This is the official jumpstart of the Ilocandia exploration. And for the introduction of what this trip has to offer -
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| Kapurpurawan Rock Formation |
Kapurpurawan Rock formation is indeed amazing. Many local movies used this as production location and on our way, there is an on going construction for a local fantasy movie to be shown this coming December. Some of the parts on the way to the site have been paved with concrete pathways. There is also a plattform that will server as viewing deck. Near the site is some kind of a big concrete dome i think that will serve as props for the production of the movie.
I am not against the production of local movies for it will promote the place or improvement for the tourists' comfortable travel but i hope the local government will keep the serenity of the place the way it has been discovered and maintain it for the next generation of travellers.
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| My very first hand stand in Ilocos. |
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| The West Philippine Sea (formerly South China Sea) |
One part of the site with sign prohibiting from the public access. We need to get to the other part of the rock formation to experience it. I have no idea for the reason, it might for safety purposes, i also hope it is for the sake of preserving and welfare of the site. These rocks were sculptured by the waves of the sea for hundreds or even millions of years. This is really a work of art of mother nature.
This site is also a favorite destination for photographers and has been used for travel and fashion photography shocasing the natural and huge rock formation as backdrops.
Next stop is the iconic Bangui Windmill--
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| Bangui Windmill |
This is my first time to see a number windmills just few feet away. Haha! The child in me just came out when i saw this site. I also remembered the movie Windstruck when i am writing this part. TIP: Bring pinwheels when going here it will be fun since its very windy here. I can say the best time to go here is on late afternoon for a tinted colored sky.
Aside from being a tourist destination, Bangui windmill also provide eletricity for the locals. This is only one of different forms of renewable energy that should be maximized in our country.
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| Pagudpud arch. |
Dont forget to have a shot at Pagudpud arch on your way to Blue Lagoon. Just watch out with the coming trucks and other vehicles.
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| Blue Lagoon from elevated distant view. |
Ilocos also offers white sand beaches and we had it up north Paugudpud. Blue Lagoon is one of the sites for beach lovers. Its shoreline is also home of Hanah's resort. We just rented a nipa hut for us a have a good rest to enjoy the beach and take our lunch there. We bought fish from a local there the time we arrived and told them how it will be cooked. After some time we just rubbing our tummy after finishng a sumptous lunch except for the sweet and sour menu. They have a different version of the recipe there with fishball-like sauce - not that tasty.
I can say you can skip or at least stay 30 minutes to one hour here if you are running our of time or not in the mood to experience beach. I am not sure if it is just me or the time we went here but its not a very good beach if you've been to many great beaches in other parts of the country.
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| Bantay Abot Cave |
Bantay Abot cave is the gateway to Blue Lagoon, we decided to have a peek of it after enjoying the beach, it is just in time when the rain came pouring. Though we have a good weather for the week I still expected to experience rain since its rainy season every July and more of it is the weather is really unpredictable these days in the country. So if you have good sky when you go to Pagudpud, better prioritize to stop here before going to Blue Lagoon.
This is one of my notable shot for caves, there is a great view of the rocky shore including the mountain from inside. Its very majestic for me.
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| Patapat viaduct. |
Next stop is Patapat Viaduct, this is one of the spots i am very eager to see but we are not able to enjoy it because of rain but i still manage to get out of our van and took this shot. On the brighter side I can say that the rain added effect to the photo. It makes the lushes greener and raindrops became mists from my vantage point.
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| Kaibigan Falls |
I may not enjoyed the beach but i made it sure to taka a dip on this enchanting falls. It is a 30-minute trek from the entrance stop to the falls. Since we have elderlies with us, I made myself ready for that '30-minute' walk since there is a big difference between the walking distance in the city and in provinces. One kilometer walk in province might equivalent to 1-2 kilometer walk in the city and 1-hour ride might be 2-hour ride in the province.
And if im not mistaken. Its very tiring walk and when we saw a small falls i just exclaimed "don't say this is just what we trekked for all this time?!?!" Hahaha! and then when we keep walking for few more steps, all we just said is WOW!!! I just did some few shots and strip my clothes and took a dip in the very cold water.
We really enjoyed it very much that we want to stay longer but we have no choice since it is getting dark and we need to allot some time for trekking back to the main entrance. The relatives of my friend said that the water from the falls makes their skin whiter so better to allot more time on this destination.
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| Newly planted rice field on the way to the falls. |
We arrived in our hotel late in the afternoon. We just change our clothes and hunt for resto for our rumbling tummies and we headed to La Preciosa. Just few right in from of La Elliana. And same with Saramsam we found again ourselves with the best seller Ilocano dishes. I was not able to get some shots of the food we ordered but personally (same with the family off my friends) Saramsam is better.
Though Saramsam got the score for Ilocano dishes, La Preciosa scored for the best cakes---
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| Carrot Cake |
This is the best carrot cake i ever tasted as of this writing. It is well baked i can say, the fillings is so delicious just right to compliment the bread with chunks of pineapple topped with shredded carrot. At first i wondered what are those cream colored plain cakes found inside their display shelf that they are so many only to found out it is their best seller. Okay i rest my case here.
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| I forgot the name of this cake. Haha! |
This is just an ordinary cake but still worth to try. It is like a chocolate marble cake with delicious fillings topped with shredded chocolates with crispy baked bread on the side.
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| Crazy Monkey Banana |
Again i am saving the best for last. This is a must try and you will never forget it. Crazy Monkey Banana composed of slices of banana (of course) mixed with fillings layered on top with hardened white cholocate (not sure about this layer) topped with special cream (or icing) and chocolate syrup with cookie crust at the bottom. This is the best cake we tried at the cafe best matched with their coffees.
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