day 3: PAGUDPUD

So here's the thing about a long backpacking trip.... ANYTHING CAN CHANGE.

Originally the plan for the third day was to be on Tuguegarao. Unfortunately due to lack of research or shall I say unavailability of bus schedules on the net, we decided to just head on straight to the terminal. As to which terminal is the another question. All we really banked on was the fact that there are more buses in Cubao as compared to Pasay. But the question on which bus in particular was another decision making along the road.

After much interrogation with the conductor and the bus people, they then referred us to GV Florida bus liner. Again, due to lack of information beforehand we learned that there is only one bus that goes to the sta.ana, tuguegarao route, it is at 12nn daily and it takes about 18-20 hours. Then going to our preferred destination, Palaui Island would be another 6 or 8 hours and that's just one way! Understandably, we opted for the 10 hour bus ride instead.

Left at 8 pm arrived at 6am. Slept through the 10 hours and woke up to .....

hey there blue lagoon!

***

Just because we saw the windmills and welcome to Pagudpud sign, it doesn't mean that our dilemma ended there. We didn't know where exactly in Pagudpud to hop off! All we know is that we want to camp at Saud beach. So how did we decide?  the Saud sign + a group of tricycles on the highway, that's how we knew it's time to hop off.

For me the important part of research prior to traveling is the how to get there and where to stay. We pretty much covered that part so the exploration part was left up in the air. But I have to commend whoever is handling the tourism of Ilocos because their tricycle drivers can act as part tour guide with a complete package rates of their tours. Everything's standard by the way so you can never feel like you're getting ripped off, which by the way is the ultimate nemesis of those on a budget like you know who. 

The Northern tour started with ....

@ Kabigon Falls

It's a 30 minute trek going to falls, passing through rice fields and rivers and carabaos. It's a very typical provincial setting except that cold falls awaits your journey. It's nice and cold but we didn't take a dip coz it's cold. The amazing thing is that no one is really allowed to loiter in the area for a long time. The maximum stay was only an hour and  I think it was a good rule knowing that prolonged loitering would lead to littering. And trust me there's no greater eye sore than plastic this and vandal there on the natural wonders.

@ Patapat Viaduct

The roads and highways the locals say is the great contribution of the Marcoses to the North, because obviously it led to economic growth. Now what can I say about this viaduct... I think it's very impressive and very ideal for music videos.. hahaha.

  

@ Agua Grande

It's like their park where they can go have picnic and swim. I'd don't have much to say actually, expect that this is kinda like the delta where the river water meets the sea. The rocks were something too. That's all.. bow. 

@ Paraiso ni Anton

That up there is nature spring, the real NATURE SPRING! It's cold and sweet and natural. It's just on the roadside so people naturally named it after the guy responsible for the road construction.... Anton. Seriously, I should really start getting into politics or something to get something named after me. Just a thought or something. ;)

@ Bantay Abot Cave

It's not a cave really, more like a giant opening in the middle of a big rock. Going there is pretty challenging because the waves can smash into you and so you'll have to stick real tight to the side walls. The vista is amazing really. So ideal for many rock-n' poses!

  L-R : dos hermanas, bantay abot cave and tigmangtang rock

You see all these spots are in blue lagoon and though at a distance they are somewhat in line with each other. So the local folklore, you just gotta love Pinas and their stories, says that all these actually represents a woman. So Dos Hermanas is the boobs (in english: two sisters, such a stripper club name), that cave is the vajayjay (it's really huge!) and that rock (I do not understand why) is the head. Anatomically speaking isn't the head supposed to be above the boobs?...  Or maybe my imagination is just not that far stretched... tsk tsk

@ Blue lagoon

SURFING! SURPING!

the much awaited part!!!! Pagudpud is slowly making a name for themselves as a surfing destination, though their waves may not be as big as that of Siargao's but it's very ideal for beginners and wannabees alike - us! Aside from it's an open sea, the wind they have is also pretty strong. The kind of wind they have is already equal to the kind of wind that accompanies the storms we have, and that's already normal for them! So summer heat there isn't so bad when they have a natural electrical fan set at number 3 all the time. And holding that long board wasn't easy!

TRIVIA: PAGUDPUD is named after napapagud. It was said that it was only decades ago when they were not that much affected by storms and natural calamities. Ergo the name makes sense, even places gets tired.

 teach us how to do it. teach us how to do it. teach us, teach us, teach us how to do it.

You see my surfing experience in Siargao was kind of a blessing by fire water because they immediately took me in the middle of the ocean where the waves are pretty big, which I'm sure the locals there would disagree! Learning to surf is very ideal on this spot because not only are the waves babies but also because you also have the sand as a cushion in case you'll fall, which happens - often!

How cool are we?!!!!

and how cool we look?!

seriously... we really are just good in posing cool.. hahaha.

 ***
 HAPPY CAMPERS @ Saud Beach

I have nothing but praises for Saud Beach. The public beach that is comparable if not way better than the private beaches of Shangri-la or even Boracay. Trust me it's so clean, fine white sand, long shores, clear waters... and it's PUBLIC! Your P20 entrance gives you more than your money's worth. I think this is the best beach for me, so far. I have nothing but praises for the beach and their management! In fact I have nothing but praises for Ilocos Norte.  

Camping 101:

never had a more peaceful sleep than that. 

If only I could have the beach for my room and the sand for my bed. That... would be life!

P.S. It's safe in Saud too. We might be the only ones camping on the ground or staying on the beach but the caretakers were really looking out for us, even the dogs too, but they can get quite sniffy on our sleep .

***

GV Florida bus fare (Cubao to Pagudpud): P700

tricycle to saud municipal beach park: P100/pax

breakfast paluto : P31 each

  Saud entrance : P20

- saud camping : P100/4 = P25

Northern tour attractions: P600/4 = P200 each

Lunch at Mekenni Palutuan: P162 each

surfing board rental: P200

Instructor: P100 per hour

dinner paluto: P25/person

ROUGH INVESTEMENT: P1,563