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infinitepiphanies · 4 years

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I never imagined Ilocos to be our first family road trip. Firstly because it was a long and destination-full travel and secondly, because my son was just 4 months old at that time and it seemed impossible to do the trip with all the infant “paraphernalia” we have. But still being the go-getter me, I made sure our itinerary was fool-proof and fortunately, our 3-day trip went everything to plan. So here is our Ilocos trip in chronological order.

Blue Lagoon

We spent most of our 1st day on the road as we opted to go to the furthest north as our first stop – the famous Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud. We stayed in Hannah’s Beach Resort for breakfast and took a quick walk on the shore. It was my son’s first time on the beach so it was such a delightful treat seeing his tiny feet on the sand.

Along the way were some steep hills which were also quite a scenery. We were tempted to go down the rocks but had to leave soon to catch up with the rest of our itinerary for the day.

Bangui Windmills

The famous Wind Farm of Bangui, Ilocos Norte is indeed a top highlight when travelling to Ilocos. This nine-kilometre stretch of wind turbines supplies 40% of Ilocos Norte’s electricity and is a very good model for implementing sustainable energy country-wide. The strong breeze coupled with the crashing waves of the West Philippine sea had both our hair and spirits fly.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

This famous destination along the coasts of Burgos is yet another nature’s masterpiece formed by the natural forces of the ocean. Kapurpurawan came from the Ilocano word “puraw” which means white.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

One of the many things Ilocos is popular for is being a haven of Philippine cultural heritage. Cape Borjeador was our first blast from the past during our tour. Built in the 1890’s, this historical landmark is still functional and guides ships away from the rocky coasts of the north.

Sinking Bell Tower

Laoag’s Cathedral is famous for its bell tower that sinks at a rate of one inch per year due to its sturdy structure built on a sandy foundation.

Malacañang of the North

It is pretty much well known that the infamous dictator and former President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, was born and bred in Ilocos Norte. So it was not a surprise that many of the Marcoses’ memorabilia are found in the province. One of which is the former leader’s family residence during his seat as Chief Executive. Setting aside my personal political thoughts on the Marcoses, the visit on this Presidential Museum was curiosity-satisfying and I cannot help but note of how the locals honor them.

Paoay Sand Dunes

Well, if we were single and as wild and free as before, we would definitely rent a 4×4 jeepney and ride our lives away the Sand Dunes of Paoay. But since we have a sleeping infant left back at the car, we just chose a simple stroll and pica sesh notwithstanding the windy atmosphere bringing sands on our faces.

Paoay Church

It is common for a Filipino traveler all over the world to include churches in their itineraries. That’s why we made sure we won’t miss this three-decade old UNESCO World Heritage Site in Paoay.

Baluarte Resort and Mini Zoo

We concentrated our final day around Ilocos Sur’s center, Vigan. We started in Baluarte, a 100-hectare property of famous Ilocano politician Chavit Singson, in our attempt to stimulate our son’s interest with animals in its famed Zoo and Safari Gallery. We also side-tripped to the mansion also situated in the same area.

Pagburnayan Jar Factory

This is our first time together in a jar factory and we were quite amazed with pottery. Though we did not get a chance to try it out (soiling out our hands are not the best option when you have a infant to carry), we definitely look forward to someday experience this craft.

The Hidden Garden of Vigan

This not really hidden restaurant of Vigan was surely the city’s gem. Food was good and a sure place to experience the local delicacies of Ilocos such as the Vigan empanada, Poqui-poqui and Warek-warek.

Calle Crisologo

The most known tourist spot in Vigan is a street that will take you back to the Spanish era. This is now a busy commercial street full of antique and souveneir shops, but its cobblestones and ancestral houses are well-preserved which is definitely why see-goers won’t dare skip to visit.

Vigan Cathedral

Bantay Church and Bell Tower

Our last stop for the Ilocos Sur trip is 2 of the oldest structures in the province. It is a longstanding watchtower circa 1591 that was converted into a church Bell tower in 1857.

To cap this post, here are some of our family random road trip snaps. Surely, this is indeed a trip to remember that we will be delighted to show our son when he grows up.

Family Road Trip to Ilocos I never imagined Ilocos to be our first family road trip. Firstly because it was a long and destination-full travel and secondly, because my son was just 4 months old at that time and it seemed impossible to do the trip with all the infant "paraphernalia" we have.

#Family #Ilocos #Ilocos Norte #Ilocos Sur #Philippines #Road trip #travel

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apoidonpagudpud · 5 years

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at Burgos Wind Farm https://www.instagram.com/p/B72ISR3pTPAGxhaLnNk5V-SnA1CSdxGpFxR7S80/?igshid=17dny5oxk134l

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ofinkandpapers · 7 years

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It has been awhile and yes, I’ve been caught up with so much stuffs a lot lately. I missed blogging and communicating with you guys. Well, enough missing, it’s time to get back on track on my blogging habit and share some wonderful stuffs I have been busy doing lately.

Summer is just around the corner again and I can’t wait to hit the beach and get my summer activities ready. What better way to start the summer is to go on a vacation like you’ve never done before. Just few months ago I had the best weekend I’ve ever had for so long together with my boyfriend. I visited Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and was able to check my bucket list places to visit. I am just so thrilled to be sharing this to you!

Countless times I did plan for an Ilocos getaway and I can no longer remember when it started. I thought I would never ever push this trip and see Ilocos. At last after numerous times of postponed planned tour, I got to visit Ilocos this time together with my boyfriend.

For busy and “tamad” people just like us who don’t have the time and patience to plan for Do-it-yourself trips, travel and tour companies will be your best friend. They will take care of every single detail of your tour from transportation down to accommodation. They even have an official tour guide who also serves as your group’s official photographer.

Should you trust travel agencies that you see online advertising their travel packages at a bargain? Coz, we almost thought that we’ve been shammed.

Our objective is to have an affordable but memorable travel experience. We looked into different travel agencies, compared their packages and offers. The N.E.C Tours have the most enticing package among other offers we had. Also, it was recommended by a good friend of mine. They reply and give immediate quotation for my inquiries. I really had no problems contacting and updating with them. Plus the tour itself was really good, given the fact that there will always be some glitches here and there but overall my experience with them was just so amazing! If you have any inquiries about N.E.C Tours just go to their website HERE. After we narrow down our choices we did our research, looked for their official website and read reviews on their Facebook page.

Moving forward, the package we had cost us Php 3,500/person all-inclusive except for foods and activities for 3 days and 2 nights travel and stay in Ilocos. Plus the travel agency provides you complimentary breakfast on the 2nd and 3rd day. You need to made a downpayment for reservation of Php 500/person. The balance amount should be settle 5 days before your scheduled departure date.

So, let me share to you guys how we explored Laoag, Pagudpud and Vigan in 3 days, 2 nights tour 🙂

We left Manila at 9:30 in the evening. From Manila we had 11 hours long drive (one way) going to Ilocos Norte / Ilocos Sur including stop overs. When we found out that the trip was that long, I prepared myself for some pain for my butt. It ain’t easy sleeping in the van but with the kind of itinerary that we have, catching some Zzzzs is a must. But, it doesn’t really matter because the journey is the destination. A trip here is like going on a one – stop shop because for 3 days and 2 nights, you can have a good combination of nature, heritage, outdoor activities and food all together!

Located in the northwest of Luzon, it takes approximately 11 hours to get here from Manila by land and 45 minutes by air. If you think you don’t have the patience to travel via bus or private vehicle for 11 hours, the most ideal time of departure is around 9pm of the night before your trip so that you can just sleep away for the whole duration and reach Ilocos as you wake up in the morning.

Ilocos Norte is such a fascinating place with a lot of natural wonders that would definitely leave every tourist breathless, with its timeless appeal and captivating beauty. I’ll try my very best to write down separate entries each day we had in the succeeding blogs.

Since we only have 3 days and 2 nights to explore Ilocos, our tour guide carefully chose our Must-Visit Places.

And after 11 hours of long drive, we finally arrived to Paoay, Ilocos Norte! #TouchdownIlocos!

FIRST STOP: The Church of Saint Augustine (Paoay Church)

At around 8 AM, we disembarked at the Saint Augustine Church or Paoay Church. It was the most gigantic Spanish-era church we’ve ever seen in our whole lives! I have been wanting to see Paoay Church. Just seeing the photos of this church in the internet makes me wonder what more does it looks like up close and in-person. It is one of the spots I’ve been looking forward to see. And when I was there already, it doesn’t disappoint me. The beautiful structure and the mix of Baroque and Oriental designs of this church makes me fall in love with it.

The church, which was built in 1704 and finished in 1710, is among the four remaining churches in the country that is characterized by a Baroque architecture. Paoay church was built using bricks, tree sap, and lumbers but what makes it special and strong is, it is mainly built using coral stones/rocks. Huge coral stones were used in the lower portion of the church to have a great hold of its weight. Its bell tower, although it is separated from the main building, is also made in coral stones. With its striking look and architectural design, Paoay Church was proclaimed as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Philippines which took part in 1993.

A huge bell tower stands some distance away from the Paoay Church; that is quite a unique placement considering that in the Philippines, bell towers are usually connected to the main church building. The separation of the structures, we learned, was a damage prevention method. In case the tower topples down after an earthquake, the debris won’t damage the main church. The Paoay Church bell tower was used as an observation post by the Katipuneros during the Philippine Revolution and, much later, by guerrillas during World War 2.

After we offered prayers, I let my boyfriend roam around to photograph. I just sat there quietly and watched the few people inside the church. It’s so solemn; the silence and occasional soft thudding from somewhere are deafening. The solemnity and the atmosphere inside have something to do with it.

SECOND STOP: Sand Boarding and 4×4 Ride in Sand Dunes

If you think that Ilocos is just all about historical sites and natural wonders, that of course isn’t true! Ilocos is also a place for extreme adventures. This place is a protected area that was furnished with landscapes creating a stunning view of creative nature. It has been a shooting ground of some Hollywood and local movies. Due to the nice sand landscape this place attracts a lot of sand boarders and thrill riders. This was the most exciting part of our tour! If you are adventurous enough and looking for some thrill I recommend that you try this one.

There are handfuls of tourists that time joining the tour on separate jeeps and as we climb up and drop down the series of ridges, we can all hear each other’s ear-slitting screams like there’s no more tomorrow! It was really a heart-pounding, action-packed adventure with so much adrenaline rush and a different kind of fun!

An Exhilarating 4X4 Ride

The whole area of Suba Sand Dunes serves as the trail for the 4×4 activity. I never thought a jeep ride would shake the hell out of me. Yeah, I’m not kidding here. The idea of this activity is simple. You have to stand at the back of the jeep, hold on tight and survive until you reach the last level of the ride without falling or fading out. Easy? Hmmm, not sure of that. You’ll be going to different obstacles and big slopes. And what makes this activity more extreme is, there are no knee pads, elbow pads, and even helmet.

There are 3 levels as far as I can remember. Those 3 stops have different levels of adventures too, care of the different obstacles and big slopes like easy, medium and hard. The first or easy trail is more likely a warm up of what you could expect from the ride. We’ve survived quite a not so heart pounding moment for that, it was just like a bumpy road and it’s still bearable.

On the medium trail was a more serious challenge, we were already heading for a bigger and higher slopes. The best parts of the ride are the downhill rushes. Our 4X4 slows down at the ridge of a downhill track. Then suddenly, the driver accelerates as he drives down the slope. We could feel our tummies rising up to meet our lungs! That was elbow-breaking and knee-bruising for me because we are not properly geared up for such ride.

And for the hard trail—well, it was like a roller coaster ride! Yeah! No kidding! From the edge of a hill that was like a 90 degrees slope we will be dropped down gushing through the dunes and that was an extreme dose of adrenaline! I think it is the most steep part of the trail, I thought I was going to fall out of the jeep, it was like we were being thrown away side by side and mind you, you need a stronghold to survive this adventure or you’ll fall out on the side, really! Holding the steel bars at the back of the 4×4 jeepney while there were 6 of us, I was really screaming my lungs out! And my heart is bursting with so much excitement! On the other side my boyfriend was securing me, wrapping me around supporting my back.

After an hour or so, our 4X4 ride was over. I knew as well that these are professional drivers and know the trail very well. If not, they will not be issued a permit/license to drive in Sand Dunes. We can’t exactly tell you how much fun this was by just text and photos alone. It was a totally liberating experience!

Sand boarding

After the 4×4 ride we then proceed to the allotted area for sand boarding – it is a sport that uses skimboard to slide down the sand slope. Sand boarding is also held on the same place where the 4×4 ride is being conducted. It was like that kind of slope for the beginner type. They brought two kinds of boards. One is for the sitting position and the other one is for the standing position. Again, no protective gears for this activity so take extra careful guys! As a starter, we started on a sitting position as it seems much easier than the standing. You will be slowly pushed through the sands to drop down the slope. So I sit down on the board then the instructor led the board at the edge of the slope. At first I was so nervous and afraid that I might fall flat on my face or worst tumble down but desire gives you limitless experience so I did my first try, same goes with my boyfriend. Then off I go! That was one great ride and I really enjoyed it.

Part of the attraction is stopping in different areas of the area to take awesome photos. What I loved about the Suba Sand Dune drivers is that they know how to take nice photos, and they even know the features of my phone that would best capture this amazing place. He took panoramic shots all by himself! Galing ni Kuya! I was really surprised!

This was really an awesome experience. If you want something awesome don’t ever skip the Sand Dunes! The Paoay Sand Dunes is definitely something one must experience when planning a trip to Ilocos Norte.

Here’s the video of our sand boarding experience. Enjoy watching 🙂

THIRD STOP: Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North served as the official residence of the former president Ferdinand E. Marcos. It is located in the town of Paoay Ilocos Norte. This place should always be present in everyone’s itinerary when visiting the historical province of Ilocos. It is within a 5 hectare property that overlooks Paoay Lake. It is one of the 29 houses that was built during the Marcos regime during is two decades of power. The Marcos family used to live here when they are in Ilocos. In 1986, the famous EDSA People Power Revolution ended his term and he was sent in Hawaii where he died a few years later. The palace was transformed into a museum of the late president’s memorabilia.

Just as I set my foot at the entrance door of the house it immediately revealed the lavish lifestyle of the Marcos family with all the lovely and elegant interiors of the house. The entire structure is very impressive. The spacious lobby-like receiving area and the huge rooms of the Marcos children holds the ground floor of the house. From grand living room to the elegant dining rooms, attractive guest rooms to the grand master’s bedroom – everything is a work of art. It has also an equally elegant grand staircase that compliments the grandeur of the whole mansion.

The wooden curved staircase was grandeur. The long dining table on the other side was really impressive and the expensive paintings of various national artists that hangs on the wall speaks more about their lavish lifestyle.

In the ground floor of the mansion is where you find lounge areas, a big dining area, Bongbong Marcos’ room and a guest room. On the second floor was the master’s bedroom and a lot more of interesting and antique finds. Just like the first floor, it has spacious halls and the interiors has a touch of elegance from the shiny wooden floors up to its ceiling with all the lavish ornaments around.

I know there’s more to explore on that mansion but we got pressured by the time as the fellow tourists began to clear out and the staff in the mansion silently counting and looking at the tourists.

The mansion is full of history. It’s just one of the Marcos properties took by the Philippine government when President Marcos stepped down. Visitors are allowed to go anywhere in the house, from one room to another and are allowed to take pictures. They just prohibit anybody to sit on the chairs and sofas to maintain its structure and finish. Thus, it has been a part of everyone’s itinerary to Ilocos. Everything you see there speaks grandeur. Take the opportunity to stop over and see it for yourself.

FOURTH STOP: Plaza Salcedo

The historical Plaza Salcedo is the central park of Vigan. It was named after to Juan de Salcedo who was a Spanish conqueror and founder of the old Villa Fernandina de Vigan (now called as Vigan City). But today, Plaza Salcedo is converted to a venue where one can experience and witness a dancing fountain show. It happens every night at 7:30 PM. Unfortunately, we haven’t experience watching it. The plaza served plenty of purposes during the Spanish Colonial period. It served as a parade ground for the Spanish troops, meeting venue for important announcements, and even as an execution site. Just a bit of a trivia, the famous revolutionary Gabriela Silang was publicly hanged in the plaza in September 1763 to serve as a warning to those who wanted to join the revolution.

FIFTH STOP: Bacarra Domeless Bell Tower

It is quite obvious that Ilocos, ostentatiously evidenced by Imelda’s fondness for the arts, is a hotpot for bricks, Baroque structures and grandiosity. Old Spanish-Baroque churches and bell towers have been among the most visited tourist destinations in the Philippines where majority are Catholics. Undeniably, every proud Catholics in every town take pride in their stunningly beautiful churches and the stories behind it, just like how the Bacarreños are proud of theirs.

Bacarra Bell Tower once reigned as the highest bell tower in the Philippine islands until it was trembled by 2 earthquakes that brought down the top most level. It is famous for its centuries-old, domeless or “beheaded” belfry known as Torre ti Bacarra.

Though not the highest anymore, curious travelers still drop by town to see what’s left of Bacarra Tower that was declared a National Cultural Treasure. Instead of cleaning up the mess left by devastation, debris were left untouched which gave more character to Bacarra’s pride. Rather, walkways, plants, and trees, were added to beautify the the tower and the church across it.

SIXTH STOP: Pasuquin’s Biscocho

This time, we’re heading Pagudpod. Along the way, we passed by to the famous Pasuquin Biscocho House. I’m mostly familiar with this pastry on it’s toasted and crunchy form. The Biscocho here is famous for its soft and tasty bread. It has a well guarded family recipe that made it famous throughout Ilocos Norte.

SEVENTH STOP: Salt Making in Pasuquin

From Pasuquin Bakery, we next proceeded to a crude salt processing area near the National Highway to observe the long-time tradition of making of rock salt, said to be one of the finest in the country. It is a common sight to see people riding in provincial buses that often stop at these stalls to purchase salt. Sold by the kilo and contained in plastic bags, the salt is cooked in large vats in huts which are usually found behind the stalls.

Under the morning sun, we observed the steamy process of how salt were made here. Clean sea water is first pumped into salt beds along the seashore, sun dried there for several hours and, when the various sediments and impurities have settled, the dried salt is transferred to vats in makeshift huts. Water is poured into the vats and then heated overnight (around 12 hours) by ovens directly underneath the pans, fueled by rice by-products such as dried husks, leaves and stalks.The coarseness diminishes during boiling, leaving pure white salt. So aside from using them as seasoning, it is also part of their livelihood.

EIGHT STOP: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

We arrived at our next destination, the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Cape Bojeador is elevated at 386 ft. and offers its visitors a good view of the West Philippine Sea. It is the highest point in Burgos and in the whole region of Ilocos.

Cape Bojeador lighthouse also known as Burgos lighthouse is a 66-foot (20 meters) tall octagonal stone tower that seats on top of Vigia de Nagpartian Hill. Up until now, this 100+ year old structure is still functioning as a guide to passing ships and other sea vessels in the West Philippine Sea. (source)

From the main road we were pointed to a narrow two-laned winding road going up to the lighthouse base. We parked in a small corner and walked uphill until we reached the flight of stairs going inside.

Climbing up the stairs and feasting my eyes on the 360 degrees view of Ilocos is such an overwhelming experience. We start taking photographs. Though it’s so hot, we’re so glad the wind favored its way to us to cool down the temperature. There are vendors at the foot of the lighthouse that sell souvenirs (keychains, ref magnets, shirts, etc.) and ice scramble which was a hit for us since it was very hot then. Our visit was short and brief but the memory will surely last.

NINTH STOP: Bangui Windmills

As we get closer to Pagudpud, the sights are more likely to bring excitement to any traveler. One can never miss its extremely enormous blades waving in the sky. Bangui Windmills which are just so tiny from afar but is so huge in a closer encounter, it has really an astonishing height! The 20 units of gigantic wind turbines that were arranged in a single row stretching along a 9 kilometer shoreline of Bangui Bay facing the West Philippine Sea has a capacity of producing electricity- 40% of which is sold and used by the residents in the area. They were said to be created to help reduce the greenhouse gases that causes global warming.

Though the main purpose of this project is to practice and utilize renewable energy sources such as the wind, the site itself has become a tourist attraction as well. It is mainly one of the reason why tourism in Ilocos has boomed. Who wouldn’t be amaze to see those towering electric-fan-like structures? Plus, not to mention that it is situated on a beach front. Imagine walking on the shore while waves and wind splashes on your body. Refreshing! It was also difficult to have a decent photo since the wind was so strong.

There is no entrance fee when visiting the area. You can get closer to this turbines so as to appreciate the beauty and the entirely different vibe of giant electric fan-like structures.

TENTH STOP: Burgos Wind Farm

We have arrived at the Burgos Wind Farm, the second wind farm constructed in Ilocos Norte after the more popular shore-based Bangui Windmills. And then, we got surprised at what we saw – wind turbines! I couldn’t believe it. I have no idea there’s a wind farm in Burgos. I was expecting to see the windmills later that afternoon in Bangui (not in Burgos!) as it is the last attraction to visit before we head to Pagudpud.

Check out the photo below so you’ll have an idea of the size of each of these monster windmills. Look at how that windmill dwarfs the van in the foreground. Anyway, we enjoyed the moments seeing these giant turbines.

ELEVENTH STOP: Saud Beach

We have reached the welcoming arch of Pagudpud. It is located right after Saud Beach Resort, which is a known landmark along Saud Beach coastal line. After a filling lunch in a local carenderia, we headed to our last stop, a pretty beach called Saud Beach.

After the day-long Ilocos tour, Kuya Romy, our driver who also served as our guide, took us to Elsa’s Home Stay in Saud Beach. It is where we booked our accommodation and after settling down our backpacks in our room we hurriedly went down to the beach. From Elsa’s, Saud Beach is only about 50 meters away.

It is no doubt that Ilocos never fails its tourists with their beaches which is dubbed as the “Boracay of the North” and I never wonder why now. magine a beach without too many tourists, no jet skis, no speeding banana boats nor rows of anchored boat blocking the magnificent views; no strip of sleazy bars, no noise in the nightlife, no blanket of lowly or high rise hotels, and not even a mall or fast food, just you, the sun, and the beach!

Its pristine white sand, clear waters and captivating view are truly relaxing side by side with its bright and breezy surroundings. The sands are also very soft that our feet would often sink while walking along the beach. On the far left side is the Bangui Bay and I can barely see the windmills due to sun’s glare. It was far, though, but I still managed to recognize the erected wind turbines. On the other sides are coconut trees that added a more natural feel and a panoramic beauty. More than the wonderful vibe of nature on its own.

Saud beach is where you can find a handful of resorts that offer both a budget, average and posh accommodations depending on your preferences.

After an hour of walking in the shore and picture taking by the beach and a day-long tour it was time to get back to our home stay, recharge ourselves with dinner and getting some rest for our next destination.

Elsa’s Homestay

Our Day 1 of Ilocos tour is already done. It’s time to take some rest and recharge ourselves to prepare for next day adventure. Since we booked a package tour the inclusive accommodation is to stay at a transient home in Saud beach.

Elsa’s Home Stay is situated at Saud Beach, beside the other beach resorts. As we arrived, we were greeted by Ate Elsa and she showed us the rooms. There were 3 rooms available and what she was giving us was the one big rooms where me and my boyfriend was too much too fit in. Each room has two queen beds, two sets of pillows and blankets on each bed, and a private bath. The room was very basic but it was all spacious and clean. The air-condition was cool and we had a wall mounted flat screen cable television. Also, inclusive in our package is a complimentary breakfast for 2 for 2nd and 3rd day, there’s also unlimited wi-fi in rooms, who am I to complain?

After we have taken a rest, we visited the beach. Elsa’s homestay has no beach front. You need to walk through the neighboring resorts to get a good swim but it’s okay. The entire shoreline was big and long enough for you to stay and swim wherever and whenever you wanted to. You’ll get great views of the windmills on both sides and the sunset during sunny days are amazing at this part of Pagudpud.

Overall we had a nice and convenient stay at Elsa’s…and it is highly recommendable indeed for big families. Budget-friendly, accommodating and truly a sweet home in Pagudpud!

This is just the first in a series of posts about our Northern Luzon adventure. In the coming blog posts, I will be showing you the more beauty of Ilocos and culture. Stay tuned for the Day 2 and Day 3! 🙂

When in Ilocos: Day 1 It has been awhile and yes, I've been caught up with so much stuffs a lot lately.

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aoabmur65 · 2 years

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It's Most Fun in Ilocos Norte: Come, Discover and Experience the Beauty

BURGOS WIND FARM

Burgos

[photos credit to the owner]

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youngambassador-blog · 6 years

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April 16-19, 2018

Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte

Blue green seas. Clear waters. White sandy beaches. Friendly people. Simple life.

I have always loved the scent and warmth of this small island in the southernmost part of Eastern Visayas, Philippines. The best time to visit this place is between March-May when the open seas are not so rough and the monsoon winds and rains are not too strong.

My first visit was last March 2017 when I joined our then-Eastern Visayas missionary in visiting the churches in that area. I was an operations manager that time. Several months later, I accepted the call as missionary to Eastern Visayas. The former focused on Central Visayas.

Since then, I have always dreamed of going back to Limasawa to meet the wonderful people I became friends with and to experience the island all over again.

I usually go to Triana (port area) and visit a Baptist church there. Then, I will travel by motorcycle to Lugsongan, which is on the other side of the island. Here is a church by the name of Fair Haven Fundamental Baptist Church. It is a small church made of concrete and wood for walls and galvanized iron for roofing, with a parsonage at its left side and an open grassy space at its right. Across the grassy area is a big, long room divided into smaller rooms for Sunday school classes of children. The pastor of this church is very welcoming (he even serves me Coca-Cola for breakfast!). A lot of children play on the church grounds, all of them attending the church’s Awana club. The church overlooks the eastern sea. You can see Panlaon’s silhouette and the lights of Surigao on the horizon on a clear night sky.

During the months of March until April, local townspeople dry squid by the streets. Almost all of the people in this island fish for a living and for their daily consumption. I see to it that I buy some dried pusit (squid) before I leave the island. There is no day in Limasawa that I did not eat a fish, no meal not served with a cold glass of Coca-Cola. I think it is their “water” there.

Christian brethren from Fair Haven took me with them to a few resorts, namely: Dakdak and Island Lagoon. Dakdak Resort is just located in Lugsongan, a 5-10 minute walk from the Fair Haven church. It has sandy beaches and cottages under trees. The waves can get a bit rough on some days. On the other hand, the Island Lagoon Resort is on the other side of the island, a 10-minute motorcycle ride from Triana port. Entering the lagoon vicinity even has a toll fee of Php 5.00! It has no sandy shores, but large rocks cut by man or by nature’s weathering over time. This place is good for cliff/rock jumping. There are even caves under the rocks.

Aside from enjoying the beautiful waters of Limasawa, the Fair Haven youth and I also climbed the 450-step stairway to Magellan’s Cross in the town of Magallanes. The first Roman Catholic mass was held in Limasawa in 1521 after Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, arrived with other ships from Spain. A monument of a large wooden cross was erected on top of a hill in this town, same location as the original one. Several feet away from the cross monument is a grazing ground for cattle and goats. The view is good for filming a Sound of Music scene of climbing the mountains. From this grassland on top of the hill, we could see the blue seas surrounding the whole island, some farms, boats crossing the seas from Triana and Padre Burgos, and a silhouette of Bohol in the horizon and farther is Camiguin. The view is so amazing, we cannot keep ourselves from praising God for creating and preserving such a wonderful environment.

There are two reasons why I would love to return to Limasawa: the people and the place. I will always miss their hospitality, their simple living, the fun fellowship and the feeling of family they gave me when I was there. Christians in this island are very friendly. They have a sense of humor, too.

I know that there is still so much to explore in this island, and I know I am always welcome to come back and meet my fellow Christian friends for more fellowship and adventures.

Fair Haven April 16-19, 2018 Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte Blue green seas. Clear waters. White sandy beaches. Friendly people.

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lifements-blog · 6 years

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Reto de Lectura Rory Gilmore

Sé que llego tarde a este reto de lectura pero nunca me había animado a tomarlo, lo descubrí hace años no recuerdo donde y ahora que me topé con el de nuevo en BlackWhite Read Books y queria intentarlo.

Gilmore Girls fue una gran parte de mi adolescencia vi todos los capítulos más de una vez y me identificaba con Rory, su amor por la lectura y su vida cotidiana, es una serie que siempre vivirá en mi corazón y es más que una serie para mí, me enseño muchas cosas y me ayudo con muchas más.

El reto de lectura consiste en leer todos los libros que Rory leyó a lo largo de la serie, los cuales son muchos, entre ellos existen muchos clásicos como Alicia en el País de las Maravillas y El Diario de Anna Frank, la mayoría de libros en esta lista no están siquiera en mi lista TBR la cual es otra de las razones por las que quiero intentarlo, la lista consiste de 339 libros por lo que no me pondré propósitos irreales como leerlos todos durante este año (2016), en dos años o en cinco, simplemente me propondré terminar esta lista algún día y divertirme con ella.

Marcare mi progreso en este post y quizá haga una reseña de ellos, los mencione en mis libros del mes o en GoodReads pero primordialmente será aquí.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Inferno by Dante

The Divine Comedy by Dante

1984 by George Orwell

A Bolt from the Blue and Other Essays by Mary McCarthy

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

A Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

A Monetary History of the United States by Milton Friedman

A Month Of Sundays: Searching For The Spirit And My Sister by Julie Mars

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

A Quiet Storm by Rachel Howzell Hall

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf

A Room with a View by E. M. Forster

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A Streetcar Named Desiree by Tennessee Williams

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Adventures of Huckleberry by Mark Twain

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy

Babe by Dick King-Smith

Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women by Susan Faludi

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beowulf: A New Verse Translation by Seamus Heaney

Bitch in Praise of Difficult Women by Elizabeth Wurtzel

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brick Lane by Monica Ali

Bridgadoon by Alan Jay Lerner

Candide by Voltaire

Carrie by Stephen King

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

Christine by Stephen King

Complete Novels by Dawn Powell

Complete Stories by Dorothy Parker

Cousin Bette by Honore de Balzac

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Cujo by Stephen King

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

David and Lisa by Dr Theodore Issac Rubin M.D

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol

Demons by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Deenie by Judy Blume

Don Quixote by Cervantes

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhrv

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales & Poems by Edgar Allan Poe

Eleanor Roosevelt by Blanche Wiesen Cook

Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn

Eloise by Kay Thompson

Emily the Strange by Roger Reger

Emma by Jane Austen

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Ethics by Spinoza

Europe through the Back Door, 2003 by Rick Steves

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende

Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Extravagance by Gary Krist

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore

Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World by Greg Critser

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

Fiddler on the Roof by Joseph Stein

Finnegan’s Wake by James Joyce

Fletch by Gregory McDonald

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger

Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers

Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut

Gender Trouble by Judith Butler

George W. Bushism: The Slate Book of the Accidental Wit and Wisdom of our 43rd President by Jacob Weisberg

Gidget by Fredrick Kohner

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Alvin Granowsky

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry

Henry IV, part I by William Shakespeare

Henry IV, part II by William Shakespeare

Henry V by William Shakespeare

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Holidays on Ice: Stories by David Sedaris

House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III

How to Breathe Underwater by Julie Orringer

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

How the Light Gets In by M. J. Hyland

Howl by Allen Ginsberg

I’m With the Band by Pamela des Barres

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

Iron Weed by William J. Kennedy

It Takes a Village by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Just a Couple of Days by Tony Vigorito

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

Lady Chatterleys’ Lover by D. H. Lawrence

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Marathon Man by William Goldman

Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir

Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman by William Tecumseh Sherman

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Mencken’s Chrestomathy by H. R. Mencken

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Moliere: A Biography by Hobart Chatfield Taylor

Monsieur Proust by Celeste Albaret

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall

My Lai 4: A Report on the Massacre and It’s Aftermath by Seymour M. Hersh

My Life as Author and Editor by H. R. Mencken

My Life in Orange: Growing Up with the Guru by Tim Guest

Myra Waldo’s Travel and Motoring Guide to Europe, 1978 by Myra Waldo

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Nervous System: Or, Losing My Mind in Literature by Jan Lars Jensen

New Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson

Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich

Night by Elie Wiesel

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Novels 1930-1942: Dance Night/Come Back to Sorrento, Turn, Magic Wheel/Angels on Toast/A Time to be Born by Dawn Powell

Notes of a Dirty Old Man by Charles Bukowski

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Old School by Tobias Wolff

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Oracle Night by Paul Auster

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Othello by Shakespeare

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

Out of Africa by Isac Dineson

Peyton Place by Grace Metalious

Pigs at the Trough by Arianna Huffington

Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Property by Valerie Martin

Pushkin: A Biography by T. J. Binyon

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

Quattrocento by James Mckean

Rapunzel by Grimm Brothers

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin

Rescuing Patty Hearst: Memories From a Decade Gone Mad by Virginia Holman

R Is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

Rita Hayworth by Stephen King

Robert’s Rules of Order by Henry Robert

Roman Holiday by Edith Wharton

Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin

Sacred Time by Ursula Hegi

Sanctuary by William Faulkner

Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford

Say Goodbye to Daisy Miller by Henry James

Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand

Secrets of the Flesh: A Life of Colette by Judith Thurman

Selected Hotels of Europe

Selected Letters of Dawn Powell: 1913-1965 by Dawn Powell

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Several Biographies of Winston Churchill

Sexus by Henry Miller

Shane by Jack Shaefer

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

S Is for Silence by Sue Grafton

Slaughter-house Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Small Island by Andrea Levy

Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway

Snow White and Rose Red by Grimm Brothers

Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy: Lord and Peasant in the Making of the Modern World by Barrington Moore

Song of the Simple Truth: The Complete Poems of Julia de Burgos by Julia de Burgos

Songbook by Nick Hornby

Sonnets from the Portuegese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Sophie’s Choice by William Styron

Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Stuart Little by E. B. White

Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust

Swimming with Giants: My Encounters with Whales, Dolphins and Seals by Anne Collett

Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber

Tender Is The Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Term of Endearment by Larry McMurtry

Time and Again by Jack Finney

To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

The Archidamian War by Donald Kagan

The Art of Fiction by Henry James

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

The Bhagava Gita

The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis, Built a Village in the Forest, and Saved 1,200 Jews by Peter Duffy

The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman

The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse

The Collected Stories by Eudora Welty

The Complete Poems by Anne Sexton

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

The Da Vinci -Code by Dan Brown

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx

The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

The Fall of the Athenian Empire by Donald Kagan

The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels

The Godfather: Book 1 by Mario Puzo

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford

The Gospel According to Judy Bloom

The Graduate by Charles Webb

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Group by Mary McCarthy

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

The Holy Barbarians by Lawrence Lipton

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

The Iliad by Homer

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

The Jumping Frog by Mark Twain

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Last Empire: Essays 1992-2000 by Gore Vidal

The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield

The Little Locksmith by Katharine Butler Hathaway

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen

The Lottery: And Other Stories by Shirley Jackson

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The Love Story by Erich Segal

The Manticore by Robertson Davies

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

The Meaning of Consuelo by Judith Ortiz Cofer

The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare

The Miracle Worker by William Gibson

The Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion by Jim Irvin

The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin

The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay

The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism by William E. Cain, Laurie A. Finke, Barbara E. Johnson, John P. McGowan

The Opposite of Fate: Memories of a Writing Life by Amy Tan

The Outbreak of the Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition by Donald Kagan

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker

The Portable Nietzche by Fredrich Nietzche

The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O’Neill by Ron Suskind

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Rough Guide to Europe, 2003 Edition

The Scarecrow of Oz by Frank L. Baum

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Shining by Stephen King

The Song of Names by Norman Lebrecht

The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker

The Sonnets by William Shakespeare

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Tragedy of Richard III by William Shakespeare

The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath 1950-1962 by Sylvia Plath

The Trial by Franz Kafka

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson

The Vanishing Newspaper by Philip Meyers

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum

The Year of Magical Thinkinf by Joan Didion

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Ulysses by James Joyce

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Unless by Carol Shields

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

Velvet Underground’s The Velvet Underground and Nico (Thirty Three and a Third series) by Joe Harvard

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Walt Disney’s Bambi by Felix Salten

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

We Owe You Nothing – Punk Planet: The Collected Interviews edited by Daniel Sinker

What Colour is Your Parachute? 2005 by Richard Nelson Bolles

What Happened to Baby Jane by Henry Farrell

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

(Post original en: http://lifements.blogspot.com/2016/01/el-reto-de-lectura-rory-gilmore.html )

#rory gilmore #rory #gilmore girls #long reads #reading #books #bookworm #books and libraries #innere leere #leyendo #sheakspeare #romance #challenge #reading challenge #2018 #blogger

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