We woke up early the next day so we will be able to see and do as much as the first day of our tour. We had some deep sleep, thanks to Java Hotel for their nice and comfy rooms.
So, after we took some heavy breakfast: rice, egg, and Vigan longganisa (pork sausage) and smothered ourselves with sunblock, we went to the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse. It was known to be the highest elevated, working lighthouse in its original structure which was made since the Spanish era.
The place was crowded with many locals and tourists that it was a little hard to take good photos. We were also unable to climb the peak of it because of all other people clamoring for their turn (the tower can only accommodate few number of persons at a time). So, we just decided to stay at the first landing (below the peak), and enjoy the view and the morning breeze. From where we stood, we already saw a panoramic view of the South China Sea.
Our next stop was to see the Bangui windmills up close. But before heading there, our dear driver and tour guide showed us his “secret” place. It was a cliff overlooking the sea, and the Bangui windmills as well!
The place was awesome! We definitely had the greatest tour guide!
We loved the place so much that we stayed there for about 30 good minutes. What we did? Took pictures, of course! And we did not mind the boulders, and the cliff itself – we just had to have jump shots!
The “wind farm” was wonderful to look at both afar and up close. It was our first time to see windmills that close that we wanted to embrace it! (We tried though, by holding each other’s arms and surrounding it – we failed in the end. :P)
Bangui windmills were the first to be installed in the Philippines to generate energy from the wind, said to be supplying a huge percentage of the power requirement of Ilocos Norte.
After Bangui windmills, we went to see the Kabigan Falls. It was approximately 40 minutes worth of hike along stony river banks and rice fields.
The falls wasn’t so big, but the water was indeed very refreshing, as we were told, since it was at the midst of the forest. The cool water was just what we needed to freshen up.
After almost an hour worth of hike back to the main road from the Kabigan Falls, we drove to see the Bantay Abot Cave. The name of the place was meant to describe a mountain with a hole at the bottom. Actually, it looked more like a narrow hill, or an elevated earth with a hole or an arc formed at its bottom. This natural formation looked astonishing as simple as it may be. Our guide said the arc- looking land formation was 100% formed by natural forces only. It was quite unbelievable, nonetheless, the sceneries on both sides of the “arc” were just too much to resist. We have to have lots of pictures!
One side of the “arc” led to a rocky shore, with water that was only ankle-deep. The other side though was packed with boulders, beyond which was already the deep sea.
We all got hungry after all the long walks, climbs, and picture-taking (:P), so we asked our driver-tour guide where we can eat our lunch in the area. He recommended us to buy freshly grilled fish and squid, which we easily found since many locals sell them along the main road. B-) We stopped in akarinderya where we bought rice, sautéed string beans, and papaitan (another distinct Ilocano dish). We devoured like there was no tomorrow!
Our next plan was to see the Patapat viaduct. It was this long, winding, elevated concrete highway at the foot and cliff of the Cordillera Mountain ranges, and facing the sea. It was quite a structure, I must say, and maybe one of the few present here in the country. Here’s how it looked like:
After posing here and there along that high way, we went back to the car and drove straight to the Blue Lagoon. It was said to be named as such because of its clear blue water, but other than that, it was also known by the locals as Maira-ira Beach. Without touching up on sunblock, we all run towards the beach after parking and exclaimed “Ang ganda!” (It’s beautiful!).
We stayed longer in Blue Lagoon as this was our last stop for that day. When my friends had finally gotten tired, we rode to Pagudpud beach where we stayed for the night.
We were booked in a beach resort in Pagudpud – famous for its white beach and clear waters. We got up early the next morning, our last day in Ilocos, so we can do more swimming and sight-seeing at the beach.
Third day in Ilocos was a “free day,” so we were left to think what we wanted to do or where we wanted to go. We wanted to stay a bit longer in Pagudpud since our bus schedule was at night, but we were booked only until a certain time, so we packed our things and bid the place goodbye.
It was a long drive before we reach the bus terminal going to Manila. But along the way, our dear driver had mentioned a place we could still visit before we leave the province: Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.
Just like the other nature’s treasures we saw so far, this one had be spent with a bit of time and effort. We had to hike on dead piles of corals, rocks, and seaweeds before we can get to the awesome spot. But looking it from afar already set our spirits high! We had time to spare, and we definitely had the energy, so we walked under the scorching heat to see this hidden treasure. Nature, really, is a master sculptor!
We wanted to stay longer but the sun was torturing us. Since we were told it will take few more hours to arrive at the bus terminal, we finally called it a day.
However, since we all got hungry when we were about to aboard our bus for Manila, we decided to take the famous Ilocos empanada from a nearby vendor along the bus terminal.
We actually saw how an Ilocos empanada was made: with rice flour-oil-water-food coloring (for the wrapper), one whole egg, some Vigan longganisa, and some vegetables (which I believe, were young/ unripe papaya and onions). After it was closed, and tossed to the hot cooking oil:
Count about two minutes, and the empanada was served! Best eaten with Ilocos vinegar!
What a way to end our wonderful adventure in Ilocos!
Thanks to my travel companions, Kris, Melds, Cecille, and Kenneth for the pictures.
Take time to travel and see the world. There are so much out there to see and experience. Feel free!
“To get away from one’s working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one’s self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.” – Charles Horton Cooley
Have a great day ahead!
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