Northern Adventure

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte 

June 11 - 14, 2022

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

For more than two years, I had been confined within the walls of our home and the corporate place due to the Pandemic. It has been my usual routine every quarter of the year to move around places of interests like historical sites or simply walk through a trail at the middle of a jungle to unwind and remind myself that there is life outside the walls of the corporate world.

My sister and I had been planning this trip for a month. After confirming that transportation had finally been resumed and Pagudgud, one of our favorite places to wander, had finally re-opened to local tourists, we had finalized the date of the trip and so the adventure that we had long been dreaming finally came to reality.

June 10: Travel from Manila to Pagudpud (Barangay SAUD)

Pagudpud is in the Province of Northern Ilocos (Ilocos Norte). It is approximately 562 kilometers away from our home in Manila and a 10H drive. We decided to take the 9:30PM trip from Sampaloc Manila via Florida Bus.

On-board Florida Bus bound for Pagudpud

June 11: Arrival at Pagudpud

We reached Pagudpud and alighted at the bus terminal 08:41AM. After making an early reservation at the bus station for our trip going back to Manila, we took a tricycle to bring us to our accommodation located inside the public beach area in Barangay Saud. 

Operator and Driver

We met Manong Jerry Galat at the bus station and asked him to bring us to Polaris Beach House.

On-board Manong Jerry's Tricycle

Getting excited, we squeezed ourselves inside the tricycle and then drove to Barangay Saud. We reached the Beach House at 08:58AM, however, our room at that time is still getting cleaned. While waiting, we decided to have a breakfast and also made an arrangement with Manong Jerry to come and pick us up the following day for the tour. We had finally checked-in at 09:30AM after waiting for several minutes for our room to be prepared. We were supposed to check-in at 12:00NN, however, the reception officer was so kind to let us check-in early.

We chose a basic accommodation since most of the time, we will be out to enjoy the beach and the surroundings. I must say that we enjoyed the accommodation - spacious enough for the 3 of us, clean bathroom and strong aircon. Staying beside our room was Luisa's sister and her family. They came from Tuguegarao City in Cagayan for a vacation.

After setting up my things, I immediately went out to smell the sea and feel the wide blue clear sky.

June 12: Pagudpud (North & South) Tour

We started our adventure at 08:00AM. Gem and I took the tricycle with our driver and tour guide, Manong Jerry, while Luisa took the van together with her sister and family. We went out on a convoy. Manong Jerry was leading the way to the tourist sites.

Pagudpud Shell

We had a quick stop of the Pagudpud shell monument. This is actually the entrance to Pagudpud town proper.

Pagudpud Welcome Arc

From the concrete shell monument, we moved to the Pagudpud Welcome Arc. This Arc welcomes tourists from Laoag City to Pagudpud. This is one of the well known tourist destinations in the area. After having a quick photo op, we moved to the souvenir shops to see somethings. I'm glad to see that tourism is slowly getting back to life after the series of lock downs brought by the Pandemic.

Wind Mills in Bangui

From the Welcome Arc, we moved to another tourist site - the Wind Mills in Bangui. The Wind Mills in Bangui are the first in Southeast Asia. Today, there are more Wind Farms in the area. Several Wind Mills located in Burgos and nearby areas can be easily seen from Bangui.

Bangui Wind Farm

 

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos

From Bangui, we moved to Burgos to see the Kapurpurawan Rock formation. Kapurpurawan in the Ilocano language means "white". We had to transfer to another tricycle in Burgos to move us to the rock formation. New ordinance states that tricycle in Burgos will take tourists bound for Kapurpurawan and Light House. Outsiders had to wait at the registration area and so did Manong Jerry.

From the registration area, we moved to the jump-off point and then started walking towards the rock formation. The road leading to the jump-off point is now completely cemented. It used to be a rough road. We started walking on the stairs from the jump-off point and then passed-through a short trail covered with vines and then we reached the exposed area. One can also hire a horse to ride from the jump-off point going to the viewing deck.

Eleven years ago, I was able to set my foot on the rock formation itself. Presently, getting into the actual rock formation is already prohibited to preserve the rock formation. A viewing has been built where tourists can have a nice photo of the site.

 

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation View from Viewing Deck

While tourists are now prevented from setting their foot on the rock formation, there is a smaller version of the rock formation at the back of the hill near the Kapurpurawan Rockies. This is an open area.

Open Area Kapurpurawan Rockies

From the Rockies, we trekked back to the jump-off point, had a tasty Empanada snack and a refreshing sweet Buko juice.s

Light House in Burgos

On-board the same tricycle from Kapurpurawan, we moved to the famous Light House. This infrastructure was built in the 1800s and still operational. Eleven years ago, I had the chance to climb up the winding rusty steel stairs leading to the top where the actual light bulb is located.

Our tricycle driver is a well trained and a multitasking talented person - he is a tricycle driver, a tourist guide and a photographer. We were surprised to learn several tricks from him using the "PANORAMA" feature of the mobile phone.

 

Panorama of the Light House Museum

Downstairs, we had to follow a quick and easy instruction from him moving from one point to another while he maneuvers the camera on Panorama mode. We were surprised to see the results.

Panorama shot from the ground floor

Kabigan Falls

Completing our South tour at the light house, we moved up North. Kabigan Falls being our first destination. We reached the registration area at 1:20PM and from there, we proceeded to the jump-off point. I was expecting and told Gem and Luisa that there will be a lengthy trek towards the falls, however, I was surprised to see the that road leading to the jump-off point is now cemented.

From the jump-off point, we walked 20 minutes and then presto, we reached the Kabigan Falls. Clear and cool water, we enjoyed refreshing ourselves.

Kabigan Falls

Lunch

We had a late lunch along the way towards Patapat Viaduct. We had Sinanglaw, Fish Soup and Buko.

Lunch at a restaurant near Patapat Viaduct

Patapat Viaduct

After having lunch, we moved to the Famous Patapat Viaduct, a bridge snaking between the mountains of Cordillera and Sea joining the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley Regions.

Bantay Abot

We descended through a concrete stairs and passed through a narrow passage that leads to the Bantay Abot. The word "abot" in the Ilocano language means "a whole", thus, a mountain with a whole.

Hannah's Resort/Blue Lagoon

The final site of our North tour is the white beach at Barangay Balaoi where the popularly known Hannah's resort is located. I felt sad to see that Hannah's resort seemed to have closed with some of buildings no longer maintained well due to the lock down caused by the Pandemic. I'm hoping that Hannah's resort would be able to recover soon. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the white beach.

June 13: Travel from Pagudpud to Laoag to Paoay

We travelled to Laoag City on-board ordinary bus from Pagudpud. We left Pagudpud at 08:45AM. We reached the bus terminal in Laoag City at 10:14AM and decided to have a quick breakfast a nearby Chowking restaurant.

We took a tricycle from the restaurant going to the terminal for Jeepneys bound for Paoay. We alighted at Paoay town center passing through the magnificent Paoay Church and the municipal hall towards our accommodation. We stayed at Dona Emilia hotel.

From the Hotel, we took a tricycle going to the nearest Sand Dunes spot to try the 4x4 ride and the Sand Boarding. We were told that there are 3 Sand Dunes spots in Ilocos Norte. Suba being the most famous of the three while Culili point is the nearest to us as it is located in Paoay. We decided to go to Culili point.

We registered at the Culili point for a 4x4 ride where our exciting adventure started.

San Dunes 4x4 & Sand Boarding Registration Area

 

 

We took 4x4 truck #18, Green colored Mitsubishi Pajero model converted to 4x4. We on-boarded the truck at the back, standing and holding on to a steel bar. Highlights of the 4x4 ride include travel along the slopping sand dunes and a sharp descent from the top of a sandy hill, providing a feeling of excitement similar to riding a roller coaster. Another highlight of the adventure is the Sand Boarding.

Sand Boarding

Malacanang of the North

From the sand dunes, we moved to the Malacanang of the North which is now a museum. The place is well maintained. The water sport at the Paoay lake located at the back of the Malacanang is a the newest attraction in the area.

 

Paoay Church

Before going back to our accommodation, we visited the Majestic Paoay Church and I am so happy to see that both exterior and interior of the church had been renovated. This is a UNESCO World Heritage church together with 3 more century old churches collectively known as the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

Newly Renovated Interior

Newly Renovated Exterior

Dinner

To complete our day, we had a sumptuous dinner at SMOKE restaurant nearby the Paoay Church. We had BAGNET as our main course.

 

June 14: Travel from Paoay to Laoag to Pagudpud to Manila

We travelled back to Laoag City the following day and then took an ordinary bus bound for Pagudpud. We spent the day enjoying the beach at Pagudpud before heading back to Manila at 07:00PM on-board Florida Bus that day. We reached Manila at 04:30AM the following day, June 15, 2022.

DIOS TI AGNGINA!!

-o0o-

Mt. Pinatubo Once Again

Capas, Province of Tarlac
23 April 2017

"You need to be content with small steps. That's all life is. Small steps that you take every day so when you look back down the road it all adds up and you know you covered some distance." 

- Katie Kacvinsky

The 4th day of May in 2011 is one of the few very memorable days that I keep on reminiscing over and over again; and there is always that silly smile whenever I recall that day of my life in the wilderness.

It was the day when I set my very first footprint on the trail that paved my way to the exciting world of hiking. It was also the day when I came in contact with the first mountain that captured my heart and kindled my love and interest for outdoor activities, mountaineering in particular. 

Mt. Pinatubo, from the first time I climbed it, had completely captivated my heart. It's a symbol of mother nature's wrath, an immense power of destruction that changed the old world to a new one. Now, it is a symbol of mother nature's unparalleled beauty and uniqueness. 

That day also started my journey to explore more mountains and climbed to greater heights. It had brought me more friends on the trail. Now, I come to appreciate the beauty of nature and understand better the importance of its protection and preservation - for the next generation to come.

Since then, I kept on coming back to see and reunite with this volcano and at the same time, share, not just its marvelous and majestic sceneries and natural beauty but also the good experience with friends along the way that brought me the excitement and personal honor to share it with others.

On the 23rd day of April, on board a van, we traveled from Manila to Sta. Juliana in Tarlac to see and experience the trail of Mt. Pinatubo. Including myself, we were seven. With me were six young professionals and adventurers including my sister.

According to them, they were all "first timers" on the trail. This reminded me of my first ever hike. As I observed them, I see myself as a first timer on the trail once again.

We left Manila at 0336H and traveled north towards Tarlac. While inside the van, I can feel the excitement of the team to see the volcano for the first time.

We had a rendezvous at a gas station along NLEX for an early breakfast and to buy lunch. It was 0415H. After having breakfast, we had a short briefing and then left the food store.

We took NLEX, then turned right to SLEX and then finally TPLEX and went straight to Capas. We reached the the Tourism Department Satellite office in Sta, Juliana at 0634H, registered and then prepared for the adventure.

We had two 4x4 trucks as each truck can only accommodate 5 max passengers. We had two guides - one guide for every 4x4 truck. We started the adventure on board the 4x4 trucks at 0655H.

For some, riding the 4x4 truck for the first time is one of the highlights when climbing Mt. Pinatubo. As expected, riding the 4x4 truck as it tracked through the lahar trail can be compared to riding a roller coaster.

According to our guides, there were scattered rain showers at night on the area making some portions of the trail wet while the rests were dry and dusty.

 

We crossed several streams of water coming from the overflow drainage at the crater. While moving towards the second jump-off point (where the 4x4 stops), I noticed the lahar walls on both sides of the trail and the rocks were all marvelous as they were before.

 

 

At 0726H, we were at the photo-ops point where 4x4 trucks stop for a quick picture taking. At that time, there were several locals in the area selling their merchandise. I also noticed at least two ATVs nearby the place.

 

 

 

I still had the same feeling of same excitement when I first had my very first photos of the place. Everyone enjoyed taking photos on the 4x4 and on the lahar wall with the locals.

We resumed our 4x4 adventure at 0733H crossing more water streams and passing through rocky roads.

As I was on board the shaky 4x4, I was happy to have smelled the dusts of Pinatubo once again, step on its rocks, marveled at the grandeur of the lahar formations and finally looked at the majestic panoric view of its crater lake. I was reunited with the mountain once again.

We were at the second jump-off point at 0807H and then we started to walk towards the final jump-off point that leads to the crater lake. 

According to our guides, the location of the second jump-off point was at least 5 kilometers away from the last jump-off point as the 4x4 trail leading to the previous jump-off point had been washed out by rain water. In 2011, the original jump-off point where the 4x4 vehicles stop was where the final jump-off was at that time.

 

 

As we moved along the rocky and sandy trail, I was observing the team and was reminiscing my experience walking along similar trail when I first climb the mountain in 2011.

We reached the station in Botolan, Zambales at 0837 and registered. The weather was on our favor at that time. We were lucky. 

We resumed trekking at 0845H. The team had crossed few more streams of water and climbed on the rocky trail. Thanks to the guides who were always there to assist each member of the team.

 

At 0913H, we reached the final jump-off point and prepared to climb the crater wall towards the crater  lake (caldera) of Mt. Pinatubo.

 

The trail going up the crater was still the same and the concrete stairway near the crater lake was still there and well maintained.

 

 

We were at the Pinatubo crater lake at 0945H and had our early lunch at 1000H.

 

 

At 1045H, we started our descent inside the crater of Mt. Pinatubo. While descending, I noticed that the water inside the crater lake had reseeded. It was colored green. 

According to our guides, the authorities opened an overflow drainage on the crater wall to avoid the crater lake from overflowing. 

Inside the crater, I also noticed the old decaying boats that were used to ferry tourists to the other side of the crater where the boiling mud can be found.

Our guides told us that crossing the lake is no longer allowed.

At 1100H, we started our descent from the crater lake back to the second jump-off point where the 4x4 trucks were waiting for us.

 

Finally, at 1431, we were back at the tourism office, tidy up and then left Sta. Juliana back to Manila at 0245H.

-o0o-