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blades
almost as long as an Olympic sized pool,
it is the first of its kind in the
country.
We finally reached Pagudpud, a coastal resort town in the northernmost
tip of Luzon. It is bounded to the east
by the magnificent Cordillera mountain
range, creating an illusion of a
secluded, tropical enclave. Numerous
charming resorts and private homes
within walking distance from each other
line the stunning sugar-white shoreline.
Locals swear that the onset of the rainy
season is much later in that area. And
true enough, with the merciless sun and
clear skies that greeted us when we got
there, it could’ve fooled anyone into
thinking it was April instead of August.
It’s perfect for those looking to avoid
Pagudpud’s busy summer season. However,
the resorts were uncharacteristically
busy and teeming with people at that
time, mostly guests of my sister who
made the same trek from Manila.
The place is equipped with the usual water sports and beach
activities, like kayaking, banana boats
and beach volleyball. If modern
amenities are not your cup of tea, there
is also the Maira-Ira point, with a
secluded virgin beach known as the “Blue
Lagoon.” Situated in a cove, the waves
are calmer and the water more ideal for
swimming. The narrow, unpaved roads
leading to it may be a little perplexing
for first-time visitors but locals will
run into along the way are accustomed to
confused tourist and will happily help
with directions. The modest houses in
the area are accre- |
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dited
by the Department of Tourism as “homestays,”
perfect for backpackers and
thrill-seekers wanting to get a feel of
the local culture and to mingle with the
gracious Ilokanos.
Continuing along the highway will lead to Patapat Bridge, the only access
point to the Province of Cagayan. The
structure is an engineering marvel,
running alongside the winding coast. It
offers a scenic view of the sea and is
backed by a lush mountain range. What is
most peculiar is that radios in this
area pick up signals not from Ilocano
radio stations but from Taiwan.
Shortly past the bridge is the gorgeous Panzian Beach and Mountain
resort, the actual site of the ceremony
and reception of my sister’s wedding,
only one of the many weddings the resort
plays host to every year. Several years
back there was a huge, shipwrecked
vessel that was washed ashore. It lay
undisturbed for years that the local
children turned it into their
playground. I was saddened to see that
it was no longer there.
By air or by land, a trip to Ilocos Norte is always worth it. For
me, each homecoming offers something
new. The historic province never gets
old and the familiar sites never lose
its charm.
Getting to Ilocos Norte by private transport is relatively simple. From
Metro Manila, take the North expressway
and exit at the last tollgate. It is
virtually a straight and easy drive
along the national highway from that
point on. Brace yourself for a long,
long drive. |
