15 HOUR TRIP FOR A DIP
July 3rd 2008 00:00
Maybe this is just for the “hardcore” travelers. Or maybe, for people who have just gone thru a lot of whatever and just want to disappear to wherever so they can have a time for themselves without a care for anything even for a few days.
Not too many requirements here. Just that you have either: a car, an SUV or a truck in perfectly good running condition (any of which, you can rent here). You love driving. You don’t mind sitting behind the wheel for hours on end. You appreciate the responsiveness of your vehicle’s engine every time you push the gas pedal to overtake or, quite simply, to gather some speed. You take pride in your ability to negotiate the sharp curves and long and winding roads.
You relish the idea of being able to drive endlessly, away from the madding traffic jams. And most important, you take pleasure in the though that you can be all by yourself (or be with your ever dearest) in a quite and comfortable beach resort that will remind you of nothing but the beauty of being close to mother earth.
If you find this proposition enticing, then your destination for this trip should be the golden brown sands of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
Pagudpud is in the Northwestern most part of Luzon. A leisurely drive in your own vehicle can get you there in about fifteen (15) hours from Manila. Shorter, if you are impatient and you like to hurry. But what is the point of going on a long vacation if you will be driving around as if you are in some “Indy” race?
If you are the truly adventurous type, you might want to plan your trip in such a way that you are able to explore the other places of interest while you are en-route to Pagudpud.
Your first stop could be the town of Capas in Tarlac (in case you’ve heard of the “Death March” during the 2nd World War) or you may opt to have a look inside the crater of the volcano that made the world’s largest eruption in the 20th Century.
There are a number of people in Capas who are arranging trips to the top of Mt. Pinatubo where a lake has formed, which became a new tourist destination.
From Tarlac, you can visit the Hundred Islands in Dagupan, Pangasinan and then, you can go all the way up to Baguio City, these places are almost practically along the way.
There are many other interesting places where you can swing by to, but if you don’t have that much time, you can aim for a sleep-over in Laoag, the capital town of Ilocos Norte, from your take-off point in Manila and have an early morning drive from there to Pagudpud. That last leg of your journey will only take about an hour or so.
These power generators are actually located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte
It might be a good idea to bring along a local guide who is familiar with Northern Luzon but if you are used to traveling on your own, a map that you can buy from a local book store can easily bring you to your destination. The road condition is good all the way thru.
The first time I went there, I just hired a “Tricycle boy” (usually a man driving a motorcycle with sidecar used for ferrying passengers) when I reached the town of Pagudpud. And all I asked him to do was to drive his small contraption ahead of my truck so I can follow him to the beach-resort. That cost me less than .50c USD.
Bring your diving gears, if you are into it. Or you can bring just the small expensive personal pieces. Here, you can rent the rest.
Then you will be in your own peaceful haven for the rest of your stay.
Not too many requirements here. Just that you have either: a car, an SUV or a truck in perfectly good running condition (any of which, you can rent here). You love driving. You don’t mind sitting behind the wheel for hours on end. You appreciate the responsiveness of your vehicle’s engine every time you push the gas pedal to overtake or, quite simply, to gather some speed. You take pride in your ability to negotiate the sharp curves and long and winding roads.
You relish the idea of being able to drive endlessly, away from the madding traffic jams. And most important, you take pleasure in the though that you can be all by yourself (or be with your ever dearest) in a quite and comfortable beach resort that will remind you of nothing but the beauty of being close to mother earth.
If you find this proposition enticing, then your destination for this trip should be the golden brown sands of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
Off season at Pagudpud Beach, Ilocos Norte Philippines
Pagudpud is in the Northwestern most part of Luzon. A leisurely drive in your own vehicle can get you there in about fifteen (15) hours from Manila. Shorter, if you are impatient and you like to hurry. But what is the point of going on a long vacation if you will be driving around as if you are in some “Indy” race?
If you are the truly adventurous type, you might want to plan your trip in such a way that you are able to explore the other places of interest while you are en-route to Pagudpud.
Your first stop could be the town of Capas in Tarlac (in case you’ve heard of the “Death March” during the 2nd World War) or you may opt to have a look inside the crater of the volcano that made the world’s largest eruption in the 20th Century.
There are a number of people in Capas who are arranging trips to the top of Mt. Pinatubo where a lake has formed, which became a new tourist destination.
From Tarlac, you can visit the Hundred Islands in Dagupan, Pangasinan and then, you can go all the way up to Baguio City, these places are almost practically along the way.
There are many other interesting places where you can swing by to, but if you don’t have that much time, you can aim for a sleep-over in Laoag, the capital town of Ilocos Norte, from your take-off point in Manila and have an early morning drive from there to Pagudpud. That last leg of your journey will only take about an hour or so.
You’ll know you’re near the town of Pagudpud when you begin to see these wind turbines sticking above the trees to your left.
These power generators are actually located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte
It might be a good idea to bring along a local guide who is familiar with Northern Luzon but if you are used to traveling on your own, a map that you can buy from a local book store can easily bring you to your destination. The road condition is good all the way thru.
Pagudpud Beach. Wind Turbines in the far distance
The first time I went there, I just hired a “Tricycle boy” (usually a man driving a motorcycle with sidecar used for ferrying passengers) when I reached the town of Pagudpud. And all I asked him to do was to drive his small contraption ahead of my truck so I can follow him to the beach-resort. That cost me less than .50c USD.
Some of the facilities in a Pagudpud beach resort.
Bring your diving gears, if you are into it. Or you can bring just the small expensive personal pieces. Here, you can rent the rest.
The closer you get, the more Wind Turbines become visible
Then you will be in your own peaceful haven for the rest of your stay.
Sometimes, even for a moment, it's nice to be without a care in the world
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Comment by Louie
Climate Forum
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Comment by Market Newbie
Stock Market Punk
Comment by Fobzy
Fobz
I see you've been looting the web for the pics.
Comment by Market Newbie
Stock Market Punk
Comment by Fobzy
Fobz
Quite the traveller, aren't we?
Comment by Market Newbie
Stock Market Punk
I do travel a lot, old buddy. Courtesy of my day job. And I pinch pics too. Usually, from public domains like Wikipedia.