La Union, Philippines

Welcome to La Union

where I learned to surf while the storm was roaring signal number 3. 

It was raining when we depart EDSA Cubao terminal of the Dominion Bus liner.

It was 9 pm and, fare is Php 660.

You may check Dominion Bus Liner Schedule and Fare for further details.

We arrived San Juan, La Union around 4 am.

I plan this itinerary without a plan.

 We came here during my 2 days off. 

I did not booked any hotel accommodation.

But, we did found a mansion... I mean a room in a Surfer's house. 

The room rate is Php 1500, good for 3.

The water looks great for fun surfing.

Surfing lesson is Php 200 and Php 300 for board rental.

We had our breakfast in Urbiztondo Grill restaurant..

rest for a while before getting ourselves into the ocean's waves.

I did surfing lesson... and, I love it!

It was still raining, though.

With Luke Landrigan,

a Filipino international surfer.

He owns a resort and, surfing school here.

This is just on the other side of the street.

They serve everything on the menu.

Good ambiance, warm people and nice food.

Some sunset from afar.

The tropical storm ain't stopping a fun day.

Good morning La Union!

It was not raining on the second day,

but, the waves were too strong for surfer to play with. 

So, we decided to tour around the Poro Point.

We hopped in the next available jeepney going to San Fernando.

It will take around 15 minutes, for Php 10 each.

Then, hired a trike going to the resort for Php 50 each.

It is where the Thunderbird Resort is located.

Locals are not allowed to tour around.. unless, you will go to the restaurant.

It is a private home town.

After going around and seeing the place, 

we returned to San Juan beach.

Chillin' after the surfing lesson and storm.

Everything seems fine in the stormy afternoon.

Total expenses: Php 3,000

Fare Php 1200 round trip

Breakfast Php 150

Hotel Php 400 each

Lunch Php 150

Surfing lesson and boat rental Php 500

Dinner Php 150

Jeepney to San Fernando Php 20 round trip

Trike to Poro Point Php 100 round trip

Breakfast, lunch and dinner Php 300

companion: 2

Calaguas Island

Welcome to Calaguas Island

This is where heaven and sea meet in the depth of the ocean's roar and serenity.

We left Manila around 8 pm for the overnight travel through Amihan bus liner.

Their terminal is along EDSA Cubao near the MRT.

The fare was P660.

The travel time is 9 hours.

There is no airport in Daet of Camarines Norte.

There are a lot of buses bound to Daet along the EDSA Cubao bus terminals

or

in Alimall bus terminal.

We just informed the driver to drop us in Talobatib Junction: 

the jump off point to Calaguas Island

We arrived in Talobatib Junction around 6 am.

We had Pancit Bato and some local bread for breakfast.

The Pancit Bato is a local dish that resembles noodle dish.

It tasted good!

We waited for the bus going to Paracale.

The fare is P60, 45 minutes travel.

 

You may opt to rent a trike or motorbike to get to Paracale.

      

We had our grocery in the local market for our 2- day island stay.

There is no hotel accommodation, no electricity and no network service.

There is a source of water for bathing and available restrooms.

(The photo above is the port of Paracale) 

 

We haggled our boat transfer for P2,000, good for 3-5 capacity.

It's a rough 2 hours boat ride... so prepare yourself for an adventure.

Some island along the way...

and another beautiful island.

Welcome to Calaguas Island!

 

The overnight stay is P100.

The day entrance fee is P50.

    Our share of sunset.

The wonderful sunrise at the backdrop of our tent.

There is nothing to do here except swimming and strolling at the serenity of nature.

We travel back the next day, around 6 pm and it was a bad idea.

The waves are incredibly high and strong.

This is one of the most beautiful isolated islands I've been to.

The water is clean, sands are powdery white and the sun rises and sets wonderfully.

My travel buddies are the silent types, so it added a serenity.

The feeling of getting out nowhere is here though the tides are roaring.

I less care.

I realized, I might die now... here.

But, at least in my death rites am found doing the things I want and dream of.

Cheers to good life ♥

Cheers to my beautiful country... 

and

to my God who never fails!

                    

Total Expenses: P2,000

Companion: 2

Calaguas 2012

Vigan, Ilocos Sur

welcome to Vigan, Ilocos Sur

where history is painted on it's grandeur walls... 

and where people are still part of that moment...

and present is a reflection of humble generation....

i love this town...

and I love my country as I love my history...

 I left Manila around 10:30 pm taking the Dominion Bus along EDSA Cubao

 It's a 9 hours land travel...

you may check the schedule and fare 

through: Dominion Bus Liner Schedule and Fare

 I arrive in Vigan at 8 am... had my simple breakfast...

and walk back in time and season...

 I hire a trike for 300 php to take me around the town and the Baluarte ni Chavit...

I stayed here for about 3 hours..

 I ask one home owner to tour me around his ancestral house... 

it's really enchanting...

not just because of the ancestral village but because of it's warmth people...

i bet this was once a busy street... 

back in the ages when life is as simple as breathing...

and when life is not that complicated...

kalesa for a ride...

it's 150 php to tour around the village...

and even though it's not part of my plan to visit the infamous Baluarte...

 I had a chance to take a tour to the open zoo...

and my simple side trip warms my heart in so many ways...

total cost: to be continued in my Pagudpud travel adventure:

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

companion: none