Yodis Phere: ilocos tour itinerary

Showing posts with label ilocos tour itinerary. Show all posts

Monday, June 13, 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

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Monday, June 6, 2011

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

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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]

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

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.

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Related Posts:
HERE ARE THE DETAILED POSTS ABOUT OUR Ilocandia Time Travel

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

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.

HERE ARE THE DETAILED POSTS ABOUT OUR Ilocandia Time Travel

Monday, May 23, 2011

Pagudpud Beach in Saud, Ilocos Norte » Detecting Your Average Summer Happiness Level

“This time it was going to be different,” I thought to myself. However, when we arrived at Pagudpud beach in Saud Ilocos Norte, I instantly got the feeling, from the looks of it, that this is just another beach; maybe this is what you got when you’ve been to a number of beaches around the Philippines, or maybe I’m just tired. I’ve been to the overrated Boracay, pristine Tingloy, Bolinao, Panglao and Bantayan Island – and I can safely conclude that, basically Pagudpud is your typical bummer-swim-and-go beach. It is exciting when you first see it but becomes boring on the second day.

Because travelling are essentially dependent upon particular types of experience, does traveling a lot make our happiness level a little higher and sophisticated? Making us more critical and comparative, thus reducing fun?

Boracay of the North

With no sign of remorse whatsoever, I go out and explore what the Pagudpud beach can offer. To enjoy the place, I prefer to be more into the present and become more “there” and available. Setting aside my bias, I then saw that Pagudpud is quite unique with its outstanding views and the absence of noisy tourists.

The warm tropical sunshine and deep blue sky of Ilocos Norte make the Pagudpud waters turquoise blue and sparkling against the white sands. Above the deep blue waters are rows of bursting white waves, marching onto the Saud shores like the proud and loud Greek warriors sure of their victory. However, Saud faces the open sea and the strong current is quite treacherous so we just play with the waves.

Is Pagudpud beach the Boracay of the North? People who keep on comparing Pagudpud to Boracay are insane because if you compare these two beaches, with Boracay as more superior, you are mocking the beauty of Pagudpud.

Levels of happiness is a myth

The unique beauty of Pagudpud beach, its playful waves and Saud’s verdant mountains are the things I remembered and I later realized that to enjoy each travel experience, we should not compare. Each place has stories with which we build pictures of our travel experiences. A collage, which we are lucky to have experienced and pieced together. Attached to each piece are simple luxuries as that walking in the beach, conversation with friends, amazing sunsets, rhum-coke or vodka.

Is there any ways of detecting your average summer happiness level? For me, there’s none. That question is just a metaphor, a fantasy, a hallucination perhaps, because of course there aren't any levels at all and the experiences that travel gave us, all is equal.

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HERE ARE THE DETAILED POSTS ABOUT OUR Ilocandia Time Travel

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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Bangui Windmills » Catching Scattered Memories Beyond the Wind

Have you ever visited a place for the first time that instantly triggers memories of your happy childhood? A far-off place with totally different landscape and foreign scenery but with an ambiance that evokes a familiar “feel” within your subconscious. Sometimes it could be the place’s scent that instantly exhumes buried and long forgotten memories. Childhood memories that you think you’ve lost when you discovered the adult world.

It would be nice to once again feel that carefree feelings right? So folks, let me show you the Bangui windmills of Ilocos and at the same time let me also share pieces of my treasured childhood memories.

Windmills of the gods

On our recent Ilocos tour on our way to Pagudpud beach, we made a pit stop at the Bangui area where the famous “Wind Farm” of the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project is located.

After parking at the Kangkang café, a solitary mini-restaurant conveniently located just a few meters behind the windmills, we excitedly head for the beach and greeted by gusts of hot and salty wind.

I am immediately awed by the Bangui windmills, which are neatly lined up, tracing the romantic curves of the Bangui shores carved by the agitated and forever grumbling waves. Against these waves, the windmills are trying to push back the playful north winds back to the sea but to no avail, yet they seem very happy because they can’t.

This is a scene where time stands still.

It’s like the Ilocanos built the windmill towers to honor and appease Boreas, the purple-winged god of the north wind, thus they made it huge powerful and towering like those sacred temples and towers dedicated for the Greek gods.

However, aside from the expansiveness of the place, the windmills, the gusts of wind and the roaring waves, the place also summoned up something more powerful within me.

The memory of the waves and the wind

Then I felt small and light. Carefree. That familiar feeling suddenly surged up when the first white bubbles carried by the snaking wave touched my feet. I just stand there, barefoot, feeling the gray pebbles against my feet, eager for more waves and white bubbles. I felt the salty air rushing through my lungs and it tickles me.

Another big wave came, but a few inches before it touches my feet, I jumped and ran, crazily laughing while catching my breath. While running, I saw the wind passing the spinning windmills burst into amazing colors, exploding like a sudden drop of ink on still water.

I am happy. I am child again.

In search of buried memories

I spent my whole childhood days in my hometown province in Occidental Mindoro. I spent it playing on the beach, running on the field, jumping and rolling on haystack, swimming on rivers and picking guavas, duhat and other wild fruits during summer and mostly playing street games with other kids.

There is also a special season in my hometown called tag-amihan. It is the time when gusts of strong wind visit our town, which happen sometime during the harvest season but intermittently come blowing till early December. This is the time when we happily fly a saranggola and play paper windmills.

I suddenly missed everything from my hometown. I miss my home. My playmates. Lala, my dead dog. Mang Felix’ homemade ice cream. But do you know what I really miss? The smells of my childhood memories. I never thought each memory has a distinct odor to it, but it does. I could taste it in the Bangui air, just like our amihan. Unusually fresh.

And I think I seldom taste any of those memories because the adult world robbed it from me. Hence, I travel to search for those lost memories.

Travel and the gift of forgetfulness

The adult world can make you sad, this is what I realized. This is the time when you worry about so many things – career, money, love life, gadgets, facebook likes, twitter mention, traffic, earthquakes, summer heat, salary increase and sex performance.

Moreover, we live in a world so obsessively, and crazily concerned and devoted to looking forward that we frequently forget to take the time to look back. Nevertheless, some of our best happy memories reside there, in our childhood. Memories which can guide us much about to where we are heading.

However, no matter how rich or successful we struggle to become, I learned that it is always important to remember the joys of our childhood. This is the best thing travel can offer. The gift of forgetfulness - which the Bangui windmills and the Ilocos wind bestowed on me. I who seemed lost in the chaos persistent in my adult world. A gift that let me forget the awful remembrances of the arduous climb to the corporate ladder, and the haunting stampede of adult responsibilities.

We all need this gift, in order that we should be happy and lighthearted again.

To forget. That’s why I travel.

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Related Posts:
HERE ARE THE DETAILED POSTS ABOUT OUR Ilocandia Time Travel

__________________

Credits and Citations:

» Photos taken by the author, Yodz Insigne via Samsung Galaxy S {mobile phone photography} except for the jump shot (last photo)