The Rock, The Falls, and The Blue Lagoon | Ilocos Norte

Ilocos remains to be very special and memorable to me. Last 2010, I had an unexpected solo trip. There I was - traveling with insufficient money, no ATM card, no cellphone on hand, and the best part was it's all happening on my birthday! It was harsh at first, but it turned out to be a very blessed birthday trip experience. Check out My Ilocos Norte Trip 2010.

Since then, I've been wanting to revisit the place- not just for the food I never got to taste, or the places I never had the chance to see, but for the genuine person I met. Kamusta na kaya ang super tour guide kong si Mang Arnel?

I didn't notice that the bus has reached the terminal because I was really enjoying the quiet-me-time on the bus. I guess I just missed to travel alone, it's been 3 years since I last did. Anyway, I bet Mang Arnel was also delighted when he finally saw me again. Hehe We had a long and nice conversation. I wish I knew how to address their tourism issue with the local government.

Anyway, Im glad the weather fully cooperated on those 2 days. I was able to view Pagudpud at its finest (or almost). There are only 3 places I really wanted to see in Pagudpud: Kapurpurawan Rock Formations, Kaangrian Falls, and the Blue Lagoon.


Kapurpurawan Rock Formations
It was lovelier the second time around. True that visitors are not allowed anymore to see the front area up close, but the great news is the back area is equally stunning! Actually it's better for camwhoring. =)

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation - front

the side view is stunning

the back area is equally stunning!

best time to visit Kapurpurawan is between 8am - 11am

best spot for a group shot

and best spot for a solo pictorial

pang profile pic ^_^

The rock formations are amazing as ever. And as they say, tiis ganda shot. The sun was unforgiving but everyone, including me, was brave enough to endure the heat for this chance of having a nice souvenir shot. I wished I had my umbrella with me, kaso wala akong check in baggage allowance. Poor me.


Blue Lagoon | Maira-Ira
It rained the first time I visited so I didn't really see how blue is the water in Blue Lagoon. I was completely surprised to see the blue gradient of the beach. It was indeed a blue lagoon. Honestly, I liked Blue Lagoon more than the beaches of El Nido. 

 the so-called Walang Hanggan site

dito daw nagshooting sina Coco Martin. yun oh!

overlooking Blue Lagoon and the surrounding resorts

this is one of the best beaches in Luzon, in my opinion

the sand may not be very fine but it doesn't matter

 i loved the peaceful and simple setting of this beach

Blue Lagoon ranks 9th in my Best Beaches in the Philippines list

Kaangrian Falls
Kabigan Falls is great but I heard Kaangrian Falls is so much better! Mang Arnel just warned me that the trek was not an easy one. True enough, the trek was exhausting but only because the weather was extremely hot. The 45-min trek to the falls was bearable by the way.

a trek down the falls

a candid yet dramatic shot of my super tour guide Mang Arnel

Okay, we were both disappointed to know that there's not enough water on the falls. Toinks Oh well, waterfalls are dry on a summer season. Maybe the best time to go here is between October to January.

Kaangrian Falls with insufficient water flow

but I have to admit the water still looked mystical

my neon green top blends with the water eh?

look how clear the water is. yun oh!

super Pagudpud tourguide - Mang Arnel 0918.689.0723

Anyway, at least I saw Kaangrian Falls and I made myself proud by not collapsing in the middle of an exhausting trek. Good vibes! ^_^


click here for my 2 Days Ilocos Trip. Bagets pa ko jan. Hihi
 

Surf, Trek, Swim | Baler

Last February 1, 2012 - I received a retrenchment letter. Half of the employees in my company signed the promising retrenchment package, including myself. So yes, I will be jobless effective March 31st. (for the record, hindi ako naghahanap ng trabaho sa ngayon..)

For our farewell trip, my dear officemates planned a trip to Baler! Ang yaman di ba, magiging jobless na nga, todo gastos pa din. Thank you to my boss who sponsored our transpo and food.

*picture heavy post

Day 1: Surf and Taste Baler
Genesis JoyBus is really a joy to everyone who wishes to go to Baler. This bus has comfy and reclining seats, with pillows/blanket,snacks, wifi on board, with restroom, and with a very jolly stewardess.

direct trip from Cubao to Baler (without stopovers)
Genesis JoyBus - P695 per way
reservation / contact number: 709.0545 / 709.0544

comfy seat with pillow, blanket, and refreshment for each passenger

We left Cubao at 12:30am and before daylight at 5:30am, we arrived in Sabang, Baler. We took a tricycle to our accommodation which is Amco Beach Resort. This is not a beachfront and luxury resort - but for the price of P2,150 for 7 persons - I can refer this place to anyone, specially on peak seasons when beachfront resorts are fully booked.

Amco Beach Resort
the only place where we found available rooms

triple room at Amco
P950 for this decent room with aircon + hot&cold shower

the boys' quarter
quadruple sharing room for P1,100

Good enough although the place is quite a walk from the surfing lessons area. We only paid P2,150 and the Amco staff let us check in as early as 5:30am.


After settling down and a quick breakfast, we headed to beach right away. Excited lang. ^_^

brand new day in Baler

surf lesson + board for P350/hr

I noticed the waves in Baler are more fierce than those in La Union. I got excited to see the swell, ang laki ng alon. Pero nakakatakot.

batang baler - doing some stunts

Rick and Arpee effortlessly learned to surf right away. May future kayo ha, eto gawin nyong trabaho after March 31.

batang baler Rick

batang baler 2 - Arpee

yabangers! ^_^

While some managed to stand up right away, I had a hard time doing it. Parang ang hirap, na-ooverwhlemd ako sa laki ng waves. There were times that the waves turned my board upside down. It almost hit my instructor's head. Anyway, after some time, I finally managed to ride the waves. Wee!

effortless surfing as my instructor pushed me against the waves

finally, a long ride!
kunyare ang galing ko dyan.. ^_^

sulit na sulit ang rashguard na to!

Here's how to surf, the newbie way:

thanks Arpee for these continuous shots

Baler waves are huge compared to those in La Union. It's better to learn to surf in Baler, not to mention the fact that it is cheaper. =)

surfing the big waves in Baler

After we had a great surfing time, it's time to eat. We had our early lunch at Bay Inn's. Prices are very reasonable and the dishes are good.

sizzling plate - P75
tokwa't baboy - P140
nachos with meat sauce - P80
sisig - P120

We surfed in the afternoon too. Adik lang. ^_^
Since Rodel, my surfing instructor, offered a tour around Baler, we made a deal with him for our next day activity.

Day 2: Trek and Swim
At 7:30am, we started our journey to Ditumabo Falls, also called the Mother Falls in San Luis, Baler.

Rodel - 0948.311.6033
P500 per tricycle

The ride took 40mins to the drop off point. We registered our names and off we go to the falls.
I never imagined this trail would be very refreshing. Sure there were slippery and steep spots, but it was a good adventure to reach the falls.

Let me show you the refreshing trail.

ang manager kong pogi ^_^
ponkan na ponkan ang peg

After the fun and easy adventure trail, we finally reached the majestic Dimutabo Falls. It was awesome.

ang ginaw!

Next stop: Balete Tree in Maria Aurora
Around 30 mins ride and we reached the largest Balete tree. Some also call this as the Millennium Tree.

hanging out in the Balete Tree

There are some more spots to see in Baler but we chose to go back to Amco. After a quick and cheap lunch at Cusina de Baler, we hurried back to our hotel and prepared our things for our return trip to Manila. It was a very fun weekend getaway with officemates. Hope this wont be the last. Cheers! Ü

baler expenses

chris: alam mo chyng pagkasama ka, napapamura kami.
rick: oo nga, napapamura - natuto kaming magsabi ng "pakshet ka, gago ka, punyeta ka.."
me: hahaha! toinks! ^_^