#Bantay Abot Cave

[ofinkandpapers]

For those who haven’t read my Day 1 Ilocos adventure you can read it HERE.

As much as I wanted to finish my Ilocandia series in one sitting, but sorry I cannot, due to duty schedule and the bed weather seems to be so inviting for such laziness. Anyway, here’s the next installment for my Ilocos Travel Tour.

When I thought I’ve seen beauty enough to leave me breathless and captivated, Pagudpud surprised me and took me to places I would remember forever. Travelling for hours may be boring and a bit tiresome but not when you’re entertained with a scenery too alluring, you’ll never get tired of. In this article, let me take you to other wonders Pagudpud has to offer.

FIRST STOP: Patapat Viaduct

When traveling to Ilocos, don’t ever miss the Patapat Viaduct! It crosses the slopes of the mountain ranges while providing the best view of the open sea. As we are keeping traces from the south to this northern part of Ilocos we finally reached Patapat Viaduct. It is one of the major project during the regime of President Marcos. It is considered as the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines having a total length of 1,300 meters. It connects Maharlika Highway from Laoag to Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town’e coastal mountain, which is the starting point of Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes throughout Northern Luzon. People usually stops here just to take photos of the bridge. The lush Patapat Mountains, blue skies and the blue waters of South China Sea was breathtaking.

A common sight on the bridge are parked vehicles equipped with tourists eager to capture photos. No wonder why, because the entire view is just so amazing! The long white and winding bridge, with the views of the ocean, the rock formations, the sound of the big waves, the magnificent sunshine and the tall mountains at the backdrop just seems to be a perfect synthesis.

SECOND STOP: Paraiso ni Anton (Calvario de Patapat)

Paraiso ni Anton is one of the few stops of the Pagudpud Tour Cycle, a local tourism project of the municipality that aims to bring visitors to Pagudpud’s top-notch destinations. Tourist take photos while locals take a sip of the waters dripping from the hill.

I couldn’t help but wonder why is this place called Paraiso Ni Anton. And who is Anton anyway? Was he the one who discovered the place? Was he someone who has died and was somewhat buried in this paradise hence its name? Then, Kuya Romy our tour guide told us that these waters uphold some sort of mystery. Some other locals came with containers and filled them with the water flowing from the small stream. Then I found out that locals believe that the water that drips down to the hillside of Paraiso ni Anton contain some healing energy. They believe that drinking the water will cure their mild ailments and in some cases, even the severe ones.

There is also another story circulating among frequent travelers in the area. A white lady seemed to appear within the vicinity scaring drivers. So to pay respect, drivers slow down then blow their horns when passing Paraiso ni Anton. Whether these stories are legend or not, as long as they don’t get harmed, there is nothing wrong about it.

Oh well no matter who Anton is, this place is undeniably a paradise, with a small grotto for the Blessed Virgin, a stream and luscious trees as the backdrop, this surely deserves a minute of your time. Also, on the front of the hill there are souvenir shops where you can buy Ilocos native pasalubongs.

THIRD STOP: Timmangtang Rock 

This rock formation is covered with lush green vegetation which makes it look like a huge sea turtle’s shell left by its owner on the shores of Pagudpud. There’s actually nothing special to be done in Timmangtang Rock but shoot photos. According to kuya Romy, the Timmangtang Rock formation appears like a bell from a distance. But, no matter how much I look at it from any angle, I couldn’t be convinced that it resembles as a bell.

Before reaching the rock formation, I stepped on a number of things that hurt my feet. Pebbles and seashells are everywhere so make sure to take extra precaution when you go here. The path that leads to the rock formation is very slippery since it is touching the water. So, again be very careful.

Aside from the rock formation, I couldn’t help but admire the calmness of the water. As the cool breeze touches my skin, I marveled at the thought that I’m lucky to experience something as relaxing as that.

FOURTH STOP: Bantay Abot Cave

It is totally safe to say that Pagudpud is truly one of the most scenic places we’ve ever visited.

The Bantay Abot Cave is a favorite stopover for tourists and a favorite hangout of the locals due to the striking surroundings.

Contrary to its name, Bantay Abot Cave isn’t really a cave. It’s a huge rock with a hole in the middle. And yes, the fertility folklore continued here because it’s the second place to visit after Timmangtang Rock. If you are smiling now, then you are probably getting the picture. Am I right? This hole is the “passage” – the vagina. We climbed up to the hole and gasped at the sight.

One needs to go down a stairway and cross a short trail of shallow waters to get inside the cave. The path to the cave is a bit dangerous; you have to watch your step all the time. The entire place looks so serene and relaxing. In reality, it is quite challenging to capture great photos. The shore is filled with sharp fragments of rock formations. The limited pathways are steep. The waves of the sea are too powerful. In effect, expect strong winds everywhere. I remember climbing a steep elevated area to secure some photos. I had a hard time going down, so my steps were slow and careful. Fortunately, I’m with my boyfriend who takes care of me and hold my hand while climbing down. And the whole place offers breathtaking views of the waves flashing through the rocks and the cool breeze coming from around the mountain sides.

However, the place is not advisable for swimming because the waves are really strong in this part and they might just sweep you away towards South China Sea. Me and my boyfriend enjoyed taking a lot of photos here and we even climbed up on the rocks for souvenir photos.

We only had a few minutes to explore Bantay Abot Cave. Despite the short visit, I can say that Bantay Abot Cave is one of the best places I’ve seen. It’s no doubt, one for the books!

FIFTH STOP: Kabigan Falls

Aside from the beautiful beach in Pagudpud, everyone should also visit Kabigan Falls. “Kabigan” was derived from the Tagalog word “Kaibigan” which means friend. The falls was given that name because the water from the river and the falls are magkaibigan. It is just 10 minutes away from Pagudpud. The visit to Kabigan Falls was listed in our itinerary and so when we reached the drop off point and was informed that the trek will took about 30 minutes one way and it would be an approximately 1.8km walk, some in the group, I know, were having second thoughts if we will still push it through. Well me, as the one who has this insatiable appetite for adventures would definitely not want to miss out this opportunity to visit it (andito na ako eh! Sayang naman!). So I insisted that we should go give it a try and I believe its gonna be worth it.

A tour guide was assigned to accompany us. Tour guides do this voluntarily and its up to you to give them any donations. Of course, its always a kind gesture to give them something after the tour, after all they were working hard for it and the trek back and forth just to guide tourists isn’t a comfortable one. There is already an established trail going to the falls hence you may dismiss having an official guide. Know that, however, that the tour guides double as caretakers wherein they clean the entire and falls every day after the tourists are gone. Hats off to these locals and hey, this is their main livelihood and your only way to contribute! Half of the earnings of these guides actually goes to their local cooperative while the other goes to their local government.

Kabigan Falls is tucked inside a forested area at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. It became famous because of its natural concave pool protected by tall trees abundantly growing in one of the few remaining virgin forest of the Philippines. One has to literally cross the rocky trails, with rice fields, wooden bridges, creeks, slippery rocks and loads of trees.

I really didn’t care about the long walks, you will be entertained by lovely views of farmlands, and water streams, animals and the mountains. There are a few stand by points where you can rest for a while and enjoy some buko juice, but because we are in a hurry to finish the tour due to a lists of itineraries for that day, we kept walking and walking till we reach the falls.

The trail is actually an easy one, Half of the trail is an open field with water streams on the side and trees are very rare. But as you get closer to the middle of the forest, the trek is more likely to get bearable and becomes a little cooler because of the trees and shaded areas while crossing some wooden and bamboo bridges.

After 30 minutes we finally saw a miniature version of the falls connected to the river with the tall dropping falls at the background and i can hear the dashing sound of water from it. Just a few more tumbling away and there we saw the whimsical Kabigan Falls with a towering height of 120 feet. It was indeed a very rewarding sight with such a revitalizing allure.

The water was blue green and really clear that you can see in close encounter the bottom of the waterfall basin. There are swimmers during our time of visit  and they were enjoying a lot. I was able to test the waters by dipping my hands while in the shallow part of the river before climbing up for photographs. Mind you, the water is so cold – what a great way to cool down after drenching yourself in a sweaty hike.

If you are a nature junkie, you will surely fall in love with the falls, the locals and even the remoteness of the place. After a few minutes, we started trekking again going back to the drop off point where our lunch is already waiting. T’was a tiring experience but was all worth the leg cramping walks. Never miss the opportunity to visit this natural wonder when in Ilocos. It was truly worth your time and efforts!

SIXTH STOP: Maira-ira Beach (Blue Lagoon)

Ilocos is not only blessed with rich history, picturesque landscapes and old buildings and structures but it also has pristine and drop dead gorgeous water. The beautiful cove named Maira-ira Beach lies in Maira-ira Point, the northern tip of Pagudpud. Maira-ira Beach for which popularly known as Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited spot in Ilocos when looking for water adventures and beach bumming. It has a long stretch of white sands kissed by clear, turquoise blue water. It  is one of the destinations usually included in the tour package offered in Pagudpud.

The Blue Lagoon, a small deep-water cove, gives Hannah’s Beach Resort its bright, glowing star. The warm, sparkling aquamarine water looks awesomely magical. Coupled with a shore made of talcum-fine sand, it is easy to understand why this particular patch of water is a favorite place to swim and have fun.

When we got there the beach waves are strong, the shoreline has sudden deep hollows. My boyfriend kept on telling me not to get far. He got scared I’d be washed away by the big waves. I wondered if the water gets tranquil sometimes. The water wasn’t blue as I expected because of the gloomy weather. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the beach but when the rain started to pour hard, we had no choice but to leave.

So, there you have it that’s our last destination for our second day tour. Watch out for more wonders of Ilocos on our last day 🙂

When in Ilocos: Day 2 For those who haven’t read my Day 1 Ilocos adventure you can read it HERE.

[aquanomad28]

Derived its name to two ilocano words "Bantay" for mountain & "abot" for the hole. This cave is not really a cave. It's a huge rock with a hole in the middle resulted from an earthquake years ago. A very unique structure covered with green shrubbery thus adding the beauty of the cave. . . . #whenwithfilipinos #itsmorefuninph #discoverph #chooseph #wowpinas #sinopinastraveler #exploringphilippines #philippinesgram #litrattongpinoy #visitphilippines #the_ph #wanderph #pinaswonders #visitph #comeseeph #pinasmuna #topdestinationsph #traversephilippines #wanderlustph #adventurephilippines #pilipinasdestination #mabuhayph #igpilipinas #tapphiph #grammerphilippines #tuklas_pilipinas #lostinph #seepilipinas #ilocosnorte #wheninilocos (at Bantay Abot Cave) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceidg9yuet4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[girltravelfactor]

The towering Bangui Windmills wind turbines are arrayed in a row along the coast. East of town, Pasaleng Bay is home to Bantay Abot Cave, a natural tunnel eroded through the headland, and secluded Maira-ira Beach. Area waterfalls include Kabigan and Anuplig.

[rustyfreak23]

“You can’t go back and fix the past. No. But you can make the present and the future a whole lot better.” . . . #ilocos #bantayabotcave #wheninilocos #philippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #gopro #goproph #russpedition #travelnirussel #wanderlust #travel #adventure #beautifuldestinations #lonelyplanet #pinasmuna #exploreph #travelph #traversephilippines #lostinph #choosephilippines #sinopinas #wtnadventures #comeseeph #woogoph #shareph #travel_philippines #discovermnl #visitpilipinas #travelphilippines (at Bantay Abot Cave) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5jlVXSnnxY/?igshid=1hlrp2ala11mo

[fotograzio]

Bantay Abot Cave by Wayne S. Grazio Via Flickr: Panorama composite of a hole in a small hill called Bantay Abot Cave near Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is often mired with tourists, but I was able to get some quick snaps before groups of travelers in vans came by to explore the site. The naturally sculpted hole was steadily eroded by waves until it was wrecked by an earthquake during the 1980s. It’s sort of like a giant donut! The waves continue to wash through and shape the hole. It is also sometimes called the underground sea, as the top of the cave is covered by lush green vegetation. Inside the cave is a church, and once inside you hear the muffled echo of waves breaking and also the birds singing as swallows also inhabit the cave

[jimmiegoransson-blog]

New Post has been published on http://www.travel.boozted.com/2018/04/14/ilocos-norte-philippines-tourist-spots/

Ilocos Norte, Philippines Tourist Spots

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Heading to Ilocos Norte in the Philippines? Here is a sneak peak of some of its tourist spots you should not miss!

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Music : Bongo – KV

[adrenalineromance]

Quiet Pagudpud: A Sleepy, Scenic Northern Resort Town

Quiet Pagudpud: A Sleepy, Scenic Northern Resort Town

We love hushed, charming faraway towns. Their rustic charm and the pristine natural vistas around them never fail to reinvigorate our bodies, minds, and souls. The townsfolk’s way of life, practiced for generations and relatively uncontaminated by the complexities of city life, gives us a glimpse of rich tradition and simple grace. Their culture is a proof that simplicity and a relaxed pace of…

[lifeinayellowsuitcase-blog]

LAOAG ESCAPE - nag-abot sa cave ng Bantay Abot! #laoag #escape #travelblog #wanderlust #trip #explore #asia #philippines #travelblogger #life #yellow #suit #case #suitcase #lifeinayellowsuitcase #ilocos #caves #bantay #abot #bantayabotcave (at Bantay Abot Cave)

[ilocosilocos-blog]

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Ang Pagudpud ay isang bayan sa hilagang baybayin ng Luzon Island, sa Pilipinas. Ang mga resorts ay nakahilera sa kahabaan ng Saud Beach. Ang mga nagniningas na wind turbines ng Bangui ay nakaayos sa isang hilera sa baybayin. Sa silangan ng bayan, ang Pasaleng Bay ay tahanan ng Bantay Abot Cave, isang likas na tunnel. Ang mga talon ng lugar ay kinabibilangan ng Kabigan at Anuplig.

Mga Lugar na Maaring Bisitahin 

1.Bantay Abot Cave

2. Bangui Wind Mills 

3. Kabigan Falls

4. Saud Beach

5. Patapat Viaduct

[monengshits]

ILOCOS SHOOT

And finallyyy! I've experienced having an out of the town shoot! 🥰 Sa totoo lang biglaan nga 'to e. Biglang inaya lang ako ni Migs maging second shooter niya and CJ is my main. So before ako mag-G, nagpaalam muna ako ng maayos sa office. Letting everyone know that I'll be gone for 2 days straight. Pumayag naman silang lahat and full support kaya ang sayaaa. 🥰 Although, aminado akong marami pa akong pendings sa Newsletter, but keribels. Need ko ng experience na 'to kahit na I've been to Ilocos a thousand times already.

'Di ko na ikekwento full details at mahaba haba na kapag. Summary na lang.

Sa biyahe papunta nakakaloka at sobrang bilis. 'Buti na lang talaga maganda ganda pwesto ko kundi hilo na naman ang lola niya. Masarap tulog ko kaya walang stress sa biyahe. Imagine? 10-12 hours of travel time to Pagudpud naging 6 hours lang sakanila?? Kasi nga nagkakarerahan sila. 🥲 Okay din naman at maagang nakarating pero nakakatakot kasi. Pagdating namin 'don sa Patapat Bridge, grabeee ang lamig! First time ko na-experience 'yung ganong weather sa Pagudpud e usually ang init init. So ayun nga. Masyado kaming maaga kaya nag-book muna kami ng accommo sa Hannah's and stayed there. Nagpahinga muna and relaxed sa beach. Lakad lakad and everything kasama mga kupal.

Day 1 Shoot

Patapat Bridge. Dito pa lang medyo stressed na kami dahil 'di masyadong cooperative sila client at naiinitan. Medyo off sila sa mga instructions namin when it comes to poses. Nao-awkwardan sila kaya may part na nairita at sumagot ng 'di oras. But it was successful naman afterwards. 11am na yata kami natapos 'non? Ate lunch, relaxed na naman since 2pm pa next shoot, tas analyzing feedbacks. Trying to manage them before our next shoot.

Bantay Abot Cave. Dito naman next shoot. Kahit papa'no nakikisama na sila ng maayos. Challenging dito kasi sobrang lakas ng hangin. Tinatangay ka talaga pero successful naman ang shoot. Magaganda outputs.

Hannah's beach side. Dito naman nahihirapan din kami dahil sa hangin. The fact that sa sobrang lakas ng hangin e nababasa mga lens namin. Leaving them moist, kaya may mga shots na blurry. But overall, it was good.

Before kami mag-proceed sa last shoot for the day, inenjoy muna namin natitirang time para magpetiks petiks. Idlip, lakad lakad kung sa'n sa'n then ate. Supposed to be ang next shoot e bon fire with family pero plan B kami. Nananampal na kasi 'yung mga buhaningin sa beach sa sobrang lakas. Tas ang lamig lamig pa. Siguro 10 na kami natapos sa lahat lahat including maligo't kumain? We had a little inuman before heading to sleep.

Day 2 Shoot

6:30am yata ako nagising? Late na kami dito nag-start sa shoot e. Dahil nagkaproblema. Basta. Mahaba habang kwento. We prepared everything at aalis na kami 'don para dere-deretso na.

Bangui Wind Mills. First shoot of the day, okay naman dito. Ang kaso nga lang ang kalaban namin e reklamo at kamamadali nila. Leaving us stressed and can't concentrate well sa trabaho.

Sand Dunes. Second shoot. Sooobrang init, nimal! 2pm ang shoot namin dito dahil no choice, need umalis kaagad pauwi ng NV kaya wala ng afternoon sunset for Sand Dunes. Unfortunately, Paul and I wasn't able to work with the team because naiwan kami sa ere. Walking ourselves out of the extreme heat of Sand Dunes. Tumambay kami sa isang area for possible shoot pero matagal tagal pala sila. Naglakad kami ng bongga sa gitna ng disyertoooooo. Deputa. Ang sakit sakit ng buong legs ko at ang init init!! Tumambay tuloy kami sa malaking ice creaman and kwentuhan 'gang matapos sila. 'Di tuloy kami effective.

Vigan's Calle Crisologo. Eto na ang last shoot for the day. Successful kami dito. Nagawa namin lahat ng kailangang gawin. Pero ako 'nung madilim dilim na 'di na ako nag-shoot dahil wala akong flash. Nag-assist na lang ako.

After everything umuwi na kami sa NV. Nagkaroon ng 'di magandang experience after shoot. Basta.

This experience was unforgettable. Tiring but worth it because I'm with these awesome people that I get to work with! ❤️

[mahgellan]

Bantay Abot Cave, Pagudpud (2015)

[jonshepherd]

#oonicc #pwf #pagudpud #bantayabotcave #cave #ilocos #philippines (at Bantay Abot Cave)

[attyjhnmsgs]

Exploring Ilocos ❤ #jhenadventures #jhentravels (at Bantay Abot Cave) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxb15LZJ5SxAnTFeADRZUWN-l1lXEfJsf-I2zo0/?igshid=241qx6dznuoe

[hyperthalamus]

Here I am again, popping like a mushroom and coming up with a new travel post without explaining where I have been for the past months. I would really like to explain my absence in a separate post but since labor weekend came in too fast, I’ll spare that part first and share our amazing time in the region of Ilocos.

Having a summer escapade is becoming an annual tradition for me to save myself from being burnout by work. And if last year I found myself fond of Mount Pinatubo’s ashes and agoho trees in Talisayen Cove in Zambales, this summer, my friend and I, have finally decided to act on our overdue Ilocos trip and discover what the north has to offer by ourselves.

Check out our two days and one night DIY Ilocos trip itinerary below:

DAY 0

7:00PM – ETD for Pagudpud from Sampaloc, Manila

DAY 1

7:00AM – ETA in Pagudpud 7:30AM – ETA at Saud Beach; Check-in at lodge 7:30AM – 12:00PM – Rest; Lunch at Emohruo Restaurant 12:00PM – 5:00PM – Pagudpud North Tour

Blue Lagoon Beach

Bantay Abot Cave

Paraiso ni Anton

Patapat Viaduct

Kabigan Falls

5:00PM – ETD for Saud Beach 6:00PM – ETA at Saud Beach 6:00PM onwards – Beach bum, rest, dinner at roadside eatery/baon

DAY 2

6:00AM – 8:00AM – Wake up, breakfast, pack up 8:00AM – Check out from lodge; ETD for Pagudpud South Tour 8:00AM – 11:00AM – Pagudpud South Tour

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Bangui Windmills

11:00AM – 12:00PM – Lunch at Bangui in roadside eatery 12:00PM – ETD for Pagudpud sentro 12:30PM – ETA at Pagudpud sentro 12:40PM – ETD for Laoag 2:10PM – ETA at Laoag 2:30PM – ETA at Malacanang of the North 3:30PM – ETD for Paoay Church 3:50PM – ETA at Paoay Church 4:30PM – ETD for Laoag 5:00PM – ETA at Laoag to depart for Vigan 7:00PM – ETA at Vigan; Buy bus tickets to Manila 7:00PM – 8:30PM – Calle Crisologo stroll, dinner, pasalubong buying 9:00PM – ETD for Manila

DAY 3

7:00AM – ETA in Manila

To save one from tediously scrolling through this post, I have decided to chop down this Ilocos trip into two based on our main destinations. This post will be mainly focused on our trip in Pagudpud. For our Laoag and Vigan trips, click here.

GETTING THERE

Ilocos is accessible through air or by land and for our budget-friendly trip, we opted to travel by land and take the bus bound for Pagudpud, our first destination.

Most bus lines only offer trips to the main cities of Ilocos, Laoag and Vigan, so we’ve decided to look for a bus line which has direct trips to Pagudpud and found GV Florida in Sampaloc, Manila with regular trips to the place.

Our 7:00PM-trip bus with Laoag City and Pagudpud as the main destinations.

Florida buses leave Manila at night and only has 7:00PM and 9:00PM trips. Travel time can take up to 12 hours and has three stopovers in the towns of Pura, Tarlac, Batac, Ilocos Norte and Pagudpud.

REACHING ILOCOS

The 12-hour travel time feels shorter when you spend most of the night tucked under the blanket and sleeping (which I did). But during those times when you wake up because your back or neck starts aching, you’ll  have the chance to marvel at the stillness of the fields beside the expressway and see South China Sea in the dark when you pass by La Union. In the dawn, you’ll be greeted by tall white windmills from a distance as the sun starts to rise behind it. Personally, I found these sceneries really peaceful that I already felt recharge even though we haven’t formally reached our destination yet.

We’ve reached Pagudpud past 6AM, almost an hour earlier than our estimated arrival, and easily realized how tourist-friendly the place is.

In the bus stop, several tricycles are already lined up waiting to accommodate passengers. Aside from bringing tourists to their respective destinations, tricycle drivers here are trained to conduct Pagudpud tours which, of course, has corresponding price. It was here where we met Kuya Romy who eventually became our tour guide for the day.

The reliable tricycle which toured us around Pagudpud.

ACCOMMODATION HUNTING AND ARRANGING THE TOUR

Pagudpud is dotted with accommodation places for every type of traveller that reservation is not really necessary when visiting the place. However, if you are planning to check in at a popular hotel, reserving a room is highly recommended. If you’re not, looking for a place to stay wouldn’t be a hard work.

We first asked our driver, Kuya Romy, to bring us to Britanya Lodge, a lodge near Saud Beach, since it was one of the places I had correspondence with online. Unfortunately, due to the peak season, no rooms were available during our arrival so we were forced to look for another one.

We stayed in the far end room of the lodge’s 2nd floor.

Eventually, we settled with Rey’s Place, another lodge not far from Britanya whose set of guests were coincidentally checking out upon our arrival. We weren’t able to immediately check in and go inside our room, though, –thanks to our unannounced and early arrival—so we’ve taken the time instead to get to know our guide and arrange our Pagudpud tour with him. In the end, we have decided to not follow our itinerary and let him lead the tour to surprise us with the places where he’ll bring us.

As recommended by the owner of the lodge and to save time, we’ve started the tour without getting inside our room since it will still take a while for our room to be prepared. So to make up for the inconvenience, the owners allowed us to leave our bags and promised to bring it inside our room once it was ready which they did.  They also allowed us to use another room so we can brush our teeth and change our clothes for a day of tour. After that, our Pagudpud tour has finally commenced.

THE PAGUDPUD TOUR

Traveling Pagudpud is divided into two tours namely, the North Tour and the South Tour. Basically, the North Tour is composed of destinations found in the eastern part of Pagudpud while the South Tour is composed of tourist spots on the other side of the municipality which include the towns of Bangui and Burgos.

The South Tour is more expensive compared to the North Tour which surprised me at the first place because it was different from my research. But eventually, I realized that the reason for the higher price is the long distances of the tourist spots from one another. Nevertheless, the price was worth it upon arriving in the places and knowing the effort of our guide.

The following are the specific destinations under each tour:

North Tour

Kabigan Waterfalls Patapat Viaduct Aqua Grande Paraiso ni Anton Timmangtang Rock Bantay Abot Cave Blue Lagoon Dos Hermanos Island

South Tour

Bangui Windmills Bangui View Deck Cape Bojeador Lighthouse *Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

*Was not included in the tour guide’s list but was actually include in the tour

As recommended by our guide, our Ilocos experience started by doing the South Tour with the famous Bangui Windmills as the first destination.

On the way, Kuya Romy was kind enough to bring us to some Pagudpud landmarks which were not part of the tour which included the Pagudpud Municipal Hall, Shell Statue and, of course, the famous Pagudpud Municipal Arch.

The Pagudpud Municipal Hall located in the town’s center.

The Pagudpud Shell Statue reminds me of the Hollywood sign in California.

I was worried I wouldn’t have a photo op of the latter since we’ve taken a public transport which doesn’t make a stop at the place so it was really good thing that our guide has brought us to the famous landmark to officially seal our trip.

Officially sealed our trip!

After some photo ops, our journey to the windmills continued which took us almost half an hour to finish. One can easily know that they are nearing the place, when they start to see the distant white windmills become closer and bigger.

The iconic Bangui Windmills under the bright sunlight.

The first time I saw the windmills, I was amazed with how tall they were despite having expectations that they were gigantic. Our tour guide has related that the windmills were imported and its exposed height is the same as its buried part. He also shared that when a windmill is spinning, it means that it is ‘charging’ or producing energy and if it’s not, it means that it has enough energy stored –a fun fact I didn’t know. Apparently, the collected energy from the windmills are the ones powering the whole province of Ilocos.

Wouldn’t mind spending the day just listening to the sound of the waves here.

The huge waves hitting the coast added to the beauty of the place by producing relaxing and calming sounds every time it crashes to the bay. This crash produces mist that add to the picturesque scenery of the place. Nonetheless, one wouldn’t dare to go near the waves nor dare to swim in it as it can get really rough and take someone away. Still that wouldn’t change the fact that I would like to spend a day in the place just to listen to the sound of waves.

After battling against the hot sand with our feet and buying some souvenirs in the shops, we then proceeded to our next destination which was the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in the town of Burgos.

As expected, Kuya Romy talked to us about the eventual transfer to another guide for the remaining two destinations of the tour to comply with the agreement between Pagudpud and Burgos tricycle drivers. This transfer stemmed from the fact that Pagudpud drivers are more inclined to receive more tourists than Burgos drivers because of the town’s popularity as a tourist spot. To resolve the issue, the two parties have agreed to transfer tourists to Burgos drivers every time the destinations will include Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. No worries on the part of the tourists as the amount of the tour will be the same except that ₱300 of the price will go the Burgos driver. After the Burgos tour, the tourists can return to their original guide.

Travel time from Bangui to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation can take up to 30 minutes and requires a small amount of ₱10/head as a fee upon entrance. We’ve arrived at the place late in the morning so a swarm of tourists welcomed us upon arrival to the tourist spot.

After entering the gates, expect to make a little trek downhill towards the sea where the famous white rock formation is located. On the way, you’ll see souvenir shops and a service which offer horseback riding to tourists.

Decided to be satisfied with the nearest view I can get of the rock formation.

We weren’t able to go near the rock formation as there was a rope hindering anyone to pass by beyond it. Nonetheless, if you don’t want to go home without a photo op with the natural formation, one can still do a little trek to the other side of the rock and take many photos as they want. When we were satisfied with our shots, we trekked back to the main entrance and started the day’s third destination, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

PAK! Got the perfect shot I have in mind.

Among all of the places we’ve visited in Pagudpud, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse was the farthest and the destination I was really looking forward to see.

Travel time going to the place was another 30 minutes and requires vehicles to pass by narrow and slightly steep roads. Upon arriving, one will be welcomed by a set of stairs leading to the lighthouse itself.  No fee is required upon entering the place.

Prepare your legs for a little hike up to the lighthouse.

Similar with our earlier experience, the place was also filled with tourists when we arrived that I barely had the chance to get a photo without a person passing by in it. Nevertheless and disregarding the crowd of tourists, the view of the nearby sea from the place was very beautiful that it’s probably one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in my life. Aside from the sea and the building’s architectural remnant, old and original parts of the lighthouse are the other things one can expect to see in the place.

Couldn’t leave the place without taking a photo of the beautiful sea.

After we fulfilled our eyes, we traced our steps back to the place’s stairs and found ourselves en route to our original guide.

Sealed our Bangui trip by dropping by at Bangui View Deck.

Last stop for the South Tour was the Bangui View Deck which is another 30-minute travel from Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. The tourist spot is located right beside the national road that one wouldn’t easily recognize that the place is a tourist attraction. Nevertheless, the view here is also beautiful which features the whole stretch of Bangui Bay and its windmills.

We’ve finished the South Tour past 11AM and decided to have an early lunch before starting the North Tour. Once again, we asked our guide to surprise us and bring us to a dining place which he thinks offers delicious and affordable meals. Kuya Romy have taken on the challenge and decided to bring us to an eatery in the town center of Bangui which serves traditional carinderia foods.

To further authenticate and get the most out of our trip, I’ve decided to order the well-known Ilocano dish, igado (₱50/serving) and partner it with everyone’s favorite, plain rice (₱10) to complete my lunch. Since it was summertime, I’ve also decided to add dessert with a serving of halo-halo (₱25).

Generally, the place was average when it comes to the food but not impressive in terms of service, since our halo-halo has taken a while before being served. Nevertheless, dropping by at the place wasn’t that bad since it has satisfied our grumbling stomachs for a few hours.

Still with a cup of halo-halo in our hands, we returned to our guide’s reliable tricycle to begin the North Tour with Patapat Viaduct as the first destination. Travel time from Bangui to the place can take up to half an hour.

A refreshing breeze from the West Philippine Sea will welcome anyone in Patapat Viaduct.

Experiencing the place in person is very different from being amazed with it in the photos. Main attraction of the tourist spot is the view of the West Philippine Sea where a relaxing breeze comes from and will welcome any visitor. Waves crashing beneath the viaduct is also a sight to watch for people fond of watching and listening to the sound of the waves. Lastly, the bridge itself is also worth remembering as it is the very structure which connects the province of Ilocos to the region of Cagayan. I was actually wondering what the scenarios will be if we have ample time to drive through the entire viaduct and visit Cagayan.

After breathing in some fresh air and trying our best to snap photos without capturing any group of tourists in our shots, we continued our tour with Aqua Grande as the next destination which was an easy 5-minute travel from the viaduct.

The best shot I can make of the place from Aqua Grande’s entrance.

Aqua Grande is popular park where visitors can experience the waters of a nearby hydroelectric power plant by lounging in the big rocks located below the plant’s big tube. The waters fall to the rocks through this tube creating an artificial falls and spring which flow to the sea.

We decided to not enter the place to save time but a ₱20-entrance fee is required for people interested in experiencing the popular attraction. Evident from what we saw, the place is not just only popular to tourists during summer but also to locals wanting to escape from the season’s heat.

The other half of Bantay Abot Cave.

A 15-minute travel from Aqua Grande is our tour’s third destination which is known as Timmangtang Rock. According to our guide, the natural formation is typically paired with the popular Bantay Abot Cave because of the belief that the two rocks are lovers, with Timmangtang Rock as the male and Bantay Abot Cave as the female counterpart.

I feel like Moana in this picture, ready to sing How Far I’ll Go any moment.

The beach beside the rock.

No fee is required upon entrance to the place and going near to the rock is also possible. Aside from the natural formation, a beach can also be found beside the rock where the waves are less rough compared to the ones in Bangui Bay and Patapat Viaduct.

Bantay Abot Cave from Timmangtang Rock.

Already visible from Timmangtang Rock, our next destination was the famous Bantay Abot Cave which is an easy 5-minute trip from our previous stopover.

Upon arriving in the place, expect to make a little workout as the path going to the tourist spot requires a trek going down to the coast and a 75 degree ascend to reach the hole’s center. Entrance fee is also free for tourists visiting the place.

Our guide has shared that the cave used to be a rock like Timmangtang until former President Ferdinand Marcos ordered to dig the rock to uncover the alleged treasure hidden in the place. He did not confirm if a treasure was found but it was interesting to know about the place’s history.

One can see the cave’s ‘lover’, Timmangtang Rock, from the center of its hole.

Upon reaching the center of the hole, one would be greeted by a view of the nearby coast behind and in front the cave. You can also climb down to the other side of the cave if you want to get a photo op of the coast behind it or climb up to the side to step up your Instagram ante.

Probably the biggest challenge of the cave for any tourist is the descend from the top of the hole since the soil here is looser and can make one easily slip. Best thing to do to avoid the latter is to grab onto the rocks in cave’s wall and calculate each step. This activity has taken me a time to do but I managed to survive.

After our physical trip to Bantay Abot Cave, our tour proceeded with Blue Lagoon and Dos Hermanos Islands as the next destinations. Travel time going to the place can take up to 8 minutes.

Blue Lagoon looks distinctively blue in person.

The two islands in the far end of the coast is the Dos Hermanos Islands.

Our guide has first brought us to a deck overlooking the whole stretch of Blue Lagoon and explained that the reason for the name is because of the water’s remarkable blue color. I agree because the color of the water looks distinctively blue and very different from the one in Saud and in the other beaches I’ve seen that I feel like I’m looking at a scenery which is already edited in Lightroom. At the far end of the coast are the two islands of Dos Hermanos which resembled a similar shape with that of Timmangtang.

My friend posing in one of the life-size figures in Hannah’s Beach Resort’s entrance.

Our visit to Blue Lagoon was supposed to include an entrance to Hannah’s Beach Resort and a photo op with its life-size figures but since we found the entrance fee (₱100) slightly expensive we’ve decided to abort the plan and be satisfied with the life-size figures and view of the beach from the entrance. After some photo ops, we proceeded to the tour’s last destination, Kabigan Falls.

The view of the nearby mountains during our trek to Kabigan Falls.

Travel time from Hannah’s to Kabigan Falls’ jump-off point in the town of Balaoi can take up to 15 minutes and requires tourists to log upon arrival. Going to the falls requires an entrance fee of ₱10 and a guide (₱100) who will lead the trek which can take up to 30 minutes. Expect the long walk to be composed of sceneries of greenery and a series of streams. Hiking or rubber shoes is not really necessary since the trail is novice-friendly that a good pair of reliable slippers will be enough.

Kabigan Falls fascinating me.

One can determine that they have reached their destination when they have to make the biggest ascend in the trail and gradually be welcomed by the gushing sounds of water. The top of the slope is the best spot in the place to get a view of the whole location covered by the falls. A descend from the slope is needed to go near the falls and experience its refreshing cold water.

I can say that my first time of seeing a waterfall was a positive experience.

The water in the falls is very clear that one wouldn’t have a hard time seeing their feet underneath the water’s refrigerator-like temperature. The natural formation is also surrounded with big rocks covered with mosses that require extra attention to avoid slipping and getting cut by some of its sharp edges. Man-made benches created out of trees’ trunks are also available in the area for resting.

We stayed in the place for 30 minutes before deciding to end the day’s tour to give our tired bodies a chance to rest. Eventually, we were able to come back in Saud quarter to 4PM and bid goodbye to our kind guide, Kuya Romy, and paid him for a day of effort. After an hour and half later, we found ourselves recharged and full of energy as we watch the sunset in Saud Beach.

SETTING THE SUN AT SAUD BEACH

A beach trip is not complete without sealing it with a classic sunset.

Watching the sunset while sitting on a fine sand is probably the best way to cap off our Pagudpud tour. Although Saud Beach is filled with other tourists who wanted to do the same, the beach is not crowded and will allow one to relax his/her mind after a tiring day of tour.

Saud Beach glowing during sunset.

The beach’s sand is very fine that it has managed to get into the deepest part of my shorts’ pockets while the water is so clear that you’ll be deceived by how deep the water is despite appearing shallow. The water’s temperature is also enough to take away the day’s heat and replace it with a refreshing and cooling sensation.

Saud Beach is a public beach and does not require visitors to wear swimming attire. Although a fee is required in some areas, there are other areas surrounding the place which allows entrance for free. Nevertheless, free of charge or not, Saud Beach is a must-visit when you’re in Pagudpud.

The scenic view in front of Pagudpud Municipal Arch.

Generally, our first time in Pagudpud was a positive experience. With its natural formations, man-made attractions, a well-preserved Heritage site and hospitable and very kind locals, it’s hard not to fall in love with Pagudpud. Plus, its eco-friendly sources to produce energy is another thing to love about this town.

However, the only negative thing I’ve seen in the place, is not in the locals or in the establishments found in it, but in the tourists visiting the place. During our trip, I noticed a constant scenery wherein pieces of thrash such as water bottles and snack wrappers were lying beside the highway which is, no doubt, were things brought by the tourists. It’s really sad to think that these visitors are interested only in the idyllic pictures that they are going to take and not in preserving the beauty of the place that they are capturing. Sadder, because, apparently, Filipinos still haven’t learned their lesson with the recent closure of Boracay.

TRAVELER TIPS

 Major Pagudpud-bound bus terminals are located in Sampaloc, Manila. Booking a trip requires a personal visit to the terminal as most bus lines’ telephone numbers are unattended.

 Reserve bus seats one week before your scheduled trip, not just to secure seats, but also to score cheaper bus tickets. On the day of our trip, we’ve learned that ticket prices have went up because of the peak season.

 Buying snacks before boarding the bus is highly recommended as foods being sold in the stopovers are (very) expensive. These snacks will also be helpful and reliable when you find yourself hungry during your Pagudpud trip.

 Always secure a bottle of water to stay hydrated during your trip.

 Always bring cash as ATM is very rare in Pagudpud.

 Don’t forget to bring a cap and a reliable pair of sunglasses.

 Practice the “Leave no trace” rule.

EXPENSES

Bus going to Pagudpud from Sampaloc, Manila – ₱700

Tricycle to Saud Beach – ₱60

Lodge accommodation – ₱1,500

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation entrance fee – ₱10

Burgos tour – ₱300

Lunch – ₱85

Kabigan Falls entrance fee – ₱10

Kabigan Falls Guide – ₱100

Pagudpud North Tour – ₱600

Pagudpud South Tour (minus Burgos Tour) – ₱600

Check out our experience when we travelled to the cities of Laoag and Vigan by ourselves!

My friend and I, have finally decided to act on our overdue Ilocos trip and discover what the north has to offer with Pagudpud as our first destination! Here I am again, popping like a mushroom and coming up with a new travel post without explaining where I have been for the past months.

[im-o-kaye]

choose freedom (at Bantay Abot Cave) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ZAQ1MAPd2RVrL_y1L30Qrtt9p9ArSbvD_4d80/?igshid=i2dphy28wung

[qreysebolino]

Pagudpud is a town on the north coast of Luzon Island, in the Philippines. Resorts line the long stretch of Saud Beach, on the wide sweep of Bangui Bay. The towering Bangui Windmills wind turbines are arrayed in a row along the coast. East of town, Pasaleng Bay is home to Bantay Abot Cave, a natural tunnel eroded through the headland, and secluded Maira-ira Beach. Area waterfalls include Kabigan and Anuplig. (at Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZdzsRH_dt/?igshid=1cyrcko2vdube