ILOCOS Escapade 2013

Finally blogging this so~so planned ILOCOS trip. It only took us a week to decide for this trip, the original plan is to watch the Hot Air Balloon event in Clark, but we ended up rushing the so~so planned ILOCOS trip this February!

Never thought I would visit this province, because this is kinda far, yeah I'm also from North part of Luzon (Bulacan), but still it would take 8 to 10 hours to reach Laoag or 12 hours to reach Pagugpud via commuter bus. We didn't bother to booked an airline for this trip because it's expensive (probably because it's on regular fare). Anyways, we can take long hours of travel, getting used to it. ^_^, so there you go yes we are going to ILOCOS!

Thanks to fellow bloggers, I learned that Florida Bus has direct trip to Pagudpud.

Florida Bus (G.V. Florida Transport, Incorporated)
Lacson Avenue cor. Earnshaw Street, Manila, M.M
Telephone NO: (632) 781-5894

Florida Bus terminal is located in Sampaloc (near UST). From Cubao we ride a jeepney going to UST and just tell the driver to drop us off to Florida Bus terminal.

At the terminal, the conductor asked us where are we heading to, we told them that we are going to Pagudpud and they immediately say that the bus in front of us is leaving for Pagudpud at 8pm. It was
already 7:50pm, and we are rushing to buy our tickets!

The bus leaves the terminal at exactly 8:15pm, now the challenge will start, the 12 hours long travel to Pagudpud! Well that's according to my research, but to my surprise, riding Florida Bus, it only took us 10 hours of travel to reach Pagudpud! I'm not trying to scare you guys, but seriously manong drives like freaking fast! I'm half awake during that time, but I can feel how he drives like hell! Like he was cutting into the second lane, with that zigzag road. There you go, thank God we arrive safe and sound in Ilocos.

Florida Bus drops us at the tricycle terminal that took us to Saud Beach, on our way there, manong offer  us for a tour in Pagudpud (North & South), I already have a contact for our tour, but since manong seems to be nice, and his price is kinda lower, we decided to hire him instead of the my contact person. Fare from tricycle terminal to Saud Beach (Ate Cathy's Homestay) is 80php, Kuya Marlou knows the place so no need to worry.

TOUR GUIDE (Pagudpud)

Kuya Marlou
Contact #: 0928-480-7679

Tour Rate:
Pagudpud Northbound - 600php (2-3pax)
(Kabigan Waterfalls, Patapat Viaduct, Agua Grande, Paraiso ni Adan, Timmangtang Rock, Bantay Abot Cave, Blue Lagoon, Dos Hermanos Island)

Pagudpud Southbound - 600 (2-3 pax)
(Bangui Windmills, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Bangui Viewdeck, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation)

If you are more than 3 pax, you can still contact him, he has a Revo, the tour will cost 3,000php.

ACCOMMODATION

Ate Cathy's Homestay
Saud Beach
Contact #: 0919-571-6680

Room rate: 1,500 (3-4 pax) w/ breakfast

Our room has twin bed and 1 double deck bed.

House Rules

A small table w/ chairs outside the room, breakfast was served here

Outside Ate Cathy's homestay

Coffee vendo for 5php

There's a nearby restaurant here, so no need to worry where to eat. We had our meal on one of the nearest resort "Jun and Carol Beach Resort", we ordered "pork sinigang" that has a ginger, didn't enjoy the food, so don't order it, or just find another restaurant.

LAOAG Trip

Kuya Marlou recommends his cousin "Kuya Allen" for our Laoag tour.

Kuya Allen
Contact #: 0929-973-0886

Tour rate: 800php

Laoag tour: Marcos Museum, Paoay Church, Paoay Lake, Paoay Sand Dunes, Malacanang of the North, Fort Ilocandia Golf and Country Club, Fort Ilocandia Resort, Sinking Bell Tower, St William Cathedral

VIGAN Tour

We didn't avail any tour guide/package here, the only place we visit is "Calle Crisologo", we don't have enough time to explore Vigan, well guess that would be one reason to come back ^^

EXPENSES

** 3 pax sharing
** food and pasalubong expenses not yet included