Viva ILOCOS!!!

For the past 6months since I revived this blogsite, I failed to regularly make a post.. But with my latest get away this weekend, I can't help but share the wonderful experience I had. :)..

I really wanted to travel... and I got fascinated with nature..For me getting into these places keep me relax and free. I'm a big fan of Wow Philippines tag line: "Tara na , Byahe Tayo" !. hehehe..I knew that there's a lot to discover here in our country---maybe comparable or better than the other places I visited abroad.

My officemate, Helen, actually opened the idea of going for a roadtrip to Ilocos. She was influenced by her sister who had joined their cousins on a trip in the region two weeks ago- who said that the place is really worth visiting. Actually, I really wanted to go there as well, but I had always a conflict with the schedule with my other set of friends. and for me a group trip will be wonderful!!So, when she asked me I'm ok to plan for a trip-- its a GO!!!hahaha!. I didn't think twice.. Its a YES.. !!

Let's look at the map.. We are passing the four regions up to the peak of North. Total hours of travel is ~12-14 hours--> up to Pagudpod)

So, getting people together, we set the date--It's June 11-14. We go for a tour package instead of a previous plan of driving our own cars, because we thought it will maximize the time since we dont knew that place well. And wow!! I believed we are so lucky to get the best reasonable tour package!Thanks to Jem and his wife!Everything was superb! (http://www.explorenorth.multiply.com/).

We initially plan to leave Manila at June11 at 11pm, but due to the pussycat dolls concert, its almost 1am when we get rid of the traffic and went ahead to the north.. It was really a looooooong travel but the whole time was well spent when we arrived there!

The group: (L-R) Doods, Edmond (Doods youngest brother), Lordgen, Bebeth(my friend), ako!, Lina, Ana, Helen, Mark ( We re gain our strength when we finally saw the "Laoag" sign! heheh)

Jem, our official photographer.. este..our great tour guide pala..

The first day was spent on tours within Ilocos Sur, specifically in Vigan. Vigan is famous on Spanish built houses, handicrafts, clay pottery, and Chavit Singson's Baluarte.

ehhemm..ehemm... nice vase... :) This is clay pottery "re-engineered". I better solder components than mold clay vases. Too bad I dont have the talent :(

Later in the afternoon, after buying market supplies for dinner and lunch picnic the next day, we went straight to Pagudpud. Everyone was tired but happy. The next day was the best.. The itinerary is just within Pagudpod--highlights were the trek to go to Kabigan falls, blue lagoon for our lunch..and we had banana boating there!! yehey!!..our last stop was the saud beach waiting for the sunset. Waaahh!! it was relaxing!

Pagudpod at a distant (did you noticed the curve in the map? I think this is a part of it. Imagine you in the middle of mountains and the vast South China Sea ! Wow this is really amazing!!)

at Kabigan Falls

Going Bananas :)

1st Batch :: Yey!! We are all first timers!! Yahoo!!

2nd Batch: Lordz, you are there again??!!heheheh

Leaving Pagudpud at 5AM

We woke up early for the last day, as we are heading back to Manila but will be passing through the Bangui windmills and back to Vigan again..

This is one of the best weekend getaway I had. Thanks to everyone--to Mark/Helen, Lina, Ana, Bebeth, Lordz, Doods and Edmond (mega thanks for the dinner !!) , and to Jem/wife for everything!!. Seeing the beauty of the north makes me proud that I'm a Filipino. It gives me a realization that there's so much to treasure here in our own country!

We are not happy, arent we? :)

Have a great week ahead everyone =)