Trip up North (Pagudpud)

[silverbx986]

nakapunta nako dyan pero matagal na...i miss that place. ganda saka
konti tao, which i like.

[vhenok]

LA UNION Province

San Fernando - Vigan
Distance: 135 kms.
Approx. Travel Time - 3 hours

San Fernando - San Juan - Bacnotan - Balaoan - Sudipen

As you exit San Fernando City, road starts to narrow and quite poor on this portion but the scenery on your left amazes you as you see the attractive coastline and at times you can see huge waves.

San Juan also offers pebbles beaches and also ideal for surfing, as this town start to be known for it. After San Juan, there is a significant improvement on road surface, driving is delightful coz traffic is light and you can now see scenic views of the Cordilleras in the background.

Pass on to Bacnotan then to Balaoan and finally, Sudipen.

ILOCOS SUR Province

Tagudin - Santa Cruz - Santa Lucia - Candon City

There is a narrow bridge that links the provinces of La Union (Sudipen) and Ilocos Sur (Tagudin). From here, road conditions becomes poor again as there are major roadworks being done as of this writing (hey...it's been 2 years, it should have been finished now). This portion should be about 10-kms only as road after this is already very pleasant.

Next towns are Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia and Candon City.

Candon City is a relatively small city and offers less choices so don't expect too much. Also the city proper possess some delays due to pedestrians and public transport and, no bypass roads to avoid these.

Candon City - Santiago - San Esteban - Santa Maria - Narvacan - Santa - Bantay - VIGAN

Spectacular view awaits on the shorelines of San Esteban as you literally drive along its coastlines offering clear waters and visible sea creatures beneath, an ideal and perfect place to have you photos taken. The coast is rocky and some isolated white sand beaches.

Pass on to Santa Maria and Narvacan. There is a washedout portions which waves caught up on the road before the approach to Santa town. And from here, you start your hilly ascend and pass through some rugged mountains.

A beautiful bridge (Quirino Bridge) in Bantay offers fantastic view of the mountains, the river and the sea. Again, this is an awesome view to have your photos taken, at the end of the bridge there's a stair leading down the river and you can see clearly the bottom and outward you can see the splendid view where the river and the sea meets.

Stopover: VIGAN

This is a major tourist attraction from which you can see Spanish old structures, museums and great foods abound in this city. Though accomodation here are limited. Checkout some famous foods like bagnet (deep fried pork belly), longganis and morcon (much like a meatloaf). Also, empanadas (usually filled with veggies, prawns and meat) are a must-try on this part of the archipelago. Plaza Burgos is popular for being the center of the city and offers all of these delights.

Driving in Vigan could be unpleasant to some as the streets are narrow and traffic is perennial. Many parts of the streets are one-way. Among the best historical Spanish houses are located in Crisologo Street, which is by the way closed to traffic to give way to calesas plying this route. You might as well find your parking somewhere near. The whole street are full of merchants selling products like furnitures, souvenirs and foods.

Next post: Vigan - Laoag - Pagudpud

[vhenok]

VIGAN - LAOAG
Distance: 90 kms.
Approx. Travel Time: 2 hours

Vigan-San Ildefonso-Santo Domingo-Magsingal-San Juan-Cabugao-Sinait

Driving on this portion are remarkable but expect lesser view of the mountains nor the ocean, but traffic is light. Good signages are present and you can surely know where you're going through. Expect a narrow bridge somewhere in Cabugao. Sinait is a coastal town which also offers good beaches, and incidentally, the last town in this province.

ILOCOS NORTE Province

Badoc-Currimao-Paoay-Batac-San Nicolas-Laoag City

You know when you're in Ilocos Norte when you see garlics hanging on roadside stalls as this town starts to be known for. You can check some views in Paoay and Batac is this was the hometown of the Marcoses.

Stopover: Laoag City

Fort Ilocandia is a first class accomodation in the city but you have to travel about 10 kms. from the city proper. The city is generally clean and traffic are smooth. Checkout the Tobacco Monopoly monument and Sinking Belltower.

Laoag City - Pagudpud - Patapat
Distance: 95 kms.
Approx. Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Laoag-Bacarra-Pasuquin-Burgos-Bangui-Pagudpud-Patapat

This is generally coastal roads. In Pasuquin, beaches are generally rocky and dark with some few resorts. Burgos offers a more spectacular view of the ocean and the famous Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (wondering kamusta na kaya si Mang Ben- sarap kausap daming kwento). Roads tends to be mountanous as you approach the town of Pagudpud and an arch welcomes you to this paradise. As an added attraction, am encouraging you to go straight to the awesome view in Patapat Viaduct. Here lies the splendid serenity where you can here the splashing the big waves on the the giant rocks below, and also the architecture on how this infrastructure was built, very amazing indeed.

FINALLY! PAGUDPUD

Need I say mo', just go there and feel the paradise. Or might as well take at sir angelobryant's wonderful pics....

[margaux]

yeah...actually I'm from Ilocos and I grew up there.. I have been to Pagudpud many times already..... for those who wants to go there, I suggest that you try to visit Paraiso ni Anton and there's another place that's cool there..... oh, shucks, I forgot the name... I'll just mention it here once I remembered it. *smile*

[qman]

whoa.... thanks vhenok sa detalye

[margaux]

is there anyone here planning to have a trip in Pagudpud coz I'll be going there sometime April, most probably first or second week. Just inform me and I'll be helping you out in case you have problems going there..

[jim]

margaux, taga-pagudpod ka ba??? marami kaming kamag-anak doon.

[margaux]

nah, i'm from laoag..but my mom is from bangui, just the town before pagudpud..

[jim]

margaux,

hahaha karatig bayan lang kita. i was born in bacarra but grew up in pasuquin. nag-aral ako sa mangato, laoag, saint mary's seminary nung first year highschool. you have pm

[vhenok]

whoa.... thanks vhenok sa detalye

My pleasure....!

Just wanted to be informative as much as possible so others can benefit from it...lahat naman ng tao dumaan sa pagiging newbie eh...

Good Day Tsikoteers!!!