maybe safe to drink (but I'm not really sure, though most visitors and locals are actually drinking from it.) According to some Pagudpud tourist information, you can do birdwatching here but I think to do that, you have to stay and do some trekking inside the forest. Maybe you have to check with local authorities if you are a bird enthusiast.
Also, this is the place where you can buy all kinds of bagoong (fish sauce) and other pasalubong.
More of our Pagudpud tourcycle on my upcoming posts!
________________________
HERE ARE THE DETAILED POSTS ABOUT OUR Ilocandia Time Travel - Ilocos Tour » Laoag-Pagudpod-Vigan Impromptu Weekend Getaway
- Ilocos Tour – Laoag, City of Sunshine » Waking up in the Sparkling Gem of Ilocandia
- Ilocos Tour » Sinking Bell Tower and McDonalds’ Rising Golden Arch
- Cape Bojeador Lighthouse » Death of Elegance, Creepy Tales and A Spark of Wisdom
- Bangui Windmills » Catching Scattered Memories Beyond the Wind
- Pagudpud Beach in Saud, Ilocos Norte » Detecting Your Average Summer Happiness Level
- Kabigan Falls, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte » The Best Lazy Trekking to Waterfalls in Ilocandia
- Jun and Carol Beach Resort Review » Affordable Pagudpud Beach Front Accommodation
- Patapat Viaduct and Kalbario Patapat Natural Park » Pagudpud Tricycle Tour Pit Stop
- Magical Blue Lagoon and the Cascading Agua Grande » Pagudpud Tricycle Tour Pit Stop
- Allegory of the Bantay-Abot Cave and Timmangtang Rock » Is there such a thing as end-of-the-road?
- Batac City, Ilocos Norte » Understanding the Final Argument of a Dictator's Town
- Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte » Architectural Heresy and Our Obsession with Heritage
- Ilocos Tour - Guerilla Style » 5 Interesting Places to Visit On Your Way Out of Ilocos
- Calle Crisologo Vigan Ilocos Sur » Sojourn to the Past
_________________________
Sources of facts and Citations:
» Valencia, Lynda B. Positive News Media, Cities And Towns Section “PGMA to inaugurate newly rehabilitated Patapat viaduct” [http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/PGMA_to_inaugurate_newly_rehabilitated_Patapat_viaduct.shtml] Retrieved: 06 June 2011
» Kalbario Patapat National Park [http://www.pagudpud-ilocos.com/kalbario-patapat-national-park.html] Retrieved: 06 June 2011
» Kalbario Patapat National Park [http://www.pagudpud-ilocos.com/kalbario-patapat-national-park.html] Retrieved: 06 June 2011
» Wikipedia Article "Patapat Viaduct" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patapat_Viaduct] Retrieved: 06 June 2011
» All images are taken by the author, Yodz Insigne via mobile phone [SGS i9000]
No comments:
Post a Comment