FALLING IN LOVE WITH ILOCOS 2-BANGUI,BURGOS and PAGUDPUD

As I have always said, blogging has become my way of expressing myself, a kind of platform.  By this time, blogging is a way of expressing my gratefulness to the people who are always been a part of my life yesterday, today and tomorrow.   Some of them are Ilocanos, whom I met back then, but it was only during my recent trip in Ilocos Region where I truly appreciate them. Me and Maam Anamor Akil went to the unfamiliar place like an innocent children, with only one thing in mind. WANDERLUST! 😀

Traveling is one of the things I really love to do.  I just started my SAVINGS for my future trips.

Here are some photos from the memorable trip I had with Maam Anamor, which might be helpful for others for their future trips in Ilocos Region:

THE WINDMILLS OF BANGUI:

In going to the Bangui windmill, we got a tour package taking a tricycle from a local in Pagudpud which costs us P900.oo per person, but  if one thinks of an adventure, it is quite cheaper compare to other rentals since the whole package includes the subsequent tours as mentioned in the next pictures. We really enjoyed the trip in Bangui Windmills, since it was our first time to got the look of a windmill it was totally an awesome experience of having seen this gigantic structures , it’s like  dinosaurs (in Jurassic Films) you can see through the big trees and mountains around.  One can buy some souvenirs for a cheaper prices compared to Vigan.

THE FAMOUS PAGUDPUD SIGNAGE

Yes the famous Pagudpud Sinage and of course the breathtaking terrain and rice paddies. So, when are you coming to Ilocos Region.  You got to visit the place.  ❤ ❤

Ever since, Ilocos Region has always been on my “bucket list”, so when I decided to visit my friends in Manila, the region was been the top priority in my destination and putting into list to my itinerary every towns and municipalities of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, though I still have Laoag to venture in the next few years (we were not able to stay overnight at Laoag since we were so tired then and we need to go to Pagudpud before the night ends).  There are lots of budget travel options.

I have been through lots of places in the Philippines. OHh!!! quite not a stranger in my own country..well, SLIGHT 🙂 :-).  But heaven!!, this place is one of the MOST PICTURE PERFECT, AMAZING, HEAVENLY…I almost lost an appropriate adjectives to describe the place, but yes!!..over and over, I am willing to travel almost 10 to 12 hours just to get there.

Be adventuruous enough and experience the thrill of everyday life of the locals.  The people was so friendly and we have no fear of being nabbed.  Take chances and enjoy life.  But I am not saying that you need to spend every token of your salary to travel, just save an amount for it, and have the initiative to get a cheapest travel budget.  It’s all over the net or be among of the locals and talk to few people, learn their language and appreciate them.  Anyway, the whole package  took us a whole day, yet every corner of the place we were able to explore.  They have their own tariffa and it’s approved by the local government.

SOUVENIRS IN BANGUI

 

We got to meet a Cebuana souvenir vendors at Bangui.

THE VERY CAPTIVATING KAPURAWPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION

KAPURAPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION- Burgos, Ilocos Norte

The place reminds me of how true happiness could be found in simplicity. Its a choice though, yet, an hour or two in the place made me realize how blessed I am in my life.  Though, just like the path going to the beautiful rock  formation, there are rough terrains that we need to endure in order to see its beauty.  There are areas that are restricted but this is one way of preserving the place.  So be a law abiding citizen.

Going to Kapurawpurawan, it took us less than fifteen minutes taking another tricycle but this time, the tricycles are accreditted by the local government to take tourists to the site to prevent traffic.  It costs us less than P200.00 and another P15.00 for a maintenance fee of the area.  Still no problem with that amount.

           The Kapurpurawan rock formation is located on the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It came from the Ilocano word “puraw” which means white.  The rock formation in Kapurawpuraw was sculptured  by different oceanic and weather forces through times.

The tricycle driver religously took photos for us.  He is quite nice and very accommodating.

Even the small details are well preserve 🙂

CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE

The tour to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (of the Burgos Lighthouse) in Burgos, Ilocos Norte is among of the package offered to the locals.  It is quite know for many since some of the local movies and television series were shot in this beautiful place.  It is 35 kilometers from Laoag City with narrow two-laned road, but since we started our tour from Pagudpud, it’s quite few kilometers from the municipality.

Cemented Stairway going to the top of the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

 

The famous Cape Bojeador Lighthouse- amazingly beautiful .The first time I got to see a lighthouse and it was really a very fantastic experience.

The place is very peaceful and fantastic with a very cold breeze blowing from the surrounding area and the ocean not far from the lighthouse.  It stands on top of A hill called Vigia de Nagparitan Hill, overlookign Cape Bojeador.  It was built 100 years ago and still functional- it signals to the ship as the entered the Philippine territory, it was made during the Spanish era and was very useful during that time.

 

THE FAMOUS PATAPAT VIADUCT IN PAGUDPUD

The Patapat Viaduct of Pagudpud, Ilocost Norte is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines which is 1.3 km.

HANNAH’s BEACH RESORT in Pagudpud

In Hannah’s, there is the longest zip line over open air in the country that 1 km long ride.

STINGRAY MEMORIAL

 

 

SAUD BEACHES

I should say, one of the most perfect place I have into was in PAgudpud.  As a child, I learned to dreamt many things in life even chasing them until this time, but I also never stop looking for a place to visit.  Always enjoy life, the way it should be.  Never confined yourself in the four corners of your home or office and go out and explore the world.  Me, I don’t have enough money to back me up every trip that I had, but I always make sure that I allotted a percentage of my salary for that.  There nothing wrong in travelling, exploring things, and take an adventure.  Why not try few of the beautiful spots that we had?

Travelling is one of our greatest mentor in life.  Through travelling I learned the different traditions each family had and be able to adjust with it.

MY MIDDLE THIRTY BUCKET LISTS

I just read my EARLY THIRTY: My Realization and My Own Bucket List which I posted on August 2012.  It’s quite a long time that I listed some things that I needed to do and realized, I got few of them recently. We are in final months before ending the 2015 and next year will be another year to be added in my life (if God permits).   :V :V : V 😀  ….It seems that it was just recently that I tried to make some lists, actually I was just doing what other bloggers do when I posted that blog.  But hey!I kept it to myself hoping for adventures, inspirations, more dreams to realize and places to travel. 😎 😎

There were number of times when all I could do was to cry for some uncertainties, but every second of the day, God always reminded me how He turned every happenings into a blessing.  Not all the best gives me joy and happiness.  That is  very clear to me now.

I looked at the list I posted before and meditated how long or short I went after how many years of struggle.  I mentioned “struggle” because that was the time where I tried to pick up myself after few of many defeats.  And again, I am talking about defeat because I was totally down and hopeless then.  Having gone through my lists it reminded me I really did my best to make things happened and it really turns out what I really hope for.  As I mentioned before, God has its own way of doing trick to us. ❤ ❤ ❤

Having been away from my family for almost three years,  I learned the value of my parents.  Though the roller coaster ride of family relation is not that smooth but somehow, what I learned is making the most of my days with  them while they are already at their twilight years, and I could say I am bless enough to have it realized before I will regret. 😀 😀 😀

One of the biggest lessons in life is realizing there is no failure but the failure to stop trying. 

Here is my Personal Update of My Own Bucket Lists now that I am already at my 35th years of Existence (Based on my Previous Blog): ^_^   ^_^   ^_^

1.  STILL HAVE TO CONTINUE MY DREAMS OF BECOMING A LAWYER.  DONE NUMBER OF TIMES..and still pursuing my passion of becoming a lawyer…UNTIL NOW, I still don’t have the plans to stop the dream)..One of the biggest lessons in life is realizing there is no failure but the failure to stop trying. Never give up on your dream.

2. I WANT TO BECOME A CHEF.  uHHHMMM!!! Sounds so beyond what I used to dream.I love cooking and I love to share some foods.  Doing the platting is for me like doing a make up or decorating a home.  I need to put some love and passion and it feels so good to make other people happy because they were satisfied with the foods I am serving, and right now, I want to do more, to learn more.

3. I MAY NOT HAVE THE BEST RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, but I never stop praying.

4. CONTINUE BLOGGING. The only platform where I could share my thoughts and aspirations, preserving my emotions and smiles of the days that cannot be forgotten.  Blogging is one way of expressing and being with  myself.  I do not pretend to be what I am not, I don’t care what people might say.the important thing is, I am what I am and what will I want to be. For the past years, I embraced a number of different hobbies: gardening, oil and watercolor painting, handicraft making, cooking,uhhhmmm…and a once-in-blue moon trying hard on the job trainee in photography with my friend, Nog Bernido, just to name a few. All of them changed my outlook in life, but through blogging I could put all the words somethings which would likely described me.

“And while there are many articles written about why you should blog to grow your business or become an expert or make a whole bunch of money—the best recommendations are still found in the personal realization that blogging changes you, the writer.”(excerpt from a famous blogger, becomingminimalist)

5.  TO MAKE THE FARM COTTAGE A BIG FAMILY BUSINESS and the FARM COTTAGE SOUVENIRS AND GIFT SHOP a successful.  Farm Cottage is our parent’s legacy for us, and I want to make it big for them. (I used the Blackberry Z10 for this photo)

          6.  TO BE ABLE TO SHARE MY BLESSING IN THE MOST SIMPLE WAY and to MAKE THE PEOPLE NEXT TO ME HAPPY.  God has given me beyond what I have expected, and its natural to share it to people next to me.  And I wish I could touch people’s lives in every second of my life.

Relief Goods Packing at Camp Crame, Quezon City for the Yolanda and Earthquake victims in 2013.

           Not every day is going to offer us a chance to save someone’s life, but everyday offers us an opportunity to affect one. Doing what is right is always the gift to myself.

     7. SWIN WITH THE WHALE SHARKS IN OSLOB. I already experienced many island hoping from North to South of the Philippines and it feel so great to enjoy the natural wonder of the Philippines, and I am so proud to say, it is indeed MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES.  But wait, I have lot more to explore and one of those is to experience swimming with the Whale Shark in Oslob. (I got the image from Google and credit to http://meetjoyce.blogspot.com)

     8.  TO CAPTURE IMAGES USING MY RAW SKILLS..  YES! I already got my DSLR Canon Camera. I never thought I could have one too soon but yes I did  (y) (y) and I still want to be a landscape photographer (for my personal fulfillment). 😀 😀

9. TO TRAVEL MORE (Philippines and abroad).   I already traveled many beautiful places in the Philippines and I am proud to say, I made through it,though it was quite stressful but it’s very fulfilling.  The fist time I experienced camping in a remote cove in Pundaquit, Zambales, Philippines without any form of comforts, yet that was one of the most amazing trip I made with  equally lovable people. And i wish in the next few years, I will be able to travel throughout the Philippines.

CAMBODIA,  THAILAND, SINGAPORE, CANADA AND UNITED STATE OF AMERICA      (I decided to dream high, so high that I wanted to fulfill most of them).  I am not too ambitious but I want to make this as my inspiration.

There is a lot of magic in this glorious planet of ours. From the majesty of the coastal mountain range, to the sprawling skies of the prairies, nature has a lot to offer. But not only nature, I think it’s high time for me appreciating the beauty within the ordinary and realize that everyday is to be treasured in it’s own unique way.

10.TO TRAVEL TO BATANES.

11. TO EXPERIENCE WHITE CHRISTMAS .  When will it be?

I want to live my dream.  And my Bucket List will be my inspiration. ❤ ❤ ❤ 😀

 

THE ART OF TRAVELLING

I spent 8 hours a day and five times a week attending my duty at work.  For the past years in my life, I craved for travels. Nothing is wrong with it. One really needs to have her own time to enjoy a day.I guess I needed a break that could take me back to my old momentum before a year ends. Honestly, there came into my life when I felt so empty, overwhelmed with too many worries while still coping up with  big adjustments, and I needed to break free from all those untowards anxities. Questions hunting me for months for an unknown fear or the thought that I was already drained from chasing on things that I wanted so fast, still doubtful for so many things.

For the last couple of months, I focused myself into doing the things that I really need to do for the most anticipated financial stability.  This is to finance myself for the possible expenses that I might be creating for another months. So many things that I really need to focus before leaping into another milestone of studying and doing business at the same time.  But for now, i simply want to share another travel I have been into together with my colleagues.  I already posted several photos i took during my visit to one of the most beautiful island here in Bohol, Pamilacan.  IT is a place of serenity.  I love Pamilacan.

Beauty from a distance of the destroyed Immaculate Concepcion Church in Baclayon

A simple step could take you to anywhere, just have the courage to do it. Start enjoying life and start with a single step 🙂 ❤

I like to think that I am pretty strong person. I’ve been living in Manila having myself alone, yet inspite of it, sometimes, I underselling myself and even questioned my capabilities when personal and family problem came, but I challenged myself of doing the things other people could do. I never been a passive person, playing supporting roles. I always been the lead even in the men’s world, but most of the time then, I felt the pain of taking the lead.  I simply wanted to relax.   Seriously, sometimes, I want to be a damsel in distress. But who will care? 😦

But today, allow me to unload my heart, this is fast and you will enjoy.  Sharing photos might be a great help.

Boat that could take us to PAmilacan. Pamilacan Island can only be reach through boat.  No other means of transportation since no bridge is connected from the mainland.

When the sky meet the water A clear blue sky with blue water.

Lengthy sand bar.

The beauty of island is amazing with it’s powder white sands. There are beautiful places in Bohol and Pamilacan Island was one of the most lovely places I visited, where yone can see the sky and water meld into each other so seamlessly.

Enjoying a day with no less than kuya Lawrence. (Photo taken Maam Anamor Akil)

I posted several pictures in my recent blogs about Pamilacan Island, but everyday I got the chance to visit the island, my love and admiration undeniably renewed.  No doubt this place is a paradise. (All the pictures are unedited, this is my way of knowing whether I have the progress in my photograph).

FISHES IN THE OCEAN 🙂

Fresh new catch

Blue Starfish (Wondering)

RED CORALS

Life changing experiences happened in different ways and even in the most simple incident in life.  From the harsh reality of busy world, I aimed to spend a time for myself meditating on how to go on, picking few pieces of me shattered by the material world and I came to realized taking a break is one of the best thing to reconcile with my inner self. A day can create a difference in my own core.

THE DIFFERENT FACES DURING OUR DAY TOUR:

KUYA LAWRENCE

KUYA LAWRENCE AND GABRIEL

I encountered different characters along the way, but somehow it could give me enough wisdom to decide on things without judging.  During my break I learned not enough neutrality but courage to stand what is right, because at the end of the day what matters most are the people who  came into my life which became part of who I am.

wITH THE TEAM

SHARING STORIES OVER ARRAY OF FOODS AND DRINKS, A BEST WAY TO RELAX AND ENJOY NATURE

In the next few months, I will be updating my blog again, because at last I am back to my old self doing the things I really, really love. I will be posting places that made me cry, laugh, smile, dream, inspire and love.  Places that made me feel I’m alive. 🙂 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

JUST ANOTHER DAY TO BE GRATEFUL

Even before the start of summer, I already planned to spend it enjoying and taking vacations. It is always one of the best season for me. So what’s all about my 2014 summer?

Taking the opportunity to enjoy my life, it seems the whole world just close to me like a door waiting to be opened.

I just took every opportunity…and there lies…waiting to be opened.

I am sharing few of the photos during my vacation from  Luzon to Mindanao.  EVERYTHING!!! 🙂  ❤ ❤ …I am so excited !!! yahhhooooo!!!

     My first visit to the crater of the famous Taal Volcano.  My summer may not be that perfect because I was away from my family, but I never skipped an opportunity to enjoy myself.

I brought my family here in Manila to spend the vacation with them.  Though the vacation was just short, but it was still worthy spending moments with them.

What is my summer is all about?  How far my learning go?

Maybe I mean everything…the love, the fun, the adventure, the wanderlust, the risk taking, everything…

 

I became  fearless with every adventures I tried,  I just realized I am after all good at it .

I never realized how much I value the time I spent the days of my vacations.  I listed my wishlists in my bucket list, every now and then, everything seemed slowly unfold.  God is so good.  HE give me everything that I never thought I wanted before, but here it is!

I never thought I could go beyond the limits, but yes, I did! Rock Climbing and CLiff Jumping…

 

Giving myself a chance to be a model in the famous “NAKED ISLAND” in Surigao.

 

 

OH!!!I am just so overwhelmed to share all the selected photos during my vacations.

 

ANAWANGIN COVE, PUNDAQUIT, ZAMBALES:

CORON, PALAWAN:

Proud to pose above the Kayangan Lake.

Posing with the members of  Tagbanua Tribe in Coron, Palawan.

Coron is one of the best diving spot in the world with it’s majestic and stunning corals and it’s rich of diversity of marine life, but, some of those corals were badly destroyed by the Yolanda.

Parking is more fun in the Philippines…. 🙂

      Entrance to the famous Twin Lagoon.  During low tide it serves as the entrance, however, during high tide you can use the ladder and have a free dive to be able to go to the second lagoon.  According to our tour guide, the deepest is 80 feet.

Encircled by gigantic limestone cliffs,what truly amazed me during my Coron adventure was the limestone formations that composed the islets.  Accordingly, there are different kinds of limestone that composed islands, one of those are coral limestone which is the composition of the island of Bohol, and here in Coron,it is said to be of  Permian limestone of jurassic origin.

More to discover some beautiful places in the Philippines.

What will be my next adventure?

 

THE HIDDEN TREASURE IN CAVE, DANAO, BOHOL

                            THE CAVE ADVENTURE IN E.A.T DANAO

This blog was long overdue.  CAVING ADVENTURE IN Danao, Bohol.

We departed from the main city at around 7:00 in the morning, it took us almost 4 hours i guess, before we arrived in our main destination. E.A.T DANAO!  I was very excited, after hearing a lot of beautiful comments from people who already experienced the adventures, I am glad I was FINALLY  GOT   THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME.   I never wasted time and took the opportunity of riding the zipline with my cousin, Edward.

I was with my aunties, cousins, and my Mama Rosie.  My mom was so excited in going to E.A.T Danao.  It was our first time ever.  The adventure took place last 2009 of July when they visited us from America.  Until now, I brought the guilt of not letting my mom experienced the zipline because I was so afraid by then to let her take the zipline because she has a high blood pressure.

E.A.T Danao Adventure Park offers handfull of extreme adventures for the people.  It has many breathtaking sceneries and some many wonderful places to rest. Here, I learned to appreciate the  hidden beauty of the nature.  The place though, has a lot of visitors every now and then, is well-maintained.  It is a place that I really never regret to visit.  I got a 38 degrees fever after our cave adventure.  Yet, I am so fulfilled to finished with flying colors the different struggles while taking our way to the main place of the cave.  IT WAS A WOW!!

The trekking took us almost half an hour before reaching the place, but never regret a moment as we stepped down to the cave.

 Before going down to the cave we need to climb almost 2 meters high going to the main and the only small outlet/ entrance to the cave, and another four meters long going down using the rope.  We need to have a balance while doing the raffeling to prevent our body from hitting the rocks.

Before going to trekking for the caving, a series of  instructions were given by our guide to remind us the do’s and dont’s inside the cave and this involved the prohibition of getting some souvenirs from the cave.

JUST ENTERED THE CAVE

Everyone should take off the top otherwise the cold will surely penetrate inside the skin. I even decided to take off my blouse, still, I have a 38 degrees flu after we got home. Funny i am not really used to too much cold..hehehehe

TOO COLD
SWIVERING

I never thought that I would be writing a blog about my experience in E.A.T Danao.  I’ve been there twice but this experience was extra special to me.  My first time did the caving and obviously me and my cousins did enjoy inspite of the exhausting crawls and duck walks.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAVE

there are beautiful wonders inside
GOd is too great

There are lots of beautiful and marvelous places our nature could offer.  I might be blest to have some relatives who could take us to another places which we could hardly reached? I sometimes wished that somehow those ordinary and less fortunate people could experience what other people have experience, life is not that fair, maybe…..I was thinking about it while trying to compose my blog, because there are really lots of beautiful places and not everybody is able to visit..Heroic? uuhhh?!!!Just a thought!!

another beautiful with tiny droplets that really fascinates me!!

Though my fever after we got home was really terrible.  I was lucky enough to enjoy the place.

WE DID A LOT OF CRAWLING, DUCK WALK, SWIMMING…but everything was paid off!!IT WAS THE BEST

DUCK WALK

enjoying the water before continuing to the next level..
YAHOOOO

THE FINALE..

After all the dipping into the very cold water, crawling, and climbing into the rocks..though exhausted but felt so fulfilled. It was indeed a very difficult experience, but it was all worth it.  I was so happy my mom did enjoy the trip.  It was a very healthy experience for all of us.

Sometimes I have to enjoy every single moment of my life, so I decided.  Oftentimes I felt so exhausted mentally, physically and psychologically, but having a time of my life doing simple things and adventures gave me too much pleasures and contentment.  Being outside my comfort zone and take the opportunity to test my capacities in handling the difficult situations will always give me the sense of fulfillment.  In times, I felt so down and restless, not knowing what to do next, and sometimes, I almost lost my faith to Him.  In the said situations, I draw my strength to what I believe that God never give anyone struggles which cannot be handled.  Having such thought made me realized I can handle everything as long as I won’t loss any balance., and eventually things will be back into normal.

God be with me!

Looking forward for another batch of adventures with my family.

Thank you so much!!!