ILOCOS TOUR | ILOCOS NORTE, Part 2

It was almost lunch time when we arrived in Laoag after the First Part of our Ilocos Norte Tour.  We had lunch in Laoag first before continuing on our Ilocos Norte tour.

MALACAÑANG OF THE NORTH

Also known as Malacañang Ti Amianan. The two storey mansion is said to be a gift to the former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos from his wife Imelda on his 60th birthday. Locacated in Bario Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte overlooking the panoramic view of Paoay Lake, this mansion serves as official residence of the former President Ferdinand Marcos whenever he is in Ilocos. Today, it now serves as a museum with some of its rooms converted as a gallery of the former first family's memorabilla.

Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North overlooking Paoay Lake

The Grand Staircase, my favorite part of the house

PAOAY CHURCH

San Agustin Church commonly known as Paoay Church, located in the town of Paoay, Ilocos Norte  was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best example of Baroque Churches in the Philippines in 1993.

The church is among the major tourist attraction in the province of Ilocos Norte because of its distinct architecture.

Paoay Church

4X4 ADVENTURE IN LA PAZ SAND DUNES

My left hand is holding tight on the steel bar at the back of 4X4 jeep while my right hand is taking a video of the ride using my phone until the jeep moves its way down the high ridge, I forgot about the phone and my attempt to take a video of the ride and just hold on tight ( I mean, hug the steel bar haha...) to keep me from flying out as our jeep descends. Did i mention, I let off a scream too?

After a quick landing, as we try to compose ourselves the jeep moves its way up the ridge, on the side of the ridge, moves down and so on. And I would say,  this is the best part of my Ilocos Trip.

We conquered La Paz Sand Dunes

ILOCOS TOUR | ILOCOS NORTE, Part 1

After we Explored Vigan in 4 Hours, we continue our Ilocos Tour all the way up to Ilocos Norte. We leave Vigan at exactly 12:00 noon expecting to arrive in Pagudpud late in the afternoon. We stayed at Jun & Carol Beach Cottages located along the white beach of Saud. The location is nice and the rate is cheap but the water that comes out of the shower and faucet is like fresh from the beach. I had to buy a bottled water for brushing my teeth (#feelingdiva hahaha...), other than that the room is fine enough to rest my tired body from long hour of traveling.

I wake up the following morning to this beautiful sunrise... 

Saud Beach, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte

For our Ilocos Norte tour, we hired a private car with driver who also serves as our tour guide. We have to fit in all the tourist attraction and activities in Ilocos Norte the whole day because we have an evening flight back to Manila. 

PATAPAT VIADUCT

A viaduct in the municipality of Pagupud, Ilocos Norte. The 1.3 km viaduct that connects the Maharlika Highway in Laog to the Cagayan Valley is elevated over 30 meters above sea level. The viaduct is deserted most of the time.

Patapat viaduct

TIMANGTANG ROCK AND BANTAY ABOT CAVE

Located along the shore of the town of Baloi, Ilocos Norte. Timangtang and Bantay Abot Cave is believed by the locals as "Lovers Rock", the former being male and the latter as female. 

Timangtang Rock - the male 

In Ilocano, "Bantay" means mountain and  "Abot" means hole, so its mountain with a hole.

Bantay Abot Cave - the female 

BANGUI WIND FARM

This is the tourist attraction in Ilocos Norte I am excited to see. I've read that this mega structure facing the West Philippine Sea provides 40% of the province's energy requirements.

Bangui Windmills

another shot of the windmills

KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION

Standing beautiful in white in the coast of the town of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Kapurpurawan rock formation is also one of the top tourist attraction in the province. This rock formation is so famous that it made appearance in movies like "Suddenly its Magic" with Mario Maurer and Erich Gonzales and "Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako" with Vic Sotto, Bong Revilla and Judy Ann Santos. (Sikat sya diba?)

The name Kapurpuwawan came from Ilocano root word, "Puraw" which means white.

Kapurpurawan Rock formation

Bertong Bayawak

another shot of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE

Also know as Burgos light house, this still operational Spanish Lighthouse in the Philippines sits on top of Nagparitan Hill for over a hundred years now.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse