Our last destination for our Ilocos Tour is the beautiful town of Pagudpud. We arrived in Pagudpud at around 7:30pm and rode another tricycle to take us to Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex where we stayed two nights in Pagudpud. The inn doesn't have a reception so all transactions are being done at the inn's restaurant. We were assigned at room #7 located at the second floor. Our room was spacious with queen size bed, free WiFi, hot and cold shower and free breakfast for only Php1800/night.
Our Standard Room at Palm Grove Holiday Complex
After we had settled our stuff in our room we went down to have our dinner at the inn's resto.. We ordered my all time favorite dish, grilled liempo and tortang talong.
The next morning, we snoozed our phone at 6:30am but by body clock automatically wakes me at 6am. My poor boyfriend have no choice but to adjust with my "morning person" lifestyle. For our breakfast, I ordered Bangsilog with hot chocolate while Jan ordered Hotsilog with brewed coffee.
At 9:00am, Kuya Rey, our Pagudpud tricycle guide, was already waiting for us at the inn's parking for our South Pagudpud tour. I got Kuya Rey's number thru reading a couple of travel blogs suggesting him for his good service and so I reserved his tricycle tour two weeks prior to our scheduled trip and he even helpfully recommended two of his friends who eventually became our tricycle guides in Laoag and Vigan. I asked Kuya Rey where is the perfect spot in Pagudpud where we could surf. Kuya Rey said Blue Lagoon but he warned us that the sea seems calm that day so there's a big possibility that we could not surf. We availed the blue lagoon anyway regardless of the sea's condition plus South Pagudpud tour for Php800.00.
Our tour started at Pagudpud Arch for photoops.
Our tour started at Pagudpud Arch for photoops.
We then proceeded to the next town in Bangui to see the windmills.. Seeing the giant windmills for the second time still amazes me. The Bangui windmill provides 40% electricity to Ilocos Norte..a brilliant project by the former Ilocos Norte Governor and now Senator, Bongbong Marcos.
There were also plenty of souvenir shops along the beach. I bought ref magnets (my new goal is to collect ref magnets from all the places I visit which I learned from Jan's sister) .. These windmill magnets and displays are just so cute.
Next is the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. We were transfered to another tricycle that would tour us around Kapurpurawan for additional Php300.00. Kuya Rey explained to us that a new ordinance was passed that will no longer allow tricycle drivers from other towns to go to Kapurpurawan to give chance to the Town's tricycle drivers to earn a living.
Next is the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. We were transfered to another tricycle that would tour us around Kapurpurawan for additional Php300.00. Kuya Rey explained to us that a new ordinance was passed that will no longer allow tricycle drivers from other towns to go to Kapurpurawan to give chance to the Town's tricycle drivers to earn a living.
We paid Php20.00 entrance fee and there were also horses for rent to take you to Kapurpurawan Rock formation. I actually didn't anticipate that riding a horse going to the rock formation would be the highlight of our Pagudpud trip. Its my first time to ride a horse and it was a happy, memorable experience for me I can't help but sing this time.. "Day after day.. Time passed away and I just can't get you out of my mind". Hahaha. Boyband craze!
Meet JM.
While Jan's horse named Jeffrey. :)
I was really awed by the beauty of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. How on earth the rock became white? Indeed, beauty of nature at it's best.
The 2 way horse back riding btw costs Php100.00. Don't miss the chance to ride a horse when you go to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. :)
Our last destination for South Pagudpud tour before we head to the Blue Lagoon was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse built in 1887 and is still functioning up to this date. The lighthouse gives a great view of Burgos town.
Our last destination for South Pagudpud tour before we head to the Blue Lagoon was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse built in 1887 and is still functioning up to this date. The lighthouse gives a great view of Burgos town.
Then the tricycle driver transfered us back again to Kuya Rey. We asked Kuya Rey to bring us to any restaurant where we could have our lunch. Kuya Rey asked me if it was okay for me to eat at calenderia.. I said of course.. We love home cooked dishes with affordable price. The calenderia's name is Izza if I remember it right. We enjoyed their Ilocos homecooked delicacies-- Pakbet, Bagnet, Pork adobo and Igado with free beef papaitan soup. The soup actually tastes good. Not bitter. Too bad I forgot to take picture because I excitedly finished my meal the moment they served our order.
After lunch, we took about less than an hour tricycle ride going to Blue Lagoon. Kuya Rey brought us to Kapuluan Vista Hotel where the surf boards can be rented. We checked the sea and Kuya Rey was right.. The sea was calm. But it was absolutely fine for us because the hotel has the most relaxing cocktail bar by the beach with light blue soft couches, hammock and acoustic & reggae music. We totally had a wonderful time in this place and stayed for about another hour just relaxing, cuddling each other and enjoying their refreshing cocktail and fruitshake.
After lunch, we took about less than an hour tricycle ride going to Blue Lagoon. Kuya Rey brought us to Kapuluan Vista Hotel where the surf boards can be rented. We checked the sea and Kuya Rey was right.. The sea was calm. But it was absolutely fine for us because the hotel has the most relaxing cocktail bar by the beach with light blue soft couches, hammock and acoustic & reggae music. We totally had a wonderful time in this place and stayed for about another hour just relaxing, cuddling each other and enjoying their refreshing cocktail and fruitshake.
Their cocktail drink's price are pretty reasonable too. I ordered their fruit shake for only Php60.00 while Jan ordered their cocktail called longchamp for Php120.00. And because its happy hour, the cocktail drink is buy one take one. Can you imagine that.. Our bill for a relaxing one hour stay and refreshing drinks was only Php180.00 . Maybe next time if ever we come back to Pagudpud again, we'll definitely stay at Kapuluan Vista Hotel. I checked their room rate and it was not that expensive at all. They are even offering fan rooms for as low as Php600.00
And that ends our tricycle tour in Pagudpud. Kuya Rey brought us back to our inn. We thanked him for making our Ilocos trip a lot more convenient for us together with 2 other guides we had at Vigan and Laoag. If ever you come to Pagudpud and need a tricycle tour, you may contact Kuya Rey at this number 09208684798.
But wait.. our Pagudpud adventure doesn't end there yet.. Of course.. this tour wouldn't be complete without visiting the pristine white sand beach of Saud. After resting for a short while.. I convinced Jan to take a dip at Saud beach which is just walking distance from our inn..
But wait.. our Pagudpud adventure doesn't end there yet.. Of course.. this tour wouldn't be complete without visiting the pristine white sand beach of Saud. After resting for a short while.. I convinced Jan to take a dip at Saud beach which is just walking distance from our inn..
Saud Beach
Dog's footsteps.. cuteeeee..
Saud beach is known as a not so beach friendly to swim at because the sand is soft it has a tendency to pull your feet down and get drown. But the beach was also calm when we visit soooo.. Swimming time!! We didn't go far though. We swum at the Saud beach just in time before the sun goes down. The sunset view as we enjoy the clear water of Saud beach is just so magnificent. I told myself.. "This is the life!" ..Thank you Lord for this trip.
Clear water of Saud Beach.
We went back to our inn and after a couple of hours, our tummies were hungry again. We had our dinner at the inn's resto and ordered Pork Sinigang and Tortang talong. There was a free videoke at the inn's rooftop and so after dinner, we took advantage of the videoke. Jan and I love to sing a lot.. Kahit YouTube videoke lang yan we would still duet together so having a free videoke is a big thumbs up for us. Sulit na sulit ang Php1800!
At 8am the next morning, Kuya Rey was already in our inn to take us to bus terminal to Laoag for our 1:55pm flight back to Manila. Then from Laoag bus terminal, Kuya Wilson took us to the airport as part of our tricycle tour package. On our way to the airport, I bought Ilocos longganisa and chicharon for pasalubong.
So that concludes our Ilocos Adventure. It was so nice to revisit the beautiful province of Ilocos with my favorite travel buddy and boyfriend, Jan. A vacation with lots of travel, foodtrip, fun, learnings and lurveeee.
Till we meet again, Ilocos!
Rica ♡
Rica ♡
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