I was born and raised in Mindanao. Actually, still being raised in Mindanao. And I'm trapped in this city (?) called Ozamiz. Being so far away from Ilocos, I didn't know anything about the town called Pagudpud until some blogs thought about promoting it to the world. So I wanted to see the place for myself. Traveling a long way from the south to the farther north, I got to see the paradise that is in Pagudpud.
After the trouble we had the night before this, strolling by the pretty shoreline was probably just the best way to start the day anew. Pristine. I was at the creamy stretch of Saud Beach.
The water was tempting. It sparked like emerald despite the rain clouds over it. Adding to a better view are the the windmills of Bangui that can be seen in a distance from the beach. But because a scheduled day tour awaited us, I had to leave the beauty for the meantime to explore for other charmers.
For Pagudpud day tours, the most reliable person to contact is probably Kuya Arnel (63-926-588-0666). Having read stories of benevolence about him from numerous bloggers, I knew Kuya Arnel was the right person for this. So I booked for a day tour with him weeks ahead. He was busy for us though, so he had to delegate the the day tour to his nephew. Whatever went. We knew we were in good hands.
THE WINDMILLS OF BANGUI
We started the cloudy, windy day in a town 30 minutes south of Pagudpud: Bangui. I don't know if the Aussies were impressed, but I thought the view of the windmills was pretty. I don't have this view back home. Bangui is the only place in the country where this array of windmills stand huge and pretty along a coastline. So Jenty and I had to fancy the moment. :)
Those windmills stand 70 meters tall from our toes. Twenty-four of them making turns to the blow of the wind. It is a pretty view for visitors like us. But for the locals, those windmills serve as a source of electricity reserve to the province via wind turbine mechanism. Its history is extensive so just better Google it, k? :)
WHY VISIT THIS PLACE? For Filipinos, Bangui is the only place in the country to see these huge windmills. For foreigners, just accept the fact that everything familiar is more fun in the Philippines---so as the windmills here. This place is best enjoyed rolling on the black sand. :)
KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATIONS
The moment I saw the rock formations from afar, it already looked special. With the protuberant shape, it resembled the Egyptian Anubis. As we got closer, the rock formations began projecting its peculiar contours and texture. It was more than the shape. It was again, pretty. Its surfaces, sandy. Smooth. I'm not exactly sure what's it made of, but I could've asked the ocean or God how they formed such thing.
The flat area, where the most prominent rock formation stands, serves as a view deck for those who love to stare at the sea forever. I think the whole thing is a piece of structure made for people who wish to relish the music of nature while it's still viable.
WHY VISIT THIS PLACE? It's a haven for the distressed, depressed, unimpressed, and regressed. A good spot to ponder for the lost and the unfound. You can cry here all day or shout to the sea of hatred, of love, or of awesomeness. With the rock formations as photogenic as me (hihi), this is a great spot for photo enthusiasts. There are lots of crabs around too. If you love fishing, this spot is probably a good one.
BURGOS LIGHTHOUSE (Cape Bojeador)
The lighthouse we visited in Burgos is one of the oldest in Asia. It's really old with all the rust. Rich in tetanus. Also known as Cape Bojeador, it stands 20 meters tall, and is 120 years old. As much as we wanted to go inside the lighthouse and jump from the top, tourism has restricted it as its too old to bear human weight it might collapse.
Cracked floor tiles, broken windows, rusty rails, old things, and a museum in one room. Still lucrative huh.
There's nothing much to do here but take pictures and goof around. But the ancient feeling of this lighthouse is uncanny. And yeah, pretty. :)
WHY VISIT THIS PLACE?
It's a good spot for siesta. Look at Sarah, you can actually lie here like that all day. :) If you're around 20's, this lighthouse is older than your grandpa. It's the prettiest lighthouse I've seen yet.
AGUA GRANDE
It was empty when we went there. Kuya Alvin said it's a picnic place. It's where most locals spend their lazy weekends or holidays to cool down and goof around. It's a place where you can play with the water and some big stones.
WHY VISIT THIS PLACE?
The huge rocks look pretty especially with those algae on top that helped it look like the icing of the stone. Maraming coconut trees. There are cottages if you opt to stay longer. The water is so cool, you could bask under the heat of the sun submerged in the cold spring. No entrance fee. Donation lang.
PATAPAT VIADUCT
Kuya Alvin sure knows a lot. He's been in Pagudpud all his life. I don't remember much about what he said, but from stock knowledge, the Patapat Viaduct was constructed as an alternative road to connect Pagudpud to Cagayan Valley. The old road by the cliff was accident prone. And by accident prone, it meant FREQUENT accidents happened there. Hence, Ferdinand Marcos initiated the construction of the viaduct. He sure had contributed a lot to Ilocos. The Marcoses used to be the gods here. Also, this Patapat Viaduct was the second bridge Marcos built after San Juanico Bridge, and the 4th longest bridge of the country to date.
WHY VISIT THIS PLACE?
This pretty bridge cuts the glistening sea and its waves on one side and the beautiful mountains on the other side. It's a happy road for happy drivers.
BANTAY-ABOT CAVES
BANTAY in Ilocano means hill. ABOT means hole. From the name itself, it's self-explanatory. Bantay-Abot cave is a hill with a hole. In Bisaya, the words would mean differently.
The structure is tasty. Because from afar it looks like a giant, sunken donut. :P
Before reaching the cave, this small mound is also a structure of wonder, and it looks like a giant poop with some fungi, lol.
I think Pagudpud used to be a home of strong forces of nature that structures like the Kapurpurawan Rocks and this scaled down Bantay-Abot cave were formed. Probably, hundreds of years ago, Pagudpud used to be submerged underwater that it took the waters that much time to shape such structures for the tourism market. Call it a dorky theory.
Facing the viaduct, the cave is a window to a picturesque landscape view of the Cordillera Mountains. Too bad I missed to snap a panoramic shot of it. So just better visit Pagudpud and see it for yourself, K??
WHY VISIT THIS PLACE?
The picturesque view of this side of Pagudpud from the cave is just cozy. I could bring a sun bench and switch glances with the view and a good book here all day. And the ocean is blue and sparkly. Kuya Alvin said those were small jelly fish giving off the glow. Bioluminescence I say.
The road from the cave leads to Maira-ira Beach, a.k.a, the Blue Lagoon, a.k.a, Malingay Cove. This is where paddling and surfing are famed for. I've just read it in SMILE magazines. The waves are practical for surfing. And it's more scenic than Saud too. The downside of this beachside though are its rocky areas. I've just read all those. We weren't able to see or feel what it was like to stay there even for a few minutes. It was getting dark. I was getting hungry. :P
END OF PAGUDPUD DAY ONE.
Read previous posts.
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
(1) Hot Air Balloon Festival
(2) Guns and Aircrafts
(3) Trekking Mount Pinatubo
(4) Experience | Pinatubo
(5) The Odd One to Ilocos
(6) Sights and Scenes | Pagudpud (1)
it is indeed more fun in the Philippines great shots you've got there
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