Rediscover the North » Lakbay Norte 3: Outdoor Adventures of the North Blogger Contest

The North Philippines Visitor Bureau (NPVB) is a non-stock, non-profit organization created in 2006. Founded by the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), NPVB was created for the purpose of promoting tourism in North and Central Luzon, primarily through meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) and by enhancing the visitor experience in the region.
 

One of their major projects is the Lakbay Norte , an 8-day, 8-night media familiarization tour of North Philippines for 20 travel media writers and bloggers on board a Victory Liner bus.

The third staging of Lakbay Norte is scheduled for January 22 to 30, 2012.

So for all the Filipino travel bloggers out there, you may want to try your luck here. I'm also planning to join this contest -- wish me luck!

  

Blogger Contest Mechanics:

On January 22-30, 2012, the North Philippines Visitor’s Bureau (NPVB) in cooperation with Manila North Tollways Corporation and Victory Liner will be holding Lakbay Norte 3. A 9-day Media Tour of North Philippines.

During this event, NPVB will bring a bus load of media participants from broadsheet, TV, travel magazines, and blogs to produce over 100 articles and features about North and Central Luzon.

This year, NPVB will be choosing six lucky bloggers to join the much awaited Lakbay Norte 3: Outdoor Adventures of the North. This familiarization tour is inclusive of transportation around North Luzon from Manila and back, food, lodging, and activities included in the itinerary, excluding personal expenses. Winners who do not reside in Manila will have to fly themselves to Manila at their own expense.

Description of the Terms and Conditions for the Lakbay Norte 3 Blog Contest

Application for the Lakbay Norte 3 Blog Contest (“Competition”) is open to each individual blogger (“Participant” or collectively “Participants”) at www.northphilippines.org (“Website”). A “Participant” is defined as an individual blogger who has accepted experience in writing tourism, adventure, or sports tourism related blog/s in English language and/or bloggers’ local language.

The Competition will be organized by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB) and sponsored by sponsors of the North Philippines Visitors Bureau for this Competition (“Sponsor”). The Competition process will operate as follows:

The submission period to apply as a Participant begins on October 7, 2011 and ends on October 31, 2011 at 11:59 PM (GMT +8) (“Submission Period”).

Review of Submissions and Notification of the Finalists Submissions will be reviewed and judged by a committee consisting of representatives from the NPVB and the media (“Judging Committee”), on an ongoing basis throughout the Submission Period. The twenty (20) selected Participants (“Finalists” or individually “Finalist”) who will participate in the Competition will be notified by the NPVB via email as well as by an announcement posted on Website on or around November 5, 2011.

Notification of the Winners. The competition period to select the winning Finalists will start on November 16, 2010 and last until December 18, 2011 11:59 PM (GMT+8). The winning Finalists (“Winner” or “Winners”) will be notified by the NPVB via email as well as by an announcement posted on the Website and NPVB’s Facebook page on or around December 23, 2011.

1.Participant’s Eligibility: 

1.1 Participants must be available to travel in North Philippines from approximately January 22-30, 2012 in case they win and become part of Lakbay Norte 3 Media fam tour. Participant must complete the Fam Tour.

1.2 Competition is open to Participants of any nationality residing in the Philippines who have reached the age of 18 by the time of submitting his or her application form.

1.3 Participants should are bloggers and have experience in writing tourism, adventure, or sports tourism related blog/s in English language and/or Filipino.

1.4 All Participants are required to provide their true personal details (i.e. name, e-mail, country of citizenship, gender, age, profession, and address). Any invalid, untruthful, or incomplete entry will result in disqualification.

1.5 Participants must be fit to travel at the time of the Lakbay Norte 3 Fam Tour otherwise they are disqualified from joining Lakbay Norte 3.

1.6 All Competition criteria must be fulfilled. Failure to perform any criteria may render a submitted entry ineligible for prize consideration.

1.7 Application is limited to one (1) submission per Participant; individual Participants cannot submit multiple applications, and whose blog the Participant represents has been in existence for at least one (1) year from the start of the Competition (Nov 1, 2011).

1.8 Applicants are required to provide complete and accurate information about their professional background and associations, submitted blog and blog performance as required by the Official Rules of the Competition (“Official Rules”). Participants’ submissions must be their original work; unoriginal entries and/or submissions will be rejected by NPVB.

1.9 Previous participants of Lakbay Norte are not qualified to join the contest.

Each Applicant shall make full and honest disclosure of particulars as requested in the Competition. Any misrepresentation of any facts or particulars may result in disqualification, forfeiture or withdrawal of any prize won at the sole discretion of NPVB

2. Participation Instructions and Requirements of Submission: 

2.1 To participate, visit the Website during the Submission Period (October 7 – October 31, 2011) at http://www.northphilippines.org/lakbaynorte3contest and download the application form. Application requirements must be submitted on or before Oct 31, 2011 11:59 (GMT +8) to info@northphilippines.org with the subject: “My Official Entry to Lakbay Norte 3 Blogger Contest”

2. 2 Each Participant is required to submit the following:

• Accomplished application form
• Links to 5 of your best blog entries (all in the same blog) with photos
• Screenshot of your google analytics showing the URL of your blog

Also participants are required to post an entry in their blogs announcing the Lakbay Norte 3 blog contest.

2.3 Each Participant is required to be present in all processes and procedures of submission and will serve as the primary contact of NPVB.

Failure to submit any of these requirements will render automatic disqualification of the entry.

2.4 Note that the Judging Committee will also take into consideration the above information as part of the criteria in selecting the Finalists.

2.5 The Participants may submit only one entry in the Competition. Only the application submitted originally will be considered an eligible entry. Subsequent applications will be disqualified from selection in the Competition.

3. Judging, Selection, and Notification of Finalists

3.1 Submissions will be judged by representatives of NPVB and the media (“Judging Committee”) to select up to twenty (20) Finalists.

3.2 Submissions will be judged equally on the following four criteria:

• Blogging experience and accomplishments (based on your submitted blog URL which will be verified by the Judging Committee)

• Knowledge about Tourism, Adventure, Sports Tourism

• Blog Content

        • Enthusiasm

3.3 The twenty (20) Participants selected as Finalists will be announced on the Website and be contacted via email on or about November 5, 2011.

3.4 The Finalists will be required to respond to the notification as directed by NPVB within the given period of time. Failure to respond timely to the notification may result in forfeiture of the opportunity to be selected as Finalists and in such case NPVB reserve the right to declare alternate Finalists.

3.5 The Finalists will be required to enter into a contract with NPVB called the “Finalist Agreement” which will be sent via email to be returned complete within a given period of time to be able to go ahead with the Competition. Failure to accept the Finalist Agreement shall result in forfeiture of the opportunity to be selected as Finalists and, in such case, NPVB reserve the right to declare alternate Finalists.

4. Selection and Notification of the Winners of the Lakbay Norte 3 Blogger Contest

4.1 The blog visiting / best blog content selection will last from November 16, 2010 to December 18, 2011. 11:59 (GMT +8)

4.2 Each finalists will be given a finalist number from 1-20 with no particular order.

4.3 Each of the twenty (20) Finalists will submit a 500-word article with the theme “Why I want to visit North Philippines” accompanied with up to 2-3 photos which NPVB will post as a Facebook Note in the North Philippines facebook page together with their profile and finalist number. This will be the Finalist’s official entries.

4.4 Finalist’s entries may receive one vote per profile from the voting Public by way of “likes”.

To receive a vote, an individual must go to the North Philippines Facebook page ang “like” the page first. Then, he can go to the specific post of a Finalist and “like” that entry. Each facebook like to their entry will receive one vote. Each individual can vote more than one Finalist.

4.5 There will be six (6) winners to Lakbay Norte 3 Blogger Competition

• Top Likes: Two winners with the most number of “likes” in their facebook entries

• Best Blog Content: Two winners with the best content and blog consistency

• Sponsor’s Choice: Two winners will be picked by NPVB and/or its sponsors

4.6 The best blog content and consistency will be selected by the Judging Committee with the criteria as follows:

• Quality of the content

• In-depth knowledge

• Persuasion

4.7 The Winners chosen by NPVB sponsors will be at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.

4.8 The Finalists whose entries have the most number of likes at the end of the Competition as stated will be declared winners for the “likes” category.

4.9 In the case of tie-breakers, NPVB reserves the right to choose and declare the winners.

4.10 The Winners will be announced on the Website and will be contacted via email on or around December 23, 2012 to confirm eligibility and compliance with the Official Rules.

4.11 Winners will be required to enter into a contract with NPVB called the “Winner’s Agreement” and, unless prohibited by law, a publicity release and other documents as specified by NPVB “Agreement”, all of which will be sent via email, to be returned complete within a given period of time.

4.12 The Winners will be required to respond as directed by NPVB to the notifications within given periods of time. Failure to respond in a timely fashion to the notifications may result in forfeiture of the opportunity and, in such case, NPVB may declare an alternate Winner.

4.13 Blog content review and “likes” counting mechanics and execution will be done at the sole discretion of NPVB

4.14 Decision(s) made by NPVB will be considered final.

Summary of Competition Dates:

Application Period:Oct 7-Oct 31

Pre-Selection: starts as soon as entries come in until Nov 4

Notification of Finalists – Nov 5

Article Preparation – Nov 6-14

Uploading of Entries in Facebook – Nov 15

Contest Period: Nov 16 – Dec 18

Judging Period: Dec 19 – Dec 21

Winners Informed: Dec 23

Lakbay Norte 3: Jan 22-30

TENTATIVE ITINERARY for Lakbay Norte 3

Exact Location of activities, restaurants, and hotels will not be revealed at time until final confirmation.

Side trips are not yet included in this itinerary

View past Itineraries: Lakbay Norte 1, Lakbay Norte 2

Day 1, January 22, Sunday

Call Time
Departure in Manila
Travel Manila-Bulacan
Trekking and Rappelling in Bulacan
Lunch on site
Travel Bulacan-Nueva Ecija
Firing Range at Cabanatuan
Freshen-up at Microtel Cabanatuan
Dinner in Cabanatuan
Travel Time Cabanatuan-Tuguegarao
Check-in at Hotel in Tuguegarao, Rest

Day 2, January 23, Monday

Call Time
Breakfast
White Water Rafting in Kalinga
Lunch on site
Wash up
Dinner in Tuguegarao
Return to hotel

Day 3, January 24, Tuesday

Call Time
Breakfast
Travel Tuguegarao-Pagudpud
Lunch at Pagudpud (Blue Lagoon)
Beach Bumming / Beach Activities
Travel Pagudpud-Laoag
Dinner and Videoke
Check-in at hotel in Laoag

Day 4, January 25, Wednesday

Call Time
Breakfast at Hotel
Biking / Kayaking in Laoag
Wash up at hotel
Lunch
Travel Laoag-La Union
Check-in and Dinner at La Union

Day 5, January 26, Thursday

Call Time
Breakfast at Hotel
Activity in La Union
Lunch on site
Travel La Union-Baguio
Airsoft
Check-in and Rest at Hotel
Dinner
Ghost Hunting Tour

Day 6, January 27, Friday

Call Time
Travel Baguio-La Union
Breakfast
Travel Time Baguio-Pangasinan
Bangus Harvest
Lunch on site
Travel Pangasinan-Tarlac
Dinner in Tarlac
Check in at Tarlac

Day 7, January 28, Saturday

Call Time
Breakfast at Hotel
Go Kart
Travel Tarlac-Subic
Lunch at Subic
Jungle Survival
Thai Spa
Travel Subic-Clark
Dinner at Clark
Check in at Hotel in Clark

Day 8, January 29, Sunday

Call Time
Breakfast at Hotel
Off Road 4×4 in Angeles
Lunch in Clark
Travel Clark-Pampanga
River Cruise
Dinner in a Farm
Shopping
Depart for Manila

Final Itinerary will be announced once it is complete and confirmed. Tour may extend for a total of  9 days.

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Disclaimer: Above information are correct at the time of posting. For updates check out the official NPVB announcement or check their official website at: http://northphilippines.org/

Source: NorthPhilippines.org  [Retrieved: 07 October 2011]

Magical Blue Lagoon and the Cascading Agua Grande » Pagudpud Tricycle Tour Pit Stop

In the center of the mountain’s embrace forming half circle, blanketed by random greenery upon the azure sky fighting the gray clouds, there is a lagoon, and there on its center is the mystical blue riding the sea ripples from its pulsating heart. I look upon it and thought that mystical knowledge was hidden beyond it, like a deja vu of an oblivious soul who has known many things that the years had hidden.

I only had a quick peek at this half-moon shaped bay called Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud but I remembered it as “magical.” The sad fact about travel is that you always had very limited time, but it makes the experience more exciting. This lack of time and hurried glimpse against this magical lagoon was like looking through the eyes of Aragorn when he is looking at Arwen, the Lady of Rivendell – always bestowing an aura of hurried admiration, trying to imprint that awe-inspiring, almost numinous portrait on that quick glimpse.

And Aragorn said: 'Now I know what you bear. Bear it still for me a while!' And he turned and looked away to the North under the great stars, and then he fell silent and spoke no more while the night's journey lasted.

("The Passing of the Grey Company," The Return of the King)  

Panoramic view of the Blue Lagoon at Pagudpud, Maira-ira point: 

Maira-ira, a name that sounded like a ritual tribal hym, is the name given to Luzon mainland's northernmost tip. At its embrace is this cerulean waters, known simply as Maira-ira Point or Blue Lagoon. Its jovial waves are untiringly kissing its fine sand, which is better than its well-known sister Saud Beach (also in Pagudpud).

Located in Malingay Cove in Sitio Malingay, Blue Lagoon is beautiful on its isolation. No beach front hotels and resorts, partying beach combers and unruly commercial enterprises. It might be perfect for nudists finding a mystical nude beach.  

The sun was about to set when we got there, casting our long shadows against the fine sand yellowed by the dying sun rays. Gray clouds are also teasing us, they hung low as if trying to compete with the lagoon's beauty, casting curses and warning if we embrace the lagoon and swim - and so we didn't.    

We just stand there transfixed, like idiots trying to comprehend the mysterious whispers of the Blue Lagoon. 

I will never ever comprehend it, so I just painted its magic on my memories and left.

THE CASCADING AGUA GRANDE

OK, enough of my senti Blue Lagoon rants. Here, let me also share a quick peek at the Agua Grande Picnic Park which is also part of the tourcycle quick pit stop. Agua Grande is a river park situated about 1 kilometer from the Patapat Viaduct also set at the foot of the scenic North Cordillera mountain range against the white waves of the open South China sea. 

Aside from the scenic sea, also part of the attraction is the Agua Grande River (known in Ilocano as dakkel a danum). It is also known for its eco-friendly and non carbon producing mini-hydro electric power plant constructed during the Marcos years and has a power generation capacity which can supply electric power to some 17,000 households in Pagudpud and nearby villages in Pasuquin and Bacarra.  

At the entrance along the highway is the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de Visitacion de Piat where the Marian Movement of Pagudpud meets regularly. The Chapel is just a small unadorned hut for the faithfuls to pray and for a quick keep-us-safe prayer for the Catholic tourists.   

There is also an information desk at the entrance which is abandoned during our visit. Posted on the nearby tree are the entrance fee rates for children and adults. From the outside, you can already see what Agua Grande can offer - just a perfect view under the towering coconut trees and a nice dose of fresh air.    

Main attraction of the Agua Grande picnic park is the cascading water against gray boulders falling to the sea like reclined waterfalls. There are also picnic huts if you want to stay in the place probably awesome for a nice round of vodka and some hotdogs. 

PAGUDPUD TOURCYCLE  QUICK INFO:

Before my final Pagudpud tour post, let me insert here some quick info about what the Pagudpud tourcycle can offer. 

The tourcycle is divided into Southbound and Northbound Tour. I almost covered main Northbound destinations which you can check on my previous posts. 

We visited the Southbound destinations on our own since we rented a van and I think it's a little far from Pagudpud if you are staying there. 

The Pagudpud tourcycle is very organized. You can find info cards and official ID of your driver inside the tricycle plus they are very courteous and eager to show you your destinations. You can even ask them some local facts and info if you are a blogger and also are very much willing to be your official group photographer during the tour. 
   

The tricycle for the tour

Last part of the series of posts about our Pagudpud tricycle tour pit stop will be the quick emo trip at Timmangtang Rock and exploring the giant doughnut Bantay-Abot Cave so watch our for that to complete my tourcycle coverage. 

Till then!
Hit comments if you've been to this part of the Philippines and share your experiences and insights. 



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Related 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

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Patapat Viaduct and Kalbario Patapat Natural Park » Pagudpud Tricycle Tour Pit Stop

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!

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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

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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

» 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]

 

Jun and Carol Beach Resort Review » Affordable Pagudpud Beach Front Accommodation

Jun and Carol Resort

If you are on a tight budget or your backpacker group is looking for a cheap Pagudpud beach resort to stay while touring the beautiful town of Pagudpud in the province of Ilocos Norte, or you just want to enjoy the famous Pagudpud beaches, you might want to consider Jun and Carol Beach Resort. Although you can find lots of front beach resorts along Saud beach, most of them are not so affordable (based on our group's inquiry.)

One of our major weekend getaways this year is our two-day trip to Ilocandia and of course, the tour will not be complete without a refreshing side trip to Pagudpud. We decided to stay at Jun and Carol Beach Resort because it is the only resort that fits our very limited budget.

I decided to include this note on my series of Ilocos Tour posts so that you'll have an idea what to expect at Jun and Carol Resort or you can at least compare it to other resorts in Saud. Base on my experiences, most official websites of any resorts are mainly for their marketing strategies thus it will only tell you the best part of the deal.

Awesome view of the beach from Jun and Carol Resort Veranda

Here's a few photos and notes about our experience at Jun and Carol Resort which might help you decide if you are now scouting for a resort or a cheap accommodation in Pagudpud.

Resort Facilities:

Jun and Carol Resort has a nice open air restaurant at the beach front with meat and sea-foods on their menu mostly local cuisine. There are very few restaurants in the area and the foods are a bit pricey so we checked out the town for dinner.

Their air-conditioned rooms are large enough for four guests. You can also request for additional bed if you have extra companions for a very minimal price. The bed has comfortable mattresses and pillows but don't expect it to be like those at the hotels. They also provide the standard cabinet for your travel stuff.

According to the Resort's official website, wi-fi is provided in rooms but I think on selected rooms only. Also, they will charge you a very high rate of 25 Pesos per hour for using wi-fi. 

It's always important for a resort to have a clean and wide-enough comfort rooms just like in Jun and Carol Resort. The resort offers an extra wide shower area with cold and hot water and a clean toilet. However, water pressure is a little bit low so you might spend extra minutes in the shower. As an alternative you can use the dipper and pail especially if your friends are lined up outside waiting their turn.

Observations:

• Their official website is not updated so you better checked out latest guest reviews.
• You should be extra careful with your belongings because one can easily open the windows even if its locked. 
• You cannot swim in the beach front. If you want to enjoy the waves you have to go to the nearby resort (just a few meters from the Jun and Carol)
• Beachfront is not suitable for lazy swimming because of the dangerous waves and rocky seabed.
• Sand in the beachfront is not as white and fine as they usually describes it.
• No water sports/activities are available within the area 

Good Points

• You can immediately enjoy the awesome view in front of the resort
• Resort staff are courteous and very much willing to help you.
• Basic resort amenities for a comfortable short stay are available
• The area is generally clean and well-maintained

Jun and Carol Resort Information

Location: 

Jun and Carol Beach Cottages

Burayoc Point, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Contact Numbers: 

Marvin: +639175471270, +639196405630
Jun: +639205740136, +639175486331
Arnel: +09214847746, (077)-676-0183

Online Contact Form: http://juncarolbeachresort.com/contact.html

Website: http://juncarolbeachresort.com/

Room Rates: Their room rates ranges from 1,200 to 3,500 but they are willing to give discounts if it is not yet peak season. Please contact them directly to negotiate the price.

_______________________
Related 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

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Kabigan Falls, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte » The Best Lazy Trekking to Waterfalls in Ilocandia

Pagudpud is famous for its scenic beaches, but staying too long in the waves can bore you and sometimes you felt this need to escape the salty breeze . So, for a little freshwater twist in your Ilocos Norte tour, never miss this lazy trek to the Kabigan falls.

Kabigan Falls is surrounded by thick forest and well-known for its concaved basin, located at the eastern part of Barangay Balaoi, around 1.8 kilometers away from the national highway.

Kabigan falls is also part of the town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and a trek going to this falls is usually included in the tricycle tour offered in the area. The tour is locally called tourcycle for two to three persons per tricycle. It is divided into Southbound and Northbound tour for 600.00 Pesos per tour. Anyway I'll talk about Ilocos tourcycle, including the itinerary and quick stopovers on my next post. 

We availed the Pagudpud Northbound tour only, because we already visited the Southbound destinations on our way to Pagudpud from Laoag City. 

There is a 20 Pesos/pax entrance fee at the jump-off point where you will be assigned your official trek guide going to the falls. You don't have to worry about being lost or being conned in the area because the locals organized their official group to guide tourist and receive payment. 

         

The official Kabigan Falls tour guide wearing their official green shirt

The trek going to Kabigan Falls takes 30 to 40 minutes mostly of flat area so you'll have time to enjoy the verdant panorama. Although there is a visible trail going to the falls, you'll still need a tour guide if it's your first time there just to be safe. 

The cold freshwater along the trail will definitely add to your excitement to see the Kabigan falls. Against the snaking clear river are verdant mountains, rice fields and wild flowers.     

It's a very light mountain trek so expect no concrete pavements. Flip flops or sandals is the advisable footwear on this trek because you'll pass by small streams, soft mud and a few rocky trail. 

Again, this is a lazy trek so aside from enjoying the view, don't forget to have some group fun, joke time and of course camwhoring for the souvenir. 

The locals made the trek really easy for you. They made makeshift bridges with handrails on a few slopes along the trail. 

Although the trail is mostly on flat muddy areas, there are also a few uphill climb which are also really easy to pass. It seem to me that the locals designed the trail for the lampayatot Manileño because even this uphill curve has handrails - no real effort needed.

Some exciting part of the Kabigan trail are the area where you need to get across the river through this narrow makeshift bridge.

A few meters from the Kabigan falls are more river crossings with slightly strong current and slippery boulders so you need to be extra careful on these areas.   

Then finally, you'll get to see the Kabigan falls. It rained in the previous days and the current in the falls is a little bit strong when we visited it so for safety we just took pictures although we want to take a little freshwater swimming on its concave basin. However, during summer visitors can actually enjoy a swim on the basin or have a short picnic in the area. 

This is just one of the seven destinations on our afternoon Pagudpud tricycle tour so after taking pictures we head back to the jump-off area where our tricycle driver was patiently waiting to bring us to Agua Grande, Kalbario Patapat Natural Park, Timamtang Rock,  Bantay-Abot Cave  and Blue Lagoon. 

We have a very limited time so we hurry back so as not to miss this other amazing places. 

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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