THOUGHTS by Anonymous: Part 3 Adventures in Ilocandia: Let's go up North!

I felt anxious when our 2nd day tour in Ilocos had ended because that would  mean happy and stress free times are almost over. On our 3rd day in Ilocandia we went up north to Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud. For our transportation, we  looked for an affordable van to take us up north but the rate was just way beyond our budget so in the end we rented a trike for PHP 1,500.00 for our tour. You guys may wonder why it costs PHP 1,500.00. The distance is much farther than our south tour on our first day (See PART 1: Adventures in Ilocandia). We departed at Balay da Blas at 9:00 AM. This time I really can't say what time exactly we arrived in each place because I accidentally deleted my detailed itinerary in my cellphone. As we drove along towns up north, there was this serenity that made me want to live in Ilocos Norte. Maybe life back home was really stressful that made me want to live in this unfamiliar place.

First stop: Burgos Lighthouse

The West Philippine Sea see meets you at the bottom of the lighthouse with its beautiful scenery.There were a lot of tourists when we got here. There were students who were on a field trip so the place was really packed and we didn't have a history reflection in the place. Instead I just took this picture that would tell us about the Burgos Lighthouse. You can also buy souvenirs here. There is no entrance fee.

A little bit of info about the lighthouse

West Philippine Sea

Second stop: Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

You guys can see the distance from the rock?

Before when I was still daydreaming about a trip going to Ilocos, this was already one of my fave tourist spots. When we got to the entrance, there was a fee at PHP15.00/each. You have to endure a 10 - 15 min walk or you can opt to horseback ride going to the rock formation that costs PHP100.00. We chose to walk. The formation was like an icing in a cake. It is amazing how nature can form natural wonders like this. I wanted to really go on to the rock formation itself but it was not allowed. It would be great to have a Grecian themed photo shoot here.

Third stop: Bangui Windmills

If I remember it well, it took us almost an hour going to the windmills. The distance going to the windmills was far from the main road. When we got near the windmills, I was in awe maybe because those were the only windmills in the Philippines and that was my first time seeing a windmill and one of Southeast Asia's first. The windmills were so huge like humongous electric fans. There were a total of 20 wind turbines that generates 1.65 MW each. We spotted one that was not moving and we thought it was broken. Our tour guide said once it stops turning it means it already has generated enough electricity. Swimming is prohibited in the area since the waves were so big.

Our next destination was supposed to be Kabigan Falls but we decided not to push through since falls can also be found here in Cebu. Time constraint was also a factor. We took our lunch instead at the very entrance of Kabigan Falls. Liempo is cooked once ordered so we had to wait for a couple of minutes before we could eat our lunch. We were almost at the northern tip of Ilocos that explains the cold temperature in the area. I'm not really complaining. Teehee! It is good to experience something like this in Ilocos too. A little more drive and we'll set foot to Cagayan province but that is not in the plan. =D After eating our lunch we proceeded to the Patapat Viaduct.

Fourth stop: Patapat Viaduct

The Patapat Viaduct was one of Fmr. Pres. Marcos' legacy. It is a bridge winding at the foot of the cliff of the Cordillera Mountain ranges. Ok so I didn't know at that moment that was already the Cordillera Mountain ranges. Deym. The construction of this bridge was due to a lot of road accidents of the old single lane road stretched at the cliff.

We proceeded to a small creek beside the road which the name I forgot. There was nothing much there so I went to the nearby souvenir shop and looked for souvenirs that I could bring home.

Fifth Stop: Timmangtang Rock and Bantay Abot Cave

Timmangtang Rock

Bantay Abot Cave. Can you spot the Timmangtang rock from this view? =)

Don't forget to bring your scarf!

Feels like I'm in another country.

These two are just near from each other. Uhmmm we just took pictures and the scenery is beautiful still. To reach the Bantay Abot Cave, you still have to go down the stairs and walk thru a rocky beach side. You have to be careful though coz it's slippery. 

Sixth Stop: Blue Lagoon

Our camera couldn't justify the view. You guys should go there to witness it personally!

Before we arrived at the Blue Lagoon, I already set my mind not to go bathe in the beach since I was already tired and decided to just take pictures once we got there but then when I saw the view it just took my breath away. It was beautiful! With its powdery white sand and emerald water. Or maybe I just love beaches hence my reaction? Anyway so in a snap I changed in to my swimming wear and went bathing. You can also have surfing lessons in the area. For someone who doesn't know how to swim like moi it was difficult since the waves were big. We stayed in the beach around 15 min and stopped bathing because my boyfriend found a piece of glass in the sea. That scared me and halted me to stop bathing. So please you guys don't throw your shards of glass into the sea or shore coz you can cause misery to someone who would accidentally step on it. 

Blue Lagoon is our last stop of our tour and it is saddening because adventures in Ilocandia is about to ennndddddddddddd! =( Travel time from Pagudpud to Laoag City is almost 2 hours and that's traveling in a tricycle. =D So we arrived in Laoag City around 5:30 PM and went back to our hotel and savored our last moments in Ilocos. Sighhhh!

Stay tuned for Part 4. It will be our last day in Ilocos. No more tours. I will also be blogging about what we should have done travelling in Ilocos to provide you guys better itineraries once you visit here.

Cheers for the love of travel! ♥

For more of my Ilocandia related posts check these out:
Part 1: Touchdown Ilocandia
Part 2: Let the tour VIGAN!
Part 4: The SHOULD HAVE DONES

-jen