Category Archives: Beach Bumming

Top 5 things to experience in Ilocos Norte

Posted on by
Reply

If you’re in the mood for a road trip this summer, then pack your bags and head to Ilocos Norte. Located 408 kilometers northwest of Manila, the province of Ilocos Norte is a haven for outdoor adventurers.

It is where you’ll experience the cool breeze from the mountains, a lazy day on the beach, a reflective walk through a path of puddles, a climb to an ethereal formation, an adrenaline-filled slide down the sand dunes, and a mouthwatering food trip.

Here are the top five things to do when visiting Ilocos Norte:

1. Trek through the Adams Trail and take a dip in Anuplig Falls. Stretch your legs and arms and trek in the virgin forests of Adams, Ilocos Norte.  After passing by the Patapat Viaduct, you may hire a motorcycle or opt to ride on a truck at the Junction. Don’t worry. After an hour’s ride, you’ll find yourself in the small town of Adams, where only 1,790 people reside.

From the drop-off point, you can approach the friendly locals and ask for a guide to the Anuplig Falls. If you have enough time, spend the night in town and chill with some Bugnay wine, which is made from wild cherries. The whole day is not enough to see 18 waterfalls and 10 man-made hanging bridges in Adams.

2. Swim and sunbathe in Pagudpud. 

Saud Beach of Pagudpud by Joseph Dy

The azure and turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon Cove or the Maira-Ira Cove will truly invite you to swim and just spend a lazy day on the beach. Then, give your stomach a healthy treat in Kapuluan Vista Resort near the lagoon. The resort offers organic food-garden salad to homemade vanilla ice cream.

3. Climb up and take photos of the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. 

From Pagudpud, proceed to Burgos where you’ll find the mysterious Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. From the drop-off point, you’ll have to skip from one coral to another or you may opt to cool your feet on the puddles as you get closer to the magnificent creation.

Kapurpurawan, which in local dialect means “white,” was once underwater, which may explain why the rocks in the area are shaped like waves. As you climb up the rock, you’ll be amazed by the “submarine-looking formation” with the deep blue sea in the background.

4.  Ride a 4 x 4 and drive through the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes. Known as the Desert of the North, the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte are one of the country’s national geological monuments. You can scream your heart out as you ride the 4 x4 and drive through the La Paz sand dunes, which range from 10 to 30 meters in height.  Then, surf on the sand through sandboarding and feel the adrenaline rush.

5. Eat what your heart desires.   

You have to allot a space in your stomach to accommodate the luscious Ilocano dishes like laing and pinakbet. Satisfy your cravings with the crispy bagnet at Herencia Café in Paoay. Fill your hunger with the delectable empanada in Batac.

Poque-Poque

Then, treat your taste buds to Dinuguan Pizza and Poque-poque (eggplant) pizza at Saramsam Café in Laoag City. Before you leave Ilocos Norte, don’t forget to bring home the biscocho from Pasuquin and the chichacorn from Paoay.

Pizza from Herencia Cafe

The journey to the elusive Palaui Island

Posted on by
Reply
The gloomy skies brought drizzles the morning after we arrived in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. But the mood swings of the weather did not dampen our desire to see the elusive Palaui Island. Still, our local guide from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority told us that we could only proceed with the trip if the weather permitted us.

The free Wi-Fi at the lobby of Sun City, where we stayed during the night, kept us wired and entertained while we waited for the travel advice. After waiting for about two hours, we hopped on the bus and went to San Vicente Port, where the boats were waiting. The skies were still gray but the seas seemed tranquil. And so off we went to our first stop, the Siwangag Cove, an untouched marine sanctuary in the northwestern part of Palaui Island.

According to CEZA environmental specialist Ernesto Ablao, the Siwangag Cove used to protect naval ships from strong waves. But in 1994, the whole Palaui Island was declared as a protected area through the National Integrated Protected Area System Act. Since we had limited time, we headed to Cape Engaño after a few snapshots of the cove’s rough beach.

We had mistakenly assumed that the seas were calm. As we sailed to our next destination, the raging waves of Palaui gave us an amusement park-type thrill. Some of us screamed throughout the boat ride. As the boat approached the six to 10 feet high waves, the other boats disappeared from our sight. The ride through the restless sea was only offset by the calming view of the rustic green hills of Palaui.

After an hour and a half, the outlines of mysterious-looking hills came closer to view. The boat finally docked on a stony white sand beach, which meets the blue green waters. Alas, we found ourselves at the foot of the hill, where Cape Engaño was built.

The hike to the top of the hill was not difficult since there were concrete steps along the way. As I we went up the steps, we were treated to the grandiose sight of turquoise waters enclosed in lush greens. I hurried my way to the top to take panorama shots of the awesome scenery. I stopped on a spot which gave me the view of the rough seas facing the Pacific Ocean and the quiet cove of Palaui. It was amazing! The landscape of the island reminded me of Batanes. But of course, Palaui has a beauty of its own.

A few more steps led me to the ruins of Cape Engaño, one of the remaining Spanish-inspired lighthouses in the country. It was constructed on September 21, 1888 and was finished only after four years. I roamed around the lighthouse and noticed that had not been maintained. Nevertheless, its dilapidated look showed its character.

At the back of the lighthouse, I was astounded when I saw the majestic landscape of the Dos Hermanas Islands. Our local guide related to us the legend of the Dos Hermanas Islands. The twin islands were actually twin sisters who were waiting for their loved ones who never came.

After awhile, the rain poured leaving the Lakbay Norte participants stranded in the lighthouse. We waited for about 30 minutes before we returned to our boats.

Going to Palaui Island was an adventure in itself. Nature has its own way of protecting the wondrous seascapes and landscapes.
How to reach Palaui Island
By air: Fly to Tuguegarao City via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. Travel time is around an hour and 20 minutes. When you reach Tuguegarao City, proceed to Don Domingo Bus Terminal, which is near the public market.
Ride a bus going to Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Fare is 185.00. Sta. Ana is 158 kilometers away from Tuguegarao.
When you reach Sta. Ana, Cagayan, proceed to San Vicente Port, where the boats going to Palaui are stationed. From San Vicente Port, take a pump or motorized boat (seating capacity for six to eight people) to Palaui Island, which is 10.5 kilometers away from Sta. Ana. The ride would take about 1.5 to two hours. Boat rental costs Php 2,500 (which includes trip to Cape Engano and to Anguib Beach).

By land: Ride a bus. Florida Bus Lines in Sampaloc, Manila will take you directly to Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Travel time is around 10 to 12 hours.

Essential contacts:
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority- Administration Complex , Centro Sta. Ana, Cagayan Philippines  Tel. No: +6378 8581017. Manila Office: Tel. Nos: +632 636(CEZA) 2392 +632 636 5774

Video Blog: The Underwater Garden of El Nido’s Small Lagoon

Posted on by
6

No words can best describe the experience of snorkeling in El Nido’s Small Lagoon. But if you still insist, I can say that the experience was ethereal and otherworldly. On the surface, Small Lagoon seemed similar with the other stops. It was surrounded by limestone karst draped with greens. But as soon as I submerged my body, I was blown away by the “underwater garden.”  Alright, I’ll stop talking. Let the video tell the story.

This was one of my unforgettable snorkeling experiences as I swam with not just a school but a “university of fish”. Too bad, I didn’t know the fish specie.

Small Lagoon is part of the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A.  Read more about El Nido:

El Nido’s Talisay Beach: The good and the bad

Posted on by
6

My eyes wandered like a child in awe. I turned my gaze from left to right. Everything seemed so perfect. El Nido is indeed paradise.

After the breathtaking view from Matinloc Island, we headed to Talisay Beach as part of our El Nido Island hopping Tour C. Niel, our tour guide from Servant Tours, told us that we would be eating lunch at the island.

Our boatmen and tour guide acted as cooks as well. Niel impressed us with his garnishing and food styling.

He previously worked at the posh and exclusive Lagen Island Resort but he said he did not have a formal training on food styling. But look, how he did this garden salad.

While others rested under the Talisay tree, I chose to snorkel while waiting for lunch to be cooked. And to my surprise, a school of fish approached me. It was like a fish attack!

Then I later on learned that some tourists were feeding the fish. Hence, the school of fish associated humans with food. Tsk. Not good. Nonetheless, they were harmless.

I continued swimming around. Some corals were dead but there were a few that thrived.

My heart was filled with happiness until I saw this:

When did the fish need soy sauce? The sea is salty to begin with. Sigh. This was one of the effects that tourism do. Yes, it was saddening. We wanted to enjoy the grandeur of nature but then, why aren’t we taking care of it?

After taking a photo, I picked it up and threw it in the garbage bag in our boat. Why am I posting this? It’s a reality check for all of us. Tourism has its good and bad sides. But this can be prevented if we practice responsible and sustainable tourism!

So please, please, please whenever you visit a place, never leave anything but your footprints. Or if you see a trash, care to pick it up. Even if you didn’t throw it, you are responsible. We are responsible. Everyone of us will be affected.

Just imagine, what would happen if the fish ate the plastic? Sooner or later, it will end up in the table for the family to eat. Will you eat the fish that ate plastic? Of course not. It’s a domino-effect.

I hopped on the boat bothered. Until when will Talisay Beach hold its beauty? I hope it would last forever.

Capturing El Nido: The Breathtaking View from Matinloc Shrine

Posted on by
2

Crystal clear azure waters welcomed us as the boat approached the heart-shaped island of Matinloc, one of the destinations included in Tour C of our island hopping in El Nido. Unlike other islands, Matinloc Shrine has a mini-port leading to an abandoned  two-storey establishment. It used to be a retreat house called the Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Center. While the others tried to enter the building, I chose to go to the gazebo where I saw a short description of the shrine. Here’s what it says:

“The Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Center rises out of a once uninhabited place to remind us of an approaching event glorious and magnificent–the Holy City to come…”

According to our guide Niel, the owners left the place. It was just sad that it has not been maintained since then. Masses were used to be held in the island, Niel recalled. I walked around the area and saw an image of the Sto. Nino hidden inside a small cave. I prayed and kept a few minutes of silence.What attracted me the most was a stairs leading to a cross atop the limestone cliff. I took baby steps until I reached the top. It literally and figuratively took my breath away. The view was something that would make anyone smile. It was a view that made me appreciate life more. From this view, one can see Tapiutan Island which was across Matinloc Island. The channel in between the two islands was as serene as it looked. My words weren’t enough. You have to see it for yourself.

I returned to the mini-port where I saw our boat Doulos in a picture perfect scene. The aquamarine waters were tempting me to jump. But the scaredy cat in me prevailed. I was not brave enough to plunge without a life vest. (hahaha)

Aboard the boat, I laid my last glance on the shrine. Despite being left behind by its owners, tourism has brought back life to the once undisturbed island. I just hope that tourists would be responsible enough to respect the place and leave nothing but footprints.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”– Henry Miller

READ the EL NIDO SERIES: