Perseverance/Watery World Wednesday

"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins---not through strength but by perseverance." 

~ Jackson Browne

Linking to Watery World Wednesday

Endure/SWF

"If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm." ~ Warren Wiersbe

Linking to Sky-Watch, Friday

Driftwood/Water World - Wednesday

Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of  life. ~  George Arliss

Linking to Watery World-Wednesday and NF Waters

On the road [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

The dirt road to Kapurpurawan rock formations in Ilocos Norte---a three-kilometer unpaved road that led us to the rugged coast of Burgos, and the amazing sight of the white rock formations.

We were on the road for about 4 hours from the city of Vigan, and we were ecstatic when we finally reached this bridge.  A few minutes from our final destination---the white beaches of Pagudpud.

@ mirandablue

"I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road." ~ Stephen Hawking

And here's one of Metro Manila's major roads, EDSA, on a Monday morning.  This is approaching the tunnel at the intersection of EDSA and Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Photo Hunt

Ito [This]

@ mirandablue

"Alam mo ba kung ano ito?" mausisang tanong ng aking kapatid.  Hindi ko agad napansin ang mga animo'y kalansay ng daliri na nakadikit sa mga bato sa dalampasigan ng Pagudpud.  Kasama ng mga ugat ng puno na nakabaon sa bato, nakakamangha ang iba't ibang hugis at anyo. Fossil corals ang tawag sa mga ito na malamang daan o milyong taon nang nakalagak dito.  And mga koral ay simpleng hayop na nagse-secrete ng kalansay na gawa sa calcium carbonate.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

"Do you know what is this?" my sister asked curiously.  I didn't notice them right away but when I looked closely, they looked like finger skeletons embedded on rocks at the beach in Pagudpud.  Enclosed snugly with roots, I was amazed at the various shapes and textures.  These are fossil corals that were possibly deposited here hundreds or even millions of years ago.  Corals are simple animals that secrete skeletons made of calcium carbonate.

@ mirandablue

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1)  What amazed or surprised you recently?

2)  Have you discovered something new about yourself lately?

Simply Pagudpud [Watery and Outdoor Wednesday]

@ mirandablue

Winded from walking to the tip of Malingay Cove from Blue Lagoon, I take a moment to lean on a craggy slope and gaze out across the lush mountains, jagged rocks, a deserted stretch of white sandy beach and a small resort community on the other side of the cove.  A perfect place to seek relief from the pressure of a crowded city life and adopt the pace of nature.  This is one the places that I would like to return to before developers swoop in and complicate this charming simplicity.

@ mirandablue

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.  ~e.e. cummings

Malingay Cove @ mirandablue

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Patapat Viaduct

@ mirandablue

Before leaving Pagudpud and going back to Laoag City, we drove to Patapat Viaduct, a 1.3-kilometer concrete coastal bridge at the foot of the cliff of the north Cordillera mountain range.  Driving through the winding mountain road without traffic was a delightful experience.  This viaduct rises 31 meters above sea level, offering scenic views of the lush Cordillera mountains and the enchanting Pasaleng Bay.  It connects Maharlika Highway from Laoag City to the Cagayan Valley region.

Maharlika Highway is a 2500-kilometer network of roads, bridges and ferry services that connects the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.  It starts in Laoag City and ends in Zamboanga City.

@ mirandablue

Before the viaduct was constructed [during the Marcos administration], landslides were a common occurrence in this area during rainy season making this stretch a dreaded one-way road. In the 1960's, a footbridge perched on the mountain slope was the only link between the provinces of Ilocos and Cagayan Valley.  The etched footbridge can still be seen at the upper part of the cliff.  

This was the farthest point of our Ilocos road trip---about 580 kilometers from Manila.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Sunday Bridges and My World-Tuesday

Pagudpud Bridge [Sunday Bridges]

@ mirandablue

This bridge greeted us before we entered Pagudpud, our destination.  I am not sure if this is the bridge that crosses Bolo River, a river that separates the towns of Bangui and Pagudpud.  Shooting the rapids and kayaking are popular in Bolo River.  Exploring Bolo River is for another trip.

Posted for Sunday Bridges

Rocks at Blue Lagoon [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

Blue Lagoon is not all fine white sand and turquoise water.  The southern tip of Malingay Cove, just below the Nacatnagan Cliff, is dotted with sharp rocks.  This jagged and rocky part of Blue Lagoon make the landscape more interesting, and worth exploring.  Just make sure your feet are well-protected.

This post is linked to Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Blue Lagoon, Maira-ira Point [My World]

After an overnight stay at the Heritage Village in Vigan, we were eager to hit the beach.  The allure of a secluded, white sandy beach was enough to wake us up at the crack of dawn and drive 154 kilometers to Pagudpud.  It was a refreshing experience to constantly see the changing views--the verdant countryside, lush mountains, rivers and sea; clean, fragrant air to rejuvenate city-bred lungs, and the simple rustic life by the roadsides. I have seen the pristine beaches of Pagudpud more than a decade ago at Saud Beach Resort.  Saud offers first class accommodations while our destination this time was the rustic Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon, locals say, used to be a secret hideaway. That maybe true, because when I visited this part of Ilocos Norte more than a decade ago, Pagudpud beach was synonymous to Saud Beach Resort.  But I guess the cerulean waters, this quiet haven behind the lush mountains was bound to be discovered by those who are seeking serenity and the simple joy of walking by the beach without being approached by vendors.


An uphill and winding single-lane road at the side of the mountain overlooking  Malingay Cove led us right to Blue Lagoon.  It's about 2.5 kilometers from the Maharlika Highway.   There are upscale resorts at the end of the road but we decided to stop at the bunch of huts we saw and decided to park here for the day.  

The placid, crystal clear water was a few meters away, the view was inviting, fresh water was abundant in the restrooms---we're in the right place.

No restaurants here, no ATM machines.  Good thing we bought our lunch along the way, at the town of Pasuquin---lechon manok (roasted chicken), pork adobo, sautéed ampalaya (bitter gourd) with egg, and dinengdeng (mixed vegetables with fish sauce soup base, a favorite dish in this region), steamed rice, some bananas and oranges, and bottled water.

A leisurely stroll by the beach relaxed my tired muscles.  The water and sand were pleasantly warm,  the breezes soft and fresh.

Aside from farming, locals make their living through fishing.  Tourism is also a growing industry.  But I hope the local government would maintain the idyllic and pristine beaches here, and not yield to the temptation of following Boracay's footsteps.

Pagudpud is a coastal town on the northernmost tip of Luzon, the last town of Ilocos Norte bounded to the east by Adams, the first town in the province of Cagayan.  It is 561 kilometers north of Manila, about 72 kilometers  north of Laoag City, the provincial capital.

It can be reached by land or by air (through Laoag International Airport).

This post is linked to My World-Tuesday

Clouds over Blue Lagoon [SWF]

Dark, ominous clouds descended from the mountains down to Blue Lagoon beach at Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.  I was expecting rain but it didn't come.  We enjoyed a slightly downcast sky all afternoon--no sunburn!  

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday