Ilocos: A Backpackers Escape

After a very stressful week of work me and my cousin Tez decided to go up north for a long weekend away from the city life.Packed our things for just a short time then we are off to the Bus terminal.

Left Manila via Florida Bus (a.k.a. Pink bus) at around 10pm. With just a little preparation on this trip, we barely knew the place and we don't know anyone but, eager as we are we made our itinerary along the way. Though some bookings were already made like our accommodations.

Touring Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur is our goal.

With all the traffic in Edsa, NLEX, Toll gates, Passing Pampanga, Tarlac, La Union then....... Whollla!!! After 8 hours in the road we arrived in Vigan at around 8am.

 
From the highway, we rode a tricycle going to Vigan Heritage Mansion. Since we already booked online, everything is ready as we arrived. So, we just left our bags and made a quick bath then off to Pagudpud.

Day 1: Pagudpud Adventure
From Vigan we took a bus going to Laog drop-by some lunch at nearby Mc Donald's and headed to the Mini Bus terminal going to Pagudpud. Travel time from Vigan - Pagudpud is basically almost 2 hours.

By searching the internet, I contacted a tourcycle in Pagudpud. Thankfully, Kuya Nath (our trike driver/ tour guide)which is so accommodating eventhough we arrived in Pagudpud past lunch time worried that we might not able to go on all the attractions he has in-store for us.

First stop, Cape Bojeador (Lighthouse Tower) in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Cape Bojeador serves as the light of the fisherman's in the year 1800's. The view above the tower is so fascinating;  a beautiful South China Sea.

And then we headed to Kapurpurawan Rocks - the white rock formation located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte which is just a few minutes away from the Lighthouse. Kapurpurawan in Ilokano dialect means kaputian or white. We went for a long walk going to the rock formation and everything is worth it. The rock is so spectacularly white. We actually climb on some of it.

Bangui Windmills -  is the first windmill in the Philippines serving Ilocos Norte Region. Situated in in Bagui, Ilocos Norte and it is facing South China Sea.

 Kabigan Falls - refreshing waterfalls, a 30-minute walk where you will pass green farmlands, vegetations, small streams and the fresh air is breathtaking. Entrance fee: Php 20

 Patapat Viaduct - The Patapat Viaduct Is a viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. elevated 31 meters over sea level, is 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.(from wikimapia)

 After a quick pose in Patapat, we headed to Paraiso ni Anton for some water drenching experience. The place is quiet mysterious and it is just along the highway. Travellers tends to stop-by for some water.

 Next stop is the Agua Grande, where they have their own hydro power plant which serves INEC.

 Since its already nightime, we just passed-by Bantay abot Cave, Timangtang Rock going to the Blue Lagoon and Saud Beach(which they call Boracay of the north).