Part 1 – continued
DAY 2 – July 19, 2013
Having a good night sleep; we wake up early to carry on with our itinerary going further to the north. We packed our things, freshen up, ate our breakfast and we’re ready to go.
We had a quick stop at the San Nicolas of Tolentine Church. It was a beautiful church showcasing the baroque façade. It is just along the highway, and I guess on the center of the town. It is adjacent the Rizal park and has a big pot at the center of the street. It’s nice to have seen the place since the area was something like filled with history having one old building around the corner.
Arriving in Laoag, we had a quick visit at the Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag. This is one of the famous landmarks of the city and it’s included among the top tourist destinations in Ilocos. According to Wikimapia, its 45-meter solid bell tower is one of the tallest bell towers in the Philippines and it was built by the Augustinians in 1612.Due to sandy foundations, the bell tower earned its sinking reputation because it is so heavy that was estimated to sink at an average of an inch per year. Just across the street near the sinking bell tower was the Cathedral of St. Williams. It was a gorgeous church built also by the Augustinians in 1612 the same with its bell tower. As per history, the church was extensively damaged by a typhoon in 1640, an earthquake in 1706, and fire in 1843. The church was finally restored in 1880.
With much excitement, we moved on to our next destination. Along the way, we noticed that dragon fruit plants are everywhere. In the backyards, on pots and even used as fence, there along the way. We dropped off at the REFMAD Dragon Fruit Farm. We drove inside a narrow unpaved street going to the farm. In the farm, I am amazed on the plantation. I once thought that this plant was just an ornamental cactus plant without having a second thought that it will bear an edible delicious fruit.
Lots of plants with lots and lots of fruits, some were ripe and ready for harvest and some were just baby fruits and still green. They said that a typical plant will start to mature and bare fruits when it reaches 8 months from date of planting. They have made an ice cream out of its red variety that costs around Php 15-35 per cup. It was so delicious. We were also offered some fresh fruits to eat.
They were selling at Php 100-150 per kilo. I bought three kilos which I brought to Mindanao, then they let us choose on the fresh harvest that will take 2-3 days to fully ripen so as to survive with the travel days we have, and they packed it for free. They were also selling cuts of the plant itself ready for planting at 3 pcs for Php 100. I have only seen and eaten the white variety in Cambodia and China, and it’s my first time to experience the red one that’s why I am amazed to know that there are other varieties of the fruit.
Visible from the dragon fruit farm, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse sits on top of the hill. Its stunning position is a perfect location for a lighthouse. It really serves the purpose of being visible at sea and even on land. Not a steep climb up the hill, we reached the one of the famous attractions in Northern Luzon.
Built in the 19th century under the Spanish era and as part of the Spanish projects of illuminating the Philippine shores to guide vessels at sea entering from the north. The tower stands at 65 feet tall made up of stone making it durable that until now it is still standing there though it is not functioning as of this time. There are souvenir stalls just near the parking area. They are offering key chains, ref magnets, miniature windmills, and also miniature lighthouse. Price ranges from Php 10 for small items up to Php 200 for the big ones. It’s cute and colorful also. You can always make a good bargain from the seller.
Not far from Cape Bojeador Lighthouse was the fascinating Kapurpurawan Rock Formations. Such a magnificent beauty of nature showcasing the white rock situated near the sea. It is far from the highway, the tourist information office beside the road can be a landmark and serves as guide in going to Kapurpurawan. There is an on-going road concreting project in the area. Upon reaching the place, near the parking area are few shops selling souvenirs, umbrellas, and hats. Even cold drinks are for sale during the hot sunny day. From the shop, you have to walk for 5-10 minutes to get to the rock itself. Or you can choose to have a horseback riding activity in the area at around Php 100-250. Only six of us went to the rocks Me, Edith, Clifton, my mom and aunt. As we get closer, I felt the brilliance of this wonderful creation of nature. I am amazed on how these rocks are being formed, carved into perfection showing such a natural spectacular beauty.
At first, we were just at the view deck taking pictures because we thought it’s prohibited to go near the rocks and we haven’t seen people going near the rock itself. After sometime, a group of tourists were heading to the back of the hill. We were wondering where they will be going and if it will be allowed to go there. Curious as we are, we followed the crowd and there you go, it’s magic! The beauty of the rock is within our reach. Not minding the striking sun, we enjoyed the moment we were there. We felt the rough white rock, so clean and so delicate. You can feel the breeze from the ocean, heard the gushing waves and felt relax as we sit on it.
We came across this guy, a local tourist assistant, offered us to take pictures. I gave him my camera and he directed me some poses. Taking lots of pictures on us, we got different poses; different acts and some tricks were done on some shots. There are those shots like I was sitting on the edge of the cliff with water at the bottom, also there are these shots where we crack the hill, and there is this shot like I felt like jumping on a cliff. So nice of him having this tricks.
He was not asking for a fee but since I am enjoying and I did like what he had done to us, I thanked him and gave him a tip, Php 100. We’re back at our van bearing smiles on our faces. We have companions left on the van and decided not to venture on the rocks, in the end, they missed the fun because indeed, this Kapurpurawan Rock Formations should not be missed. Will it be on a sunny day, just have a sun block or on a rainy day, just wear raincoats or have an umbrella. Just don’t miss this attraction.
We have known that part of the purpose of the road concreting project is that they will be installing new sets of windmills near the area to serve more localities. And on the other hand, they will be opening another viewpoint a little bit farther but just within the area. We’re invited in the next 2 years to experience the new attraction.
We’re heading back to the highway and moved far north but just close to the rock formations. We took a left turn following the sign “To the WINDMILLS”. Our first sight of the gigantic fans was very much flattering. Though not my first, because I already have seen more in The Netherlands, I still was amazed that this man-made structure can be utilized in the Philippines. There were 20 windmills freely standing along the coast of Banqui facing north of the Philippines. This had brought a nice view to a place attracting tourists at the same time generating electrical powers used by the province.
We stopped at the 6th windmill. The windmills were lined up on the beach itself. Though it’s not white sand, it was also inviting. The sand is like a normal construction sands. The place really serves the purpose of the windmills as it was windy. Fresh breeze from the sea is also so relaxing. We stayed a little bit in the place without minding the time, and to our surprise, it’s almost 12 noon that we need to move to Pagudpud for our lunch.
We drove straight to Tartaruga’s Restaurant for lunch. It was a nice place. It was painted with white that made it so clean and fresh. We immediately ordered our food since it will take time to cook. They don’t have pre-cooked menus but they will be cooking the food as it is ordered. It will come to you hot and delicious. We ordered their famous bagnet, sinigang na isda, pinakbet, pancit and grilled squid, they served it just in time that we’ve already rested and we’re ready to partake our food. The orders were not that expensive, just the normal price when eating to restos in the metro.
Right after eating our lunch, we proceed right away to our hotel to check-in and change our outfits since we’ll go swimming to the blue lagoon. At Villa Carlina Resort, we were given a family size room where they have four king size beds and an extra queen size bed since we’re 10. The place is nice, it is relaxing, far from the highway, far from the noise.
Just at 2pm, we left our hotel. Before heading to the blue lagoon, we went further to another attraction right at the tip of Pagudpud, the Patapat viaduct. It is a long stretch of road just beside mountains on one side and the sea on the other. It is like a long stretch of winding bridge with a very nice view of the coast. We had a stop at the half way of the bridge to take some pictures. It’s the best location to capture best shots since either way you can pose with the bridge.
On one side, you can have the view in which the bridge was climbing the mountain and on the other side as well the views in which the bridge was winding alongside. The roads on the north are not as busy as the metropolis, so we can have the freedom to take pictures even at the center of the road. We’ve spent 20-30 minutes in the area in which the blue lagoon is just 15 minutes away. With fresh breeze, we felt relaxed while enjoying the beauty of the place.
Driving back our way, we’re going now to the blue lagoon. It is situated far from the highway, if you’re commuting, you need to hire a motorcycle in going to the place. You can pass through a village, mountain, and coastal areas and there you go, the blue lagoon it is! White sand, blue waters, mountain on one side, an island on the other side, the place was great. Hannah Resort is in the area. They also have the zip line from the mountain, traversing the waters down to the coast of the lagoon. We have enjoyed the waves, the water is so refreshing. Had enough of swimming, we rinse ourselves with fresh water and change to dry clothes.
Bantay Abot cave is located on the right side along the road from the highway. After swimming, we packed our things and drove back with our van. We had a quick stop at Bantay Abot cave. This was the cave used by “Dugong” on the teleserye “Marina”. The location was nice. You have the cave along the coast just near the road also. Actually the right description of the place is just an arch, it’s not really a cave since it’s like a hole on a hill. It was amazing where you can hear the gushing waves and you can feel the fresh air from the sea. There were stone formations which were nice to take pictures with. Also there’s a cliff-like portion of the rock, like you’re on the edge ready to jump off the hill. So nice!
It was almost 5:30pm when we left the cave and we reached Saud by dusk. We went straight to our hotel, putting out our wet clothes outside and getting ready for dinner. We just called Tartaruga for the advance order, so they can start cooking while we’re on our way. Their food was really delicious, in which we again ordered bagnet, sinigang na baboy and pinakbet. I was supposed to order dried fish but then they ran out of stock. Their kitchen was just outside wherein we can take a peek while they’re cooking. We also ordered ice cream for dessert. What a sumptuous dinner we had.
The night will not be complete without the bonding. We bought Tanduay light for us to have a drink at the place. Have a chit chat with the owner with some other guests also. We had one table to put our drinks and started what we have. It was just 10pm when the power went out, sad to say the hotel doesn’t have a generator set so we were just hoping that the power will come back before we sleep. We had finished our drinks still there is no electricity, how can we sleep comfortably without air-con. Maybe due to a tiring day we had, we didn’t find it hard to doze off. And not too long, the power came back, so we had an air-con again.
continuation… Part 3
Been here: July 18-20, 2013
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