Welcome back to my blog guys! This is the third part of my Ilocos journey. Join me as i take you to Ilocos Norte.
With me were Daddy Bucks, Cary, Crisly, and Berna...
The road to Paradise!
I have no qualms in hiking mountainous places. This always gives me better feel of mother Earth. On our way to the top, we passed by a picturesque view of the countryside. Pagudpud's rich forestry was stunning. While hiking the rocky, slippery (and not to mention narrow) trace to the basin was challenging, the vivid landscape the place has to offer eased us. We were catching our breath as we walked way up to the hill yet we still managed to smile because of the beautiful place.
The green green grass was indeed the hope of this place. The cool breeze kissing our skin was just simply relaxing.
The main stream from the waterfalls. I am an avid fan of this kind of landscape.
Oh look at this vivid view. Couldn't helped but be mesmerized with this tree on our way up.
On our 15th minute. Halfway to the falls.
Indeed! the road was rugged. I had trouble with my slippers. I wish i wore my shoes in here. Minutes of walk and chat, we finally heard the roaring sound of the water falls. And oh, just a few steps away, we were mesmerized upon seeing a great wall illuminated by the sun rays, unleashing waters.
Like a mother breastfeeding her child, the waterfalls continuously splashing water giving life to the surrounding trees and its community.
Happy kid inside. I with Daddy Bucks and Berna.
Kabigan Falls has an approximate height of 87 feet.
We were like going back to being a kid, enjoying the cold pool.
With Parana Travel and Tours!
After an hour of dipping the the iced cold water, we went back down on the same route. It was easier this time. Our pace were getting faster. In the middle of the trek we saw locals selling food "kakanins" and fresh buko juice. We took advantage of it. Geez! refreshing.
on our way down...
On to our next destination, just a 20-minute ride from Kabigan is one of Ilocos Norte's prime Gems - Bantay Abot Cave.
It was around 10:00AM when we got to Bantay Abot Cave. This hill was wrecked by an earthquake in the 80's. It was not easy going up close to this cave. The rocks were slippery that one could fall if lose balance. Adding to the pressure was the splashing waters of the rigorous waves of Ilocos. After all, we're facing the large open South China Sea. Geez! i had to protect my camera more than myself. Haha.
Hello there. Just going with the tradition of travelers-posing in landmarks. haha
Blue Lagoon as my backdrop. Epic!
After a 20-minute of picture taking, we went down from the hill. Now it's time for swimming in the beach.
Just a few meters away from the Bantay abot cave, visible by naked eye is an stunning landscape.
According to our local guides, this was used as a location of the finale episode of ABS CBN's hit series "Walang Hanggan". It was where the "heaven" scene was shot where the lead stars Coco Martin and Julia Montes were running around all dressed in white. Oh well, i saw that episode.
Just a 15-minute drive from Bantay Abot Cave was out next destination - Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud.
If you mention Ilocos Norte, what comes in mind by many tourists is Pagudpud. And when you say Pagudpud, who wouldn't include its white sand beach? Yes! indeed, dubbed as the "Boracay of the North", this long stretch of white sand is haven to beach lovers in the North. For long, this has become an alternative to Boracay of the the Ilocanos and even to many Manileños.
Right along the coastline of Blue Lagoon is a 5-star resort. Hannah's beach resort is the newest attraction in apagupud. Its offers theme park. We didn't bother getting into their them park as the entrance fee was ridicolously expensive only for you to see the statues of Holywood stars. Haha.
What brought to my attention was thier Zip line which they claimed to be the Asia's longest Zipline. It is 1.2-kilometernlong and lies from the hill across the lagoon (near Bantay Abot Cave). When we arrived, there were non-stop tourists doing zipline. So Cary and i decided to try it too. It costs us Php. 800.00 per head. Good thing they accept credit card. Thanks to my mastercard. Haha.
The white sand beach...
We need to sign waiver for us to be brought to the hills of Pagudpud. After all, we were to hang on that cable in the middle of the open sea. Although i tried doing a zipline before i still wanted to see how it feels hanging on top of the sea. My last zipline was in 2011 back in Dahilayan Adventure park in Bukidnon. It was Asia's longest "dual" zipline at that time an 800 meters long, stretched in the lavish forestry of Dahilayn, Bukidnon.
Hannah's zipline is a bit different. This time, the cable is stretched on top of the sea. We had 2 options either doing a superman or just sitting position. Of course we chose superman (same as i had in Dahilayan). At least once in a while we felt like birds freely flying above the sea.
We need to ride a van from Hanna's resort going to the hill point of the zipline. It was extremely hot. I was not nervouse though i am an acrophobic person. Well, not until i jumped into the calle and started moving. Hell! i was screaming as my heart was beating so fast and my arms and knees were shaking everytime i look into the sea. Like a bird flying up high, it feels great to see the entire Pagudpud. Now i had my own share of being a superman!
Yes! i arrived safe. haha
The adventure... Cary dodong and I... Photo credits to Crisly..
At 4PM we're done taking a shower. Then we headed to our next spot - Patapat Viaduct.
It was a 35-minutes ride from Blue lagoon to Patapat Viaduct. This bridge is a living testament of President Ferdinand Marcos's brilliance. It used to have landslide in the 70's in Pagudpud and transit was very difficult. That was when Pres Marcos planned and realized this viaduct. Elevated 31 meters above sea level, this 1.3-kilometer concrete brduge connects Maharlika Highway from Laoag Ilocos Norte and the Cagayan Valley region. The bridge lies along the province's coastal mountains - starting point of Cordillera Mountain range.
One last pose at the 4th longest Bridge in the Philippines!
Just next to the bridge is our next and last destination for today - Paraiso ni Anton.
Believed to produce miraculous spring of water, this place was truly enchanting. It created an ambiance of a different world - a world that does not belong to mortals. I could imagine faries roaming around the place.
Paraiso ni Anton is located along the highway of sitio Maligligay in Pagudpud.
This is what i am telling you. Isn't it enchanting?
Catch up my next blog as i bring you down back to Ilocos Sur and will explore more of Vigan...
No comments:
Post a Comment