PAGUDPUD: Paradise of the North

ATTENTION PHOTOHOLICS AND BEACH-LOVERS:

Looking for the best beaches and spots for photoshooting or simply just for fun, relaxation and adventure? GO NORTH! GO TO PAGUDPUD!

Pagudpud is known for its scenic and inviting beaches. It is located at the northernmost part of Ilocos Norte, facing the South China Sea. Its long shores with white-powdery-sand beaches and crystal blue water is attraction to many local as well as foreign tourists. Saud Beach and the Blue Lagoon are the top destinations for beach-lovers.

But there's more to these great beaches that Pagudpud should be proud of and is waiting to be discovered within. I hope this one will serve its purpose. Pagudpud is more than a "paradise of the north".

THE BLUE LAGOON: A PERFECT UNWINDING SPOT

 
 Counter clockwise from upper right: The white-powdery sand for building Sand Castle; Hannah's Resort, one of the resorts you may opt to stay with cabanas painted with white and cream; the sharp and curvy road leading to the Blue Lagoon; Cottage for rent to fully enjoy sight-seeing and staying at the beachfront; the Dos Hermanos Islands; and the crystal blue water and the waves.

 
The Blue Lagoon is often called the "Boracay of the North". Its white-powdery sand is comparable to that of Boracay. The major difference is that, Blue Lagoon has NO NIGHTLIFE and not yet overcrowded. And that what makes it a perfect place for relaxation.  Staying in this place for a day and a night would make you feel really close to nature. The water is crystal blue and the waves are really big.  

  





Ride the waves... Play with the sand.. and jump til you get the perfect shot!

 

Be amazed.. Pagudpud is facing west, so sunset viewing is a pleasure one must experience.

Photo credit: Google Images uploaded by Rey Dor. We stayed at Blue Lagoon from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm so we were not able to experience and capture this stunning sunset. Maybe next time.

On your way to the Blue Lagoon, take some time to stop at the Timmangtang Rock - a bell-shaped rock formation. “Timmangtang” in Pangasinan dialect means it (the bell) rung. I'm not sure if this is also the exact meaning in Ilocano dialect.

 Tired of positioning our hands for photographs as if we were touching the rock, Pamela got the idea of "a giant stepping on the people"

From there, the Bantay-Abot Cave is within the eye's reach. According to stories, these two rock formations are couple and communally referred to as the “Lover’s Rocks”. Timmangtang is the male rock while the Bantay-Abot Cave is the female.

 

 

Lovers at Lover's Rock

Huge waves really hit the cliffs.

Timmantang Rock there. Taken from Bantay-Abot Cave.

FOR THE ROAD TRIPPERS

Road-trippers will surely enjoy the long and very fine way going to Cagayan Valley via Patapat Viaduct, a 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge elevated 31 meters over sea level connecting the Maharlika Highway from Laoag to the Cagayan Valley Region.

It is said that this bridge was constructed to solve the problem of landslides that frequently happen during rainy season. It snakes through the rocky headlands (the starting point of the Cordillera Montain Range) and offers enthralling and picturesque view of Pasaleng Bay. It is considered the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines
 

PARAISO NI ANTON

After a long and winding ride, we reached the Paraiso Ni Anton. We were already at the boundary of Pagudpud and the province of Cagayan. Don't ask me who Anton is [I might answer you this: it's Anthony Lorenzo, LOL!]. Nothing is really special to this place. Just the small waterfalls and a Groto. The water is freezing cold. Some travelers stop to get water from the falls to drink.

Stroll around and you will spot an old and abandoned building (below, left) near the waterfalls. It is said that the building was once a known Hotel in Ilocos Province owned by a former governor of Ilocos Norte. It is situated at the mountain's cliff and the path going to the building is weedy. So it is not advisable to get inside the hotel. In front of the waterfalls are stalls for souvenir shopping (below, right) 

 

THE ENCHANTING KABIGAN FALLS

The mountainous terrain of Pagudpud is haven to many enthralling waterfalls. The most popular of them is the Kabigan Falls which is being considered as one of the highlights of visit and must-go-to destination in Ilocos Norte. It is located at the eastern part of Brgy. Balaoi and is surrounded by well-preserved forest.

There’s an environmental fee of P10.00 per head and a P100.00 fee for a tour guide. Although there’s a clear trail going to the falls, the government requires one tour guide for each group. The hike of about 1.8 kilometer or 25-30 minutes walk from the main road is very easy as you don't need to climb on a mountain. The falls is facing the trail on the foot of the mountain. Endless talks will kill that tiresome moment and the rustling sound of the freshwater flowing along the trail will definitely add to your excitement to see the falls.

The falls is 80 ft. high and its concave basin is 12 feet deep. It is not advisable to get near the main basin as the current is very strong.

A dip in its freezing cold water is indeed a rewarding one after a long walk. With its marvelous beauty and with more and more tourist visiting the falls, it is no wonder that Kabigan Falls will be the next tourist magnet of Ilocos Norte. For more details on this trip, CLICK HERE

HOW TO GET THERE

Pagudpud is approximately 10 hours drive from Manila by land. At this time, the only bus company that has direct trip from Manila to Pagudpud is Florida Bus Line. However, you may take Partas, Baliwag, Farinas and other bus companies that offer Manila-Laoag trips.
If you hate long hours ride by a bus or a hired or owned vehicle, and you are not budget-conscious, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offers flight to Laoag from Manila. It will only take you an hour or less. From Laoag, it is 90 minutes to less than 2 hours jeepney or bus ride. There's a direct trip to Pagudpud daily via jitney or bus. Other vehicles bound to Cagayan also passes through Pagudpud.

THE TRAYSI-TOUR

Tourism in Ilocos Norte is maybe at its development period. It is good to know that the Local Government of Ilocos Norte headed by Gov. Imee Marcos is now focusing on promoting tourism in the province. At the moment, the only established  means of transporting and touring guests to this wonderful tourist attractions is through tricycle which they call “TRAYSI-TOUR”.
TraysiTour offers two Tour Packages for P600.00 only good for 3-4 persons. This includes:

PACKAGE 1-NORTH ATTRACTIONS

1. Experience crystal blue water and white powdery sand in pristine Blue Lagoon 

2. Timmangtang Rock and the Bantay-Abot Cave where waves hits the cliffs 

3. Stopover at Patapat Viaduct with blue skies and wide view of the South China Sea 

4. Paraiso ni Anton

5. The Enchanting Kabigan Falls

PACKAGE 2-THE BEST OF SOUTH

1. Visit and be amazed with the giant Wind Mills at Bangui, the biggest in Southeast Asia

2. Experience the wide view of the sea and sunset at Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos, one of the biggest lighthouses in the Philippines

3. Stroll around Curimao and Laoag City

4. See Paoay Church, one of the oldest churches in the Phils., a recognized UNESCO Heritage Site

5. See the well-preserved work of architecture at the Historic Town of Vigan, another UNESCO Heritage Site

If you avail Package 1 and you want to include in your itinerary some spots from Package 2 or vice versa, an additional fee of P100-200 per additional spot will apply. 

A trip to Ilocos Provinces is definitely one of the domestic trips you will cherish forever. Ilocos has wide array of tourist attractions, activities, history, culture and traditions that may interest YOU. 

Credits: wikipilipinas, wikipedia

Date of Experience: October 18, 2011

With Ton Lorenzo, Sheryl Erpelo & Pamela Mallorca