Balaoi,Ilocos Norte

Maira-ira Beach, blue lagoon

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

As far as I'm concerned, I consider Pagudpud,Ilocos Norte is one of the most time-worthy place to visit that is close to Manila. You can just enjoy the quiet life of the province ore enjoy varieties or activity without going to one place far from another. You may laze under the sun, surf, hike, do food trip, dive, stargazing, snorkeling, tour the historical places, enjoy the scenic vies and most of all spend quality time with your loved ones.

We spent our week-long Anniversary vacation just like how we did last year since Aaron doesn't really want to do the whole island hoping in Palawan this month. Being very familiar with the place and the mode of transactions there, we decided that it will be relaxing and less of a stress to come back there instead of trying to discover a new place like classic tourists. Besides we were really satisfied during our visit last year that we can almost predict the outcome of the trip (which is good).

From Eastwood City, we stopped by Robinson's Galleria in Ortigas for about 30 minutes to get snorkels and more memory cards before heading to Florida bus station in Sampaloc, Manila.

We weren't able to make reservation. An.d the Deluxe bus that directly goes to Pagudpud leaves at 9:30pm so to make sure that we can secure tickets for the seat, we took a cab via EDSA and Quezon Avenue, we reached the terminal at 20:50. Good enough time to do a little extra shopping for snacks and drinks in the nearby convinience store while waiting for the stop over in Marsha's.

Our bus left the terminal at exactly 21:35 Instead of playing a movie,the driver chose to tune up to a radio station that played love song which added to relaxing atmosphere of the starry night. And we kept fooling around talking criticizing the lyrics or random songs and reminiscing our last trip to Pagudpud, and how he really crave for the Empanadita's- that we should get a lot of it.

We were just tripped-out because our bus keeps stopping along the high-way whenever we come across another Florida bus. We were guessing that they're just cross-checking the tickets and stuff like that but we stopped for like 4 times or more for he whole trip.

There was no traffic or road trouble so we fell asleep and woke up realizing that we were already in Tarlac,Tarlac at 00:27. I kept looking around at the signboards while doing time checks so here's what I've got in my phone: Buang,La Union -02:01;Candon, Ilocos -03:25; Quirino Bridge in Ilocos Sur -4:19; Marsha's Delicacies in Bantay, Ilocos Sur-4:27; Vigan, Ilocos Sur- 5:40; Laoag City-5:50; Laoag-Cubao Terminal station- 6:18 ; Bangui at around 7:30 Then I started taking pictures of the windmills and the lighthouse along the way so I stopped the precise tracking. I was also exchanging messages to Mean-the owner of Polaris so they can time it and pick us up from the bus terminal beside the Municipal Town Hall.

Its kinda weird since we were like the only one's left in the bus who perfectly doesn't understand and speak Ilocano. And the guys who were talking gibberish with the bus driver and conductor and kept looking at us giggling like they were betting on something. Finally somebody asked us where were we headed to and if we need some sort of transportation to get to the resort, offering their tricycle. I just politely answered that we're going to Polaris and that they're going to pick us up.

We arrived at Polaris before 9:30 so the whole trip was less than 12 hours. We've finally met the owner Mean who wasn't there last year when went there. first thing I noticed was that she's nice and chatty which is a good trait for a host. They took us to our room in the 3rd floor which has a veranda facing the beach.

to be continued...