We left Cabanatuan at around 11:00 PM, knowing that the trip normally last 8-10 hours depending on your travel speed, traffic and how long your bathroom stop over are. My companions mostly slept during the trip and woke up only when we entered Ilocos Norte at around 5:00 AM. Our first destination for our trip is "Pagudpud" but we decided to explore first the tourist spots that we would pass by. We arrived in Burgos, Ilocos Norte around 6:30 AM and tried our luck if Cape Bojeador is already open for tours, luckily we've crossed path with Manong Jun, the caretaker. He's off to the town already but he gladly went back and gave us a tour (Thanks Mang Jun!)... now, our Ilocos adventure's on! yey! :-D
Faro Cabo or Cape Bojeador is set majestically on a hill overlooking the South China Sea, It was built in 1892 and is one of the famous historical landmark of the province of Ilocos Norte. According to Manong Jun, he lits up the lighthouse at 6:00 PM and turn if off by 6:00 AM.
Going up to the top of Cape Bojeador was so tiring, but the sight up there is simply magical, and would surely make up for the exhausting climb on the narrow spiral staircase of the lighthouse.
Along the way, we saw the giant windmills, with luck on our side again we were able to view the windmills up close because our driver knows where to turn to reach this Bangui coast with the giant "electric fans" as my son says.
Bangui Wind Farm is the largest wind park in Southeast Asia. 15 x 1.65 MW gigantic windmills are located in a 4km stretch of coast on Bangui Bay. The windmills are really awesome!
We reached Pagudpud at around 8:00 AM, hmmm still early... ding! since I failed to visit Patapat Viaduct the first time we went to Pagudpud and I vowed not to miss it again, I suggested that we tour the Patapat Viaduct first before going to the beach.
Patapat Viaduct, an elevated concrete highway along the winding/rocky headlands at the northernmost section of Ilocos Norte. When in Patapat, it will give you a great view of the Pasaleng Bay that leads up to the South China Sea.
Well, the trip to Patapat Viaduct is really worth the extra minutes of travel, for you would be mesmerized by its awesome beauty…
and along the Patapat Highway we came across this scenic park...
Agua Grande is a picnic park with a stream of crystal clear running water from the mountains that leads to the sea. They also have an infinity pool of natural spring water.
After having some pictures in the viaduct and Agua Grande we went to Maira-Ira Beach, or commonly known as,
The Blue Lagoon
" Luzon's white sand and bluest water conspire majestically to be situated in one place. " - Lonely Planet 9th Edition
On calm days, when the notorious Ilocos surf is taking a break, the waters of the cove can be still as a pond, mirroring the azure sky to form a stunning blue loch.
But when we were there, the waves are really acting up, it's scary to swim so we just played with the waves and build sand castles...
Finally, after several Scenic Spot Stop-Overs and Photo Sessions, off we go to our original destination...
Saud Beach
Saud boasts of a beautiful white beach with clear blue water, it is one of pagudpud's vast beaches along with Maira-Ira and Panzzian.
Coconut palm-backed Saud Beach is where the resorts like Saud Beach Resort, Arinaya, Polaris, Tera Rika, etc are located.
We paid the entrance fee and rented a cottage at Saud Beach Resort and finally had our lunch there. After our sumptous meal of adobo, binagoongan and chicken feet, Joey and Tess relaxed at the cottage, Daisy, Abby, Jen and Harold tour the beach, Guile played and build more sand castles, and James pretended to be watching out for Guile but actually have been girl watching.. while I, was at the van catching some sleep. :-D
Everyone enjoyed the clear blue waters of Saud Beach and took pleasure as we watched the beautiful sunset on the beach...
After a day well spent, we, then head back to Laoag City for the night.
(to be continued...)
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